Spotify Premium vs YouTube Premium: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
YouTube Premium is two subscriptions in one: ad-free YouTube with downloads and background play, plus YouTube Music Premium. Spotify Premium is music-first, with lossless audio, 15 hours of audiobooks a month and a Duo plan for two. If you watch a lot of YouTube, Premium covers your music too; if you mostly listen, Spotify does more for music.
Option A
$12.99/moPremium Individual
Official price before tax: $12.99
Price checked
Spotify Premium price and plans
Option B
We compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Spotify Premium | YouTube Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Ad-free | Spotify | YouTube and YouTube Music |
| Audiobooks | 15 h/month | Not listed |
| Lossless | Up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz | Not listed |
| Plans | Individual, Duo, Family, Student | Individual, Annual, Family, Student, Lite |
| Student bonus | Hulu (With Ads) | Same Premium benefits |
People compare them because YouTube Premium already includes a music service. The question is whether YouTube Music is enough for you — or whether Spotify’s music features are worth a second bill.
If you don’t want to read further
Ad-free YouTube plus music in one bill — YouTube Premium. Audiobooks, lossless, Duo and Spotify’s playlists — Spotify Premium.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
What does it remove ads from?
Spotify Premium
Spotify only.
YouTube Premium
YouTube videos and YouTube Music.
Heavy YouTube viewers get more from YouTube Premium.
Audiobooks?
Spotify Premium
15 hours a month on Individual and for the plan manager on Duo and Family.
YouTube Premium
Not listed among YouTube Premium’s benefits.
If you listen to audiobooks, Spotify.
Sound quality?
Spotify Premium
Lossless up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz.
YouTube Premium
Lossless isn’t listed among YouTube Premium’s benefits.
For lossless, Spotify.
Plans for two or more?
Spotify Premium
Duo for two and Family for up to six, at the same address.
YouTube Premium
Family for you and up to 5 more people in your household.
Couples have a dedicated plan only on Spotify.
Prepay or pause?
Spotify Premium
Monthly plans.
YouTube Premium
A prepaid 12-month Individual plan; monthly plans pause for 1–6 months.
For a break without canceling, YouTube Premium.
Student bonus?
Spotify Premium
Hulu (With Ads) included with Premium Student.
YouTube Premium
A Student plan with the same Premium benefits.
Spotify Student adds a video service on top.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
Downloads and background play
Both let you listen offline and with the screen off.
A free month
For first-time or eligible new members on both.
Family plans for one home
Both require family members to live at the same address.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You watch YouTube every day | YouTube Premium | Music is included. |
| You listen to audiobooks | Spotify Premium | 15 hours a month. |
| A couple | Spotify Duo | Two accounts at one address. |
| You’re a student who wants video too | Spotify Premium Student | Includes Hulu (With Ads). |
- On Spotify Duo and Family only the plan manager gets audiobook hours.
- The 12-month YouTube Premium plan is individual only and can’t be refunded or paused.
- Premium Lite isn’t YouTube Premium: no YouTube Music, and ads can appear on music, Shorts and search.
- Spotify’s free month is only for people who haven’t tried Premium before.
Where the facts come from
Sources: spotify.com and Spotify Support for the US, and YouTube Premium pages and YouTube Help for the US. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Spotify Premium or YouTube Premium
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “Music streaming” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — simultaneous streams: Spotify Premium Premium Individual
Spotify Premium Premium Individual: 1 at the same time (3,0/5) · YouTube Premium Individual: 1 screen at the same time (2,0/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: