How Much Does Netflix Cost? And Is It Worth It?

How Much Does Netflix Cost, and Is It Worth It?

A Netflix subscription costs between $8.99 and $26.99 per month.

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Edited by other Updated Apr 3, 2026 Netflix plans cost between $8.99 and $26.99 per month in 2026. The cheapest plan includes ads, while more expensive options are ad-less and allow more devices. Netflix is the biggest streaming service in the world — is it worth it? Explore how much Netflix costs, and how it could fit into your entertainment budget. » MORE: Why "KPop Demon Hunters" resonates with kids and adults alike » MORE:

How much does Netflix cost a month?

Prices for Netflix's plans range from $8.99 to $26.99 per month. The three Netflix subscription plans are Standard with ads, Standard and Premium.

Netflix Standard with ads: $8.99 per month

With the Standard with ads plan, subscribers can access the majority of Netflix’s library, with commercial breaks, in full high-definition, and watch or download on two supported devices at a time.

Supported devices include your smartphone or tablet, smart TV, laptop, or a streaming device such as Roku or Amazon Fire TV Stick. With the Standard with ads plan, subscribers can access the majority of Netflix’s library, with commercial breaks, in full high-definition, and watch or download on two supported devices at a time.

Supported devices include your smartphone or tablet, smart TV, laptop, or a streaming device such as Roku or Amazon Fire TV Stick. With the Standard with ads plan, subscribers can access the majority of Netflix’s library, with commercial breaks, in full high-definition, and watch or download on two supported devices at a time.

Supported devices include your smartphone or tablet, smart TV, laptop, or a streaming device such as Roku or Amazon Fire TV Stick. » MORE: Looking to buy Netflix stock? Here's how. » MORE:

Netflix Standard: $19.99 per month

The Standard plan forgoes ads on movies and shows and allows users to watch or download Netflix on two devices at a time. With the Standard plan, customers are able to share their account with one extra person. For an extra $7.99 per month, they can share a membership that includes ads. For $9.99 per month, they can share an ad-free membership.

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Netflix Premium: $26.99 per month

Premium subscribers have unlimited ad-free viewing and can use up to four devices simultaneously, with the capability to download content onto six devices. Enhanced viewing features, such as 4K Ultra HD resolution and Netflix spatial audio, set Premium subscriptions apart from the other options. Premium subscribers can add up to two extra members to the account for a monthly cost of $7.99 (for a plan with ads) or $9.99 (without ads) per user. » Stay informed: Stay informed: Check out NerdWallet's news hub for all the latest. Subscribe to one of NerdWallet's free newsletters.

Netflix pros and cons (according to Reddit)

We sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about Netflix. We used an AI tool to help analyze and summarize the feedback. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.

Pros

Wide range of content across genres.

Ad-supported plans are affordable.

Ads are described as “not that bothersome.”

Users appreciate ability to have multiple user profiles on some plan tiers.

Cons

Some content isn’t available at the lowest plan tier.

Users feel Netflix tends to cancel shows prematurely.

Location-based access is tricky for college students, divorced parents and people with multiple homes.

Location-based restrictions can be difficult for frequent travelers.

Is Netflix worth it in 2026?

As streaming prices keep rising, whether Netflix is worth your money will depend on whether you’re steadily consuming Netflix content, the availability of other options and, frankly, whether you enjoy it. It can be easy to lose track of what you’re watching — or not watching — if you switch between several streaming services. If you realize you’re not actually watching much Netflix content, cancel, pause or downgrade it if you are on a premium plan. Or, if you have a couple of shows you want to stream (like season 4 of “Bridgerton”), binge them, then cancel before your billing cycle restarts. then Pro tip: Customers who pay with a credit or debit card can pause service for a month at a time, rather than cancel, for up to three months. Are your favorite shows and movies available on other streaming services? These could be providers that you already subscribe to — or that you don’t subscribe to, but are cheaper than Netflix. The cost of Netflix vs. other streaming services The cost of Netflix vs. other streaming services Streaming service Monthly price (with ads) Monthly price (no ads) Netflix $8.99 $19.99 (Standard)
$26.99 (Premium) $19.99 (Standard)
$26.99 (Premium) $19.99 (Standard)
$26.99 (Premium) Hulu $11.99 $18.99 Peacock $7.99 (Select)
$10.99 (Premium) $7.99 (Select)
$10.99 (Premium) $7.99 (Select)
$10.99 (Premium) $16.99 Disney+ $11.99 $18.99 HBO Max $10.99 (Basic) $18.49 (Standard)
$22.99 (Premium) $18.49 (Standard)
$22.99 (Premium) $18.49 (Standard)
$22.99 (Premium) Apple TV+ N/A $12.99 Note that a few of these services include added features, or can be bundled with other streaming services for a lower cost. Is the content you want available through your library? Many libraries’ digital collections let you stream or borrow shows and movies for free through apps such as Hoopla or Kanopy. Another free option: Sling TV. How much personal value does Netflix provide? This factor is harder to measure than the others, but your joy and comfort certainly have value. If only Netflix offers your go-to show for relaxing after a hard day, or the movies that both you and your kid enjoys, that matters. Think about your level of satisfaction as you budget for streaming services.

How does Netflix fit into your budget?

How does Netflix fit into your budget? When deciding whether to add or cancel a streaming subscription, it's smart to reevaluate your budget. For a starting point, consider the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests that up to 50% of your income go toward needs, 30% to wants and 20% to savings and debt paydown. Streaming services fall into that 30% "wants" category. To make room for a service like Netflix, consider cutting other “wants,” like dining out or impulse shopping. Also look into trimming other subscriptions. Ask yourself: Do I still use this service? Which ones do I value most? If you’re looking for other costs to cut — whether it’s to make space for Netflix or not — see our guide to saving money. Explore more on About the authors Mulka Lisa Mulka is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance content. With more than 15 years of writing experience, Lisa most recently authored a book on personal financial literacy and served as lead writer on the FDIC’s Money Smart for Young People program. She holds a bachelor’s in creative writing, and master’s degrees in written communication and in educational technology. Lisa lives with her husband and two children in Michigan, where she spends her free time teaching the next generation of writers at Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. McMullen Laura McMullen assigns and edits content related to personal loans and student loans. She previously edited money news content. Before then, Laura was a senior writer at NerdWallet and covered saving, making and budgeting money; she also contributed to the "Millennial Money" column for The Associated Press. Before joining NerdWallet in 2015, Laura worked for U.S. News & World Report, where she wrote and edited content related to careers, wellness and education and also contributed to the company's rankings projects. Before working at U.S. News & World Report, Laura interned at Vice Media and studied journalism, history and Arabic at Ohio University. Laura lives in Washington, D.C. Published in 13 Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill Bill Negotiation: Get a Better Deal on Cable, Internet and More 7 Ways to Lower Your Cell Phone Bill 9 Ways to Lower Your Cable Bill What Is the Best Streaming Service for You? How to Choose By Kate Ashford, WMS™, Cara Smith, Lisa Mulka How Much Does YouTube Premium Cost? By Amanda Barroso, Lisa Mulka How Much is Hulu? By Lisa Mulka