Netflix Plans and Prices 2026: Ultimate Guide to Every Tier

If you're trying to make sense of Netflix plans and prices in 2026, you're not alone. With the March 2026 price increase and the discontinuation of the Basic plan, Netflix's lineup looks different than it did a year ago. This guide breaks down every current tier, explains what you get for your money, and helps you decide which plan is best for your household.

Netflix now offers three main subscription tiers in the US: Standard with Ads, Standard, and Premium. The Basic plan is gone, so every plan either includes ads or is ad-free. Below is a quick comparison of the Netflix subscription cost in 2026.

Netflix Plan Comparison 2026
• Standard with Ads – $8.99/month: 1080p, 2 streams, ad-supported
• Standard – $19.99/month: 1080p, 2 streams, ad-free, 2 download devices
• Premium – $26.99/month: 4K+HDR, 4 streams, ad-free, 6 download devices

Note: Prices vary slightly by region, and taxes may apply. The Netflix price increase in March 2026 raised the Standard plan by $1 and Premium by $1.50, while Standard with Ads stayed at $8.99.

The Netflix Standard with Ads price remains the most affordable at $8.99 per month. You get full access to the Netflix library (with a few titles restricted due to licensing), 1080p Full HD resolution, and two simultaneous streams. The trade-off is advertising: you'll see about 4–5 minutes of ads per hour. Downloads are not available on this plan. If you mostly watch on one or two screens and don't mind ads, this is the cheapest way to stream Netflix.

The Netflix Standard plan costs $19.99 per month after the March 2026 increase. It removes ads, keeps 1080p resolution, and allows two simultaneous streams. You can also download on up to 2 devices for offline viewing. This is the sweet spot for couples or small families who want ad-free viewing without paying for 4K.

The Netflix Premium plan 4K price is $26.99 per month. It's the only way to get 4K Ultra HD and HDR, plus you get four simultaneous streams and downloads on up to 6 devices. If you have a large household, a 4K TV, and want the best picture quality, Premium is worth the extra cost. It also includes spatial audio on supported titles.

In March 2026, Netflix implemented its latest price hike across most plans. Here's a quick rundown:

• Standard with Ads: No change, remains $8.99
• Standard: Increased from $18.99 to $19.99
• Premium: Increased from $25.49 to $26.99

The company cites continued investment in original content and platform improvements. While no one likes paying more, the ad-supported tier staying flat is a clear nudge toward that option. If you're on an older plan, you've likely already been migrated to one of the current tiers.

The biggest decision in 2026 is whether to save money with ads or pay for an ad-free experience. Here's how they compare:

• Ads: $8.99/month, 1080p, 2 streams, no downloads
• No ads (Standard): $19.99/month, 1080p, 2 streams, downloads on 2 devices
• No ads (Premium): $26.99/month, 4K, 4 streams, downloads on 6 devices

If you value uninterrupted viewing or have children who watch a lot of content, ad-free is likely worth it. But if you mainly watch a few hours a week and want to cut costs, the ad-supported plan is a solid choice. Remember, ad-supported plans don't allow downloads, which matters for frequent travelers.

How many people can watch Netflix at the same time depends on your plan:

• Standard with Ads: 2 simultaneous streams
• Standard: 2 simultaneous streams
• Premium: 4 simultaneous streams

If your household has more than two people watching different shows at once, you'll need Premium. Otherwise, you'll get the dreaded "too many people watching" error. Also, note that Netflix's password-sharing rules require everyone to be in the same household or pay for an extra member.

Offline downloads are a key feature for commuters and travelers. Here's what each plan offers:

• Standard with Ads: No downloads
• Standard: Downloads on 2 devices
• Premium: Downloads on 6 devices

If you frequently fly or have a long commute, the Standard plan's 2-device downloads are usually enough. Premium is overkill unless you have a large family all downloading content.

Netflix officially discontinued the Basic plan in 2025, and as of 2026 it's no longer available for new or returning subscribers. If you were grandfathered in, you've likely been moved to either Standard with Ads or Standard. The Basic plan offered 720p and one stream for $11.99. Today, the closest equivalent is Standard with Ads at $8.99, which is actually cheaper but includes ads. If you want no ads, you'll need to step up to Standard at $19.99.

If you want to share your account with someone outside your household, Netflix charges an extra member fee. As of 2026, the Netflix extra member cost is $7.99 per month per person on the Standard or Premium plans. This adds a sub-account with its own profile, login, and ability to watch simultaneously (within your plan's stream limit). It's cheaper than a separate subscription but only makes sense if you have spare streams.

Use this simple framework to choose:

• Budget single viewer: Standard with Ads ($8.99)
• Couple, no ads, some downloads: Standard ($19.99)
• Family with 4K TV and multiple streams: Premium ($26.99)
• Frequent traveler who needs downloads: Standard or Premium
• Large household with password sharing: Premium + extra member

Remember, you can switch plans at any time. If you're unsure, start with Standard with Ads and upgrade if the ads bother you or you need downloads.

Netflix plans range from $8.99 to $26.99 per month. The Standard with Ads plan is $8.99, Standard is $19.99, and Premium is $26.99. Prices may vary by region and taxes may apply.

The cheapest plan is Standard with Ads at $8.99 per month. It includes ads, 1080p resolution, and two simultaneous streams, but no downloads.

No, the Basic plan was discontinued in 2025. Existing subscribers were migrated to other plans. New subscribers can choose from Standard with Ads, Standard, or Premium.

Yes, Netflix Premium is the only plan that offers 4K Ultra HD and HDR streaming. It also includes four simultaneous streams and downloads on up to six devices.

Adding an extra member to your Netflix account costs $7.99 per month per person on the Standard or Premium plans. The extra member gets their own profile and login but shares your plan's stream limit.