Netflix has four subscription tiers in the United States, each with different video quality, number of simultaneous streams, and whether ads appear
Netflix offers Standard with ads, Standard, Premium, and a basic tier that is no longer sold to new members. The main differences are the resolution you can watch in (how sharp the picture is), how many people in your household can watch at the same time, and whether commercials play during shows and movies. The price of each tier changes periodically, and Netflix sometimes offers promotional rates for the first few months.
You choose your tier when you create your account, and you can change it anytime through your account settings. If you downgrade to a cheaper plan, the change takes effect on your next billing date. If you upgrade, Netflix usually charges you the difference right away and adjusts your billing cycle.
Key Takeaways
- Standard with ads is the cheapest option and includes full access to Netflix's library, but ads play during content and you cannot download shows to watch offline.
- Standard and Premium both remove ads and allow offline downloads, with Premium offering the sharpest picture quality and the most simultaneous streams.
- Netflix's prices vary by region and change over time, so the cost you see when signing up may differ from what you pay six months later.
- You can share your account with people outside your household, but Netflix charges an extra fee per person and requires a separate sign-in.
- Canceling your subscription stops charges immediately, and you keep access until the end of your current billing period.
What each Netflix tier includes
The Standard with ads plan is Netflix's entry-level option. You get access to the full Netflix library of shows and movies, but ads interrupt the content. You cannot download episodes to watch offline, and the video quality maxes out at 1080p (Full HD). Only one person can watch at a time on this plan. This tier is the least expensive and makes sense if you watch casually and do not mind advertisements.
The Standard plan removes ads and lets you download shows and movies to your phone or tablet to watch without an internet connection. Video quality is still 1080p, and only one person can stream at a time. This plan costs more than Standard with ads but less than Premium.
The Premium plan includes everything in Standard plus 4K video quality (the sharpest picture Netflix offers) and up to four simultaneous streams. This means four people can watch different shows at the same time on different devices. Premium is the most expensive tier and is worth it if multiple people in your household watch Netflix regularly or if you have a large TV and want the best picture quality.
How Netflix pricing works
Netflix does not publish a single fixed price for each tier. Prices vary by country and region, and Netflix raises prices periodically. When you sign up, you see the current price for each plan in your area. That price is what you will pay each month (or year, if you choose annual billing) until Netflix changes its pricing.
When Netflix raises prices, existing members usually get a notice 30 days before the increase takes effect. New members signing up after a price increase pay the new rate immediately. Netflix sometimes offers promotional pricing for the first few months — for example, a discounted rate for the first three months — but these offers vary and are not always available.
You are charged on the same day each month (or year) that you signed up. If you signed up on the 15th, you are billed on the 15th of every month. If your billing date falls on a day that does not exist in a given month (like the 31st in February), Netflix charges you on the last day of that month instead.
Sharing your Netflix account and extra member fees
Netflix allows you to share your account password with people outside your household, but the company charges an extra monthly fee for each additional person. This fee is called an extra member or add-on and applies to Standard and Premium plans only (Standard with ads does not allow extra members). Each extra member gets their own profile, viewing history, and personalized recommendations, but they watch on the same account.
Each extra member must have their own email address and password to sign in. They can watch on any device and from any location, just like the primary account holder. The extra member fee is separate from your main subscription cost and is added to your monthly bill.
If you want to prevent password sharing with people outside your household, Netflix offers a feature that requires a verification code when someone tries to sign in from a new location. This does not stop sharing entirely but makes it less convenient for people who do not live with you.
How to change or cancel your Netflix subscription
You change your plan through your account settings on Netflix's website or app. Go to your account, select "Membership," and choose a different tier. If you upgrade to a more expensive plan, Netflix charges you the difference right away and adjusts your next billing date. If you downgrade, the change takes effect on your next billing date, and you do not receive a refund for the difference.
To cancel your subscription, go to your account settings, find the "Membership" or "Cancel membership" option, and follow the prompts. Netflix asks why you are canceling but does not require you to answer. Once you confirm cancellation, your subscription stops, and you are not charged again. You keep access to Netflix until the end of your current billing period — if you paid for a full month, you can watch until that month ends.
If you cancel and then want to reactivate your account later, you can sign back in with the same email and password. Netflix restores your profiles and viewing history. You do not have to create a new account or lose your saved information.
Payment methods and billing issues
Netflix accepts credit cards, debit cards, and sometimes PayPal or other digital payment methods, depending on your region. You enter your payment information when you sign up, and Netflix charges it automatically each billing cycle. If your payment method fails, Netflix usually sends you a notice and tries again a few times before suspending your account.
If your payment fails and your account is suspended, you can update your payment method in your account settings to restore access. Netflix does not charge late fees or interest — it simply stops your service until the payment goes through. If you dispute a charge with your bank or credit card company, Netflix may close your account permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Netflix on multiple devices at the same time?
It depends on your plan. Standard with ads and Standard allow one stream at a time. Premium allows four simultaneous streams. If someone tries to watch while you are already watching on another device, Netflix pauses one of the streams and asks which device should keep playing.
What happens to my account if I do not pay my bill?
Netflix suspends your account and stops charging you. You cannot watch anything until you update your payment method. Your profiles and viewing history stay saved, so you can restore access anytime by paying the overdue amount and updating your card information.
Can I download Netflix shows to watch offline?
Standard with ads does not allow downloads. Standard and Premium both let you download shows and movies to your phone or tablet through the Netflix app. Downloaded content expires after a certain period (usually 30 days or when your subscription ends) and requires you to sign in periodically to verify your account is active.
Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
No. Netflix does not issue refunds for unused time. If you cancel on the 10th of a month but paid for the full month, you keep access until the end of that month but do not receive money back. You simply stop being charged after your current billing period ends.
Can I change my Netflix plan without losing my saved shows and recommendations?
Yes. Changing your tier does not affect your profiles, watch history, or saved shows. Everything stays the same — you only lose features if you downgrade (like 4K quality or simultaneous streams), but your account information is preserved.