Netflix charges a monthly fee for streaming access, with the price and features depending on which plan you choose
Netflix offers three subscription tiers in the United States: Standard with ads, Standard, and Premium. Each tier costs a different amount per month and comes with different viewing limits and video quality. You pay the same amount every month until you change your plan or cancel. Netflix bills you on the same day each month, and you can pause or resume your subscription without losing your account information.
The price you pay depends on which plan you pick when you sign up. Netflix does not lock you into a contract — you can switch plans or stop paying at any time. If you cancel, you keep access until the end of your current billing period, then lose it.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix's three U.S. plans are Standard with ads, Standard, and Premium, each with different monthly costs and screen limits.
- You choose your plan when you sign up, and Netflix charges the same amount on the same day every month.
- You can change plans or cancel anytime without penalty, and your access continues through the end of your current billing period.
- Standard with ads is the cheapest option but includes advertisements; the other two plans are ad-free.
- Premium allows the most simultaneous screens and the highest video quality, while Standard with ads and Standard allow fewer screens.
The Three Netflix Plans and Their Monthly Costs
Netflix's Standard with ads plan is the lowest-cost option. It includes ad-supported streaming, which means you see advertisements during shows and movies. You can watch on one screen at a time, and video quality maxes out at 1080p (Full HD). Netflix does not publish a single fixed price for this plan — the cost varies by region and changes over time, so you see the current price when you visit Netflix's website or app.
The Standard plan removes ads and costs more per month than Standard with ads. You can still watch on only one screen at a time, and video quality is still 1080p. Like the ad-supported plan, the exact monthly price appears when you sign up.
Premium is the most expensive plan. It removes ads, allows you to watch on up to four screens at the same time, and streams video in 4K (Ultra HD) on devices that support it. The monthly cost is higher than Standard, and again, Netflix shows you the exact price before you commit.
Netflix occasionally changes its prices. If you are already a subscriber and Netflix raises the price of your plan, the company notifies you by email before the increase takes effect, usually giving you at least 30 days' notice. You can switch to a cheaper plan to avoid the increase, or you can cancel.
How Billing Works Each Month
When you sign up, you choose a plan and provide a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or other option Netflix accepts in your region. Netflix charges your payment method on the same date each month. For example, if you sign up on the 15th, Netflix bills you on the 15th of every month going forward.
Your monthly charge appears on your bank or credit card statement under the name Netflix. If you share your account with family members, only one person needs to pay the subscription fee — Netflix does not charge per person, only per account.
If your payment fails — for instance, your card expires or is declined — Netflix usually sends you a notice and gives you a few days to update your payment information. If you do not update it, Netflix suspends your account, and you lose access to streaming until you provide a working payment method.
Changing Your Plan or Canceling
You can switch between plans at any time through your Netflix account settings. If you upgrade to a more expensive plan, Netflix charges you a prorated amount for the remainder of your current billing period, then charges the full new plan price on your next regular billing date. If you downgrade to a cheaper plan, the change takes effect on your next billing date, and you do not receive a refund for the difference.
To cancel, you go to your account settings and select the option to cancel your membership. Netflix asks you to confirm, and then your subscription ends at the close of your current billing period. You keep access to streaming until that date arrives. Netflix does not charge you again after cancellation, and you can restart your subscription later using the same account.
If you cancel and then restart within a certain timeframe, Netflix may offer you a promotional rate to come back. These offers vary and are not may provide, so do not count on one.
What Happens If You Share Your Account
Netflix's terms of service state that your account is for your household only. In practice, Netflix has allowed account sharing for years, but the company has begun cracking down on it. If Netflix detects that your account is being used in multiple locations far apart — for example, one person streaming in New York and another in Los Angeles at the same time — it may ask you to verify that you are the account owner or to add a paid extra member.
Netflix offers an "add a member" feature on some plans. This lets you add another person to your account for an extra monthly fee. That person gets their own profile, login, and viewing history, but they are still part of your main subscription. The cost of adding a member varies by plan and region.
Payment Methods and Billing Issues
Netflix accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and in some regions, other payment methods like PayPal or gift cards. When you sign up, you enter your payment information, and Netflix stores it securely. You can update your payment method anytime through your account settings.
If you use a gift card to pay for Netflix, the balance is applied to your account, and Netflix charges against it each month until it runs out. Once the balance is gone, Netflix asks you to add another payment method to keep your subscription active.
If you see a charge on your statement that you do not recognize, or if you believe Netflix charged you twice in one month, contact Netflix customer service through your account. Netflix has a support page where you can report billing problems, and the company can review your account history and issue a refund if an error occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pause my Netflix subscription without canceling?
Yes. Netflix offers a pause feature that lets you temporarily stop your subscription for up to three months. While paused, Netflix does not charge you, but your account and viewing history remain saved. When you unpause, your plan resumes at the regular price. This is different from canceling, which ends your subscription entirely.
What happens to my account if I do not pay?
If your payment method fails and you do not update it within a few days, Netflix suspends your account. You lose access to streaming, but your profile and watch history stay saved. Once you provide a working payment method, your access returns when ready, and you can resume watching where you left off.
Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
No. Netflix does not refund unused portions of your monthly subscription. If you cancel on the 10th of a month and your billing date is the 20th, you keep access through the 20th but do not receive money back for the days after you cancel.
Can I change plans more than once a month?
Yes. You can switch plans as many times as you want. If you upgrade mid-month, Netflix charges you a prorated amount for the upgrade. If you downgrade, the change takes effect on your next billing date. There is no limit to how often you can make changes.
What if Netflix raises the price of my plan?
Netflix notifies you by email before a price increase takes effect, usually at least 30 days in advance. You can accept the new price, switch to a cheaper plan, or cancel. If you do nothing, Netflix charges you the new amount on your next billing date.