Choosing the right Netflix plan can feel overwhelming with various options available. If you’re considering signing up for Netflix or thinking about switching plans, understanding the differences is key.
Initially, Netflix offered a single plan. However, as its popularity surged, especially during the pandemic, Netflix evolved its offerings and pricing. Today, Netflix provides three main plans tailored to different needs and budgets: Standard With Ads, Standard, and Premium. While the Standard With Ads plan is the most budget-friendly, the other plans offer enhanced features that might be worth the extra cost depending on your viewing habits and preferences.
This guide breaks down each Netflix plan, detailing what you get for your money. We’ll compare content access, streaming quality, viewing options, and sharing capabilities to help you decide which Netflix plan best suits your needs.
Netflix Plan Breakdown: Finding Your Perfect Match
Netflix Standard With Ads Plan: The Budget-Conscious Choice
The Netflix Standard With Ads plan emerges as the most affordable entry point into the world of Netflix, priced at just £4.99 / $6.99 / AU$7.99 per month. This plan unlocks the same extensive library of movies and shows available on the pricier tiers, granting access to popular titles and Netflix originals. However, it’s important to note a few distinctions. Due to licensing agreements, a limited selection of content is unavailable on the ad-supported plan, although the vast majority of popular shows and movies remain accessible.
One key difference lies in streaming quality. The Standard With Ads plan caps resolution at Full HD (high definition) or 1080p, meaning you won’t experience 4K Ultra HD streaming. While older content might be in Standard Definition (SD), HD is the prevailing standard for modern television and the resolution for most of Netflix’s recent releases.
This plan permits streaming on two screens simultaneously and allows downloads on two devices. Account sharing is limited to your immediate household, aligning with Netflix’s measures against password sharing. Adding members outside your household is not an option with this plan.
Netflix Standard Plan: The Balanced Option for Most Viewers
The Netflix Standard plan strikes a balance between affordability and enhanced features, positioned as a strong middle-ground option. Priced at £10.99 / $15.49 / AU$18.99 per month, it’s more than double the cost of the Standard With Ads plan but offers significant upgrades. Many viewers find the Standard plan to be the optimal choice, considering the Premium plan is even more expensive.
Similar to the Standard With Ads plan, the Standard plan streams content in HD, ranging from 720p to 1080p depending on the title. A reliable internet connection is recommended to ensure consistent HD streaming.
You can stream on two screens concurrently and download content to two devices, mirroring the Standard With Ads plan in this aspect. The crucial advantage of the Standard plan is the absence of advertisements, providing an uninterrupted viewing experience.
Furthermore, the Standard plan offers the option to add one extra member outside your household for an additional £4.99 / $7.99 / AU$7.99 per month. This feature allows limited account sharing beyond your household, unlike the Standard With Ads plan.
Netflix Premium Plan: The Ultimate Experience for Picture and Sound Quality
The Netflix Premium plan represents the top-tier offering, priced at £17.99 / $22.99 / AU$25.99 per month. It’s the most expensive plan, justifying its cost with the most comprehensive feature set.
The primary appeal of the Premium plan is Ultra HD streaming with HDR and Spatial Audio. This unlocks the highest possible viewing quality for compatible content, delivering stunning 4K resolution, enhanced color and contrast with HDR, and immersive Spatial Audio surround sound. To fully appreciate these features, you need a 4K TV or 4K monitor capable of displaying 4K and supporting HDR and Spatial Audio.
Beyond visual and audio enhancements, the Premium plan supports streaming on four screens simultaneously and downloads on six devices. This makes it ideal for larger households or families with multiple viewers.
The Premium plan also allows you to add up to two extra members outside your household, each for an additional £4.99 / $7.99 / AU$7.99 per month. This provides the most flexible sharing options among the three plans.
Frequently Asked Questions: Choosing Your Netflix Plan
How much does each Netflix plan cost?
Netflix offers three distinct plans, each with varying prices reflecting different features and capabilities.
The most affordable plan, Standard With Ads, is priced at £4.99 / $6.99 / AU$7.99 per month and streams content in 1080p HD with advertisements.
The Standard plan, removing ads, costs £10.99 / $15.49 / AU$18.99 per month and maintains 1080p HD streaming.
The top-tier Premium plan, offering ad-free viewing in up to 4K HDR with Spatial Audio, is priced at £17.99 / $22.99 / AU$25.99 per month.
Can I get Netflix for free?
Directly, Netflix does not offer a free trial period anymore. However, Netflix subscriptions are sometimes bundled with other services, such as mobile phone contracts. These bundled offers typically include the Standard With Ads plan.
Does Netflix offer annual subscription plans?
No, Netflix currently does not offer annual subscription options. All Netflix plans are billed on a monthly subscription basis.
Making Your Netflix Plan Decision
The optimal Netflix plan ultimately depends on your individual needs and viewing habits. If you anticipate light Netflix usage or are aiming to minimize streaming costs, particularly when combined with other streaming services, the Standard With Ads plan provides a cost-effective entry point.
However, if you value ad-free viewing, higher picture quality, or need to share your account with individuals outside your household, the Standard or Premium plans become more compelling.
Sharing with someone not living with you is not possible on the Standard With Ads plan. While the Standard and Premium plans allow adding extra members for a fee, this increases the monthly cost. For those looking to share outside their household on a budget, it might be more economical for each person to subscribe to the Standard With Ads plan individually.
Ready to subscribe? Consult our guide on how to sign up for Netflix to begin.
