How Netflix Payment Plans Work and What Each One Costs
Netflix has three main payment tiers, and the price and features change based on which one you choose
Netflix offers three subscription levels in the United States: Standard with ads, Standard, and Premium. Each tier costs a different amount per month and comes with different viewing limits and video quality. The Standard with ads plan is the cheapest option. Standard costs more but removes advertisements. Premium is the most expensive and allows the most simultaneous streams and the highest video quality.
Your payment method stays the same no matter which plan you pick — Netflix charges your credit card, debit card, or linked payment method on the same day each month. If your payment fails, Netflix will try again a few days later before pausing your account. You can change your plan, pause your subscription, or cancel anytime through your account settings.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix's three plans differ in price, ad presence, simultaneous streams allowed, and video quality, ranging from about $6 to $23 per month depending on your region.
- You can change plans, pause your subscription for up to 10 months, or cancel without penalty at any time through your account settings.
- Netflix charges on the same date each month, and if a payment fails, the service attempts to retry before suspending your account.
- Some plans allow you to add extra members outside your household for an additional fee, though this option varies by region and plan.
The three Netflix plans and what they include
The Standard with ads plan is Netflix's lowest-cost option. You watch shows and movies with advertisements interspersed throughout. The video quality maxes out at 1080p (full HD), and you can stream on one device at a time. This plan costs less than $7 per month in most U.S. regions, though the exact price varies.
The Standard plan removes all ads and costs roughly $15 per month. You still stream on one device at a time, and video quality remains at 1080p. This plan is the middle ground for people who want ad-free viewing but do not need multiple simultaneous streams.
The Premium plan is the highest tier and costs around $23 per month. It allows up to four simultaneous streams on different devices, supports 4K video quality on compatible devices and content, and includes ad-free viewing. Premium also lets you download titles to watch offline on phones and tablets.
Prices vary slightly by region and change periodically. You can see your current plan's exact cost and features by logging into your Netflix account and visiting the plan settings page.
How to change your plan or pause your subscription
To switch plans, log into Netflix on a web browser or the mobile app, go to Account settings, and select Plan details. You will see your current plan and the option to change to a different tier. Netflix applies the new plan immediately, and your next billing date stays the same — if you upgrade, you pay a prorated amount for the remainder of the month, and if you downgrade, the credit rolls toward your next bill.
If you want to stop paying temporarily without canceling, Netflix allows you to pause your subscription for up to 10 months. During a pause, your account and watchlist remain saved, but you cannot stream. You can resume at any time by logging back in. Pausing is useful if you know you will not use Netflix for a few months but want to keep your profile and viewing history intact.
To cancel entirely, go to Account settings, select Membership and billing, and choose Cancel membership. Netflix will ask why you are leaving but does not require a reason. Your access ends immediately, though you can rejoin anytime by signing back in and selecting a plan.
How Netflix charges you and what happens if a payment fails
Netflix charges your payment method on the same date each month — the date you first signed up or the date you last changed your plan. The charge appears as "Netflix" on your bank or credit card statement. If you change your plan mid-month, the billing date does not change; instead, Netflix prorates the difference and adjusts your next charge accordingly.
If a payment fails — because your card expired, was declined, or the account has insufficient funds — Netflix sends you a notification and retries the charge within a few days. If the retry fails, your account is suspended, and you cannot stream until the payment goes through. You can update your payment method in Account settings under Membership and billing at any time, and once the updated payment succeeds, your access resumes immediately.
Netflix does not charge setup fees, cancellation fees, or require a contract. You pay only for the months you are actively subscribed.
Adding extra members to your account
Depending on your plan and region, Netflix may allow you to add extra members outside your household for an additional monthly fee. This feature is not available everywhere and varies by plan. On Premium, you can add up to two extra members; on Standard, you may be able to add one. Each extra member has their own profile, login, and personalized recommendations, but they count toward your simultaneous stream limit.
To add an extra member, go to Account settings, select Add member, and follow the prompts. Netflix will ask for their email address and may require them to verify the account. You will see the extra member fee added to your next bill. You can remove an extra member anytime, and the fee stops on your next billing cycle.
Shared passwords and account access
Netflix has tightened rules around password sharing. If you share your password with people outside your household, Netflix may ask you to verify your account or may prevent access from devices in different locations. The company defines a household as people living in the same place; if someone logs in from a different address regularly, Netflix may flag it.
The official way to let someone else watch is to add them as an extra member (if your plan allows it) or to have them create their own account. If you share your password anyway, be aware that Netflix can suspend access or require you to change your password, and the person using the shared account has no protection if you change the password or cancel the subscription.
What to do if you are charged incorrectly or want a refund
If you see a charge you do not recognize or believe you were billed in error, contact Netflix support through your account. Go to Help Center, select a topic related to billing, and choose Contact us. Netflix support can review your account history, explain charges, and issue a refund if warranted. Refunds are typically issued to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days.
Netflix does not offer refunds for partial months if you cancel mid-cycle, but you retain access until the end of your billing period. If you cancel on the 15th of a month and your billing date is the 1st, you can still watch until the 1st of the next month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same Netflix account on multiple devices at once?
It depends on your plan. Standard with ads and Standard allow one simultaneous stream. Premium allows four. If someone tries to stream while you are already watching, they will see a message asking them to stop or upgrade. Extra members on your account count toward this limit.
What happens if I do not pay my Netflix bill?
Netflix suspends your account after a failed payment and a retry attempt. You cannot stream until you update your payment method and the charge goes through. Once payment succeeds, your access resumes right away. There is no late fee or penalty — Netflix simply pauses the service.
Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
No. Netflix does not refund unused portions of a month. However, you keep access until the end of your current billing period, so you can continue watching until that date even after you cancel.
Does Netflix offer student discounts or family plans?
Netflix does not currently offer student discounts in the United States. The Premium plan with extra members is the closest option for families or groups who want to share an account legally.
Can I change my plan on the same day I sign up?
Yes. You can change your plan anytime through Account settings. If you upgrade on your first day, you pay a prorated amount for the remainder of the month. If you downgrade, the credit applies to your next bill.