Netflix's current pricing and plan tiers
Netflix offers four subscription tiers in the United States, each with different features and monthly costs. As of 2024, the Standard with ads plan costs $6.99 per month, Standard costs $15.49 per month, Premium costs $22.99 per month, and the Basic plan has been discontinued for new subscribers. The price you pay depends on which plan you choose, not on how long you've been a customer.
Each tier determines how many people can watch at the same time, the video quality you receive, and whether ads appear during shows and movies. The ads plan includes commercials but costs less. The Standard plan lets two people stream simultaneously in HD quality with no ads. Premium allows four simultaneous streams in 4K quality, also ad-free. These prices can change, and Netflix has adjusted them several times over the past few years.
Netflix does not offer a free trial period anymore. You can start a subscription at any time and cancel anytime without penalty — there is no contract or cancellation fee.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix has four active plans ranging from $6.99 to $22.99 per month, with the main difference being simultaneous streams, video quality, and whether ads appear.
- The Standard with ads plan is the cheapest option but includes commercials; the Premium plan costs the most but allows four people to watch at once in 4K.
- Netflix does not offer free trials, and prices can change at any time — the amounts listed here reflect 2024 rates.
- You can cancel your subscription at any time without a cancellation fee or penalty.
How to compare the four plans side by side
The clearest way to choose a plan is to think about how many people will watch and what video quality matters to you. If you live alone or share with one other person and don't mind ads, the Standard with ads plan at $6.99 per month is the lowest cost. If you want ad-free viewing but don't need 4K, the Standard plan at $15.49 per month covers two simultaneous streams in HD.
The Premium plan at $22.99 per month is designed for larger households or people who want the best picture quality. It allows four people to watch different shows at the same time and streams in 4K resolution on compatible devices and internet connections. The difference between Standard and Premium is mainly the number of simultaneous streams and whether you get 4K — both are ad-free.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Ads | Simultaneous Streams | Video Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard with ads | $6.99 | Yes | 2 | HD |
| Standard | $15.49 | No | 2 | HD |
| Premium | $22.99 | No | 4 | 4K |
If you share a Netflix account with people outside your household, Netflix's paid sharing rules may affect you. Netflix now requires that people living in different homes pay separately or add them as paid members on your account. The cost of adding an extra member varies by plan and location.
What happens when Netflix raises prices
Netflix has raised prices multiple times since it launched. When a price increase happens, existing customers usually receive an email notification 30 days before the change takes effect. You can continue your current plan at the old price for a limited time, or you can switch to a different plan before the increase applies to your account.
If you don't want to pay the new price, you can downgrade to a cheaper plan or cancel your subscription entirely. Netflix does not lock you into a contract, so you can make this choice anytime. Some customers choose to pause their subscription temporarily and restart it later instead of canceling.
Netflix does not publicly announce price increases in advance — they typically become known when customers start receiving notification emails. If you want to know whether a change is coming, checking Netflix's official blog or your account settings is more reliable than news articles, which may report rumors.
How to check your current plan and cost
You can see exactly what you're paying by logging into your Netflix account on any device and going to Account Settings. On the Account page, you'll see your current plan name, the monthly price, and the date your next charge is due. This is the authoritative source for your price — it shows what Netflix will actually charge you, not what the website advertises for new customers.
If you signed up before a price increase, your account settings will show your grandfathered price, which may be lower than what new customers pay for the same plan. Netflix typically honors the price you had when you joined, at least until you change plans or let your subscription lapse.
You can also see your billing history and payment method in Account Settings. If you want to change your plan, you can do that from the same page — the new price takes effect when ready if you upgrade, or at your next billing date if you downgrade.
Paying for Netflix with different payment methods
Netflix accepts credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and gift cards. You can also pay through third-party platforms if you signed up through them — for example, if you subscribed through Apple's App Store, your Netflix charge appears on your Apple bill instead of directly from Netflix.
Netflix charges your payment method on the same day each month. If a charge fails — for example, if your card is declined — Netflix will try again a few times before suspending your account. You can update your payment method anytime in Account Settings to prevent interruptions.
Netflix gift cards are sold at retailers and online and can be used to pay for a subscription or add credit to your account. The card value does not expire, but it must be redeemed within the timeframe printed on the card.
Understanding what you get with each price tier
The Standard with ads plan includes the full Netflix library but with advertisements before and during shows and movies. The frequency and length of ads varies. You get the same content as paid subscribers — the only difference is the commercials and the limit of two simultaneous streams.
Both the Standard and Premium ad-free plans include access to Netflix's entire catalog of shows, movies, and interactive content. The difference is that Standard maxes out at two people watching at once and streams in HD (1080p), while Premium allows four simultaneous streams and streams in 4K (2160p) on devices that support it. 4K requires a faster internet connection — Netflix recommends at least 25 Mbps for 4K streaming.
All plans include the ability to read shows and movies to watch offline on compatible devices. You can create multiple profiles within one account so different people have their own watch history and recommendations. Netflix does not charge extra for these features — they come with every plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my plan anytime?
Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan anytime from your Account Settings. If you upgrade, the new price takes effect when ready and you're charged the difference for the current billing period. If you downgrade, the change takes effect on your next billing date.
What if I can't afford my plan anymore?
You can downgrade to a cheaper plan, pause your subscription temporarily, or cancel entirely. Netflix does not charge a cancellation fee, and you can restart your account later without losing your profile or watch history. If you pause, your account stays inactive for up to 10 months before Netflix deletes it.
Do I need 4K internet to use Netflix?
No. Netflix works on any internet connection, but video quality depends on your speed. Netflix recommends at least 3 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K. If your connection is slower, Netflix automatically lowers the quality so you can still watch without constant buffering.
Will my price go up if I don't change my plan?
Netflix may raise prices for your plan in the future. When that happens, you'll receive an email 30 days before the increase. You can switch to a cheaper plan or cancel before the new price takes effect if you prefer not to pay more.
Can multiple people use one Netflix account?
Yes, but Netflix now requires that people in different households pay separately. If you share with someone in your home, they can use your account up to the simultaneous stream limit of your plan. If they live elsewhere, Netflix asks them to add their own account or pay as an extra member on yours.