In the landscape of digital music and video streaming, YouTube stands out as a platform that offers two popular subscription services: YouTube Music and YouTube Premium. YouTube Music caters specifically to music lovers, providing a vast library of songs akin to other music streaming services. Subscribers can listen to music ad-free and offline. YouTube Premium, on the other hand, extends these benefits to all video content on the platform, not just music.
Choosing between YouTube Music and YouTube Premium depends largely on a user’s consumption habits. For those whose primary interest lies in uninterrupted music listening, YouTube Music may be sufficient. Yet for users who desire an ad-free experience across all videos, with the capability to download and play them in the background, YouTube Premium presents itself as the comprehensive solution.
1. YouTube Music Premium
What it is:
A subscription designed for music lovers. It gives you access to the full YouTube Music app experience without interruptions.
Key Features:
- Ad-free music streaming.
- Offline downloads of songs, albums, and playlists.
- Background play (music continues playing when the app is minimized).
- Access to official tracks, albums, remixes, live performances, and covers.
Best for: People who primarily want a music streaming service similar to Spotify or Apple Music.
2. YouTube Premium
What it is:
A broader subscription that includes all the benefits of YouTube Music Premium plus extra perks for the main YouTube platform.
Key Features:
- Ad-free experience across all of YouTube (not just music).
- Background play for videos.
- Offline downloads of both music and videos.
- Access to YouTube Originals (exclusive shows and movies).
- Includes YouTube Music Premium at no extra cost.
Best for: People who watch a lot of YouTube videos and also want a music streaming service bundled in.
3. Comparison Table
| Feature | YouTube Music Premium | YouTube Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Ad-free music | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Ad-free videos (all of YouTube) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Background play (music) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Background play (videos) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Offline downloads (music) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Offline downloads (videos) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Access to YouTube Originals | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Includes YouTube Music Premium | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Price (approx., varies by region) | Lower ($9.99/mo) | Higher ($13.99–$15.99/mo) |
4. Which Should You Choose?
- Pick YouTube Music Premium if you mostly care about music streaming and don’t mind ads on regular YouTube videos.
- Pick YouTube Premium if you want the full ad-free YouTube experience, offline video downloads, and music streaming bundled together.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Music is designed for ad-free and offline music streaming.
- YouTube Premium provides additional video features across the entire platform.
- Choice between the two depends on whether a user values music or video content more.
Comparing YouTube Music and YouTube Premium
YouTube Music and YouTube Premium offer different levels of access to music and video content. Understanding the benefits and restrictions of each can help users choose the right service.
Subscription Benefits
YouTube Music Premium subscribers enjoy ad-free access to a vast music library. This includes music videos and the ability to play music in the background or with the screen off on mobile devices. In contrast, YouTube Premium offers all the benefits of Music Premium plus ad-free videos across all of YouTube, including YouTube Kids, and exclusive access to YouTube Originals content.
Content Access and Restrictions
With YouTube Music Premium, users have access to songs, albums, playlists, and music videos. However, unlike YouTube Premium, it does not remove ads from non-music video content on YouTube. YouTube Premium users experience no ads across the entire platform and have the bonus of downloading videos for offline viewing.
Music Streaming Quality and Features
Both YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Premium provide the same music streaming quality. Users can enjoy features like curated playlists and music discovery tools. They can also find lyrics for songs and see recommendations based on their listening habits.
Pricing and Plans
Pricing for YouTube Music Premium typically starts at $9.99 per month, while YouTube Premium is priced at $11.99 per month. Both services offer a family plan that includes up to six accounts. There are also student plans available at a reduced cost. The extra $2 for YouTube Premium gives users broader video content without ads.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Both services are compatible with a wide range of devices including mobile apps on Android and iOS, desktops, and Google smart devices. Users can seamlessly switch between audio-only and video modes, making these services flexible for various listening and viewing experiences.
