YouTube Music beats Spotify in a few ways, including a better queue system, easier downloading, and a stronger mix feature. It costs more though, since it's now bundled into YouTube Premium at $13.99 a month, $2 more than Spotify.

You can cut the cost with a yearly plan, a family plan for up to six people, or a student plan if you qualify. There are also two ways to get YouTube Music for free: the trial month, and Freecash.

Claim the YouTube Premium Free Trial

Signing up for any tier of YouTube Premium gets you the first month at $0. It's not a long-term fix, but it covers you while you explore the methods below and get set up on Freecash.

Earn Google Play Gift Cards on Freecash to Fund YouTube Music

One way to get YouTube Premium for free is by getting rewarded on Freecash and cashout Google Play gift cards, which can fund the subscription. New users can claim a $10 sign-up bonus just for joining Freecash, on top of completing paid tasks like testing mobile games and completing surveys.

The process is straightforward: complete offers, surveys, and games, earn rewards, then choose how to withdraw them. How much you earn varies by task, and there's no minimum or maximum amount required to use the platform.

Before starting on any task site, check its Trustpilot score. Avoid task sites rated under 4.5 out of 5, since lower-rated platforms are more likely to involve survey scams.

Try YouTube Premium Lite for a Cheaper Monthly Rate

YouTube recently introduced Premium Lite, a $7.99-a-month tier that includes many Premium features but leaves out YouTube Music. It suits general YouTube viewers more than Music listeners specifically.

Premium Lite is currently available in only four countries, so its availability could change. It's worth considering in the meantime if YouTube Music isn't a priority.

How to Save Money on YouTube Music and YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium removes ads, unlocks background play, and bundles in YouTube Music. The full price isn't always necessary to get most of the value.

Here are the legitimate ways to pay less, or nothing at all, for YouTube Music and Premium.

Use YouTube Music for Free With Ads

YouTube Music's free tier includes on-demand streaming, playlists, and search. The tradeoff is ads between songs and no background play when the app is minimized.

For casual listening, this is often enough without paying anything.

Switch to YouTube Premium Lite

Premium Lite is a lower-priced official tier that removes ads from regular YouTube videos. It does not include YouTube Music or background play, and it's only available in select countries.

Check availability and pricing directly on the YouTube Premium plans page.

Claim the Free Trial Before Committing

New subscribers can typically try YouTube Premium free for a limited period before being charged. Cancel before the trial ends if it doesn't end up being worth the cost.

Set a reminder a day or two before the trial expires so it doesn't auto-renew unexpectedly.

Get a Student Discount

Verified students can access YouTube Premium at a reduced monthly rate. Verification is usually handled through SheerID or a similar service tied to an active school enrollment.

The discount typically lasts as long as student status can be re-verified each year.

Split the Cost With a Family Plan

The Family plan covers up to five additional members in the same household for one combined price. Each member gets their own account, history, and recommendations.

Splitting the cost across two or more people often brings the per-person price below the individual plan.

Bundle With YouTube TV

YouTube TV subscribers in supported regions can get Premium included or discounted as part of their package. This only makes sense if a YouTube TV subscription is already wanted on its own merits.

It's not a way to get Premium cheaper in isolation, but it avoids paying for both separately.

Earn Toward the Subscription Cost

Subscription costs add up over a year, even at a discount. Earning through paid surveys or playing mobile games for rewards can offset that without changing what's actually being paid for the subscription itself.

Platforms like Freecash pay out through PayPal, gift cards, or other methods, which can go straight toward a YouTube Premium bill instead of coming out of pocket. New users get $10 just for signing up.

Watch for Regional Pricing Changes Honestly

YouTube Premium pricing varies by country based on local market conditions. Signing up through a fake address or a VPN to access another country's pricing violates Google's terms of service and can result in account suspension or loss of purchase history.

The discounts above are the ones that don't carry that risk.

Consider YouTube Premium Lite

YouTube Premium Lite is a lower-priced tier that includes many Premium features but leaves out YouTube Music.

It's a fit for viewers who mainly want ad-free videos and don't care about background play or offline downloads.

Premium Lite is currently available in only four countries, and availability could change as the rollout continues.

Avoid Offers to Upgrade Your Account

Be wary of anyone offering to "upgrade" an account, especially if it involves downloading TeamViewer or similar remote access software.

Some offers are genuine, but scammers use the same pitch to gain control of accounts and steal funds.