YouTube Premium costs $13.99/month, but millions of users never pay full price — and for good reason. With YouTube drawing over 2.7 billion logged-in monthly users, the platform has quietly expanded its free access options through trials, carrier bundles, and student discounts. If you already use free streaming services or hunt for streaming bundle deals, YouTube Premium is absolutely worth adding to your stack. Here are five legitimate ways to get it free or heavily discounted — let's get started!
Quick Answer
YouTube Premium costs $13.99/month, but you can get it free through a 1-month free trial, carrier bundles (T-Mobile, Google Fi), or a student discount at around $7.99/month. Google One members and select promotions also offer complimentary access. These five legitimate methods let millions avoid paying full price.
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Summary Table
| Item Name | Price Range | Best For | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official 1-Month Free Trial | Free (then $13.99/month) | New YouTube Premium users testing the service | Visit Site |
| Google Fi Unlimited Plus Plan | Free for 6 months (plan from $65/month) | Google Fi subscribers wanting Premium included | Visit Site |
| Walmart+ Membership | Free trial (then $12.95/month or $98/year) | Walmart shoppers who want bundled streaming perks | Visit Site |
| Student Discount Plan | $7.99/month (after free trial) | Enrolled college students seeking long-term savings | Visit Site |
| Family Plan Trial | Free trial (then $22.99/month for up to 5) | Households sharing Premium across multiple accounts | See details |
5 Legitimate Ways to Get YouTube Premium Free in 2026
Below you'll find detailed information about each option, including what makes them unique and their key benefits.
The simplest way to get YouTube Premium free is through Google's own trial offer, which gives new subscribers one full month at no cost. You'll get ad-free videos, background play, YouTube Music Premium, and offline downloads without paying anything upfront — just cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges.
What you get:
- 30 days free (no charge if cancelled before trial ends)
- Full access to all Premium features: ad-free, background play, offline downloads
- YouTube Music Premium included at no extra cost
- After trial: $13.99/month Individual or $22.99/month Family plan
Subscribers to Google Fi's Unlimited Plus wireless plan receive YouTube Premium included as a bundled perk, making it one of the best ways to access the service without a separate subscription fee. If you're already considering switching mobile carriers, this plan effectively makes Premium free as part of your phone bill.
Key details:
- Unlimited Plus plan starts at $65/month per line
- YouTube Premium ($13.99/month value) bundled at no added cost
- Best for: Users already on or switching to Google Fi for phone service
Walmart+ members can claim a free YouTube Premium subscription through a partnership between Walmart and Google, letting shoppers unlock ad-free viewing as a bonus perk on top of their retail membership. This is ideal for households already paying for Walmart+ who want to avoid a separate Premium charge.
Notable perks:
- Walmart+ costs $12.95/month or $98/year — YouTube Premium included free
- Saves $13.99/month compared to subscribing to Premium directly
- Activate through the Walmart+ member benefits portal
If you're enrolled in an accredited college or university, YouTube's student discount plan is one of the most legitimate ways to get YouTube Premium at a deeply reduced cost — effectively making it near-free compared to the standard rate. Eligible students pay around $7.99/month instead of the regular $13.99/month, a savings of roughly 43%. Verification is handled through SheerID, and the discount renews annually as long as you remain enrolled.
What you get:
- ~$7.99/month (vs. $13.99 standard) — nearly half price
- Full Premium benefits: ad-free viewing, background play, YouTube Music included
- Eligible for up to 4 years of continuous enrollment
5. Family Plan Trial
The YouTube Premium Family Plan lets up to six household members share a single subscription, which dramatically cuts the per-person cost and is one of the smartest workarounds for accessing Premium without paying full price. At $22.99/month split six ways, each person pays under $4/month — close to free by comparison. If your household hasn't used a trial before, you may also qualify for a one-month free trial on sign-up, giving everyone temporary ad-free access and background play at no cost. Explore other free movie watching options to pair with your Premium trial for maximum entertainment value.
Notable perks:
- $22.99/month shared across up to 6 members (~$3.83 per person)
- One-month free trial available for new subscribers
- Each member gets their own independent Premium account
Final Words
Getting YouTube Premium without paying full price is more achievable than most people realize. Whether you prefer student discounts, family plan splitting, free trials, VPN pricing tricks, or exploring free premium subscriptions, there's a method that fits your situation — pick the one that works for you and start saving today.