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In recent times, YouTube Premium has been a go-to paid alternative for users to improve their experience on YouTube. It promised an ad-free video experience, the ability to watch offline, play in the background, and access exclusive YouTube Originals constituents which made it an instant favorite of regular users.
However, after the recent price hike of YouTube Premium in India, one does question whether it still fits under the category of a service that warrants value for money. With the inflation of prices going on, people have become quite choosy about where they put their money, and this includes digital subscriptions.
Now we discuss the details regarding what exactly you get when subscribing to YouTube Premium, debate what this price hike can influence, and help you make up your mind on whether it is worth investing in or not.
YouTube Premium is designed in such a way that it enhances the general user experience by offering quite several features that respond to different needs. Here's a detailed breakdown of what you get from a YouTube Premium subscription in detail:
1. Ad-Free Videos
The most salient feature of YouTube Premium is ad-free videos. For many users, this alone justifies the subscription cost. Ads can be a huge disturbance, especially while watching long-form content, educational videos, or playlists.
The ad-free experience means no interruptions to your favorite content; those pesky mid-roll ads never cut into the flow of a video. This will be helpful for users who spend a great deal of time on the platform since the amount of time saved from ads can add up quite significantly.
2. Background Play
Another strong feature of YouTube Premium is that of Background Play. This allows users to continue listening to videos even when they switch to other apps or when the screen of their device is off.
Background Play is quite handy for people who enjoy listening to music, podcasts, or any other kind of audio content on YouTube while multitasking on their devices. Without Background Play, users would have to keep the app open and active; this can be a bit of a hassle and will quickly drain the battery.
3. Offline Downloads
The Offline download feature would come in pretty handy for users with restricted internet access or users who travel a lot. YouTube Premium can download videos for offline playback, thereby allowing a user to easily access content without needing a stable internet network to play their videos. This feature is of high importance for users in areas with lousy internet coverage or users intending to save on data consumption.
4. YouTube Originals
With YouTube Premium, subscribers have access to YouTube Originals, including series, movies, and documentaries that are created by YouTube and found nowhere else. While not all YouTube Originals are blockbusters, you get a variety of content that's fresh and you won't see anywhere else. That adds to the overall value if you want to venture further than just the popular mainstream options.
5. YouTube Music Premium
The YouTube Premium subscription further extends to a music streaming service known as YouTube Music Premium, offering ad-free music, offline downloads, and playing music in the background.
YouTube Music Premium can then be used as one of the other famous services that are considered around, whether it is Spotify or even Apple Music, hence adding much value to music. This can also save money for the users already subscribed to a music streaming service by consolidating video and music on one subscription.
Recently, YouTube announced a price hike for its Premium subscription plans in India, and users have started asking if it's still worth the buck. After all, the nominal price hike for the premium individual plan was quite reasonable for most users, which is why subscribers ended up reconsidering this subscription.
This does not seem to be a steep increase on the surface, but this increment has built up over time for budget users, of course. The new pricing model may force users to take a closer look at what they are getting from their subscriptions. For some, the hike may just be the breaking point that will push them to consider their options.
The added price rise also brings into question whether YouTube Premium stands competitive against other streamers. More are coming on the scene, which gives consumers a broader range of options. And eventually, the price becomes one of the key decision-makers.
Whether or not YouTube Premium is still worth it after the price increase, for many, largely depends on their usage and priorities. Here are some key considerations that will help you make an informed decision:
1. Frequent User
For a heavy user of YouTube, an ad-free experience with Background Play and offline downloads is worth their weight in gold. That would pay for itself in the time it saves you not having to sit through any ads, considering you use it every day for several hours.
Furthermore, this convenience added to offline capability and multi-functionality due to Background Play only adds to the experience, making the subscription worthwhile.
2. Audio Enthusiast
Since YouTube Music Premium is an add-on, this adds more value for subscribers. YouTube Music Premium brings with it great value in terms of offline downloads and ad-free music playback; it may cover other music streaming services too and therefore actually save you money in the long term. If you already subscribe to another music streaming service, then consolidating that into one with YouTube Premium could be cost-effective.
3. Budget Considerations
On a very tight budget, the increased price may be hard to justify. If it stretches your budget too thin, then you may want to consider other ad-blocking solutions or free music streaming services. While such alternatives may not be as seamless as YouTube Premium, they could achieve similar results at a lesser expense.
4. Exclusive Content
But if you're the kind of person who loves YouTube Originals and other exclusive content through YouTube Premium, then the service is still worth it. You also have to weigh that cost against use, especially when you aren't using it a lot.
If you are getting to that point where you don't use or watch YouTube Originals as much-which wasn't as big of a deal as you thought it would be-then that begs the question of whether it's still worth continuing the subscription.
Interestingly, yes, there are ways by which you will be able to get YouTube Premium for free in India. Some telecom providers give out complimentary subscriptions as part of their plans. For instance, several Airtel and Jio plans include a free subscription to YouTube Premium, whereby you get to enjoy the features of Premium without the extra cost. It's worth trying to consult your mobile service provider to see if you can benefit from such offers.
Most come with subscribing to a plan with your respective telecom company, which generally includes extra features like greater allowances for data or subscriptions bundled into other streaming services. In this manner, with the right plan, you pretty much get YouTube Premium free while enjoying other perks.
Mainly, one just has to look at the fine print; and know exactly what is included with those plans. Some of these plans may give one a time-limited YouTube Premium, after which you're supposed to pay if you wish to continue the service.
If, in light of it all, you prefer canceling your subscription to YouTube Premium because of the hike in price, here are some alternatives that would fit your needs:
1. Ad-Blockers
There are several ad-blocking browser extensions and apps available for blocking YouTube ads, thus producing a comparable ad-free experience without the charge. These options are, however, not officially recognized by YouTube and are not on all devices, including mobile devices.
Though ad-blockers provide an ad-free experience, there are several possible downsides to their use, including compatibility issues and malware risk.
2. Other Streaming Services
Services like Spotify or Apple Music sell ad-free music streaming, in most instances, at lower prices than YouTube Premium. If the reason you have subscribed to YouTube Premium is because of music, perhaps you should try alternatives. You get to enjoy ad-free music on a service that is meant for music streaming and save yourself from paying for extra features you do not need.
3. Free Alternatives to YouTube
Free services like YouTube Vanced offer ad-free playback and additional features that many other places provide at a premium. These often come with potential security risks and have no official support, so they may be suitable for not everyone. Moreover, using such unofficial applications as YouTube Vanced violated YouTube's terms of service and may lead to some consequences, such as the suspension of an account.
Eventually, whether it is worth continuing the service after this price hike depends on your usage habits and the value you attach to the features available. For power users, though, it is still worth it to enjoy ad-free video playback, the offline download feature, and Background Play. The convenience that these features give can make the subscription fee a price worth paying, as this recent price hike attests.
However, if you are on a very tight budget or don't use these features very often, then it may be time for alternatives. You would weigh your usage and compare it with other options the cost of YouTube Premium to make that informed decision that suits you and your budget.
Although this might discourage some from paying for a YouTube Premium, others would realize the convenience and the rest of the features are still worth paying for. Weigh it against your needs to get the best decision for your case.
1. What features do we get with YouTube Premium?
YouTube Premium offers ad-free viewing, background play, offline downloads, and access to YouTube Originals, and includes YouTube Music Premium.
2. Has the price of YouTube Premium increased in India? Yes, the
subscription prices for YouTube Premium in India have recently been increased.
3. Can I get YouTube Premium for free?
Yes, some telecom providers in India offer free YouTube Premium as part of their service plans. For example, certain Airtel and Jio plans include a complimentary YouTube Premium subscription. It's advisable to check with your mobile provider to see if you qualify for such offers.
4. Is YouTube Premium worth it after the price increase?
The value of YouTube Premium after the price increase depends on your usage. For heavy users who benefit from ad-free viewing, offline downloads, and background play, the service may still be worth the cost. However, if you're on a tight budget or don't utilize these features frequently, exploring alternatives might be a better option.
5. Are there alternatives to YouTube Premium?
Yes, there are alternatives to YouTube Premium. You can use ad-blockers to remove ads on YouTube, though these may have compatibility and security issues. Other music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music offer ad-free experiences at lower prices. Additionally, free YouTube alternatives such as YouTube Vanced or NewPipe provide similar features but come with potential security risks and lack official support. Exploring these options can help you find a solution that fits your needs and budget.
