Netflix Price Increase 2026: New Prices, Alternatives, and How to Save
Netflix raised all US plan prices in March 2026. See the new rates, compare alternatives, and find ways to cut your streaming bill.
Table of Contents
On March 26, 2026, Netflix raised prices on every US plan for the second time in under two years. Here’s what changed, how Netflix now compares to every major alternative, and whether it’s time to switch.
What Changed: 30-Second Summary
| Plan | Old Price | New Price | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard with Ads | $7.99/mo | $8.99/mo | +$1.00 (+12.5%) |
| Standard (no ads) | $17.99/mo | $19.99/mo | +$2.00 (+11.1%) |
| Premium (4K) | $24.99/mo | $26.99/mo | +$2.00 (+8.0%) |
This is Netflix’s 11th price hike since launching streaming in 2007. The Standard plan has jumped 150% from $7.99 in 2011 to $19.99 today — roughly 3x the rate of US inflation.
How Netflix Compares to Alternatives Right Now
At $19.99/month, Netflix Standard is now the most expensive ad-free streaming plan. Here’s the side-by-side:
| Service | With Ads | Ad-Free | Premium/4K | Streams | 4K? | Best Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disney+ | $11.99 | $15.99 | — | 4 | Ad-free tier | Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar |
| Max | $10.99 | $18.49 | $22.99 | 2–4 | Ultimate only | HBO originals, Warner Bros. films, live sports |
| Hulu | $11.99 | $18.99 | — | 2 | Select titles | Next-day TV, deep back catalog |
| Prime Video | $14.99* | $19.98* | — | 3–5 | Ultra only | TNF, NBA, originals + Prime perks |
| Netflix | $8.99 | $19.99 | $26.99 | 2–4 | Premium only | Largest original library |
*Prime Video requires Amazon Prime membership ($14.99/mo). Ad-free Ultra add-on is $4.99/mo extra.
Key takeaway: Disney+ ad-free at $15.99 is $4/month cheaper than Netflix Standard and includes 4K — the best value if you have kids or love Marvel/Star Wars. Max at $18.49 is $1.50 cheaper with HBO’s prestige catalog and 300+ live sports events per year.
Should You Downgrade Your Netflix Plan?
If you’re staying with Netflix, here’s what you get (and lose) at each tier:
| Feature | With Ads ($8.99) | Standard ($19.99) | Premium ($26.99) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ads | Yes (4–5 min/hr) | No | No |
| Video Quality | 1080p | 1080p | 4K + HDR + Dolby Atmos |
| Simultaneous Streams | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Extra Members | Not available | 1 ($9.99/mo) | 2 ($9.99/mo each) |
| Download Devices | 2 | 2 | 6 |
The ad tier at $8.99 saves you $132/year vs. Standard. The ads average about 4–5 minutes per hour — similar to a single commercial break. Most people report they’re less intrusive than expected.
Premium only makes sense if you have a 4K TV and need 4+ simultaneous streams or extra household members. At $26.99, you’re paying $84/year more than Standard for higher resolution.
Best Alternatives to Netflix
Disney+ — Best for Families
$15.99/mo ad-free | 4K included | 4 screens | 7 profiles
Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic under one roof. The strongest kids content library by far. 4K is included in the ad-free plan — unlike Netflix where it costs $26.99.
Try Disney+ →Max — Best for Prestige TV
$18.49/mo ad-free | 4K on Ultimate ($22.99) | 300+ live sports events
HBO’s entire catalog plus Warner Bros. films. If you’re into prestige drama (The Last of Us, White Lotus, Succession), this is the one. Plus NBA, NHL, MLB, and NCAA March Madness on Standard and Ultimate plans.
Try Max →Hulu — Best Value
$18.99/mo ad-free | Next-day TV | Deep back catalog
The best option for keeping up with current network TV shows (next-day availability). Huge back catalog of movies and series. The $11.99 ad-supported tier is solid if you don’t mind commercials, and the annual ad plan is just $119.99/year ($10/mo effective).
Try Hulu →Prime Video — Best All-in-One
$14.99/mo (Prime membership) | Ad-free Ultra add-on: $4.99/mo | Thursday Night Football
If you already pay for Amazon Prime, you already have Prime Video with ads included. The ad-free Ultra upgrade (rebranding April 10, 2026) costs $4.99/mo extra. You get streaming plus free shipping, Prime Music, and Prime Reading.
Try Prime Video →Bundle Strategy: Get More, Pay Less
The Disney+ & Hulu bundle at $19.99/mo (no ads) gives you two services for the same price as Netflix Standard alone. The Disney+ & Hulu & Max bundle at $32.99/mo (no ads) gets you three services for what Netflix Premium costs ($26.99) plus just $6 more.
Netflix Price Hike History: 2011–2026
| Year | Standard Price | Change | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | $7.99 | — | Streaming-only plan launches |
| 2014 | $8.99 | +$1.00 | |
| 2015 | $9.99 | +$1.00 | |
| 2017 | $10.99 | +$1.00 | |
| 2019 | $12.99 | +$2.00 | First $2 jump |
| 2020 | $13.99 | +$1.00 | |
| 2022 | $15.49 | +$1.50 | |
| 2023 | $15.49 | — | Basic plan killed, ad-tier launched |
| 2025 | $17.99 | +$2.50 | Largest single hike |
| 2026 | $19.99 | +$2.00 | Second hike in under 2 years |
US CPI inflation over the same period: ~45% (BLS CPI data). Netflix: 150%. That’s 3x inflation.
When to Expect the Next Netflix Price Hike
Based on the pattern — 11 hikes in 15 years, increasingly at $2+ intervals — here’s what to expect:
- Frequency: Every 12–18 months since 2022
- Next likely hike: Late 2027 or early 2028
- Predicted Standard price: $21.99–$22.99/mo
- Premium trajectory: Likely $28.99–$29.99 by 2028
Netflix has 85 million US/Canada subscribers and minimal churn response to price increases. They’ll keep going until the numbers say otherwise.
How Netflix prices compare globally: The US pays more for Netflix than almost any country in the world. See how Netflix prices compare across 20 countries →
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Compare All Streaming Services →All prices verified from official service websites as of March 29, 2026. Prime Video pricing includes Amazon Prime membership. PriceWorld does not currently have affiliate relationships with streaming services listed — CTA links go to official sites.