Most Kiwis have watched a video on regular, free-to-view YouTube. But the streamer also has subscription service, YouTube Premium, which comes with extra features, as well as a price tag.
Canstar explores how YouTube Premium stands up against its competitors and whether it represents good value for money.
What is YouTube Premium?
YouTube Premium is the paid version of YouTube. It includes features such as ad-free viewing, the ability to download and watch videos offline, plus exclusive content.
If you have a YouTube Premium account, you can stream it on all your usual devices.
How much data does YouTube Premium use?
An hour-long 720p video will use about 0.22GB of data, whereas an hour-long video at 1080p quality will use between 1.2GB-2GB.
If you’re going to be away from a wi-fi connection, and you don’t have unlimited data on your phone, you can always download your videos ahead of time to watch offline.
How much does YouTube Premium cost?
YouTube Premium costs $22.99 per month, with a one-month free trial. YouTube Premium is on a recurring bill cycle, with the ability to cancel at any time, although you’ll have to pay out the rest of the month if you cancel halfway through. YouTube Premium also offers Student and Family plans:
- Student plan: $13.99 per month with a one-month free trial. Verification is required to qualify for the Student plan, with full-time students at select higher education facilities qualifying for the discount.
- Family plan: $39.99 per month with a one-month free trial. You can add up to 5 family members (aged 13+) per household, although all must have a Google account to be added.
How does YouTube Premium compare to other streaming services?
How does YouTube Premium shape against the household names of Netflix and Disney+? Check out our table for a quick comparison of comparative plans:
YouTube Premium |
Netflix |
Disney+ |
|
| Price (per month) | $22.99 (basic plan) | $25.99 (basic plan) | $16.99 |
| Free trial | 1 month | No | No |
| No. devices stream at same time |
One | One | Two |
| HD streaming | Yes | Yes | Yes |
It’s worth noting that while YouTube Premium doesn’t offer blockbuster movies and hit TV shows, it does come with access to YouTube Music.
YouTube Music
YouTube Music has well over 100 million songs, similar to other music-streaming platforms. It also offers a range of music videos, footage of live performances, remixes and covers not available on other platforms.
Furthermore, as you’d expect from a YouTube service, music videos also play a prominent part. For example, when searching for a song, you have the option to search for the song or the video.
Is YouTube Premium worth it?
There’s no shortage of videos and entertainment on YouTube, but is paying for YouTube Premium worth it? Ultimately, it will come down to what you want out of your YouTube binges, as YouTube Premium does offer far more ad-free content.
However, for music-lovers it’s access to YouTube Music that delivers true value, when compared to a Spotify Premium individual subscription: $18.99.
About the reviewer of this page
This report was reviewed by Canstar Content Producer, Caitlin Bingham. Caitlin is an experienced writer whose passion for creativity led her to study communication and journalism. She began her career freelancing as a content writer, before joining the Canstar team.
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