YouTube Music is now available in Kenya, Ghana, and Senegal, further expanding its availability in Africa. Finally, we have access to the good stuff, and platforms like Apple Music and Spotify now have a viable alternative from a well-established company.
But wait, it seems to cost a little more than Spotify, a platform that’s taking no chances by offering the budget-conscious population a package that works for them with the Spotify Mini going for a very reasonable KES 49/week.
Related:
- Spotify finally coming to Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria among 80+ new markets
- Deezer vs Tidal vs YouTube Music: Battle of the Underdogs
Well, maybe there is a way to get YT MUsic for cheaper. See, YouTube has different rates for different markets and some countries get access for as little as $1.03/month. The trick to getting YT Music cheaper is to tunnel your internet through one of these countries and paying for the service with the local rate.
I tried to get YouTube Premium via Argentina, Turkey, India, and the Philippines since these were usually mentioned but none of these worked since YouTube asks for a local credit card.
How to Get YT Music Cheaper
For this, I picked on Ukraine where the individual monthly plan goes for UAH 79 (KES 327.91/ $2.15/UGX8,127.00). While not a lot less than KES 419 that YT Music cots in Kenya, It is an absolute steal compared to what users in the US and the UK pay.
To do this, follow these simple steps.
- Turn on VPN to a Ukraine server. I use Windscribe but you can use whichever VPN you prefer.
- Go to Incognito mode on your browser;
- Go to YouTube and log in/sign-up;
- Go to the YouTube Premium section (You should see price in UAH currency);
- Fill-in information, add your credit card and you’re good to go!
And that’s it! You just rigged the system, got YouTube Music for a bargain. In my testing, there is not difference between these regions in terms of content and library, or even features. You still get the same catalog and feature set as someone who paid full price in your local currency at the stipulated rate for your country.
Why do Different Regions have Different Rates?
The reason for this variation in pricing is not clear, but it may be due to differences in the cost of living, local taxes, or other factors.
Similarly, Spotify and Netflix also have different subscription prices for different regions. According to TechRadar, the cost of a Spotify subscription can vary depending on your location, with prices ranging from $2.50 per month in India to $14.99 per month in the United States.
Similarly, the cost of a Netflix subscription can vary depending on your location, with prices ranging from $3.62 per month in Turkey to $17.99 per month in the United States.
The reasons for these variations in pricing are not always clear, but they may be due to differences in the cost of living, local taxes, or other factors. In some cases, companies may also adjust their prices to remain competitive in different markets
