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YouTube Premium Costs in Switzerland: Price Comparison

13 hours ago
6 min read

Current prices: Overview of individual and family subscriptions

In Switzerland, those who want to watch YouTube without ads currently pay 17.90 Swiss francs per month for a one-time subscription. This price was recorded by salda.ch in April 2026. The total cost of YouTube Premium in Switzerland therefore amounts to almost 215 Swiss francs per year, assuming monthly payments and without discounts.

The price increase for YouTube Premium in Switzerland is due to inflation. The individual subscription has increased by two francs, as reported by pctipp.ch . New customers will pay the increased amount immediately, while existing customers will only see the increase in the next billing cycle. Long-term subscribers should check their recent bills.

According to itmagazine.ch , the family pass costs 33.90 Swiss francs per month and can be used by up to five people living in the same household. Before the increase, the price was 23.90 Swiss francs. The increase is therefore significantly greater than that of the individual pass.

Considering the cost of YouTube Premium in Switzerland, the family plan quickly pays for itself. Two people pay 35.80 Swiss francs with two individual subscriptions, while with the family plan the cost drops to just 33.90 Swiss francs. The difference becomes clear with the third person: for five users, the cost drops to just under 6.80 Swiss francs per person. The key factor is that all users live in the same household. The plan isn't designed for just any group of friends.

Directly, through Apple or Google Play: how much do you really pay?

The booking method determines the price, and this aspect is often overlooked. According to some research, those who subscribe through Apple pay 23.90 Swiss francs for an individual subscription and 43.90 Swiss francs for a family subscription. These are six and ten francs more, respectively, than booking directly with YouTube.

Over the course of a year, the cost of YouTube Premium Switzerland through Apple is significant. An individual subscription through Apple costs an additional 72 Swiss francs, while a family subscription costs about 120 Swiss francs. There are no advantages other than the convenience of paying via Apple ID. The content is identical.

I couldn't find reliable Google Play pricing information in the available sources. Therefore, please check your Play account subscription settings to see the actual amount charged and compare it with the 17.90 Swiss francs for the direct purchase.

Here's how to proceed:

  • Open the subscription management section of your Apple or Google account and check the current amount.

  • If the price is higher than the direct purchase price, cancel your subscription using that link.

  • After that, renew your subscription directly at youtube.com/premium.

  • After switching to the new system, verify that the payment is processed as expected and that no double charges occur.

Give yourself some time to ensure there are no interruptions or overlaps between canceling your old contract and signing the new one. Switching this way allows you to save money while maintaining the same level of service and without sacrificing convenience.

Students and Swisscom customers: Please read the terms and conditions carefully.

There is a reduced rate for students, but details vary. The iamstudent.ch website lists it at 11.90 Swiss francs per month instead of 17.90. Another source mentions around 9.50 Swiss francs and specifies that eligibility is verified annually through the SheerID service. The exact applicable amount will only be displayed during the ordering process on the official website. Therefore, it's important to keep in mind that prices may vary and shouldn't be relied upon solely on a single blog post.

It's also important to note that student status must be verifiable and the exam will be retaken. Those who are no longer eligible after graduation will be subject to the standard fee. Mark this date on your calendar to avoid any surprises due to price increases.

Swisscom also offers YouTube Premium. The Swisscom website lists prices of 15.90 Swiss francs for an annual subscription and 16.90 Swiss francs for a monthly subscription, both exclusive to Swisscom customers. These are customer rates, not general list prices. Compared to the 17.90 Swiss francs for direct booking, this represents a saving of one to two Swiss francs per month, or between 12 and 24 Swiss francs per year.

The downside is commitment. With an annual subscription, you're locked in and billed through your Swisscom contract. If you're already a Swisscom customer and are sure you'll use the subscription for a full year, it's more affordable. If you prefer greater flexibility, the monthly option is better, or you can book directly.

Italy vs. Other Countries: Prices in Ticino

For Italian-speaking Switzerland, looking beyond the border is an obvious option. According to salda.ch, subscribers in Italy pay the equivalent of just 12.80 Swiss francs, while in Germany and France the price is 11.85 Swiss francs each. Compared to the Swiss price of 17.90 Swiss francs, this translates into a difference of 5-6 Swiss francs per month, or 60-74 Swiss francs per year.

It might seem tempting to use an Italian subscription or a VPN to spoof your location. This practice is strongly discouraged. While Saldo mentions a VPN program starting at 3 Swiss francs per month, Digitec emphasizes that YouTube is cracking down on this ploy. Users who re-register will therefore face even higher prices than usual. Furthermore, such workarounds violate the terms of service and may lead to account suspension. The supposed savings aren't worth the risk of losing playlists, watch history, and access to content.

For Ticino families, comparing prices across borders remains a theoretical possibility. Legal options offer greater savings: booking directly rather than through Apple, family subscriptions for multiple users, and potentially discounted rates. Together, these solutions often save more than any foreign fare, without affecting your bank account.

YouTube Premium or YouTube Music: The difference between the free and the free version.

Many people mistakenly believe that YouTube Premium and YouTube Music are the same thing, but the packages are designed to offer different services. YouTube Premium removes ads from the entire platform and includes additional music features. YouTube Music Premium focuses exclusively on the music service. Mobilezone lists a price of 13.90 Swiss francs per month for YouTube Music Premium, but this figure is based on 2025 figures. Liederstellen, on the other hand, lists prices starting at 17.90 Swiss francs. This discrepancy demonstrates how quickly pricing can become obsolete. Therefore, it's always advisable to check the price directly with the provider.

The best plan for you depends on your usage. If you mainly listen to music and rarely watch videos, a music-only subscription might be more affordable, provided the current price is actually lower than the total package price. On the other hand, if you want to regularly watch videos, tutorials, or programs without interruptions, you'll need the full premium plan.

The free version remains a valid alternative. It's supported by advertising, but it guarantees access to all public content. Do the math: at 215 Swiss francs a year, a subscription is only worth it if you watch several hours of video a day or if you truly miss features like background playback on your smartphone. Those who only use YouTube occasionally are paying for a convenience they rarely need.

Which subscription is best for your family?

Choosing the right YouTube Premium subscription in Switzerland depends on a few factors. First, consider how many people in your household regularly use YouTube. For one person, an individual subscription is sufficient. For two people, the family subscription at CHF 33.90 is only slightly cheaper than two individual subscriptions, while for three or more people, it's clearly the most affordable option.

Next, check your booking method. If your subscription is through Apple, switch to direct booking and you'll save six francs per month for an individual subscription and ten francs for a family subscription. This is the simplest solution and only takes a short time.

So, clarify whether you are entitled to a discount:

  • Students review the fee during the ordering process and schedule an annual review.

  • Swisscom customers compare the tariff conditions of 15.90 or 16.90 francs with the list price and pay attention to the duration of the annual subscription.

  • All other fares remain at CHF 17.90 for direct bookings.

Ultimately, what matters is an honest cost-benefit analysis. If you watch content daily and find the ads annoying, the subscription is worth it. If you rarely use the platform, however, the free version remains the most economical option.

If you want to keep track of your overall streaming and mobile phone spending, our streaming service comparison and phone bill analysis tools can help. Prices change rapidly, so it's a good idea to check your plans at least once a year.

 
 
 

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