If you love watching YouTube but hate the frequent interruptions caused by ads, Google is now testing a more affordable solution. While YouTube Premium offers an ad-free experience, its monthly fee has been a major concern for many users. To address this, the company is introducing a cheaper alternative—YouTube Premium Lite.
What is YouTube Premium Lite?
According to a Bloomberg report, YouTube Premium Lite will allow users to watch most videos without ads while maintaining a lower subscription cost. Unlike YouTube Premium, which includes ad-free videos, background play, and YouTube Music, Premium Lite will primarily focus on removing ads from regular YouTube videos.
This new subscription tier is targeted at users who enjoy watching content on YouTube but don’t necessarily need premium music features.
Why YouTube is Introducing Premium Lite Again
YouTube previously tested Premium Lite in a few European countries in 2021, but the project was discontinued in 2023. However, due to ongoing user demand for a cheaper ad-free experience, the company is now revisiting the idea with a different approach.
While YouTube Premium costs around $13.99 per month in the U.S., many users feel this price is too high just to remove ads. Premium Lite aims to provide a middle ground, offering an ad-free experience without the extra features that many users don’t need.
Where Will YouTube Premium Lite Be Available?
As per reports, YouTube is currently testing the new Premium Lite version in selected regions, including:
United States
Australia
Germany
Thailand
It is expected that, based on user feedback and success in these countries, Google may roll out Premium Lite to other regions in the future.
What Features Will YouTube Premium Lite Offer?
Although YouTube has not disclosed the exact features or pricing, reports suggest that:
Most regular YouTube videos will be ad-free.
Music videos will still include ads.
Users won’t get background play or offline downloads.
YouTube Music will not be included in the subscription.
This means that Premium Lite is designed for viewers who mainly watch YouTube videos and are not interested in additional perks like YouTube Music.
What Will the Cost of YouTube Premium Lite Be?
At this stage, YouTube has not confirmed the exact price of Premium Lite. However, based on previous European trials, it is expected to be significantly cheaper than the standard YouTube Premium subscription.
For reference, the earlier Premium Lite trial in Europe cost around €6.99 per month ($7.50)—almost half the price of YouTube Premium. If Google follows a similar pricing structure, Premium Lite could be a game-changer for users who want an affordable way to watch ad-free content.
How is Premium Lite Different from YouTube Premium?
| Feature | YouTube Premium | YouTube Premium Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Ad-Free Videos | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (except music videos) |
| Background Play | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Offline Downloads | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| YouTube Music Premium | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Expected Price | $13.99/month | ~$7/month (estimated) |
Why YouTube Users Need a Budget-Friendly Subscription
The introduction of Premium Lite comes at a time when ad interruptions have become more frequent on YouTube. Over the past year, Google has implemented stricter ad policies, including:
Unskippable ads before videos.
Multiple ads appearing back-to-back in a single break.
More frequent mid-video ads, disrupting the viewing experience.
For many users, these changes have made YouTube more frustrating to watch. Premium Lite could offer a budget-friendly escape from ads without forcing users to pay for extra features they may not need.
When Will Premium Lite Be Officially Released?
While Google has not announced an official launch date, reports suggest that the new version is currently in testing and could be rolled out in select countries soon.
A YouTube spokesperson confirmed:
We are testing a new YouTube Premium program that will allow users to watch most videos without ads.
However, the company declined to share further details about the subscription plan or its pricing.
Is YouTube Premium Lite Worth It?
If you’re someone who watches a lot of YouTube videos but finds Premium too expensive, Premium Lite could be the perfect solution.
It removes most ads, improving the viewing experience.
It’s expected to be nearly half the price of YouTube Premium.
It’s designed for users who don’t need YouTube Music or extra features.
As YouTube continues testing this new subscription model, it could become a popular option for budget-conscious viewers. If successful, we might see Premium Lite expanding to more countries in the near future.
