Netflix's current pricing tiers and what they cost

Netflix offers four subscription tiers in the United States, each with a different monthly cost and set of features. As of 2024, the Standard with ads plan costs $6.99 per month, Standard costs $15.49 per month, Premium costs $22.99 per month, and the Basic plan has been discontinued for new subscribers. The exact price you pay depends on which tier you choose and whether you share your account with others.

Prices vary outside the United States. In Canada, for example, the Standard with ads plan is $5.99 CAD, Standard is $16.49 CAD, and Premium is $20.99 CAD. In the United Kingdom, prices are £4.99, £10.99, and £17.99 respectively. Netflix adjusts pricing by country based on local market conditions and currency, so if you use Netflix in more than one country, you may see different charges.

Netflix also raises prices periodically. If you are an existing subscriber, you will usually receive an email notification 30 days before a price increase takes effect. New subscribers see the current price when they sign up. The company has not announced a specific schedule for future increases, so the figures above may change.

Key Takeaways

  • Netflix's Standard with ads plan costs $6.99 per month and includes ads during playback; Standard costs $15.49 and has no ads; Premium costs $22.99 and adds 4K video and the ability to download content.
  • Prices are higher in some countries and lower in others, and Netflix adjusts them periodically without advance notice beyond the 30-day email warning to existing subscribers.
  • The Basic plan ($9.99) is no longer sold to new subscribers, though existing Basic subscribers can keep their plan at the current price until they change tiers.
  • Netflix does not offer a free trial period, though some promotions or bundled offers with other services may include temporary free access.
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time without penalty, and you will retain access until the end of your billing cycle.

What each tier includes: ads, screens, and video quality

The Standard with ads plan ($6.99/month) lets you watch on one screen at a time in standard definition (1080p). You will see ads before, during, and after content. Some titles are not available on this tier due to licensing restrictions. This plan is the lowest-cost entry point to Netflix.

The Standard plan ($15.49/month) removes ads and raises video quality to 1080p, but still limits you to one screen at a time. This means only one person in your household can watch at once, or you must take turns. If multiple people in your home want to watch simultaneously, you need Premium.

The Premium plan ($22.99/month) allows up to four simultaneous streams and includes 4K video quality on compatible devices and content. It also lets you download titles to watch offline on up to four devices. This tier is designed for households with multiple viewers or for people who want the highest video quality.

The Basic plan ($9.99/month) is no longer sold to new subscribers as of late 2023, but existing Basic subscribers can keep their plan at that price. Basic offered one screen at a time in standard definition with no ads. If you currently have Basic and want to change your plan, you will be moved to a higher tier.

How Netflix's paid sharing works and what it costs

Netflix introduced a paid sharing feature that lets you add people outside your household to your account for an extra fee. The cost of adding an extra member varies by country and plan. In the United States, adding one extra member to a Standard or Premium account costs $7.99 per month. This person gets their own profile, login, and personalized recommendations, but they watch on the same account.

Paid sharing is separate from the number of simultaneous screens included in your plan. If you have Premium (four screens) and add a paid extra member, that person counts as one of the four screens. The extra member can only watch from one location, and Netflix monitors for account sharing across different geographic areas to enforce this rule.

If you share your password with someone outside your household without paying the extra member fee, Netflix may restrict access or ask you to verify that you own the account. The company uses IP addresses and device information to detect sharing patterns, though the enforcement has been inconsistent.

How to change your plan or cancel

You can change your subscription tier at any time through your account settings on Netflix's website or mobile app. Go to Account, then Membership, and select Change Plan. The new tier takes effect immediately, and Netflix adjusts your next billing date proportionally if you upgrade or downgrade mid-cycle.

To cancel, go to Account, select Membership, and choose Cancel Membership. Netflix will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay. Once you cancel, you retain access until the end of your current billing cycle. After that date, your account is closed and you lose access to all content.

If you cancel and later want to rejoin, you can reactivate your account using the same email address. Netflix will restore your profiles, watchlist, and viewing history if you reactivate within 10 months of cancellation. After 10 months, that information is deleted.

Bundled offers and how they affect your cost

Netflix is available as part of bundle packages with other services in some regions. In the United States, Netflix is included in certain Comcast Xfinity packages and has been bundled with Disney+ and Hulu through Disney. The cost of these bundles varies depending on which services are included and which Netflix tier you receive.

Some wireless carriers, including T-Mobile, have offered Netflix subscriptions as part of their phone plans. These offers typically include the Standard with ads tier and may change or end without notice. Check your carrier's current promotions to see if Netflix is included in your plan.

Bundled offers do not always represent savings compared to paying for each service separately. Calculate the total cost of the bundle against the individual prices before committing, especially if you do not use all the services included.

Payment methods and billing cycles

Netflix accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal as payment methods in most regions. You can also pay through your mobile carrier's bill in some countries, or through app store billing if you signed up through the Netflix app on iOS or Android.

Your billing date is the same day each month that you signed up. If you sign up on the 15th, you will be billed on the 15th of every month. If you upgrade or downgrade mid-cycle, Netflix calculates a prorated charge or credit and adjusts your next billing date accordingly.

If a payment fails, Netflix usually sends you a notification and gives you several days to update your payment method before suspending your account. Once you update your payment information, your access is restored immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Netflix for free?

Netflix does not offer a free trial period in most countries. Some wireless carriers or internet providers occasionally bundle Netflix with their service at no extra cost, but this is not a standard offer. Check your current phone plan or internet bill to see if Netflix is included.

What happens if I downgrade from Premium to Standard?

Your plan changes immediately, and you will be charged the lower price on your next billing date. If you downgrade mid-cycle, Netflix credits the difference to your account. You will lose access to 4K video and offline downloads, but your profiles and watchlist remain intact.

Can I use the same Netflix account in two different countries?

Netflix allows you to use your account while traveling, but if you move to a different country permanently, you may need to update your payment method to a local one. Netflix monitors for account sharing across countries and may restrict access if it detects unusual patterns.

Does Netflix charge different prices for annual versus monthly billing?

Netflix only offers monthly billing in the United States and most countries. Some regions have offered annual plans in the past, but these are not currently sold. You must pay month-to-month, though you can cancel at any time.

What if my payment method is declined?

Netflix will notify you and give you a grace period (usually several days) to update your payment information. If you do not update it within that time, your account will be suspended. Once you add a working payment method, your access is restored and you can resume watching immediately.