Netflix's yearly plan costs less per month than paying monthly, but locks you in for 12 months
Netflix offers a yearly subscription option that charges you once a year instead of every month. The yearly plan costs less overall than 12 separate monthly payments on the same tier, but you pay the full year upfront and cannot get a refund if you cancel before the 12 months end. Netflix has multiple subscription tiers — Standard, Premium, and Basic — and each tier has its own yearly price.
The yearly commitment works best if you know you will use Netflix for the full year and want to save money. If you are unsure about keeping the service or think you might cancel within a few months, the monthly plan lets you stop without penalty. Netflix does not offer a trial period with the yearly plan, so you start paying when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix's yearly plan requires one upfront payment that covers 12 months of service at a lower per-month cost than monthly billing.
- You cannot cancel a yearly subscription and receive a refund for unused months — the payment is non-refundable once processed.
- Netflix offers yearly pricing on Standard, Premium, and Basic tiers, with prices that vary by country and change periodically.
- You can switch to a different tier mid-year on a yearly plan, but the price adjustment depends on Netflix's current policies.
- The yearly plan renews automatically after 12 months unless you cancel before the renewal date.
How much the yearly plan costs compared to monthly
The yearly price for each Netflix tier is roughly 16 to 17 percent less than paying monthly for 12 months. For example, if a tier costs $10 per month, the yearly price is typically around $100 rather than $120. The exact savings depend on which tier you choose and your country, because Netflix prices vary by region and change over time.
To see the current yearly prices for your location, log into your Netflix account, go to Account settings, and look at the Plan section. Netflix displays both the monthly and yearly options side by side so you can compare. If you are not yet a member, the sign-up page shows the yearly price for each tier before you commit.
What happens if you cancel before 12 months are up
Netflix does not refund yearly payments if you cancel before the year ends. Once you pay for the yearly plan, that money is gone — you cannot get it back even if you stop using the service after one month. Your account will straightforward close on the cancellation date, and you lose access to Netflix when ready.
This is the main trade-off of the yearly plan: you save money if you keep the service, but you lose that savings if you cancel early. If there is any chance you might quit Netflix within the year, the monthly plan is safer because you can cancel anytime without losing money on unused months.
How to switch tiers or cancel on a yearly plan
If you are on a yearly plan and want to upgrade to a higher tier (like moving from Standard to Premium), you can do so through your Account settings. Netflix will charge you the difference between your current plan and the new tier, prorated for the remaining months on your yearly subscription. The exact amount depends on how many months are left and the price difference between the two tiers.
To downgrade to a lower tier, you typically have to wait until your yearly plan renews and then choose the lower tier at renewal. Some account changes may allow when ready downgrades, but Netflix's policy on this can vary. To cancel your yearly plan entirely, go to Account settings, select Cancel Membership, and confirm. Your access ends on the date you cancel, and no refund is issued for the remaining months.
When your yearly plan renews and how to stop it
Netflix automatically renews your yearly subscription 12 months after your original payment date. You will receive an email a few days before the renewal date showing the amount that will be charged. If you do not want to renew, you must cancel before that date — Netflix will not ask for permission again.
To prevent renewal, log into your account at least a few days before the renewal date and cancel your membership. Once you cancel, your access ends on the renewal date, not when ready. If you cancel after the renewal charge has already gone through, contact Netflix customer service to request a refund, though they are not required to grant one.
Yearly plans and payment methods
Netflix charges the full yearly amount to the payment method on file in your account. This can be a credit card, debit card, or other payment option depending on your country. Make sure your payment method has enough available balance and has not expired, because a failed payment can suspend your account.
If your payment method is declined when the yearly renewal charge tries to process, Netflix will usually send you a notification and give you a short window to update your payment information. If you do not update it in time, your account may be suspended until the payment goes through. You can update your payment method anytime in Account settings under Billing.
Yearly plans in different countries and on different devices
Netflix yearly pricing varies significantly by country because subscription costs differ by region. A yearly plan in the United States costs a different amount than the same tier in Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia. When you sign up or change your plan, Netflix shows you the price for your specific location.
The yearly plan works the same way regardless of which device you use to watch — phone, tablet, computer, or TV. Your subscription covers all your devices as long as you are logged into your Netflix account. The tier you choose determines how many screens can watch at the same time, not whether you use the yearly or monthly plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I cancel my yearly plan early?
No. Netflix yearly plans are non-refundable once the payment processes. If you cancel before 12 months have passed, you lose access to Netflix on the cancellation date, but you do not receive money back for the unused months. This is why the yearly plan is best if you are confident you will use Netflix for the full year.
What is the difference between yearly and monthly billing besides price?
The main difference is the upfront cost and cancellation policy. Monthly plans charge you every 30 days and let you cancel anytime without penalty. Yearly plans charge once and lock you in for 12 months with no refund if you leave early. The service itself — shows, picture quality, number of screens — is identical between the two billing options on the same tier.
If I upgrade my tier mid-year, do I pay the full yearly price for the new tier?
No. Netflix charges you only for the difference between your current tier and the new tier, calculated for the remaining months on your yearly plan. For example, if you have six months left and upgrade from Standard to Premium, you pay roughly half the yearly price difference between those two tiers, not the full yearly Premium price.
Will Netflix remind me before my yearly plan renews?
Yes. Netflix sends an email a few days before the renewal date showing the charge amount. However, the email is a notification, not a request for permission — the charge will go through automatically unless you cancel your membership before the renewal date. Check your email inbox and spam folder to make sure you see the reminder.
Can I switch from yearly to monthly billing before my year is up?
Netflix does not allow you to switch to monthly billing mid-year on a yearly plan. You must wait until your yearly plan renews, then choose monthly billing at that time. If you want to switch sooner, you would need to cancel the yearly plan (losing the remaining balance) and start a new monthly plan when ready.