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5 Reasons YouTube Premium Is Worth Every Penny

Published Oct. 3, 2025
Jake FitzGerald
Author: Jake FitzGerald
Jake FitzGerald
Jake FitzGerald
Editorial Strategist

Jake FitzGerald is a full-time Editorial Strategist and Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, leading content production and distribution while also writing about credit cards, bank accounts, and other financial products. He has more than a decade of experience editing and shaping financial content to give readers clear, trustworthy money advice. His work focuses on delivering practical insights that empower people to make smarter financial decisions. Off the clock, he’s a fan of college football tailgates and still loyal to his favorite putter -- despite what his short game suggests.

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A few years ago I finally realized that YouTube had so much more to offer than music videos and viral Family Feud clips. It's a never-ending stream of highly educational and entertaining content.

I know, it's easy to roll your eyes at "yet another subscription service." But YouTube Premium is the one subscription that genuinely feels like it improves my daily life. If you spend any time on YouTube (and let's be real, who doesn't?), here's why I think you'll love YouTube Premium as much as I do.

YouTube Premium overview

A standard membership costs $11.99 per month if you sign up through the YouTube website (it's pricier through the iOS app, so don't make that mistake). You can also get a family plan for $17.99 a month, which covers up to six people in your household.

That subscription unlocks a lot:

  • No ads, ever.
  • Background play on mobile.
  • Offline downloads for travel or bad wifi spots.
  • Access to YouTube Music Premium, a full, ad-free music streaming service.
  • Ad-free access to YouTube Kids and Originals.

For me, that's more than enough to justify the price. But here are the five reasons I think YouTube Premium is worth every penny.

1. I use it every single day

Some streaming services I'll go weeks without opening (looking at you, Hulu). But YouTube Premium I seriously use every single day. Sometimes multiple times a day. Whether I'm watching cooking videos, catching the latest news clip, or listening to music while I write, it's become my default entertainment hub.

2. No more obnoxious ads

Let me tell you, nothing ruins a relaxing nature video faster than a loud, unskippable ad for some random mental health app. With YouTube Premium, I haven't dealt with that in years. Sure, creators still include sponsored shoutouts, but those don't bother me. And with Premium you'll even get to skip those sections of video with just a single click. The platform's built-in ads were what drove me nuts, and getting rid of them feels like pure freedom.

3. Offline downloads save me every time I travel

Flights, road trips, spotty wifi, you name it. With Premium, I just download playlists or videos ahead of time, and I've got entertainment ready to go. It's one of those features you don't realize you'll lean on until you have it.

And if you have kids? Well the value here just goes through the roof. That buffering wheel seems to hit at the worst moments; if you know, you know.

4. YouTube Music is included

This one's underrated. YouTube Music Premium is bundled in, so I don't have to pay separately for Spotify or Apple Music. It's ad-free, has community playlists for every mood, and lets me download tracks for offline listening. It's basically two services for the price of one.

5. Background play is a game-changer

This is the feature that hooked me for good. With Premium, I can listen to videos while texting, scrolling, or even when my phone screen is locked. Long interviews, podcasts, and guided meditations all keep playing seamlessly. Once you get used to background play, going back feels impossible.

Why I'll keep paying

We're all juggling subscriptions. I've canceled plenty that I wasn't using. But YouTube Premium isn't going anywhere for me. It makes my day smoother, my commutes easier, and my evenings quieter. And honestly, I'd rather cut Netflix or Hulu before I'd give up YouTube Premium.

If you've ever found yourself annoyed by YouTube ads or wishing you could just let a video play in the background, I think you'll feel the same. For me, it's not just worth the $11.99, it's the best subscription I have.