Of all the streaming platforms, Netflix is by far the most prolific, with beloved classic movies and shows like Friends to must-have originals like The Witcher.
Unlike many other rivals, Netflix offers plenty of plans to cater to different budgets and needs. But what’s the best plan for you? We’ve compared Netflix Standard to Ads, Netflix Standard, and Netflix Premium and categorized them into whose best for what. You can now sign up on the Netflix website.
Before we break down the three plans, here are a few things to keep in mind when signing up for Netflix. You can now also watch the best TV shows and movies on the platform. We also have a similar guide to Spotify Premium subscriptions and you can read how to avoid the Peacock price hike.
The low point of Netflix subscriptions
The first thing to note is that Netflix no longer offers a 30-day free trial. Instead, there is sometimes a chance to get a free upgrade to a higher plan during your first month when you sign up.
So if you’re joining Netflix for the first time and aren’t sure if you want to go for a more expensive plan, sign up for one of the lower plans and take advantage of the upgrade without paying extra for 30 days. When your trial period ends, you will be given the option to keep your current plan or upgrade to the higher plan.
You can register only one payment option for your account, but if you wish, you can share your email address and password with members of your household so that they can create their own profiles. Make sure the information you share is not sensitive, such as using the same password for your online banking.
Please note that you cannot share a password with anyone who does not live in your household, although they can be added as additional members to your account for an additional fee.
If you want to split payment for your bill, you can have people set up a simple standing order, pay through PayPal and split the cost here, or use something like Monzo. You can create up to five profiles across all plans, but the type of plan you have will affect things like simultaneous streaming.
If cost is your main concern, we’ve also added up what a monthly plan will cost you per year. Note, however, that you can only pay for Netflix on a monthly basis – no annual plans are offered. You can cancel a monthly recurring subscription at any time.
Some TV packages like Virgin And Sky also offer Netflix as an add-on in their bundles, so if you’re planning to go with this for your entertainment needs, you can merge it along with your TV bill and let it all go out in one fell swoop.
Is Netflix Standard with Ads right for me?
Cost: £4.99 / US$6.99 per month (equates to £59.88 or US$83.88 per year)
Best for: Those who want to spend as little as possible and don’t plan on sharing Netflix
Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads is the latest tier from the streaming giant. While it’s the cheapest tier on the list, there are a lot of limitations to keep in mind.
The number of ads depends on the content you’re watching, but usually there are a few pre-roll ads and then one or two mid-roll ad breaks. The ads themselves can last anywhere from 30 seconds to 75 seconds, though they aren’t as intrusive as some other ad-supported streaming platforms.
The main downside to this Netflix tier is that it’s missing some major third-party shows and movies, including The Office, The Good Place, Arrested Development, and Skyfall – the missing content will depend on your region. You can learn more with our hands-on of the Netflix layer.
The quality of the streaming is 1080p and no simultaneous streams or downloads are available – so we really only recommend this level for individuals.
Is Netflix Standard for me?
Cost: £10.99 / US$15.49 per month (equates to £131.88 or US$185.88 per year)
Best for: Those looking for a cost-benefit balance, small groups
The most popular subscription to Netflix is the all-around Standard account. The Standard with Ads plan’s step-ups (besides the obvious lack of advertising) include two simultaneous streams, two devices to register for downloads, and a nice boost when it comes to your resolution.
On Netflix Standard, you can stream up to 1080p, so your picture quality will be pretty good for whatever you’re streaming on.
With double the number of simultaneous streams, this account is suitable for friends who watch Netflix around the same time as you, or for multiple family members who like to stream from different parts of the house. But again, this plan still doesn’t give you the maximum number of screens you can have.
Consider who you share your plan with and the maximum amount you want to spend each month.
Is Netflix Premium right for me?
Cost: £15.99 / US$19.99 (equates to £191.88 or US$239.88 per year)
Best for: Large groups and techies
If cost isn’t an issue, or you share your account with a large number of people, then it’s worth considering Netflix Premium.
If you want to get the most out of your 4K television or laptop, Netflix’s Premium tier offers Ultra High Definition (UHD), or 4K streaming. Of course, keep in mind that not every single show and movie on the platform is available in 4K – they’re usually newer releases and will be labeled as such (read more in our guide to watching Netflix in 4K).
Large groups and large families will also be happy to take advantage of Netflix Premium, as it includes four simultaneous streams and four devices to store downloads on, making it the easiest account to share with your household, if that’s your main goal.
Of course, if all of these streams are happening in one household (and they’re all in 4K), keep in mind that you’ll need a fast broadband connection to avoid buffering issues.
What about Netflix Basic?
Cost: For existing members only – £6.99 / US$9.99 per month (equates to £83.88 or US$119.88 per year)
Best for: budget-conscious individuals or couples, those with older TVs
Netflix Basic is no longer an option for new and returning customers, but if you’re already subscribed to this plan, you can continue to use it until you cancel or change it.
Netflix Basic still has access to its entire library of TV shows and movies, so you don’t miss a thing when it comes to content. The main limitations are the resolutions you can stream in and the number of simultaneous streams.
Netflix Basic now offers streaming in high definition (HD), or 720p. This applies to every device: your TV, phone and laptop. If you’re watching Netflix on an older TV that can’t handle higher definitions, then this won’t really be a bottleneck for you.
While Netflix allows you to create up to five profiles across all plans, the basic version only allows one stream at a time, meaning no simultaneous streaming. So if you want Basic you have to be content with it, either be exclusive to one device in your household or be really good at juggling your viewing habits with your family or friends.
You’re also only allowed to download content on one phone or tablet, so this is something to keep in mind if you like to stream on the go.
Basic uses the least data, but you can adjust data usage in other plans.
So, which Netflix plan is best?
Honestly, that comes down to you and your viewing habits.
If you’re just planning on streaming some weird stuff here and there and only watching on one device, you can save some money with Standard with Ads. If you’re on the other end of the scale and want the best picture quality, stream a lot, and share your account with friends, go for Premium. Or get the best of both worlds when it comes to price and extras and stick with Standard.
Consider who you want to split the account with, how it will affect costs, and what type of devices you can view your content on. There’s no point streaming to 4K if you don’t have a 4K device! And remember, you can always switch between accounts until you find the right one.
