YouTube Premium Costs More via Apple App Store Due to 'Apple Tax'
Subscribing to YouTube Premium through Apple's App Store costs $21/month, while the same subscription via YouTube's website is $16. The difference stems from Apple's commission fee, known as the 'Apple tax'.
Users who subscribe to YouTube Premium through Apple's App Store are paying a higher price than those who subscribe directly via YouTube's website. The price difference is a result of Apple's commission, which takes up to 30% from each recurring payment.
When subscribing via the YouTube website, the monthly fee for an individual plan is $16. However, signing up through the App Store raises the cost to $21 per month—an extra $5 that goes toward covering Apple's fee. This practice is often referred to as the 'Apple tax,' where companies pass the commission cost to consumers.
Apple has faced legal challenges over this fee structure. A court previously ruled that Apple must allow third-party billing options, but later found the company in contempt for charging developers a similar fee for using their own payment systems.
Despite the higher cost, some users prefer to subscribe through Apple's App Store due to the ease of managing and canceling subscriptions. Canceling a subscription through Apple is straightforward—usually just a few taps—while canceling directly with some providers can involve navigating hidden menus, filling out surveys, or even contacting support via email.
For YouTube Premium, canceling directly through Google is also relatively simple. Therefore, if you're looking to save money, it's better to subscribe outside of Apple's ecosystem to avoid the extra charges.
