YouTube Music, launched in 2015, is Google’s dedicated music streaming platform and the replacement for Google Play Music. With around 100 million subscribers (tied mainly to YouTube Premium), its audience is anyone who already uses YouTube heavily and wants music, videos, and remixes all in one place. Its big differentiator? Access to music videos, remixes, live performances, and user-uploaded content that no other streaming service offers.
Pros
- Huge catalog of official music plus rare covers, remixes, and live tracks.
- Seamless integration with YouTube.
- Strong recommendations powered by Google AI.
- Bundled with YouTube Premium (excellent value).
Cons
- Audio quality lags behind lossless competitors.
- Playlist culture is weaker than Spotify.
- Free plan feels limited without background play.
Library & Content
YouTube Music has over 100 million official tracks, putting it on par with Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. But what stands out is its extra content layer: live performances, covers, remixes, and rare tracks that often only exist on YouTube. For younger users, especially, this makes it the most versatile library. It also integrates seamlessly with standard YouTube, letting you switch between music videos and audio tracks instantly.
Package Tiers & Pricing
- Free Plan: Ad-supported, limited skips, background play disabled.
- Individual Plan: $10.99/month.
- Family Plan: $16.99/month (up to 6 members).
- Student Plan: $5.49/month.
- YouTube Premium: $13.99/month (includes YouTube Music + ad-free YouTube, background play, downloads).
No annual billing option, but YouTube Premium doubles as the ultimate bundle for heavy YouTube users.
Bundling Opportunities
YouTube Music is effectively bundled into YouTube Premium, which removes ads across the main YouTube app, unlocks background play, and allows downloads. For people who already watch a ton of YouTube, Premium is often the better buy than Music alone. Some carriers (T-Mobile, Verizon) and device manufacturers (Samsung, Pixel) also offer extended Premium trials (3–6 months).
Historical Pricing & Deal Analysis
YouTube Music originally launched at $9.99/month but rose to $10.99 in 2023, in line with Spotify and Apple Music. The real “deal” has always been YouTube Premium, which adds a ton of value for a few dollars more. Free trials are generous, typically lasting 1 month, but often 3 months with device promos.
Device Compatibility & Features
YouTube Music works on iOS, Android, web browsers, smart speakers (Google Nest, Sonos), smart TVs, and cars (Android Auto/Apple CarPlay). Features include offline downloads, seamless switching between video and audio modes, lyrics integration, and AI-generated mixes. Audio quality maxes out at 256 kbps AAC, which is lower than lossless options like Apple Music, Tidal, or Amazon Music.
User Experience
The app is clean and familiar for YouTube users. To discover is powered by Google’s recommendation engine, which is excellent at surfacing new tracks and niche content. The ability to watch music videos instantly sets it apart. The downside is that audio-only users may find it less polished than Spotify’s interface, and playlists aren’t as strong culturally.
Additional Costs & Fees
No hidden fees. The only extra costs are if you upgrade from YouTube Music to YouTube Premium.
Current Promotions
- 1-month free trial for new users.
- 3–6 months free trials are often bundled with new phones or carrier deals.
- YouTube Premium bundles Music + ad-free YouTube for $13.99/month.
Final Verdict
YouTube Music is the best streaming service for people who use YouTube daily and want more than just standard tracks. If you love remixes, live shows, and music videos, nothing else compares, especially when bundled with YouTube Premium.
