Yes, YouTube Premium has a free trial. YouTube's plans page shows a 1-month trial on its Individual, Family, Student and Premium Lite plans for eligible new members, and you get the same benefits as a full member. You'll need a card on file, and the trial rolls into a monthly membership unless you cancel before it ends.
The part most people miss is that YouTube doesn't only offer trials to brand new members. Its help page says you can get another introductory trial if you left Premium at least 6 months ago, but there's a second rule tied to your card that catches people out. Here's how it all works.
Who can get a YouTube Premium free trial
YouTube's trials page splits trials into two kinds, each with its own rules:
| Introductory trial | Extended trial | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | First-time members, or anyone who left Premium, Music Premium or Premium Lite at least 6 months ago | First-time members, or anyone who left at least 3 years ago |
| How often | 1 trial in any 12-month period | 1 extended trial every 3 years |
| Length | YouTube says trial lengths may vary | Longer than the standard offer when it runs |
| Card needed? | Yes | Yes |
Extended trials aren't always on. YouTube says it sometimes offers them, so if you see a longer offer on your account, that's the extended version.
The card rule that blocks a second trial
This is the line that trips people up. YouTube says you can only sign up for one trial per card (or other method you add at signup), for both introductory and extended trials. So even if your account qualifies, using a card that has already been through a YouTube Premium trial can stop the new one going through.
YouTube also has an older warning on its help page on unexpected card activity: if you sign up for a trial you weren't eligible for, your membership may start straight away instead of a free month. That's why it's worth checking your eligibility before you add a card, which takes about a minute.
How to check if you're eligible
- Sign in to YouTube on a computer with the Google account you want to use.
- Go to youtube.com/paid_memberships.
- Look under Offers from YouTube. YouTube lists the trials your account can get there.
- Pick the offer you want and follow the steps to add a card and start the trial.
- If nothing is listed, your account or card doesn't qualify right now, so don't sign up expecting a free month.
Work and school accounts
If you sign in with a Google Workspace account from work, you may not see a trial at all. YouTube says you can't start an Individual or Family membership on a Workspace account unless it's a Workspace Individual edition account. Student memberships are the exception: YouTube says those work with any Workspace account. If you think you should qualify and see nothing, switch to your personal Google account and try again.
What the trial includes
YouTube says a trial gives you the same membership benefits as a full member. According to its plans page, that means:
- Ad-free videos across YouTube, YouTube Kids and YouTube Music.
- Downloads you can watch or listen to offline for up to 30 days.
- Background play with your screen off.
- YouTube Music Premium, with over 100 million songs ad-free.
- Picture-in-picture for music and higher quality 1080p video on supported content.
If you start a Family trial, YouTube's plans page says you can add up to 5 family members aged 13 and over who live in your household. Student trials need you to be an eligible student, and YouTube asks students to verify every year.
Premium Lite is a different trial
YouTube's plans page shows a 1-month trial on Premium Lite as well. Lite is aimed at people who mainly watch creator videos and podcasts: it covers ad-free viewing, downloads and background play on most non-music content, but YouTube says music videos and Shorts are left out and ads may still appear when you search or browse. If music is the main reason you want Premium, trial the full plan instead.
What happens when the trial ends
YouTube says your membership renews automatically on the card you added when the trial finishes, and it carries on monthly until you cancel. When you sign up you may also see a small authorisation hold on your card. YouTube says that hold isn't processed and disappears within 1 to 14 days.
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If you cancel during the trial, you don't lose Premium straight away. YouTube says you keep your benefits until the end of the trial period, so you can cancel on day one and still enjoy the full month.
Is the YouTube Premium free trial worth it?
For most people, yes. A month is long enough to see whether ad-free viewing and offline downloads change how you use YouTube, especially on a commute or a flight. My guide on whether YouTube works in airplane mode explains what you can watch offline, and if you're moving your music over, here's how to transfer a Spotify playlist to YouTube Music.
My verdict: check youtube.com/paid_memberships before you add a card, use a card that hasn't had a YouTube trial before, and cancel early if you only want the month. You'll keep Premium until the trial ends either way.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the YouTube Premium free trial?
YouTube's plans page shows a 1-month trial on its Individual, Family, Student and Premium Lite plans for eligible new members. YouTube says trial lengths may vary, and it sometimes runs longer extended trials.
Can I get a YouTube Premium free trial twice?
Sometimes. YouTube says introductory trials are open to people who left Premium at least 6 months ago, with 1 trial in any 12-month period. You also need a card that hasn't been used for a trial before.
Do I need a card for the YouTube Premium free trial?
Yes. YouTube asks for a card during signup, and the trial renews automatically on it unless you cancel before the trial ends.
If I cancel my YouTube Premium trial, do I lose access straight away?
No. YouTube says you keep your Premium benefits until the end of your trial period.
Why can't I see a YouTube Premium trial offer?
Your account or card may not qualify, or you may be signed in with a work Workspace account. YouTube says Individual and Family memberships can't be started on a Workspace account unless it's a Workspace Individual edition account.
Does the YouTube Premium trial include YouTube Music?
Yes. YouTube says trial members get the same benefits as full members, and Premium includes YouTube Music Premium.
