Netflix Subscription Cost at a Glance

As of mid-2026, Netflix offers three plans in the United States. Here’s what each one costs per month.

These figures show the latest change in the Netflix subscriptions price, which came into effect in March 2026. If your bill looks different, it likely hasn’t hit your next billing cycle yet, or you may be seeing a slightly later regional adjustment.

Netflix does not offer an annual plan or a lifetime discount. Every plan bills monthly and there’s no way to lock in a lower yearly rate no matter how long you’ve been a member.

Breaking Down Each Netflix Subscription Plan

Each tier serves a different type of viewer. Here’s what you’re actually paying for with every option.

Standard with Ads ($8.99/month): This is the cheapest way to watch Netflix. You’ll see commercials during shows and movies, and streaming caps at 1080p HD. Two people can stream at once from different devices. This plan is good for viewers who take care of the budget and who do not have any problem with the occasional ad break.

Standard ($19.99/month): There are no ads in between your shows. The video quality remains 1080p HD and you also get two simultaneous streams. This plan is great for solo viewers or small families who want to watch shows without interruptions and don’t want to spend money for 4K, which they won’t use.

Premium ($26.99/month): This is Netflix’s most premium plan. It comes with 4K Ultra HD picture quality, allows you to watch videos ad-free and stream on up to four devices simultaneously. This plan is best suited for large families or those with a good TV setup, especially for families who use the same account in multiple rooms.

Netflix had discontinued its old basic plan in 2024. If you’re on an older, cheaper plan from before that change, you may get moved to Standard with Ads at your next renewal, often without much advance notice.

What about Extra Members?

Netflix’s password-sharing rules mean people outside your household need their own paid slot. Adding someone costs extra, on top of your base Netflix subscription cost.

• Ad-Supported Extra Member: $7.99 per month
• Ad-Free Extra Member: $9.99 per month

Standard plans allow one extra member. Premium plans allow up to two. Netflix defines a household as the devices connected to your main home Wi-Fi. Devices need to check in at least once every 30 days, or Netflix may ask for a verification code before letting you stream.

Why Did Netflix Raise Prices Again?

Netflix increased the prices of all plans in March 2026; this was the second increase in about a year and a half. This round hit every tier, including the ad-supported plan for the first time since that plan launched in 2022.

Netflix explained the increase as a way to fund more investment in shows, films, and newer formats like live events and video podcasts. The company is rapidly expanding into live sports broadcasts and other types of programming in addition to the usual series and movies and officials have attributed the cost increase to this expansion.

For context, here’s how pricing has climbed over the past few years across all Netflix subscription plans.

The ad-supported tier stayed untouched the longest, which is part of why this latest hike caught many subscribers off guard. Standard and Premium, by contrast, have climbed steadily with nearly every round of increases since 2022.

How Netflix Compares to Other Streaming Services

Netflix’s Premium plan sits among the pricier options in the streaming market, though it’s not the single most expensive. Its ad-supported tier remains competitive against similar entry-level plans from other major platforms, most of which now offer their own ad-supported discount tier.

If cost matters most to you, Standard with Ads gives you full access to Netflix’s library for the lowest monthly price. You lose 4K and ad-free viewing, but the actual show and movie catalog stays the same across every tier, so you’re not missing out on content, just picture quality and commercial breaks.

Quick Comparison: Netflix vs. Competitors (2026)

If you’re wondering whether to keep using Netflix or try another streaming service, here’s how Netflix’s base and premium plans stack up against the other big players in the market:

Ways to Lower Your Netflix Bill

A few options exist if you want to spend less on your subscription without giving up access entirely.

Choose the ad-supported tier: This alone cuts your bill by more than half compared to Premium, while still giving you the full content library.

Check mobile carrier bundles: Some carriers, including T-Mobile and Verizon, bundle Netflix into certain phone plans at a reduced combined cost, which can work out cheaper than paying Netflix directly.

Skip the extra member add-on: If you’re sharing an account with someone outside your household, weigh whether a separate account makes more financial sense for both of you long term.

Downgrade instead of canceling: If you find the premium plan expensive, switching to the standard or ‘Standard with Ads’ plan will keep your account and watch history safe and also reduce your bill instantly.

Is Netflix Still Worth the Price?

That depends on how much you actually watch. Netflix still has one of the largest libraries of streaming; by the end of 2025, it had more than 325 million paying subscribers worldwide. For those who watch a lot of content, it often costs less than the total cost of cable or many smaller subscriptions, especially if you take into account the original shows and movies available on this platform.

If you only watch Netflix occasionally, it’s a good idea to compare your usage to your monthly bill. If you only watch a few hours of Netflix a month, the ad-supported plan may be more than enough for your needs. In this, you will not have to pay for features that you will not use, such as 4K or extra streams that you will never need.

Bottom Line

A Netflix subscription currently costs between $8.99 and $26.99 a month, depending on video quality and the number of screens you need. Prices rose across every plan in March 2026, including the ad-supported tier for the first time. Pick the plan that matches how you actually watch, and you’ll avoid paying for features that go unused.

Quick Answers to Common Questions