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MUBI vs YouTube Music

MUBI logo

MUBI

Entertainment

Discover extraordinary cinema

From
$7.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
YouTube Music logo

YouTube Music

Music

A new music streaming service from YouTube

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only YouTube Music has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: MUBI curated, rotating catalogue - films leave the service on a schedule rather than staying permanently available; YouTube Music free tier includes unskippable ads which interrupts music listening
  • They diverge on capability: MUBI covers Curated films, YouTube Music covers Music streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MUBI and YouTube Music actually diverge.

Attributes where MUBI and YouTube Music differ
AttributeMUBIYouTube Music
Starting price$7.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers
CategoryEntertainmentMusic
Founded20072005

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in MUBI

  • Curated films
  • World cinema
  • Documentaries
  • Classics
  • New releases
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security

Only in YouTube Music

  • Music streaming
  • Music videos
  • Live performances
  • Personalization
  • Google services
  • Smart speakers
  • Android Auto
  • Google account security

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

MUBI

  • Watching curated arthouse, independent, and classic international cinemanot YouTube Music
  • Discovering festival and awards-circuit films not on mainstream platformsnot YouTube Music
  • Getting a free weekly theatrical ticket via MUBI GO in eligible citiesnot YouTube Music
  • Reading editorial film notes and curation alongside streamingnot YouTube Music

YouTube Music

  • Music streamingnot MUBI
  • Video watchingnot MUBI
  • Discoverynot MUBI

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

MUBI

  • Curated, rotating catalogue - films leave the service on a schedule rather than staying permanently available
  • No live TV or broad back-catalogue - deliberately small, curated library rather than a comprehensive on-demand one
  • MUBI GO (free theater ticket plus streaming) is limited to select cities

YouTube Music

  • Free tier includes unskippable ads which interrupts music listening
  • User-uploaded content creates inconsistent audio quality and metadata compared to official releases
  • Limited music discovery and recommendation features compared to Spotify's AI-powered algorithms

Pricing, plan by plan

MUBI

$7.99/month
  • Monthly$7.99/month
    • Unlimited streaming access to curated films
    • Download capability via iOS and Android apps
    • Ad-free viewing

YouTube Music

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Ad-supported listening
    • Music videos
  • Premium$11.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Offline downloads
    • Background playback
  • Family$18.99/month
    • Up to 6 accounts
    • Parental controls
  • Student$5.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • YouTube Premium included

Which should you pick?

Choose MUBI if

  • You need curated films.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want world cinema.
MUBI review

Choose YouTube Music if

  • You need music streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want music videos.
YouTube Music review

Questions people ask

Is MUBI or YouTube Music better?
Neither clearly leads. MUBI starts at $7.99/month and YouTube Music at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MUBI or YouTube Music?
YouTube Music has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $7.99/month for MUBI and Free for YouTube Music.
Does MUBI or YouTube Music run on more platforms?
MUBI runs on Web, iOS, Android. YouTube Music runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
Can I use YouTube Music for free?
Yes. YouTube Music has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MUBI starts at $7.99/month.
What is MUBI best used for?
MUBI is most often used for watching curated arthouse, independent, and classic international cinema, discovering festival and awards-circuit films not on mainstream platforms, getting a free weekly theatrical ticket via mubi go in eligible cities, reading editorial film notes and curation alongside streaming. Of those, watching curated arthouse, independent, and classic international cinema and discovering festival and awards-circuit films not on mainstream platforms are not what YouTube Music is typically brought in for.
What can MUBI do that YouTube Music cannot?
MUBI covers Curated films, World cinema, Documentaries, Classics. YouTube Music covers Music streaming, Music videos, Live performances, Personalization. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

MUBI: How much does MUBI cost?

MUBI costs $7.99 per month USD on a monthly plan. An annual plan is available that saves 38% compared to monthly billing, though the exact annual price is not shown on the pricing page.

Source
YouTube Music: How much does YouTube Music Premium cost?

YouTube Music Premium costs $11.99 per month for individual subscriptions, $18.99 per month for family plans (up to 6 accounts), and $5.99 per month for students.

Source
MUBI: Is there a free trial for MUBI?

Yes, MUBI offers a 7-day free trial with no credit card required. After the trial ends, the membership converts to paid status.

Source
YouTube Music: Does YouTube Music have a free tier?

Yes, YouTube Music offers a free version with access to music and music videos but includes occasional unskippable ads. Free users can create playlists and discover music but lack premium features like offline downloads.

Source
YouTube Music: What makes YouTube Music different from other streaming services?

YouTube Music uniquely provides access to official songs, music videos, live performances, remixes, and user-uploaded content not available on other platforms. Users can seamlessly switch between audio and official music videos.

Source
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