Netflix Subscription Price 2026: Plans, Costs and Cheaper Options

Originally published: May 27, 2025 · Last updated: July 18, 2026. US Netflix prices and third-party offer details were rechecked for this update.

Quick answer: The Netflix subscription price in the United States currently ranges from $8.99 to $26.99 per month before tax. Standard with Ads costs $8.99, Standard costs $19.99, and Premium costs $26.99. The right plan depends on whether you want the lowest official price, ad-free viewing, 4K video, or more simultaneous streams.

Lower-cost third-party offers may also be available, but they can provide access to a profile inside a shared Netflix account rather than an account you own. Before buying, check who controls the account email and password, how many devices you may use, how household verification works, and what happens if access is interrupted.

How much is Netflix a month in 2026?#

Netflix charges members monthly rather than offering a standard annual subscription. In the United States, the current Netflix price per month is:

These are US prices before applicable taxes. Prices, features, extra-member options, and plan availability may differ by country or billing provider. Check Netflix’s official plans and pricing page before subscribing.

What is the cheapest Netflix plan?#

The cheapest official Netflix plan is Standard with Ads at $8.99 per month. It supports 1080p Full HD, downloads on two supported devices, and two simultaneous streams.

This plan is the most affordable official choice if you mainly want access to Netflix and do not mind advertising. Netflix says most movies and shows are included, although a small number of titles may be unavailable because of licensing restrictions.

The cheapest ad-free option is Standard at $19.99 per month. That is $11 more each month than Standard with Ads, or $132 more over 12 months if prices remain unchanged.

Netflix Standard with Ads: price and limitations#

Standard with Ads is not a low-resolution plan. It supports Full HD video and two simultaneous streams, just like the regular Standard plan.

The main compromise is advertising. A small number of titles may also be unavailable on the ad-supported plan. Standard with Ads is therefore best for people who are primarily concerned with keeping the Netflix subscription price below $10 per month.

It may be less suitable if advertisements significantly interrupt your viewing experience or if you regularly watch titles that are unavailable on the ad-supported catalog.

Netflix Standard vs Premium: which plan is better?#

The difference between Netflix Standard and Premium mainly comes down to picture quality, simultaneous streams, download devices, and household size.

Both plans are ad-free. Standard supports Full HD and two simultaneous streams, while Premium supports up to four simultaneous streams, 4K Ultra HD, HDR, more download devices, and Netflix spatial audio where supported.

What is the price difference between Netflix Standard and Premium?#

Netflix Premium costs $7 more per month than Standard. Over 12 months, that difference is $84, assuming prices remain unchanged.

Premium is easier to justify if you regularly watch on a compatible 4K television or if three or four people frequently stream at the same time. If you mostly watch alone on a phone, laptop, tablet, or ordinary Full HD television, Standard will usually offer better value.

Is Netflix Premium worth it for 4K?#

Premium can be worth the extra cost if your television supports 4K and HDR, your internet connection is fast enough, and the programs you watch are available in 4K.

The upgrade is less useful if most of your viewing happens on a smaller screen or if you rarely notice the difference between Full HD and 4K. Paying for Premium does not automatically make every title or device display 4K.

Netflix Standard vs Premium video quality#

Standard provides a maximum resolution of 1080p Full HD. Premium can provide 4K Ultra HD and HDR.

Actual picture quality still depends on the title, device, television settings, internet speed, and Netflix playback settings. Some older titles may not be available in 4K even when you pay for Premium.

How much is Netflix Premium per month?#

The official Netflix Premium price is currently $26.99 per month in the United States before tax.

Premium is Netflix’s most expensive plan, but it offers the highest available video quality, four simultaneous streams, downloads on up to six supported devices, and spatial audio where available.

It is generally best for households that will genuinely use those features. Paying more simply because the plan is called Premium is not much of a strategy; that is how the monthly-bill monster gets fed.

Did Netflix prices go up?#

Netflix has changed its subscription prices several times over the years. If your bill is higher than you remember, compare it with the current Netflix pricing page and check the email address connected to your account for a price-change notice.

Because Netflix pricing can change, this article includes a visible last-updated date. Always recheck the official plan page before subscribing, switching plans, or calculating long-term savings.

How to get Netflix cheaper#

The safest ways to lower your Netflix cost are to choose only the features you use, cancel when you are not watching, and understand exactly what kind of account access you are purchasing.

1. Choose Standard with Ads#

Switching from Premium to Standard with Ads reduces the official monthly price from $26.99 to $8.99.

That is an $18 monthly difference, or $216 over 12 months if prices remain unchanged. The trade-offs are advertising, Full HD instead of 4K, and a small number of licensing-related catalog restrictions.

2. Use Standard instead of Premium#

If you want ad-free Netflix but do not need four simultaneous streams or 4K video, Standard saves $7 per month compared with Premium.

This is often the most balanced option for one or two regular viewers.

3. Rotate your streaming subscriptions#

You do not necessarily need every streaming service active all year. You can subscribe for a month, watch the films or series that interest you, cancel, and return when new content arrives.

Our guide to saving money on subscriptions explains how to audit recurring costs, find unused services, and reduce subscription waste.

4. Consider an official extra-member slot#

Netflix allows eligible Standard and Premium account owners to add someone who does not live in their household as an extra member.

In the United States, Netflix currently lists an extra member with ads at $7.99 per month and an extra member without ads at $9.99 per month. Standard supports up to one eligible extra-member slot, while Premium supports up to two.

An official extra member receives a separate account and password, but the primary account owner pays for the membership. Extra members can normally watch on one device at a time.

5. Compare third-party shared-profile access carefully#

A third-party offer may cost less because it provides access to a dedicated profile inside a shared Netflix Premium account.

This is different from owning a direct Netflix subscription and different from being an official Netflix extra member. The provider may control the email address, password, household settings, renewal, and main account configuration.

Does Netflix offer an annual subscription?#

Netflix normally bills members once a month on the date they originally subscribed.

Netflix does not currently offer a standard discounted annual subscription in the United States. Monthly billing gives you the flexibility to change plans or cancel, but it means there is no official annual-payment discount to lock in.

Can you share Netflix outside your household?#

Netflix says an account is intended for people who live together in a single household.

Someone outside the household generally needs to create their own Netflix account or be added through an eligible official extra-member slot. Standard with Ads does not support extra members.

An official extra member has a separate account and password, but can watch on only one device at a time. The extra member must also normally activate their account in the same country where the primary account owner created the slot.

This is why shared-profile offers require clear disclosure. A profile inside someone else’s Netflix account does not give you ownership or control of the main account.

Netflix price FAQs#

Does Netflix have a free trial in 2026?#

No. Netflix does not currently offer free trials. You can change your plan or cancel online if the service is not right for you.

Does Netflix offer a student discount?#

Netflix does not currently list a standard US student discount.

Students can reduce the cost by choosing Standard with Ads, rotating streaming services, or sharing an account with people who live in the same household under Netflix’s rules.

How many devices can watch Netflix at once?#

Standard with Ads and Standard support two simultaneous streams. Premium supports four simultaneous streams.

This limit refers to how many devices can watch at the same time. Netflix does not generally limit how many compatible devices can have the app installed or be connected to the account.

Can I cancel Netflix at any time?#

Netflix memberships are billed monthly and can be canceled online. Access normally continues until the end of the current billing period.

Is Netflix Premium cheaper through a shared profile?#

A shared profile may have a lower advertised monthly equivalent, but it is not a like-for-like comparison with a direct Premium subscription.

A shared-profile buyer may have limited device access and no control over the account email, password, household settings, or renewal. Compare the access rights and risks, not only the headline price.

Final verdict: which Netflix plan should you choose?#

Choose Standard with Ads if your priority is the lowest official Netflix subscription price and you do not mind advertising.

Choose Standard if you want ad-free viewing for one or two regular viewers and do not need 4K.

Choose Premium if you have a compatible 4K setup or several people genuinely need to watch Netflix at the same time.

A lower-cost shared-profile offer may appeal to price-focused viewers, but it comes with different account-control, device, household, renewal, and support conditions. Read the terms carefully and verify the current price before ordering.

For another example of comparing official pricing with lower-cost subscription options, read our guide to getting YouTube Premium for less.

Prices, taxes, plans, features, regional availability, and third-party offer terms can change. This article was last verified on July 18, 2026.