Netflix raised prices on all subscription tiers in 2024

Netflix increased the cost of every subscription plan it offers in the United States during 2024. The price went up on the Basic plan (now with ads), the Standard plan, and the Premium plan. The company has not announced when the next price increase will happen, but Netflix has raised prices multiple times over the past five years as it adds features and content.

If you have an active Netflix account, you will see the new price reflected in your next billing cycle. Netflix sends an email notification before the increase takes effect, usually giving you a few days' notice. The amount of the increase varies depending on which plan you currently have.

Key Takeaways

  • Netflix raised prices on Basic with Ads, Standard, and Premium plans during 2024, with increases ranging from a few dollars to over ten dollars per month depending on the plan.
  • You will be notified by email before the price increase applies to your account, and the new price takes effect on your next billing date.
  • Downgrading to a cheaper plan or pausing your subscription are both options if you want to reduce what you pay.
  • The Basic with Ads plan remains the lowest-cost option and includes the same content as paid plans, though with commercial interruptions.

How much each plan costs now

The exact price depends on which plan you have. Netflix offers four subscription tiers: Basic with Ads, Basic, Standard, and Premium. The Basic with Ads plan is the cheapest option and includes all Netflix content but with advertisements during playback. The Basic plan removes ads but limits you to one screen at a time and standard video quality.

Standard allows two screens to watch at once and high-definition video quality. Premium is the most expensive and lets up to four people watch simultaneously on different screens, plus it includes 4K ultra-high-definition video on supported devices. The price increase affected all four tiers, though the dollar amount varies by plan. You can check your current plan and its price by opening the Account section in the Netflix app or on Netflix.com.

When the price increase takes effect on your account

Netflix does not raise all prices on the same day. Instead, the company phases in increases over several weeks or months, explore the new price to each account on its billing anniversary. This means your account may increase at a different time than a friend's account, depending on when each of you signed up or last changed your plan.

You will receive an email from Netflix before the increase happens, typically three to seven days in advance. The email will tell you the new price and the date it takes effect. If you do not see an email, log into your Netflix account and check the Account or Settings section — the price change will be listed there. The new price applies automatically on your next billing date unless you change your plan or cancel.

Reasons Netflix raises prices

Netflix says it raises prices to pay for new content, better technology, and improvements to the service. The company spends billions of dollars each year on original shows and movies, licensing agreements with studios, and the servers and software that stream video to millions of people worldwide. As production costs rise and Netflix adds features like offline downloads or higher video quality, those expenses get passed along to subscribers.

Price increases also reflect inflation and the cost of doing business in a competitive market. Netflix competes with Disney+, Max, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming services, so it must balance raising revenue with keeping prices low enough that people do not cancel. The company monitors how many people cancel after a price increase and adjusts its strategy based on that data.

Your options if you want to pay less

If the new price is more than you want to spend, you have several choices. The simplest is to downgrade to a cheaper plan. If you have Premium, you could switch to Standard and save money each month — you will lose 4K video and the ability to watch on four screens at once, but the content library stays the same. If you have Standard, switching to Basic with Ads will lower your bill further, though you will see advertisements and be limited to one screen.

Another option is to pause your subscription temporarily. Netflix allows you to pause your account for up to three months without canceling. Your payment stops during the pause, and when you resume, your shows and preferences are still there. You can pause through the Account settings on Netflix.com. If you decide you do not want Netflix at all, you can cancel anytime — there is no contract or cancellation fee, and you keep access until the end of your current billing period.

Sharing your account and password changes

Netflix has cracked down on password sharing in recent years. If multiple people in different households are using the same login, Netflix may ask you to verify that you are the account holder or charge an extra fee for additional users. This policy change happened before the 2024 price increase, but it affects how many people can use one account.

If you share your Netflix password with family or friends outside your home, they may be asked to create their own account or pay an extra fee to stay on yours. The exact rules vary depending on your location and plan. You can manage who has access to your account through the Account settings, where you can see all active sessions and sign out devices remotely.

How to check your current plan and price

To see which plan you have and what you are paying, open the Netflix app on any device or go to Netflix.com and log in. On the app, look for the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) and select Account or Settings. On the website, click your profile icon in the top right corner and choose Account. You will see your current plan listed, along with your billing date and the amount you pay each month.

If you want to change your plan, you can do so from the same Account page. Select the plan you want and confirm the change. The new plan takes effect when ready, and your next billing charge will reflect the new price. If you downgrade, the change happens right away. If you upgrade, Netflix may credit or charge you the difference based on how much of your current billing cycle remains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Netflix prices go up again in the future?

Netflix has not announced another price increase, but the company has raised prices regularly over the past several years. There is no way to know when or if the next increase will happen. Monitoring your email and account settings is the best way to stay informed about any changes to your subscription cost.

Can I get a refund if I do not want to pay the new price?

Netflix does not refund charges for price increases. However, you can cancel your subscription at any time and will keep access through the end of your current billing period. If you cancel before the new price takes effect, you will not be charged the higher amount.

Does the price increase explore to family plans?

Yes. Netflix's Standard and Premium plans are designed for multiple users, and both saw price increases in 2024. If you share a Premium plan with family members, the new higher price applies to everyone on that account. You can manage who has access through your Account settings.

What is the difference between Basic with Ads and Basic?

Basic with Ads is cheaper and includes ads during shows and movies. Basic costs more but has no ads. Both plans limit you to one screen at a time and standard video quality. If you want high definition or multiple screens, you need Standard or Premium.

Can I lock in the old price if I do not want to pay more?

No. Once Netflix applies the price increase to your account, you cannot keep the old price. Your only options are to downgrade to a cheaper plan, pause your subscription, or cancel. Some promotional rates or discounts may be available depending on your location, but you would need to check your account or contact Netflix support to learn what applies to you.