How much does Netflix cost? A breakdown of the streamer’s plans

The days of Netflix delivering movies on DVD to your home may be over, but the king of the streaming services continues to deliver top-tier programming streamed right to your device of choice. Of course, that does come with certain increases in price. The most premium Netflix plan now costs $23 per month (compared to Hulu’s $19 per month, in comparison) — though the team has also introduced a relatively new plan that clocks in at just $7 per month (but you’ll need to deal with pesky ads to offset the low price). The company has cracked down on password sharing, so if you’ve been kicked off your parents’ plan, it’s good to know which plan is right for your budget.

You have three options to choose from with Netflix, and knowing how much it’ll cost you comes down to choosing the plan you’re most interested in. Each tier has different options separated by streaming resolution, whether you’ll have to endure dealing with ads, and the limit on how many people can watch at the same time.

Here’s a quick look at how much Netflix costs per month in 2024, including all three tiers and which plan might be best for your needs.

Streaming plans

A Netflix account now has three different streaming plans: Standard with ads, Standard, and Premium. But what do each of those tiers translate to in terms of on-demand content?

With the phasing out of Netflix’s old ad-free Basic plan finally taking effect in the U.S, here’s the breakdown of what you get with the streaming giant’s plans.

Standard with ads and the Standard plan now stream at Full HD (1080p). The most expensive option, the Premium plan, can tap into content in 4K Ultra HD. Netflix remains one of the few streaming video services that require a more expensive plan for features like 4K, HDR, and Dolby Atmos.

A notable difference between a Standard with ads, Standard, and Premium Netflix subscriptions is the number of people who can use the same account at once — Standard with ads and Standard plans allow streaming at two devices at once, while Premium tops out at four. That means that four friends and family members from the same primary household can all watch a show on the same account, at the same time, from anywhere in the world.

Speaking of the primary household, since we’re talking about how much things cost, if you’re among those who might have users on your account that are outside your set household (for example, a kid away at college or a relative), you may have to add an “extra member” to your account, which will cost you an additional $8 per month per member. The Standard plan allows for one extra member while the Premium allows two.

Lastly, one additional difference to consider with the coming of the Standard with ads tier (outside of having to watch between four and five 15- or 30-second ads per hour) is that some movies and shows will not be available, and users will not be able to download content for offline viewing.

DVD and Blu-ray

Netflix in mid-2023 announced that was ending its DVD/Blu-ray rental service. Pour one out for your favorite optical media.

Which Netflix subscription is best?

The Standard or Premium plans are great places to get started. Each of these plans allows viewers to get the Full HD experience and beyond. If you want to dip your toe in, with the upgraded Full HD stream of the Standard with ads tier, this could also be a good place to start. As an added perk, the Standard with ads, Standard, and Premium subscription plans offer sharing, meaning you can view Netflix content on multiple devices.

If you have a 4K TV, a Premium account is an excellent upgrade from all the other tiers. Because a 4K Ultra HD screen has four times the pixels, that means it has four times the resolution of a Full HD screen. Paying a few extra dollars a month to get the most out of your 4K devices is a worthwhile investment, so go with Premium to access Netflix’s 4K Ultra HD content.

How to save money on a Netflix subscription

There are a number of ways to save some dough when it comes to enrolling in Netflix. As previously mentioned, one of the most common options is sharing the cost of a Netflix account with friends and family. In this case, you’ll probably want to opt for the Premium streaming plan ($23), which unlocks 4K streaming and allows Netflix to be viewed on four screens at once. Be aware of the crackdown on password sharing in the U.S. though.

Another way to get the service for a reduced cost (or for free in some cases) is to be on the lookout for Netflix bundles from internet service providers, TV/smart device companies, and cell phone providers. For instance, T-Mobile subscribers can get a number of Netflix perks via the company’s Netflix on Us offer. One note, however, is it’s not yet clear if Netflix will be offering the Standard with ads tier through third-party providers.