YouTube Music review
Songs, live sets and covers from the whole of YouTube
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Web
Does it deserve #7?
The verdict
YouTube Music has a catalog no rival can match, because it adds live recordings, covers and remixes from YouTube to the official releases. Recommendations are strong, and Music Premium is included with YouTube Premium, which also removes ads across YouTube. The free tier is limited on mobile, though, and Google's ad business means more data collection. Get it if you already pay for YouTube Premium.
- Huge catalog including live versions
- Included with YouTube Premium
- Song and music video switching
- Personalized mixes and radio
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What we like
- Finds rare live versions, covers and remixes
- Good value if you already pay for YouTube Premium
- Upload your own music alongside the catalog
What could be better
- Free tier has ads and no background play in most regions
- Google's ad business means heavy data collection
YouTube Premium subscribers and fans of live versions, covers and remixes
you want hi-res audio or prefer an app that collects less data
Questions about YouTube Music
Is YouTube Music free?
Yes, but the free tier is ad-supported and, in most countries, won't keep playing in the background on mobile. YouTube Music Premium, also included with YouTube Premium, removes ads and adds background play and downloads.
Can I upload my own music to YouTube Music?
Yes. You can upload your own audio files from a computer at music.youtube.com and play them alongside the streaming catalog.
What are the best alternatives to YouTube Music?
The closest alternatives are Spotify, Apple Music and SoundCloud. See all of them ranked on our YouTube Music alternatives page.
Where does YouTube Music rank?
YouTube Music ranks #7 of 8 in our Music & Podcasts ranking, with an overall score of 8.0 out of 10.