Netflix has four subscription tiers, each with different video quality, number of simultaneous streams, and price

Netflix offers four plans in the United States: Basic, Standard, Premium, and Basic with Ads. The main differences are how many people can watch at the same time, the highest video quality available, and whether ads appear during shows and movies. Basic with Ads is the lowest cost but includes advertisements. Basic, Standard, and Premium have no ads, but each step up costs more and lets you watch on more screens at once.

Prices change periodically and vary by region. As of early 2024, Basic with Ads starts around $6.99 per month, Basic around $11.99, Standard around $15.49, and Premium around $22.99, but you should check Netflix directly for current pricing. Netflix also occasionally offers promotional rates for new members or discounts for annual payment.

Your plan determines not just cost but also practical limits on your household. If you choose Basic, only one person can stream at a time. Standard allows two simultaneous streams. Premium allows four. This matters if multiple people in your home watch Netflix at the same time — if you exceed your plan's limit, Netflix will ask someone to stop watching or upgrade.

Key Takeaways

  • Basic with Ads is the cheapest option but shows advertisements; the three ad-free plans cost more but let you watch on multiple screens simultaneously depending on which tier you choose.
  • Video quality caps at 480p on Basic, 1080p on Standard, and 4K on Premium, so your plan affects picture quality on larger screens.
  • Netflix charges monthly and you can cancel anytime without penalty, though you lose access when ready upon cancellation.
  • Account sharing outside your household may violate Netflix's terms; the company has added paid add-on accounts for people who want to share access with others outside their home.

What each plan includes and who should choose it

Basic with Ads costs the least and works well if you watch occasionally and do not mind advertisements. You get one simultaneous stream and 480p video quality (standard definition). Ads appear before, during, and after content. This plan is useful for someone who watches a few hours a week and wants to keep costs low.

Basic (no ads) costs more than Basic with Ads but less than Standard. You still get only one simultaneous stream and 480p quality. Choose this if you want no ads but live alone or are the only regular watcher in your household. If multiple people watch, one person will be locked out when another starts playing something.

Standard allows two simultaneous streams and 1080p video quality (full HD). This works for a couple or small household where two people might watch at different times or occasionally together. The picture is noticeably sharper than Basic on a regular TV or monitor.

Premium allows four simultaneous streams and 4K video quality (ultra HD). Choose this if your household has three or more regular watchers, or if you have a large TV and want the sharpest picture Netflix offers. Premium is the only plan that supports 4K streaming.

How to sign up and manage your account

To start a Netflix subscription, go to netflix.com, click the sign-up button, and choose your plan. You will enter an email address, create a password, and provide a payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal). Netflix will charge you when ready for the first month, then on the same date each month going forward.

After you sign up, you create a profile within your account. Netflix allows multiple profiles per account so different household members can have separate watch histories, recommendations, and parental controls. Each profile is independent — one person's viewing does not affect another's recommendations.

You can change your plan anytime from your account settings. If you upgrade, the change takes effect when ready and Netflix prorates the cost. If you downgrade, the change takes effect on your next billing date. You can also pause your subscription for up to ten consecutive months if you want to stop temporarily without canceling entirely.

Account sharing and the paid add-on account option

Netflix's terms of service state that your account is for people who live in your household. The company has cracked down on password sharing with people outside your home by requiring verification and offering a paid alternative.

If someone outside your household wants to use your account, Netflix now offers an add-on account feature. For an additional monthly fee (around $7.99 as of early 2024, but check Netflix for current pricing), you can add one extra account that works on one device at a time. This person gets their own profile, watch history, and recommendations, but they are not required to live with you. You pay the add-on fee on top of your regular subscription cost.

This add-on account is separate from your main subscription plan. If you have a Standard plan and add an extra member account, you are paying for Standard plus the add-on fee. The add-on account does not increase your simultaneous stream limit for your main household — it is a separate, single-stream account.

Payment, cancellation, and what happens to your data

Netflix charges on a monthly cycle starting from the date you sign up. If you sign up on the 15th, you will be charged on the 15th of every month. You can change your payment method anytime in your account settings. If a payment fails, Netflix will retry it a few times before suspending your account.

You can cancel your subscription anytime without penalty. straightforward go to your account settings, find the cancellation option, and confirm. You lose access to Netflix when ready — you do not get to finish watching the current month. If you cancel mid-month, you do not receive a refund for the unused portion.

When you cancel, Netflix keeps your profile data (watch history, saved shows, recommendations) for up to ten months. If you resubscribe within that window, your profile returns as it was. After ten months of inactivity, Netflix may delete your profile data.

Common issues and how to resolve them

If Netflix says you have exceeded your simultaneous stream limit, someone else on your account is watching. Ask them to stop, or upgrade to a plan with more simultaneous streams. You can also check your account settings to see which devices are currently streaming.

If you are charged but cannot access your account, your payment may have failed or your account may have been suspended. Check your email for messages from Netflix. Log in to your account settings and verify your payment method is current. If the problem persists, contact Netflix support through the Help Center on their website.

If you see a title you want to watch but it says it is not available in your region, Netflix's content library varies by country due to licensing agreements. You cannot change your region by using a VPN — Netflix detects and blocks this. The title may become available later, or you may need to use a different streaming service.

If your Netflix app is not working, try logging out and back in, or uninstalling and reinstalling the app. Make sure your device has the latest software updates. If the problem continues, check Netflix's support page for your specific device type.

How Netflix content and recommendations work

Netflix's library includes original series and films that Netflix produces, plus licensed content from studios and networks. What you see depends on your region — Netflix has different licensing agreements in different countries, so the same title may not be available everywhere.

Netflix uses your watch history to recommend shows and movies. The more you watch and rate content, the more accurate the recommendations become. You can remove titles from your history if you do not want them to affect recommendations. You can also tell Netflix you are not interested in a specific show or movie, and it will adjust future suggestions.

Netflix releases new content constantly. Some original series release all episodes at once (called a "drop"), while others release weekly. You can check the "New & Hot" section to see what has been added recently, or set reminders for shows you want to watch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Netflix on multiple devices with one account?

Yes, but the number of devices that can stream at the same time depends on your plan. Basic allows one simultaneous stream, Standard allows two, and Premium allows four. You can have the Netflix app installed on many devices, but only the number allowed by your plan can play video at the same time.

What happens if I do not use my Netflix account for a long time?

Netflix will continue to charge you monthly unless you cancel. The company does not automatically pause or delete inactive accounts. If you want to stop paying but might return later, you can pause your subscription for up to ten months instead of canceling.

Can I change my plan or downgrade to save money?

Yes. You can change your plan anytime from your account settings. If you upgrade, the change takes effect when ready and you pay a prorated amount. If you downgrade, the change takes effect on your next billing date. Downgrading may reduce your simultaneous stream limit and video quality.

Is there a free trial?

Netflix does not currently offer a free trial in most regions. Some promotions or partnerships may include trial periods, but you should check Netflix directly or look for current offers. You can also pause your subscription and restart it later if you want to take a break.

What if I share my password with someone outside my household?

Netflix's terms prohibit sharing your password with people outside your home. If you do, Netflix may ask you to verify your account or suspend it. The official way to let someone outside your household use Netflix is to add them as a paid add-on account for an additional monthly fee.