If you’ve been enjoying the perks of YouTube Premium’s Family Plan, you might want to brace yourself. Starting July 17, the cost is leaping from €23.99 to €29.99 per month—a hefty 25% bump that pushes the price tag right up to a symbolic €30. That’s a big jump for something you probably thought was locked in for the foreseeable future.
This isn’t YouTube’s first price hike, but it’s definitely the most eye-watering for families. At launch, the Family Plan was €19.99 per month, so we’re looking at a total increase of 50% since day one. And what do you get for the extra cash? Officially, YouTube is vague on any new perks—just a reminder that the change will “support creators and artists” and help improve Premium features.
Other Plans Stay Steady For Now
Before you rage-quit your subscription, there’s some good news: individual and student plans aren’t affected by this round of increases. The Individual plan remains at €12.99 per month, while the Student plan is still €7.99. So if you’re flying solo or eligible for the student rate, your wallet won’t feel the pinch this time around.
That said, observers are quick to point out that this move follows similar pricing shifts by other streaming giants. Netflix recently raised its fees, and Spotify bumped its Premium rates too. It’s looking more like an industry-wide trend than a one-off from YouTube. Whether that makes families feel any better about the steep climb is another story.
Exploring Alternatives to YouTube Premium
Feeling sticker shock? You might consider checking out alternative video platforms. Sites like Dailymotion and Vimeo still offer free tiers (albeit with ads), and Twitch is a go-to for live streams—many creators even offer ad-free perks to channel subscribers. While none of these options include YouTube Originals, they can be a solid stopgap if you just want to dodge commercials.
For those who really want to break free of Google’s ecosystem, there are open-source clients and niche services such as PeerTube, LibreTube, and Invidious. They pull video content from YouTube without the official app, and often you can skip ads without paying a cent. Just be aware that features like offline downloads, background play, and official support might not be as polished.
Behind the Price Hike: Why the Increase?
YouTube’s brief explanation in its email to subscribers is all about sustaining quality and supporting creators. They claim the extra revenue will fund feature improvements and continue to reward video makers—an argument we’ve heard before from most subscription services. Still, without a concrete list of new features, it can feel like an empty justification.
Digging deeper, it’s clear that rising operating costs—like server maintenance, licensing fees for music and content, and investments in artificial intelligence—play a role. As these expenses grow, platforms pass them on to the end user. In the long run, YouTube may roll out new perks (more exclusive content, better recommendations, or enhanced offline playback) to sweeten the deal. But for now, families are left paying up with little immediate payoff beyond ad-free viewing.
Should You Stick Around?
At nearly €30 a month for up to six users, YouTube Premium Family is still a pretty good deal if everyone in your household streams regularly, watches music videos, or relies on background play during workouts and commutes. If those features are must-haves, you might find the cost worthwhile—especially when you do the per-person math.
However, if ad-free YouTube is your only draw and streaming habits are light, it could be time to weigh your options. Downgrading to the Individual plan, switching to a competitor, or embracing some ads might save you serious cash. Either way, it’s a good moment to audit your subscriptions and decide what you truly value.
