February 21, 2025, 9:37 am | Read time: 3 minutes
YouTube Premium Lite is one of those things: the subscription was available in Germany for a while, then it was discontinued, only to return some time later. However, it was never available to all users. That is now set to change.
The Lite subscription is a slimmed-down version of YouTube’s Premium subscription, which offers (almost) ad-free videos but does without many of the convenience features of the regular subscription. So far, however, only selected users can subscribe to YouTube Premium Lite. According to a Bloomberg report, however, this is set to change soon. YouTube is apparently planning the unrestricted launch of Premium Lite in Germany as well as countries such as the USA, Australia, and Thailand.
YouTube Premium Lite Only Available to a Limited Extent So Far
The company explains that Premium Lite is currently only available to some users with a test phase. However, the rules here are not entirely clear. Apparently, it is not individuals who are entitled to book the subscription per se; rather, the option depends on the end device used.
I cannot book YouTube Premium Lite via my Android smartphone or my MacBook. The corresponding website always shows me: “This offer is not available.” Strangely enough, however, Premium Lite is available to me when I book via my iPhone, even though I am logged in via the same Google account. Some may ask: So, why not just purchase via the iPhone? The reason is simple: the price.
The monthly subscription to YouTube Premium Lite costs 5.99 euros via Mac or Android. However, if you purchase via iPhone, you will pay 7.99 euros per month, as Apple generally charges developers an additional fee of 30 percent for in-app sales in the App Store. This makes a difference of 24 euros per year, without users getting more for it. A free trial month is possible. However, so far, there has been neither a family subscription nor an annual subscription.
Comparison with the Regular Subscription
Compared to the “big” premium subscription, users save a lot with the lite option. The regular subscription costs 12.99 euros per month, 7.49 euros for students, and 23.99 euros per month as a family subscription for up to six people. An annual subscription for individuals is available for 129.99 euros. The prices apply when booking via Mac or Android and are higher again for iOS. iPhone users, for example, pay 16.99 euros per month for an individual subscription.
The lower price of Premium Lite is due to its limited performance. The subscription does not offer all the features of the regular YouTube Premium. Background playback, download functions, and YouTube Music are not included. In addition, music videos may still show ads. Users who want a completely ad-free experience must continue to subscribe to the regular YouTube Premium.
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No Official Launch Date Yet
Although some users can apparently already view details of the subscription on youtube.com/premiumlite and book some of them, the official launch date of YouTube Premium Lite remains unclear for everyone. Google has not yet commented on this. It, therefore, remains to be seen whether there will be any changes to the functions or the price. However, YouTube has confirmed that it intends to expand the Lite offering further and extend it with partners.