Netflix is a subscription streaming service with a handful of plans that differ on ads, video quality and how many screens can watch at once. There are no contracts: you pay monthly and can cancel whenever you like.
Paying the right amount for Netflix is mostly about matching the plan to your screens and your TV, understanding the household rules, and knowing that promo codes belong to the Netflix Shop rather than the subscription.
The Netflix plans compared
Netflix has offered three plans in the US and many other markets.
Standard with ads is the cheapest. It streams in HD with ad breaks, and a small number of titles have been unavailable on it for licensing reasons.
Standard removes ads and streams in HD on two screens at once.
Premium adds Ultra HD (4K) and HDR where available, four simultaneous screens and spatial audio on supported titles.
Plan names, prices and features vary by country. Check the Netflix plan page for your region before choosing.
Is the ads plan worth it?
For a light viewer, the Netflix ads plan is the cheapest way in. The ads are short and usually shown before and during episodes.
The downsides are small but real. Some films and series may not be available on it, and downloads have been more limited than on ad-free plans. If you mostly watch one or two Netflix originals, it is likely fine. If you watch every night, the ad-free saving in time may be worth the difference.
Extra members and households
Netflix accounts are intended for one household. Devices outside that household are periodically asked to verify, which is how Netflix limited password sharing.
To share with someone who lives elsewhere, the account owner can add an extra member slot for a monthly fee, where offered. The extra member gets their own login and profile but pays nothing directly.
Compare the extra member fee with that person buying their own ads plan. Sometimes their own cheap Netflix account costs less and gives them more control.
Getting 4K and good picture quality
Paying for Netflix Premium does not guarantee 4K. You also need a 4K TV or device that supports Netflix in 4K, a fast enough internet connection, and a title filmed in 4K.
Many older smart TVs and cheaper streaming sticks top out at HD. Check your device's Netflix support before upgrading for picture quality.
If the picture looks soft, check the playback setting in your Netflix account. It can be set to save data, which lowers quality.
Paying: gift cards and bundles
Netflix gift cards let you pay without a card on file and suit teenagers or anyone keeping a budget. The balance simply runs down month by month.
Mobile carriers, broadband providers and TV services often bundle Netflix into their packages. That can be good value, but check which Netflix plan is included; bundles often include the cheapest tier.
Avoid paying twice. If you move to a bundle, cancel your direct Netflix billing, or link the account as the bundle provider instructs.
Profiles, children and downloads
Every Netflix account can hold several profiles, each with its own recommendations and watch history. Give each person their own, so one viewer's habits do not fill everyone else's home screen.
Kids profiles and maturity ratings let parents limit what a child can see, and a profile lock stops them switching to an adult profile. Set these up before handing over a tablet.
Downloads for offline viewing work on the Netflix mobile apps, with limits on how many titles and devices each plan allows. Download over wifi before a trip, and check that the title is marked as downloadable.
Games and the Netflix Shop
Netflix membership includes mobile and TV games at no extra cost, with no ads or in-app purchases in most of them. They are worth a look before paying for similar games elsewhere.
The Netflix Shop sells official merchandise from Netflix series: apparel, collectables and homeware. It is a separate purchase from your membership, with its own shipping and returns.
Where the Netflix savings are
Be clear about where these codes work. Netflix memberships do not normally take promo codes; these are for Netflix Shop merchandise, and may be limited to the sale period their names suggest.
The 35% code is the strongest on a large Netflix Shop basket. The 30% code is the fallback if it has expired.
The free shipping code's name suggests a spending threshold. It suits a mid-sized order where postage would otherwise add a noticeable amount.
Only one code usually applies per order. Try the percentage codes first and compare the final total with the free shipping one.
Common questions
Can I use a promo code on a Netflix subscription?
Generally no. Netflix gift cards and bundles are the ways to pay less for membership; the codes here are for the Netflix Shop.
Which Netflix plan gives 4K?
Premium, on a 4K-capable device with a fast connection and a 4K title.
Can I pause Netflix?
You can cancel at any time and rejoin later. Your profiles and viewing history are typically kept for a period.
How many screens can watch at once?
It depends on the Netflix plan: fewer on Standard, more on Premium.
| Discount | Type | Get the deal |
|---|---|---|
| 10% off | Promo code | View at Netflix → |
| Free gift | Online deal | View at Netflix → |
| 15% off | Promo code | View at Netflix → |
| 25% off | Promo code | View at Netflix → |
