YouTube has officially rolled out its Premium Lite subscription plan in India, giving users a more affordable way to enjoy an ad-free viewing experience. Priced at just ₹89 per month, Premium Lite is designed for those who primarily want to get rid of ads while watching videos on YouTube without paying the full cost of the standard Premium subscription. However, this budget-friendly plan comes with certain limitations that distinguish it from the more feature-packed YouTube Premium.

What is YouTube Premium Lite?

YouTube Premium Lite is a stripped-down version of the regular YouTube Premium subscription. According to Google, the plan is meant to make ad-free viewing more accessible across a wide range of content, including categories like gaming, fashion, beauty, news, and more.

“Today we’ll begin expanding our Premium Lite pilot to users in India. Premium Lite gives viewers a new, more affordable way to enjoy most videos on YouTube ad-free for ₹89 per month,” the company announced in a blog post on September 29.

This launch comes at a time when YouTube Premium and YouTube Music together have crossed over 125 million global subscribers (including trial users). India, being one of YouTube’s largest and fastest-growing markets, was a natural choice for expanding this new subscription model.

YouTube Premium Lite Price in India

• Premium Lite plan: ₹89 per month

• Standard Premium plan (Individual): ₹149 per month

With a price difference of ₹60 every month, the Lite plan offers an ad-free experience at nearly 40% less than the regular Premium subscription. However, while the price is attractive, subscribers should know that certain features of the standard plan are missing here.

Features of YouTube Premium Lite

The biggest selling point of Premium Lite is ad-free viewing across most types of videos. This means you can stream content from your favorite creators without interruptions. But, unlike the regular Premium plan, Lite has exclusions.

Here’s what you get (and don’t get) with Premium Lite:

Do's

• Ad-free viewing for most videos across categories like gaming, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, news, and more.

• Works seamlessly across smartphones, laptops, and smart TVs.

Don't

• No ad-free music (YouTube Music not included).

• No ad-free YouTube Shorts.

• Ads still appear during searches and browsing.

• No offline downloads for watching videos later.

• No background playback support.

A YouTube spokesperson explained:

“The introduction of YouTube Premium Lite in India underscores YouTube’s commitment to offering flexible options that cater to diverse viewer preferences, allowing users to enjoy their favorite content from a vast array of creators and genres with fewer interruptions.”

In short, Premium Lite is best suited for those who primarily consume long-form video content on YouTube and don’t need music streaming or offline playback.

YouTube Premium Lite vs YouTube Premium: What’s the Difference?

To make things clearer, here’s how YouTube Premium Lite stacks up against the full Premium plan in India.

YouTube Premium Plans in India

• Individual Plan: ₹149 per month (monthly or prepaid), includes a free trial for new subscribers.

• Family Plan: ₹299 per month, allows up to 5 family members (aged 13+), with a one-month free trial.

• Student Plan: ₹89 per month, available for eligible students at a discounted rate.

Compared to these, Premium Lite is cheaper but offers only one benefit—ad-free videos.

Why YouTube Launched Premium Lite in India

India is one of YouTube’s biggest markets, with millions of users consuming content daily across different categories. By introducing a lower-priced subscription tier, YouTube aims to reach those users who may find the ₹149 Premium plan too expensive but still want to avoid ads while watching videos.

The Lite plan had first been introduced in select countries in May 2023 as part of a pilot program. Now, expanding it to India reflects YouTube’s strategy of tiered subscriptions, catering to different types of users.

Availability and Rollout

The Premium Lite subscription has already begun rolling out across India. Users can find the plan in their account subscription settings within the YouTube app or website. YouTube has confirmed that nationwide availability will be completed in the coming weeks.

Should You Subscribe to YouTube Premium Lite?

If your primary use of YouTube is watching long-form videos across categories like gaming, fashion, news, and entertainment, Premium Lite offers a budget-friendly way to eliminate ads. At just ₹89 per month, it is a cost-effective upgrade for viewers who don’t care about music streaming, background play, or offline downloads.

However, if you often listen to music, want offline viewing for travel, or prefer background play while multitasking, the full YouTube Premium plan at ₹149/month will be a better investment. Additionally, family and student discounts make the full Premium even more appealing for some users.

Final Thoughts

With the launch of YouTube Premium Lite in India, the platform has taken another step toward offering flexible subscription options that match different viewing habits and budgets. At ₹89 per month, Lite is a smart option for those who only want ad-free videos without paying for extra perks.

That said, the standard Premium plan remains the more feature-rich choice, especially for music lovers, frequent travelers, and multitaskers who value background playback.

As the rollout continues, it will be interesting to see how Indian users respond to this new tier and whether it bridges the gap for those seeking an affordable ad-free experience on the world’s largest video platform.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Vygr Media.