In 2025, YouTube users face a growing dilemma as the platform continues to increase its ad frequency. The days of occasional 5-second skippable ads have evolved into multiple unskippable ads before videos even start, mid-roll interruptions, and banner ads cluttering the viewing experience.
This has left many viewers wondering: is it worth paying for YouTube Premium, or should you just install an adblocker?
This comprehensive guide examines both options from all angles – cost, user experience, legality, and creator support – to help you decide which solution best fits your YouTube viewing habits in 2025.
What Is YouTube Premium in 2025?
YouTube Premium is Google's subscription service that transforms how you experience the platform. For a monthly fee, Premium removes all advertisements from your viewing experience while offering several additional features you can't get otherwise.
Key YouTube Premium Features
- 100% Ad-Free Experience: No pre-roll, mid-roll, or display ads across all devices
- Background Play: Continue listening to videos while using other apps or when your screen is off
- Offline Downloads: Save videos to watch later without an internet connection
- YouTube Music Premium: Full access to YouTube's dedicated music streaming service with over 80 million tracks
- YouTube Originals: Access to premium content (though this catalog has decreased since 2023)
- Family Sharing: Option to share benefits with up to 5 family members (at higher subscription tier)
Current Pricing (as of April 2025)
- Individual Plan: $13.99/month
- Family Plan: $22.99/month (up to 6 family members)
- Student Plan: $7.99/month (requires verification)
YouTube Premium is now available in over 100 countries, making it accessible to most global users. The service is particularly valuable for those who watch YouTube daily, frequently listen to music through the platform, or need offline access to content while traveling.
What Are YouTube Adblockers in 2025?
Adblockers are third-party software solutions designed to prevent advertisements from appearing during your YouTube viewing. These come in several forms and varying levels of effectiveness.
Types of YouTube Adblockers
Browser Extensions
- uBlock Origin (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
- AdGuard (Cross-browser)
- Adblock Plus (Cross-browser)
Mobile Ad-Blocking Apps
- PureTuber (Android)
- Revanced Extended (Android)
- AdGuard (iOS - limited functionality due to App Store restrictions)
DNS-Based Adblockers
- NextDNS
- AdGuard DNS
- Pi-hole (for tech-savvy users with home networks)
While all these options are free to use, they come with varying degrees of reliability. YouTube constantly updates its platform to circumvent adblockers, leading to an ongoing cat-and-mouse game that sometimes results in temporary disruptions when adblockers stop working.
YouTube Premium vs Adblockers: Feature Comparison
| Feature | YouTube Premium | Adblockers |
|---|---|---|
| Ad-Free Experience | ✅ Complete, consistent, cross-platform | ⚠️ Mostly effective, but inconsistent as YouTube updates its platform |
| Background Play | ✅ Official support on all devices | ❌ Limited (some third-party apps offer workarounds) |
| Video Downloads | ✅ Built-in, high-quality | ❌ Requires separate downloading tools |
| YouTube Music | ✅ Full access included | ❌ Not included |
| Legal Status | ✅ Officially supported | ⚠️ Against YouTube's Terms of Service |
| Creator Support | ✅ Creators earn revenue from Premium views | ❌ Creators earn nothing from blocked ads |
| Cost | ❌ $13.99/month | ✅ Free |
| Privacy | ⚠️ Google still collects viewing data | ✅ Some adblockers offer additional privacy protections |
| Cross-Device Support | ✅ Works across all your devices | ⚠️ Requires separate setup for each device |
Pros and Cons of YouTube Premium
Pros
- Seamless experience across all devices without configuration
- Supports content creators financially
- Completely legal and sanctioned by YouTube
- Bundled with YouTube Music, offering significant value if you also use music streaming services
- Consistent performance without worrying about updates breaking functionality
- Family sharing makes it more cost-effective per person
Cons
- Monthly subscription cost adds up over time
- Still collects user data for recommendations and analytics
- Limited downloads (only available in the YouTube app)
- Regional restrictions may apply to some content despite subscription
- No customization options beyond what YouTube officially provides
Pros and Cons of Adblockers
Pros
- Free to use with no ongoing costs
- Some offer additional privacy features beyond ad blocking
- Customizable experience with various filtering options
- Can block more than just ads (like annoying overlays, popups)
- One-time setup for most browser extensions
Cons
- Constant updates needed as YouTube changes its ad delivery methods
- No support for creators you enjoy watching
- Against YouTube's Terms of Service with potential consequences
- Inconsistent performance across different devices
- No offline downloads or background play (without additional tools)
- Technical issues can arise requiring troubleshooting
Who Should Choose What?
YouTube Premium Is Ideal For:
- Heavy YouTube users who watch hours of content daily
- Mobile viewers who value background play and downloads
- Music listeners who would otherwise pay for a separate music streaming service
- Ethical consumers concerned about supporting content creators
- Family households where multiple people can share the cost
- Non-technical users who prefer simplicity over configuration
Adblockers Might Be Better For:
- Budget-conscious viewers who prioritize saving money
- Occasional YouTube viewers who don't watch enough to justify a subscription
- Privacy-focused users concerned about tracking and data collection
- Tech-savvy individuals comfortable with periodic troubleshooting
- Desktop-primary users where adblockers work most reliably
- Users in regions where YouTube Premium is unavailable or overpriced
Alternatives to Both Options
DNS-Level Ad Blocking
Services like NextDNS or AdGuard DNS block ads at the network level, potentially affecting all devices on your network without installing software on each. However, these solutions can be less reliable for YouTube specifically and may require more technical knowledge to set up.
Ad-Free YouTube Apps
Third-party applications like PureTuber (Android) or YouTube Revanced offer modified YouTube experiences with built-in ad blocking and some Premium-like features. These aren't available through official app stores and require manual installation, posing potential security risks.
Brave Browser
This privacy-focused browser includes built-in ad blocking capabilities that work reasonably well with YouTube. It's a simple option for desktop users but doesn't help with the mobile app experience.
Limited YouTube Usage + Creator Support
Some users choose to watch YouTube with ads but donate directly to their favorite creators through Patreon, memberships, or merchandise purchases. This approach balances free viewing with ethical support.
The Impact on Content Creators
An important consideration often overlooked in this debate is how your choice affects the creators who make the content you enjoy.
When you watch YouTube with ads, creators typically earn between $2-5 per 1,000 views (varying by audience demographics and video topic). Premium views actually pay creators more than ad views on average.
Using an adblocker effectively reduces creator earnings to zero for your views. For smaller creators especially, this can significantly impact their ability to continue producing content.
If you do use adblockers, consider supporting creators through:
- Channel memberships
- Patreon or Ko-fi donations
- Merchandise purchases
- Affiliate link usage
YouTube's Escalating War Against Adblockers
Throughout 2024 and into 2025, YouTube has intensified efforts to detect and disable adblockers. Many users have experienced:
- Warning messages about adblocker detection
- Deliberately slowed video loading when blockers are detected
- Complete video playback prevention until adblockers are disabled
This technical arms race has made adblockers increasingly unreliable, requiring frequent updates and occasional periods where they stop working altogether. This trend is likely to continue as YouTube prioritizes ad revenue and Premium subscriptions.
Making Your Decision: Key Questions to Ask Yourself
-
How many hours per week do you spend on YouTube? If it's more than 10-15 hours, Premium may offer better value per hour.
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Do you use YouTube primarily on mobile or desktop? Premium benefits mobile users significantly more due to background play and downloads.
-
Do you also pay for a music streaming service? Bundling YouTube Music with Premium might actually save you money.
-
How important is supporting creators to you? If you value sustainable creator income, Premium aligns better with this value.
-
Are you comfortable with occasional technical issues? Adblockers require more maintenance and troubleshooting tolerance.
Conclusion: Which Is Worth It in 2025?
After thorough analysis, YouTube Premium offers the superior overall experience in 2025 for dedicated YouTube users, especially those who:
- Watch across multiple devices
- Value convenience and reliability
- Use YouTube Music or would benefit from offline downloads
- Want to support creators financially
However, adblockers remain a viable option for:
- Budget-conscious occasional viewers
- Those primarily watching on desktop
- Users willing to deal with occasional technical hiccups
- People in regions where Premium is unavailable or overpriced
The best approach for many might be a hybrid solution: using Premium on your most-used devices while directly supporting favorite creators through memberships or other means.
Ultimately, as YouTube's ad load continues to increase in 2025, doing nothing is becoming the least attractive option for most viewers. Whether through Premium or adblockers, taking some action to improve your viewing experience is increasingly worthwhile.
FAQ
Is YouTube Premium worth it in 2025? For frequent YouTube users, especially those who watch on mobile and value convenience, YouTube Premium offers good value. With ad-free viewing, background play, downloads, and YouTube Music included, the monthly cost can be justified if you use these features regularly.
Can you block all YouTube ads for free in 2025? While adblockers can still block most YouTube ads, the platform's continued countermeasures have made free ad blocking less reliable in 2025. Users often experience periods where blockers stop working after YouTube updates until the blockers release new versions.
What's better: YouTube Premium or Adblock? Premium offers a more consistent, cross-platform experience with additional features and creator support, while adblockers are free but less reliable and don't support creators. Premium is generally better for daily users across multiple devices, while adblockers might suffice for occasional desktop-only viewing.
How much does YouTube Premium cost in 2025? As of April 2025, YouTube Premium costs $13.99/month for individuals, $22.99/month for family plans (up to 6 members), and $7.99/month for eligible students.
Do content creators get paid if I use YouTube Premium? Yes, creators receive compensation when Premium subscribers watch their content, often at rates higher than regular ad views. YouTube distributes a portion of Premium subscription revenue to creators based on watch time from Premium viewers.
Have you made your choice between YouTube Premium and adblockers? Tell us in the comments which side you're on and why!
