Google is bringing back a simpler version of its YouTube Premium service under a different name. Some users in select regions have reported seeing YouTube Premium Lite, which strips away the added perks but keeps the key benefit—no ads. The test currently involves only a few countries, and it’s not yet clear if or when more regions will be included.
What Does Premium Lite Offer?
At its core, the main feature of Premium Lite is that it removes ads from videos, but doesn’t bundle in extras like background play or YouTube Music. In terms of price, it lands somewhere in the middle: less than the full Premium package but obviously higher than regular YouTube.
Users in Australia, for example, have shared screenshots showing a monthly fee of A$11.99. Over in Germany, it’s priced at €5.99, and Thailand is also part of this new test. Google initially launched YouTube Premium Lite in 2021 as a preview, and closed the feature last year.
The service feels like it’s designed for those who don’t care about Premium’s additional features but are tired of the constant ad interruptions. While the original Premium Lite was pulled last year, this new trial version hints that Google might be rethinking its strategy after increasing Premium costs worldwide.
Why Is Premium Lite Back Now?
YouTube Premium prices have jumped noticeably in recent months, leaving some users searching for a middle-ground option. Premium Lite appears to be the answer for those who want fewer features at a more reasonable cost. A Redditer first highlighted a potential return for Premium Lite on the r/YouTube subreddit.
When YouTube scrapped the first version of Premium Lite a year ago, it was unclear if the move was permanent. Now, it looks like the company is backtracking on that decision, possibly due to complaints about price hikes for the full service.
Users Share Their Experiences
A small number of users in different countries started seeing the new Premium Lite plan on their devices. Jonah Manzano, an Australian musician, was among the first to notice, sharing a screenshot of the plan on social media.
Post by @jonahmanzanoView on Threads
Some users in Germany also spotted the test, where the Lite option appears at a much lower price than the full Premium subscription. These reports indicate that Google is quietly rolling out the service to gauge interest before any wider launch.
Google Remains Quiet on Global Availability
So far, Google hasn’t confirmed any major details about the future of Premium Lite, aside from stating that it’s a new test. It’s unknown how many users have access to the plan or how widely it will expand. It’s also uncertain whether the plan will come to markets like the U.S., which hasn’t been included in the test so far.
Google’s decision to reintroduce Premium Lite follows significant price increases for YouTube Premium in several countries. The latest test could indicate that the company is trying to find a balance between offering an ad-free experience and keeping costs down for users who don’t need all the extra features of the full Premium package.