YouTube might bring cheaper Premium Lite subscription with fewer ads, all details

• YouTube is testing a new subscription tier called YouTube Premium Lite
• The Premium Lite plan could cost $8.99 per month
• However, it comes with limitations

Be it listening to a new song, watching a web-series, searching about a new topic or just casually browsing, YouTube is the go-to app for many users. Earlier this year, a report by Axios had said that Gen-Z is turning towards YouTube and TikTok for research purposes instead of Google. But there's one thing about YouTube that at times leads to frustration - ads. Even though these ads help content creators in making money, users aren't really fond of them.

The video platform, addressing such concerns, had launched YouTube premium back in 2024. This is a premium service that results in many benefits for users at a price - including enjoying ad-free videos. Just recently, the prices of YouTube Premium saw a rise, raising a few eyebrows.

Now, if you don't want to pay YouTube Premium fee but still want to get rid of (at least some) ads, there's good news for you. The company might just be working on a new subscription tier that could cost half the price of YouTube Premium and get rid of some ads.

YouTube Premium Lite in works?

According to a report in The Verge, YouTube is testing a new subscription tier called YouTube Premium Lite, offering users a more affordable way to enjoy the platform with fewer interruptions. The Premium Lite plan could cost $8.99 per month, nearly 50% cheaper than the regular Premium subscription, which is priced at $16.99. However, it comes with limitations, including fewer ad-free features and restricted access to YouTube Music and background play.

Currently being tested in select markets like Germany, Thailand, and Australia, YouTube Premium Lite aims to strike a balance for users who want an ad-reduced experience without paying for the full Premium perks. While it provides an ad-free experience for most videos, ads will still appear in music and short-form content.

The Indian scenario

As of now, it’s unclear if YouTube will offer an annual subscription option for Premium Lite or whether it will launch in India. If introduced in India, the service could cost around Rs 75, as per an Indian Express report, which is a significant drop from the Rs 149 charged for the full Premium plan.

With this new tier, YouTube seems to be hoping to attract users who want fewer ads but don’t require features like offline downloads or YouTube Music’s ad-free experience.

YouTube previously tested a similar subscription in 2021 across Europe, but the service was discontinued before it could officially roll out. Whether Premium Lite will prove to be a long-term addition remains to be seen, but it offers an intriguing middle ground for users looking to pay less while enjoying fewer ad interruptions.

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