Netflix raised prices on all U.S. subscription plans in late 2024

Netflix increased the monthly cost of every U.S. streaming plan in October 2024. The Basic plan (with ads) went from $6.99 to $7.99 per month. The Standard plan (ad-free, two screens) rose from $15.49 to $16.49. The Premium plan (ad-free, four screens, 4K video) jumped from $19.99 to $22.99. These are the prices Netflix charges today, though the company has raised rates multiple times over the past three years and may do so again.

If you have an active Netflix account, the price change took effect on your next billing date after October 12, 2024. Netflix sent email notifications before the increase, but many subscribers did not notice until the charge appeared on their credit card or bank statement. The increase applies whether you pay monthly or have a prepaid gift card balance — prepaid balances are not refunded, but the new rate applies once the current period ends.

Key Takeaways

  • Netflix's Basic with ads plan costs $7.99 per month as of October 2024, up $1 from the previous price.
  • The Standard plan now costs $16.49 per month, and the Premium plan costs $22.99 per month, both increases of $1 and $3 respectively.
  • The price change applied automatically to existing accounts on their next billing date after October 12, 2024.
  • You can downgrade to a cheaper plan, cancel your subscription, or stay on your current plan — Netflix does not force you to accept the new price when ready if you were already a subscriber.

What each Netflix plan includes at the new prices

The Basic with ads plan at $7.99 per month gives you one screen at a time, standard video quality (1080p), and ads interrupting the content. This plan does not include downloads to watch offline. It is the cheapest entry point and works if you live alone or watch alone most of the time.

The Standard plan at $16.49 per month removes ads, lets two people watch at the same time on different screens, and includes HD video quality (1080p). You can read titles to your phone or tablet to watch without an internet connection. This plan suits couples, roommates, or small households where two people rarely watch together.

The Premium plan at $22.99 per month allows four simultaneous streams, 4K video quality on supported devices, and offline downloads. It is designed for larger households or families where multiple people watch at once. The Premium plan also includes access to Netflix's ad-free experience and spatial audio on compatible devices.

How to respond to the price increase

You have three main options: stay on your current plan at the new price, switch to a cheaper plan, or cancel. Netflix does not require you to make a choice when ready. If you were already subscribed before the price increase, you can keep your plan as long as you want at the new rate.

To downgrade, open the Netflix app or website, go to your Account settings, select your plan, and choose a lower tier. The change takes effect at the start of your next billing cycle. You will not lose your watch history, saved shows, or profile — those stay with your account. If you downgrade from Premium to Standard, for example, you lose the ability to watch on four screens at once and access 4K video, but everything else remains.

To cancel, go to Account settings, scroll to Membership and Billing, and select Cancel Membership. Netflix will ask why you are leaving and may offer a discount to stay, though this offer is not may provide. If you cancel, your account closes at the end of your current billing period. You can rejoin later by signing back in with the same email and payment method.

Why Netflix raises prices and how often it happens

Netflix raises prices to cover the cost of producing and licensing content, paying for servers and streaming infrastructure, and funding new features. The company also faces competition from other streaming services like Disney+, Hulu, Max, and Amazon Prime Video, which have their own price increases. Netflix's stated goal is to balance keeping prices reasonable for subscribers while investing enough in content that people want to watch.

Netflix has raised U.S. prices roughly every 18 to 24 months over the past five years. In 2022, the Premium plan cost $19.99. In 2023, it rose to $22.99 (the price it holds today). The Basic plan has seen similar incremental increases. There is no set schedule, and Netflix does not announce price changes far in advance — they typically notify subscribers by email a few weeks before the change takes effect.

Comparing Netflix to other streaming services at similar price points

Netflix is not the only streaming service raising prices. Disney+ costs $7.99 per month with ads or $13.99 without ads. Hulu costs $7.99 with ads or $14.99 without ads. Max (formerly HBO Max) costs $9.99 with ads or $19.99 without ads. Amazon Prime Video costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, though it includes other Prime benefits beyond streaming video. Apple TV+ costs $9.99 per month.

If you subscribe to multiple services, the total cost adds up quickly. Many households use a combination — for example, Netflix Premium ($22.99) plus Disney+ ($13.99) plus Max ($19.99) totals $56.97 per month. Some people rotate subscriptions, canceling one service for a few months and reactivating it later when new content they want to watch is available. Others share passwords with family members in different households, though Netflix's password-sharing rules vary by region and have tightened in recent years.

Understanding Netflix's ad-supported tier

The Basic with ads plan is Netflix's lowest-cost option at $7.99 per month. Ads play before and during shows and movies, typically 15 to 30 seconds per ad break. The number of ads varies by title — some shows have fewer interruptions than others. Netflix does not let you skip ads, and you cannot fast-forward through them.

The ad-supported tier has some limitations compared to paid plans. You cannot read content to watch offline. Video quality is capped at 1080p (standard HD), not 4K. You can only watch on one screen at a time. Some Netflix originals and licensed content are not available on the ad-supported plan due to licensing agreements with studios and producers. Netflix publishes a list of unavailable titles, though it changes as licensing deals are renegotiated.

If you want to remove ads, you must upgrade to Standard ($16.49) or Premium ($22.99). Downgrading from a paid plan to the ad-supported plan takes effect on your next billing date.

What happens if you share your Netflix account

Netflix's terms of service state that your account is for your household only. In 2023 and 2024, Netflix began enforcing this rule by asking users to verify they live in the same household or pay an extra fee to add people outside the home. The enforcement has been uneven — some users see verification prompts, others do not, and the rules differ by country.

If you share your password with someone outside your household, Netflix may ask you to verify your location or may prevent that person from using the account. To add someone who does not live with you, Netflix offers an "Extra Member" feature on Premium and Standard plans. On Premium, you can add up to two extra members at $7.99 each per month. On Standard, you can add one extra member at $7.99 per month. Each extra member gets their own profile and login but counts toward your simultaneous stream limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Netflix price go up again after this increase?

Netflix has raised prices roughly every 18 to 24 months in the past, so another increase is possible but not certain. The company does not announce future price changes in advance. If a price increase happens, Netflix will notify you by email before it takes effect on your next billing date.

Can I lock in my current price if I don't want to pay more?

No. Netflix does not offer price locks or grandfathered rates. If you stay subscribed, you pay the new price when your next billing cycle begins. Your only way to avoid the increase is to downgrade to a cheaper plan or cancel.

Do I lose my watch history if I downgrade my plan?

No. Your watch history, saved shows, ratings, and profiles stay with your account no matter which plan you choose. Downgrading only removes features like simultaneous screens, 4K video, or offline downloads — it does not erase your data.

Is the Basic with ads plan worth it compared to paying for ad-free?

That depends on how much you watch and how much ads bother you. At $7.99 per month, the ad-supported plan saves you $8.50 compared to Standard. If you watch a few hours per week, the ads may be tolerable. If you watch several hours daily, the interruptions may feel constant. Some content is also unavailable on the ad-supported tier.

What if I cancel and then want to rejoin Netflix later?

You can rejoin anytime by signing in with the same email address and payment method you used before. Your profile and watch history will still be there. You will pay the current price at the time you rejoin, which may be higher or lower than when you left.