YouTube Premium subscribers are expressing their disappointment after the service announced significant price increases in various countries. Many users are now reconsidering their subscriptions as they weigh the rising costs against the range of available streaming options. With prices climbing, some are considering cancelling their memberships in search of more affordable alternatives.
This latest wave of price hikes primarily affects users in Europe, but it also touches on subscribers from other regions, reports Android Authority. According to discussions on Reddit, some individuals reported price hikes of nearly 40%.
In Ireland, Netherlands, Italy, and Belgium, the individual plan now costs €13.99, up from €11.99, while the family plan jumped from €17.99 to €25.99. In Switzerland, the single plan increased from 15.90 CHF to 17.90 CHF, and the family plan went from 23.90 CHF to 33.90 CHF.
Also read: YouTube Premium prices hiked: Here is how much the plans cost now
Countries like Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Colombia, Thailand, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and the Czech Republic also saw similar hikes.
In an email, Google informed subscribers that these increases would help the tech giant continue delivering quality service and support creators.
Interestingly, price increases seem to be significantly steeper for those who subscribed to Premium through Apple on an Apple-branded streaming device. One Reddit user from Sweden reported a staggering 60% price hike. This surge appears to act as a “tax” for opting to pay via Apple instead of directly through Google, as the price increase for users who don’t go through Apple is considerably lower. Furthermore, even if users cancel their subscriptions through Apple and later resubscribe through Google, they will still end up paying more.
As expected, many users are frustrated by the price hike, announcing their cancellations. One user from Denmark remarked, “This increase makes YouTube by far the most expensive streaming service, clocking in at more than what I pay for Amazon Prime, Netflix, and HBO combined.”