YouTube Premium vs YouTube Music Premium: which one do you need?
Short answer
YouTube Premium includes YouTube Music Premium, so if you watch YouTube videos regularly, Premium covers both: ad-free videos, background play and downloads, plus ad-free music in the YouTube Music app. YouTube Music Premium on its own costs less but only covers music. In Canada there is also Premium Lite, which removes ads from most non-music videos but does not include YouTube Music Premium.
What each plan covers
| YouTube Premium | YouTube Music Premium | Premium Lite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad-free YouTube videos | Yes | No | Most non-music videos; not Shorts |
| Background play and downloads | Videos and music | Music only | Most non-music videos |
| Ad-free YouTube Music app | Yes | Yes | No |
| Individual price on YouTube's Canadian site | CA$12.99/month | CA$10.99/month | CA$7.99/month |
| Family plan, up to 5 members | CA$22.99/month | CA$16.99/month | Limited test only |
| Student plan | CA$7.99/month | CA$5.49/month | No |
YouTube's own prices for Canada, read on youtube.com on October 13, 2026, before any sales tax. YouTube changes its prices and offers; check its Premium page before you buy there. These are not LicenceBase prices.
Which one to pick
- You watch YouTube every day: YouTube Premium. Removing video ads is the main benefit, and music comes with it.
- You only want music: YouTube Music Premium, or compare it with Spotify in Spotify Premium vs YouTube Premium.
- You want fewer video ads and already pay for music elsewhere: Premium Lite, which skips the music part.
- You are a student: both full plans have student prices, with yearly verification for up to four years. More in Student Discounts on Subscriptions in Canada.
Family plans and the household rule
YouTube's family plans add up to five members aged 13 or older, and every member must live at the same address as the family manager. Each person keeps their own Google account, recommendations and history.
YouTube Premium at LicenceBase
YouTube Premium is sold for fixed terms from $6.49 CAD, paid once in Canadian dollars, and YouTube Music Premium is part of it. Nothing renews automatically. If it matters which Google account it is used on, email us before you buy. To see how it fits with other services, Streaming Prices in Canada: Netflix, Prime, Spotify, YouTube puts the streaming prices side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Does YouTube Premium include YouTube Music?
Yes. YouTube Premium includes YouTube Music Premium, so you do not need both.
Does YouTube Music Premium remove ads from regular videos?
No. It covers music in the YouTube Music app. Ad-free videos need YouTube Premium, or Premium Lite for most non-music videos.
Is the two-person plan available in Canada?
No. YouTube lists the two-person plan only in a few other countries, so Canadians choose between Individual, Family and Student.
LicenceBase sells some of the products mentioned here. LicenceBase prices are read live from the store; brand prices show the date they were checked on the brand's own site.
