YouTube Premium Alternatives: 3 Best Streaming Services in 2025

Exploring alternatives to YouTube Premium? Compare pricing, features, and benefits of the top 3 streaming services to find your perfect match.

Quick Comparison

ServiceStarting PriceBest ForRating
YouTube Premium(Current)$13.99/moHeavy YouTube users7/10
Spotify$10.99/moMusic discovery enthusiasts8/10
Apple Music$10.99/moApple device users9/10
Netflix$6.99/moBinge-watchers who love original series7/10

About YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium offers ad-free YouTube videos, YouTube Music access, background play, and offline downloads across all your devices.

Why People Look for YouTube Premium Alternatives

While YouTube Premium is popular, many users seek alternatives due to:

  • More expensive than music-only services
  • Lower audio quality than competitors (256kbps)
  • No lossless audio option
  • Value depends on YouTube usage

Best YouTube Premium Alternatives

1. Spotify

Spotify is the world's most popular music streaming service with over 100 million songs, podcasts, and personalized playlists.

Pricing

Spotify Premium: $10.99/mo
Spotify Duo: $14.99/mo
Spotify Family: $16.99/mo
Spotify Student: $5.99/mo

Pros

  • Largest music library (100M+ songs)
  • Excellent personalized playlists and discovery
  • Strong podcast library

Cons

  • Audio quality lower than some competitors
  • No lossless audio option
  • Ads on free tier can be disruptive

Best For

Music discovery enthusiastsPodcast listenersUsers who want cross-device flexibilitySocial music sharing
Compare YouTube Premium vs Spotify

2. Apple Music

Apple Music offers 100 million songs with lossless audio, spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, and seamless integration with Apple devices.

Pricing

Individual: $10.99/mo
Family: $16.99/mo
Student: $5.99/mo

Pros

  • Lossless and hi-res audio included
  • Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos
  • Seamless Apple ecosystem integration

Cons

  • No free tier available
  • Best experience requires Apple devices
  • Discovery features weaker than Spotify

Best For

Apple device usersAudiophiles wanting lossless audioUsers prioritizing sound qualityFamilies (up to 6 members on family plan)
Compare YouTube Premium vs Apple Music

3. Netflix

Netflix is the world's leading streaming service with over 260 million subscribers, offering a vast library of original series, movies, and documentaries across multiple genres.

Pricing

Standard with ads: $6.99/mo
Standard: $15.49/mo
Premium: $22.99/mo

Pros

  • Massive content library with exclusive originals
  • High-quality 4K streaming available
  • No ads on standard and premium plans

Cons

  • Price increases have made it more expensive
  • Password sharing crackdown limits account access
  • Some content regions vary by country

Best For

Binge-watchers who love original seriesFamilies needing multiple profilesUsers who want high-quality 4K contentFans of Netflix originals like Stranger Things, The Crown
Compare YouTube Premium vs Netflix

How to Choose the Best YouTube Premium Alternative

When evaluating YouTube Premium alternatives, consider:

  1. Budget: Compare monthly and annual pricing across services
  2. Features: Ensure the alternative meets your needs
  3. Compatibility: Check device and platform support
  4. Trial Period: Test before committing to a subscription
  5. Cancellation Policy: Understand how easy it is to cancel

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