Free Alternatives to YouTube Premium
No Subscription Needed
Stop paying $15.99/month for YouTube Premium. These free and open-source alternatives give you the core features without the subscription.
YouTube Premium at $14/month removes ads and enables background playback. NewPipe is a free, open-source YouTube client for Android that blocks ads and supports background playback. For desktop, uBlock Origin (free browser extension) blocks YouTube ads. The main value of YouTube Premium is ad-free viewing and YouTube Music — free alternatives handle the ad-free part.
The following free and open-source alternatives have been evaluated for features, usability, and long-term viability. Each one eliminates the $$15.99/month subscription cost while keeping the core functionality you need.
How Much You Save
Switching to a free alternative saves you $191.88/year — $575.64 over 3 years
YouTube Premium costs
$191.88/yr
3-year cost
$575.64
Free alternative
$0
Free Alternatives Comparison
Detailed Alternatives
NewPipe
Top PickAndroid YouTube client with no ads, background play, downloads, and popup player.
What you gain
- +No ads
- +Background play
- +Downloads
- +No subscription
What you lose
- −Android only
- −No YouTube Music
- −Can break with YouTube changes
- −No comments
Frequently Asked Questions
Are free alternatives to YouTube Premium any good?
Yes, many free alternatives to YouTube Premium are excellent. The top pick is used by millions of people and offers most of the core features that YouTube Premium provides, without any cost.
What is the best free alternative to YouTube Premium?
The best free alternative depends on your needs. GIMP is the most popular free option that can replace YouTube Premium for most users. It has an active community and regular updates.
Is free software safe to use?
Free and open-source software is often safer than proprietary alternatives because the code is publicly auditable. Many of the alternatives listed above are open source, meaning their code is transparent and community-reviewed.
Will I lose features by switching to a free alternative?
You may lose some advanced or niche features, but free alternatives cover the core functionality most users need. The trade-off is worth it for the cost savings — $191.88/year that stays in your pocket.
Can I switch back to YouTube Premium if I don't like the free alternative?
Absolutely. Most free alternatives can export your data in standard formats, making it easy to switch back or try another option. There's no lock-in with free software.
Related Free Alternatives
Ready to stop paying for YouTube Premium?
These free alternatives let you own your tools without spending a dime.