YouTube TV vs YouTube Premium: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
They aren’t two versions of the same thing. YouTube TV is live cable-style TV over the internet — local channels, sports, news and an unlimited DVR. YouTube Premium removes ads on regular YouTube and adds downloads, background play and YouTube Music. Paying for one doesn’t give you the other.
Option A
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 | YouTube TV | YouTube Premium |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Live TV with DVR | Ad-free YouTube + Music |
| Channels | 100+ (Sports + News 50+) | Not a live TV service |
| Offline | With 4K Plus add-on | Downloads included |
| Household | 6 accounts, 3 streams | Family: up to 5 more |
| Trial | 10 days | 1 month (eligible) |
Both carry the YouTube name and live in the same Google account, which is why people mix them up. One replaces a cable subscription; the other upgrades the YouTube app you already use.
If you don’t want to read further
Live channels, local TV and sports — YouTube TV. No ads on YouTube videos, downloads and music — YouTube Premium.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
What do you actually get?
YouTube TV
100+ live channels (50+ on Sports + News), including locals by ZIP code.
YouTube Premium
Ad-free YouTube videos, downloads, background play and YouTube Music Premium.
Replacing cable — YouTube TV. Watching YouTube creators — Premium.
Recording and offline?
YouTube TV
Unlimited DVR; offline recordings only with the 4K Plus add-on.
YouTube Premium
Download YouTube videos to watch offline.
Different jobs: TV recordings versus saved YouTube videos.
Sharing?
YouTube TV
Up to 6 accounts in your household, 3 streams at once.
YouTube Premium
Family plan for you and up to 5 more people in your household.
Both are built for one household.
Trial and first price?
YouTube TV
A 10-day trial and a promotional price for new users’ first months.
YouTube Premium
A 1-month trial for eligible new members.
Mark the date the regular price starts on either.
Prepaying?
YouTube TV
Monthly; no annual contracts, box or cancellation fees.
YouTube Premium
A prepaid 12-month Individual plan that doesn’t renew and isn’t refundable.
Only Premium has a year-long option.
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.
One Google account
Both are managed from your Google or YouTube account.
Cancel any time
Monthly memberships can be canceled before the next billing date.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You want to cut cable | YouTube TV | Local channels, sports and DVR. |
| You watch YouTube daily | YouTube Premium | No ads, downloads, background play. |
| You want NFL Sunday Ticket | YouTube TV | Sunday Ticket requires an active YouTube TV plan. |
| A household that watches YouTube | YouTube Premium Family | You plus up to 5 people at home. |
- YouTube TV’s promotional price is for new users and ends after the first months.
- YouTube TV says there are no refunds on the offer.
- The 12-month YouTube Premium plan is individual only and can’t be refunded or paused.
- Premium Lite isn’t the same as Premium: no YouTube Music, and ads can appear on music, Shorts and search.
Where the facts come from
Sources: the YouTube TV website 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: YouTube TV or YouTube Premium
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “Streaming services” 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 — content you can’t get for free: YouTube TV
YouTube TV: content only with a subscription (5,0/5) · YouTube Premium Individual: the same content also free, with ads (1,0/5)
If what matters most is — price compared with others: YouTube Premium Individual
YouTube TV: 82,99 USD/mo (1,0/5) · YouTube Premium Individual: 15,99 USD/mo (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — offline viewing: YouTube Premium Individual
YouTube TV: can’t be downloaded (1,0/5) · YouTube Premium Individual: can be downloaded (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — maximum resolution: YouTube Premium Individual
YouTube TV: 720p HD (2,0/5) · YouTube Premium Individual: 4K UHD (HDR not for all content) (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — simultaneous streams: YouTube TV
YouTube TV: 3 screens at the same time (4,0/5) · YouTube Premium Individual: 1 screen at the same time (2,0/5)
If what matters most is — app rating: YouTube Premium Individual
YouTube TV: 3,6 out of 5 (3,6/5) · YouTube Premium Individual: 4,7 out of 5 (4,7/5)
If what matters most is — what else is included: YouTube TV
YouTube TV: 2 extra content types at no extra cost (4,0/5) · YouTube Premium Individual: 1 extra content type at no extra cost (3,0/5)
If what matters most is — profiles: YouTube TV
YouTube TV: up to 6 (4,0/5) · YouTube Premium Individual: up to 1 (3,0/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: