I spend several hours on the train almost every week and have a lot of time during the journey. Sometimes I use it to work, sometimes to write blog posts like this one, and sometimes to watch videos. Often on YouTube. Or I listen to music on YouTube Music while doing other things. But now Alphabet has massively increased the prices, and I’m undecided.

For the individual plan, the increase is still manageable, from €11.99 to €12.99. When you consider that for this price you get not only music but also ad-free videos on YouTube, I find the price almost okay. At least compared to pure music competitors like Spotify or Apple Music for €10.99.

With the family plan, however, YouTube really jacked up the price. From an original €17.99 to €23.99. A 33% price hike is quite significant. At Spotify, the family plan costs €14.99 for two people and €17.99 for up to six people; Apple Music charges €16.99. With this, YouTube has clearly distanced itself from the competition and has to win people over with its videos.

Since there are currently two of us using the subscription, I’m wondering if it’s really worth it. We could get Spotify for €14.99, or Apple Music for two euros more per month. That would allow us to save between seven and ten euros monthly. That’s almost enough for a Netflix subscription, and definitely enough for a Prime subscription.

In the end, I also have to admit that I’ve gotten used to YouTube without ads. The ads are incredibly annoying, and I would probably drastically reduce my YouTube consumption if I had to watch them again. I would hardly discover any new channels, as I’m already annoyed enough by the ads on videos from my favorite creators.

But I’m not in this boat alone. My girlfriend also uses the subscription, and we have to make a decision. Something tells me that after a few years, I’ll be giving Spotify another try. At €14.99 for two people, it’s clearly the cheapest offer.