YouTube Music is a free mobile app focused entirely on music. Because it's basically a music-only YouTube streamer, it offers a deep, diverse catalog of artists and videos. YouTube Red is a subscription service offering additional benefits and content (including gaming).
- What's in it for kids: The basic YouTube Music app compiles a daily playlist called "My Mix," which combines your "liked" and "listened-to tracks" as well as songs it thinks you'll enjoy. One cool feature is the ability to toggle between audio and video seamlessly, with the video picking up exactly where the song is playing, and the inclusion of fan-shot videos of live performances — something competitors can't offer. If you subscribe to YouTube Red, you'll eliminate ads and be able to search for artists and music by name or category, download playlists to listen to offline, and keep music on in the background while using other apps. YouTube Red subscribers also get a free Google Play Music subscription.
- Ability to filter explicit lyrics? No. Though many of the videos are harmless, it's not difficult to come across others with mature sex, violence, language, smoking, and drinking references.
- Cost: Free with ads or $9.99 per month for YouTube Red perks.
