Netflix offers four subscription tiers with different video quality, number of simultaneous streams, and ad exposure

Netflix has four active subscription plans in the United States: Standard with ads, Standard, Premium, and Basic. The main differences are the resolution at which you can watch (how sharp the picture is), how many people can watch at the same time on one account, and whether ads play during shows and films. The price of each plan changes periodically, and Netflix sometimes offers promotional rates for new members.

Your choice depends on how many people share your account, what devices you watch on, and whether you want to avoid advertisements. Each plan renews monthly unless you cancel, and you can change plans or cancel anytime without penalty.

Key Takeaways

  • Netflix's four plans differ in video quality (from 480p to 4K), simultaneous streams (from one to four), and whether ads appear during playback.
  • The Standard with ads plan is the lowest price but includes advertisements; the other three plans are ad-free.
  • You can switch between plans at any time, and the change takes effect on your next billing date.
  • Netflix charges the same amount every month unless you change plans, and you can cancel without early termination fees.

Standard with Ads: Lowest price with advertisements

The Standard with ads plan is Netflix's least expensive option. It includes one simultaneous stream at a time and video quality up to 1080p (Full HD). Advertisements appear before and during content, though Netflix has not published the exact frequency or length of ad breaks.

This plan is available only in certain countries. In the United States, it is available to new and existing members. You cannot read content to watch offline on this plan, and some titles may not be available due to licensing restrictions with advertisers.

Standard: Ad-free with one stream

The Standard plan removes ads but keeps the same limits as the ad-supported tier: one simultaneous stream and 1080p video quality. This plan costs more than Standard with ads but less than Premium.

Like all ad-free plans, Standard includes the ability to read titles to your phone or tablet and watch them without an internet connection. You still cannot share your account across multiple households, though one person can watch on different devices as long as only one stream is active at a time.

Premium: Highest quality and four simultaneous streams

The Premium plan is Netflix's most expensive option and includes the most features. It allows up to four people to watch at the same time on one account, supports 4K video quality (the sharpest available), and includes offline downloads. There are no advertisements.

Premium is the only plan that supports 4K resolution, which requires both a 4K-capable device and a 4K-capable internet connection. If you have multiple people in your household watching different shows simultaneously, this is the only plan that allows that without purchasing separate accounts.

Basic: Discontinued for new members

Netflix's Basic plan, which offered ad-free streaming at one stream and 720p quality, is no longer available to new members in most countries. Existing Basic members can keep their plan and renew it, but new sign-ups are directed to Standard with ads or higher tiers.

If you are an existing Basic member, you can upgrade to Standard or Premium at any time, or switch to Standard with ads. Netflix will not force you off the Basic plan, but the company has indicated it may phase it out entirely in the future.

How to change or cancel your plan

You can change your Netflix plan by logging into your account, going to Account settings, and selecting Membership. From there, you can choose a different plan, and the change takes effect on your next billing date. You are not charged when ready for an upgrade or downgrade.

To cancel, you follow the same path to Account settings and select Cancel membership. Netflix will ask you to confirm and may offer a discount to stay, but you can proceed without penalty. Your access ends at the end of your current billing period, not when ready.

Pricing and billing

Netflix prices vary by plan and by country. In the United States, prices range from roughly $6.99 per month for Standard with ads to $22.99 per month for Premium, though these amounts change periodically. Netflix notifies members by email before raising prices on existing accounts.

Netflix charges your payment method on the same day each month. You can update your payment method, billing address, or email address in Account settings at any time. If a payment fails, Netflix usually gives you a few days to update your payment method before suspending your account.

Sharing your account across households

Netflix's policy on account sharing has changed. As of 2024, Netflix allows you to share your account within your household but charges an extra fee if you want to add people outside your household as sub-accounts. The exact cost and process varies by country and changes periodically.

If you share your account with people in different locations, Netflix may ask you to verify your home address or may restrict simultaneous streams. The Premium plan allows four streams at once, which is the maximum regardless of how many people have access to the account.

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 simultaneous stream. Premium allows four simultaneous streams, meaning four people can watch different content at the same time. Basic (for existing members) allows one stream.

What is the difference between 1080p and 4K?

1080p (Full HD) is the standard high-definition resolution. 4K is four times sharper and shows more detail, but requires a 4K television or monitor and a faster internet connection. Only the Premium plan supports 4K; all other plans max out at 1080p.

Can I read shows and movies to watch offline?

Yes, but only on the Standard, Premium, and Basic plans. Standard with ads does not include downloads. You can read to a phone or tablet and watch without internet, but downloads expire after a set period (usually 30 days) and must be refreshed by connecting to the internet.

What happens if I upgrade or downgrade my plan?

The change takes effect on your next billing date. If you upgrade, you are not charged the difference when ready; Netflix prorates the cost. If you downgrade, your next charge will be at the lower rate. You can change plans as often as you want.

Do I lose my saved shows and recommendations if I cancel?

Your profile, watch history, and saved titles are stored on Netflix's servers. If you cancel and rejoin later, your information may still be there, though Netflix does not may provide it will be preserved indefinitely. Contact Netflix support if you want to confirm what happens to your data.