Netflix charges a monthly fee for access to its streaming library, and the price and features depend on which plan you choose
Netflix offers several subscription tiers in the United States, each with different monthly costs, video quality, and number of simultaneous streams allowed. As of now, Netflix has moved away from a simple three-tier model and instead offers plans that vary by whether they include ads. The exact price you pay depends on which plan you select and whether you share your account with others outside your household.
Your subscription renews automatically each month on the same date you signed up, and Netflix charges your payment method on file. You can pause, downgrade, or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings — there is no contract or early termination fee.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix offers multiple plans at different price points, with the main difference being video quality, number of simultaneous streams, and whether ads are included.
- Your monthly charge renews automatically, and you can change or cancel your plan anytime without penalty through your account settings.
- Netflix allows you to share your account with people in your household, but has restrictions on sharing passwords with people outside your home.
- If you stop paying or cancel, your account is suspended but not deleted, and you can reactivate it later by paying again.
- Netflix does not offer refunds for partial months, but you can downgrade your plan to a lower price tier mid-cycle.
Netflix's current plan options and what each includes
Netflix's plan structure includes an ad-supported tier and ad-free tiers. The ad-supported plan is the lowest price option and includes standard video quality (720p). The ad-free plans come in Standard and Premium versions, with Premium offering the highest video quality (4K) and the most simultaneous streams.
Standard plans allow two simultaneous streams at once, while Premium allows four. This means if you have a Premium plan, four people can watch different content at the same time on different devices. The ad-supported plan also allows two simultaneous streams. Video quality affects how sharp the picture appears on your screen — higher quality requires faster internet and uses more data.
Netflix's pricing changes periodically and varies by region. You can see your current plan's cost and features by logging into your account and visiting the account settings page under "Plan details."
How household sharing works and what Netflix's password rules are
Netflix allows you to share your account with people who live in your household. Netflix defines a household as people who share the same WiFi network most of the time. If someone in your household uses Netflix on a different network — like at work or school — Netflix may ask them to verify they live with the account holder.
Netflix has added restrictions on sharing passwords with people outside your household. If someone outside your home tries to use your account regularly, Netflix may require them to pay a separate subscription or move to their own account. Netflix sends notifications when it detects activity from a new location and may ask you to confirm whether that person lives with you.
If you want to share your account with someone who does not live with you, Netflix offers an "add a member" feature on some plans that lets you add a paid sub-account for an additional monthly fee. This is different from simply sharing your password.
What happens when your payment fails or you cancel
If your payment method declines, Netflix sends you a notification and gives you time to update your payment information. Your account remains active during this grace period, usually several days. If you do not update your payment method, your account is suspended and you cannot watch content.
If you cancel your subscription, your account is suspended immediately and you lose access to Netflix content. However, your account information, watch history, and saved preferences are not deleted. If you reactivate your subscription later by paying again, your account returns to the state it was in before you cancelled.
Netflix does not issue refunds for the current billing period if you cancel mid-month. However, you can downgrade to a cheaper plan at any time, and the price change takes effect on your next billing date.
How to change your plan or cancel your subscription
To change your plan, log into your Netflix account on a web browser or the Netflix app, go to "Account," then select "Plan details." From there you can upgrade to a higher tier, downgrade to a lower tier, or switch between ad-supported and ad-free options. The change takes effect on your next billing date.
To cancel your subscription, go to "Account" and select "Membership and billing," then choose "Cancel membership." Netflix asks you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay. Once you confirm cancellation, your account is suspended at the end of your current billing period.
You can also pause your subscription for up to three months instead of cancelling. This keeps your account active but stops the monthly charge. After the pause ends, billing resumes automatically unless you cancel.
Shared accounts and what Netflix can see about your viewing
Netflix tracks what each profile on your account watches and uses that data to recommend content and personalize your home screen. If multiple people share your account, each person can create their own profile so Netflix learns their individual preferences separately.
Netflix also uses viewing data to decide which shows and movies to keep and which to remove from its library. The company publishes viewing statistics showing which titles were watched most, but this data is aggregated across all users and does not identify individuals.
Your payment information and account details are encrypted and protected by Netflix's privacy policy. Netflix does not sell your personal data to third parties, though it does use viewing information for its own business purposes, including deciding what new content to produce.
What to know about Netflix's content library and regional differences
Netflix's library of movies and shows varies by country. A title available in the United States may not be available in another country due to licensing agreements. Netflix shows you what is available in your region based on your account's location.
Netflix removes titles regularly as licensing agreements expire. When a show or movie is about to leave Netflix, the platform notifies you if it is on your watchlist. You can download some titles to watch offline, but this feature is not available for all content and varies by plan.
Netflix produces original content — shows and movies made by Netflix itself — which is available to all subscribers in all regions where Netflix operates. These originals are not removed due to licensing expiration because Netflix owns them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Netflix account on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes, but the number of simultaneous streams depends on your plan. Standard plans allow two streams at once, and Premium plans allow four. If you exceed your limit, Netflix pauses one stream and asks you to choose which device to watch on.
What happens if someone outside my household uses my password?
Netflix detects activity from new locations and sends you a notification. If the activity continues, Netflix may require that person to verify they live with you or create their own account. You can also change your password to stop someone from using your account.
Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
No, Netflix does not refund unused portions of your billing period. However, you can downgrade to a cheaper plan instead of cancelling, and the lower price takes effect on your next billing date.
Is there a way to watch Netflix without ads?
Yes, Netflix offers Standard and Premium ad-free plans. These cost more than the ad-supported plan but include no advertisements. You can switch from an ad-supported plan to an ad-free plan anytime through your account settings.
What if I want to share my account with someone who does not live with me?
Netflix offers an "add a member" feature that lets you add a paid sub-account for an additional monthly fee. This person gets their own login and profile without needing to share your password. The cost varies by plan and region.