Which Netflix Subscription Plan Is Right for You?

Out of all the streaming platforms that continue to pop up regularly, Netflix still exceeds them all. As one of the original streaming platforms, it’s home to endless movies, shows, documentaries, and exclusives.

Honestly, if you’re not a Netflix subscriber yet, it would be a surprise. However, a few people are still considering signing up now, whereas many others are looking to change their subscription plans.

Whether you want to upgrade your current Netflix plan or you’d like to join for the first time, you need to know which subscription is right for you.

What You Need to Know About Netflix and the Plans Available

Firstly, if you’re a newcomer to Netflix, then you’ll need to know that you can share your account with your family and friends; that’s if you’re happy to do so.

Netflix doesn’t allow you to pay for an annual plan; however, it is possible to easily change your streaming plan or cancel it at any time. There are also no silly cancellation fees or contracts that you need to sign.

The plans available on Netflix range from a cheap, Basic plan with decent video quality to the Premium plan with fancy 4K content for those with a finer taste. Keep in mind that no matter what plan you choose, you’ll always have access to the entire library of movies and TV shows.

The Netflix Basic Plan | Best for Frugal Individuals

If you’re looking for something affordable as a frugal individual, but don’t want to miss out on anything regarding content, then the basic plan is best for you.

The only limitations you’ll have are the resolution, video quality, and the number of devices you can use to watch. You can’t go wrong with the basic plan, mostly because it’ll only cost you $9.99 per month.

However, let’s take a look at the minor restrictions you’ll face. First, the video quality is pretty good, but the most you’ll get is 480p resolution.

This is fine if you’re watching on a fairly old TV or smartphone. But it might be a problem in the future, and you could miss the details that HD or Ultra HD resolution provides.

The Netflix Basic plan allows you to make multiple user profiles on one account, but you can’t stream on more than one device simultaneously. This means if you’re sharing your account, it’ll turn into a highly complicated balancing act of who’s watching what and when.

All in all, this plan is best suited for individuals or couples and won’t work well for multiple friends or family members living in one household.

The Netflix Standard Plan | Best for Small Groups

The Standard plan is just right for those who’d like to sit comfortably in the middle of the three available plans.

As the most popular plan available on Netflix, you’ll receive a few more perks than the Basic plan. Some of the step-ups include the ability to stream on two devices simultaneously along with a resolution and video quality boost.

Priced at only $15.49 per month, you’ll be able to watch your favorite TV shows and movies in HD, which is 720p to 1080p resolution. These days, HD is standard, so the quality of the picture will be fairly better. Keep in mind that if you want to view anything in HD, you’ll need to have a decently fast internet connection.

Since this plan means you can have two simultaneous streams, it’s well suited for one or two friends or family members living together. They can watch something different while you catch up on the latest Netflix documentary.

The Standard plan is great, but it all depends on what you want. Consider who you will be sharing your plan with and how much you want to spend each month.

The Netflix Premium Plan | Best for Fancy Families

When you’re not worried about cost, or you’re sharing your account with a large number of people, then the Premium plan is something you should consider.

At $19.99 per month, the Premium plan is the most expensive of the three plans, and it’s a few steps ahead of the others. This plan will provide you with the best video quality in Ultra High Definition (UHD) or 4K, which is great if you already own a 4K TV.

Obviously, not every TV show or movie you want to watch is available in 4K, but most of the newer content these days is. If you wish to find something that’s available in 4K, simply type “4K” into the search bar, and you’ll be able to see what Netflix has to offer.

If watching content in 4K is all you want out of this subscription, remember that you’ll need a few things; A 4K TV, a streaming device that allows for 4K content, and an internet speed of 25Mbps or higher. Otherwise, don’t waste your time signing up for the Premium plan.

Besides the 4K streaming, the next best feature is how many people can watch Netflix at one time. With the Premium plan, you can stream on four screens simultaneously. This is perfect for large families living together or multiple students sharing a house.

So, Which Netflix Plan Is Best for You?

The answer to this question is down to you and what you’re looking for. If you live alone and you just want to use Netflix to watch an odd movie or TV show now and then, then the Basic plan is a sensible, cost-effective choice.

However, if you’re the complete opposite and want high-quality 4K content that you can stream simultaneously with all your friends and family, sign up for the Premium plan.

On the other hand, a great all-rounder is the Standard plan, which is low-cost and provides decent video quality and simultaneous streaming on two devices.

Consider These Things Before You Subscribe to Netflix

You need to consider your budget, who you want to share the account with, and what video quality you’re looking for before you decide to shell out your hard-earned cash.

Remember to not throw your money away for the Premium plan if you don’t have a 4K device. There’s also no point in choosing the Basic plan if you know you and your partner will constantly argue over what to watch.