Netflix Price Increase 2026: New Prices and Full History
- Netflix's US help center lists Standard with ads at $8.99, Standard at $19.99 and Premium at $26.99 a month (checked October 16, 2026). Extra members cost $7.99 with ads or $9.99 without.
- The latest US increase was announced on March 26, 2026. It raised every plan: ads by $1, Standard by $2 and Premium by $2. New members paid the new prices at once; existing members moved over on later bills.
- Since January 2019, the Standard plan has gone from $12.99 to $19.99, an increase of 54%. Premium has gone from $15.99 to $26.99, up 69%.
- Netflix has not announced another US price change as of October 16, 2026. Its next earnings letter is the place where changes are usually confirmed.
Netflix raised its US prices again in 2026, the second increase in a little over a year. The cheapest plan now costs $8.99 a month, the popular Standard plan costs $19.99 and Premium costs $26.99. If you have noticed a higher charge on your card, or you got an email from Netflix about a "price update," this guide explains what changed, when it reaches your bill, how the new prices compare with the past, and what Netflix charges in the UK, Canada and Australia.
Data checked on October 16, 2026. Current prices come from Netflix's Plans and Pricing page in its help center, which shows different prices depending on the country. Dates and background come from Netflix's quarterly letters to shareholders, published on ir.netflix.net. Where Netflix itself did not publish the date, we used major news reports only to confirm it.
Netflix prices in the US right now
Netflix offers three plans in the United States. All of them are billed monthly; Netflix says it does not offer annual, multi-month or lifetime plans. Sales tax may be added depending on where you live.
| Plan | Monthly price | Cost per year | Streams at once | Video quality | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard with ads | $8.99 | $107.88 | 2 | 1080p (Full HD) | Yes; some titles locked |
| Standard | $19.99 | $239.88 | 2 | 1080p (Full HD) | No |
| Premium | $26.99 | $323.88 | 4 | 4K (Ultra HD) + HDR | No |
Source: Netflix Help Center, Plans and Pricing (United States), checked October 16, 2026. Yearly cost is 12 times the monthly price, before tax.
What you get on each plan, according to Netflix:
- Standard with ads: all games and most movies and shows. Titles that cannot be shown with ads carry a lock icon. Two devices at a time, downloads on two devices.
- Standard: the full catalog without ads, two devices at a time, downloads on two devices, and the option to add one extra member who lives elsewhere.
- Premium: the full catalog without ads, four devices at a time, 4K and HDR, Netflix spatial audio, downloads on six devices, and up to two extra members.
Netflix extra member price
Netflix does not allow password sharing outside your household. Instead, the account owner can pay for an "extra member," a person who gets their own profile and password but lives somewhere else. The extra member cost also went up in 2026.
| Extra member type | US price per month | Available on |
|---|---|---|
| Extra member with ads | $7.99 | Standard (1 slot), Premium (up to 2 slots) |
| Extra member without ads | $9.99 | Standard (1 slot), Premium (up to 2 slots) |
A Premium account with two ad-free extra members now costs $46.97 a month, or $563.64 a year before tax. That is the most a single US Netflix account can cost on Netflix's own billing.
The March 2026 Netflix price increase
Netflix raised prices on all three US plans on Thursday, March 26, 2026, as reported by Reuters and other outlets on the same day. The help center now shows the new prices. In its April 16, 2026 letter to shareholders, Netflix said its "recent price changes have gone well" and mentioned that the ads plan is "priced at $8.99 in the US."
| Plan | Before March 26, 2026 | After | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard with ads | $7.99 | $8.99 | +$1.00 (+12.5%) |
| Standard | $17.99 | $19.99 | +$2.00 (+11.1%) |
| Premium | $24.99 | $26.99 | +$2.00 (+8.0%) |
| Extra member with ads | $6.99 | $7.99 | +$1.00 |
| Extra member without ads | $8.99 | $9.99 | +$1.00 |
"After" prices: Netflix Help Center, October 16, 2026. "Before" prices: the January 2025 price list, which Netflix had applied until the March 2026 change.
For a Standard subscriber, the change adds $24 a year. For Premium, it adds $24 a year, plus $12 for each extra member slot.
Why Netflix raised prices
Netflix explains its price changes in fairly consistent language. In its January 2025 letter it wrote that it occasionally asks members "to pay a little more so that we can re-invest to further improve Netflix." In July 2026 it said it adjusts prices "so that we can reinvest in our service" as it expands its offering. The company's 2026 plans include video podcasts, live events, games and a bigger ads business. Netflix forecasts 2026 revenue of $51.0 billion to $51.4 billion and expects ad revenue to roughly double to about $3 billion. Both higher prices and more ad-plan members feed into that number.
The ads plan is central to the strategy. Netflix said in April 2026 that the $8.99 ads plan accounted for over 60% of all first-quarter sign-ups in countries where ads are offered. That is one reason the gap between the ads plan and the ad-free Standard plan keeps widening. In 2023 it was $8.50. It is now $11.00.
When the increase hits your bill
- New members pay the new price from the day they sign up.
- Existing members move to the new price on a later billing date. Netflix bills on the date you joined, so the timing differs from one account to the next.
- Notice: Netflix sends an email and an in-app notice before the new price is charged. If you have not seen one, open Account in the app or on netflix.com to check your current plan and next payment.
- Bundles and third parties: if you pay through a phone carrier, cable company or app store bundle, your price and the timing depend on that provider. Netflix's help page warns that plan prices "may vary if you have Netflix through a package or add-on."
Is a Netflix price increase allowed mid-subscription?
Yes, as long as Netflix gives notice. Section 2.7 of Netflix's Terms of Use says the company may change plans and prices, and that it "will notify you at least one month before any price changes or changes to your subscription plan will become effective." You can cancel before the new price takes effect and you will not be charged it. Because Netflix has no contract or annual plan, there is no locked-in price to break.
Netflix price increase history (US)
The table below lists every major US price change since 2014. Changes in 2022 to 2026 are taken from Netflix's shareholder letters or its help center. Earlier dates are those reported by major news outlets at the time.
| Date | Ads plan | Basic (no ads) | Standard | Premium | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2014 | – | $7.99 | $8.99 | $11.99 | Standard up $1 for new members |
| October 2015 | – | $7.99 | $9.99 | $11.99 | Standard up $1 |
| October 2017 | – | $7.99 | $10.99 | $13.99 | Standard and Premium up |
| January 2019 | – | $8.99 | $12.99 | $15.99 | All plans up; biggest jump at the time |
| October 29, 2020 | – | $8.99 | $13.99 | $17.99 | Standard and Premium up (CNBC) |
| January 14, 2022 | – | $9.99 | $15.49 | $19.99 | All plans up in the US and Canada |
| November 3, 2022 | $6.99 | $9.99 | $15.49 | $19.99 | "Basic with Ads" launched (Q3 2022 letter) |
| July 2023 | $6.99 | Closed to new members | $15.49 | $19.99 | Basic phased out for new and rejoining members (Q2 2023 letter) |
| October 18, 2023 | $6.99 | $11.99 (existing only) | $15.49 | $22.99 | Basic and Premium up (Q3 2023 letter) |
| January 21, 2025 | $7.99 | Discontinued | $17.99 | $24.99 | Most plans up in the US, Canada, Portugal and Argentina (Q4 2024 letter) |
| March 26, 2026 | $8.99 | Discontinued | $19.99 | $26.99 | All plans up; extra members up $1 |
The Standard plan has more than doubled since 2014, from $8.99 to $19.99, a rise of 122%. Since January 2019, Standard is up 54% and Premium is up 69%. The ad-supported plan is up 29% since its launch at $6.99 in November 2022.
How often does Netflix raise prices?
Looking at the table, Netflix has changed US prices about every 12 to 24 months for over a decade. The longest pause came between October 2023 and January 2025, when the company focused on its paid sharing rollout. In its October 2023 letter it said it had "mostly paused price increases" during that rollout. Once paid sharing was done, the pace picked up again: January 2025, then March 2026, only 14 months apart.
Netflix usually announces price changes in one of two ways: in a quarterly shareholder letter, as in October 2023 and January 2025, or quietly on the same day the help center is updated, as in 2020, 2022 and March 2026. The letters come out four times a year, in January, April, July and October.
Will Netflix raise prices again?
As of October 16, 2026, Netflix has not announced another US price increase. In its July 16, 2026 letter, the company said its first-half price changes "in markets like the US, Mexico and Spain" had gone well and as expected. It did not mention any planned change for the US.
The company's next letter, for the third quarter of 2026, will be posted on ir.netflix.net. Any new increase would most likely be confirmed there or on the help center. Based on the past pattern, a US change in 2027 would not be unusual, but it is not confirmed. We will update this page if Netflix announces one.
Price changes outside the US happen all the time. In April 2026, for example, Netflix said it had announced price adjustments in Spain. A change in one country does not mean the same change is coming to the US.
Netflix prices in the UK, Canada and Australia
Netflix's help center shows a different price list for each country. These are the current prices for the three largest English-speaking markets outside the US, as shown on the official page on October 16, 2026.
| Plan | United States | United Kingdom | Canada | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard with ads | $8.99 | £7.99 | CA$7.99 | AU$9.99 |
| Standard | $19.99 | £13.99 | CA$18.99 | AU$20.99 |
| Premium | $26.99 | £20.99 | CA$23.99 | AU$28.99 |
| Extra member with ads | $7.99 | £5.99 | CA$5.99 | AU$6.99 |
| Extra member without ads | $9.99 | £6.99 | CA$7.99 | AU$8.99 |
Source: Netflix Help Center, Plans and Pricing, viewed with UK, Canada and Australia location settings, October 16, 2026. Prices are monthly. In the UK the plan is called "Standard with adverts."
UK subscribers have seen steep increases over the past three years. In October 2023, Netflix's letter listed UK prices of £4.99 for the ads plan, £10.99 for Standard and £17.99 for Premium. Today those plans cost £7.99, £13.99 and £20.99. Netflix has not published a single list of the exact dates of each UK, Canadian or Australian change since then, so we do not give dates for them here.
How to pay less for Netflix
You cannot stay on an old price once Netflix moves your account over. You can still cut the bill:
- Switch to Standard with ads. At $8.99, it costs $11 a month less than Standard, or $132 a year. You lose some titles and get commercials, but keep 1080p and two screens.
- Drop from Premium to Standard. If you do not watch in 4K or need four screens at once, this saves $7 a month, or $84 a year.
- Review extra members. Each ad-free extra member costs $9.99 a month. If that person can pay for their own ads plan at $8.99, it is cheaper for them to hold their own account.
- Rotate subscriptions. Netflix has no contract. You can cancel after finishing a series and rejoin later. Your profiles and viewing history are kept for a period after you cancel, so you can pick up where you left off.
- Check bundles you already pay for. Some phone and TV providers include a Netflix plan. Compare the bundle's plan level with the price above before you assume it saves money.
Plan changes are made in Account, then Change plan, on netflix.com or in the app. According to Netflix's help center, an upgrade takes effect right away, while a downgrade starts at your next billing date.
How Netflix compares with other streaming services
Netflix is not the most expensive streaming service, but its Standard plan without ads, at $19.99, is now one of the priciest ad-free tiers among the major apps. HBO Max Standard costs $18.49, Peacock Premium Plus costs $19.99, and Disney+ Premium costs $21.49 from October 2026. Ad-supported plans sit closer together, between about $8 and $13. For a side-by-side table of every major service, including Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Apple TV and YouTube TV, see our streaming prices 2026 guide.
Bottom line
Netflix costs $8.99 a month with ads, $19.99 for Standard and $26.99 for Premium in the US after the increase announced on March 26, 2026. Extra members cost $7.99 with ads or $9.99 without. The previous increase came in January 2025, and before that in October 2023. Netflix has not announced another US change as of October 16, 2026. If the higher price is too much, the ads plan or a downgrade from Premium is the quickest way to save, and Netflix lets you cancel and come back at any time.
Photo: Coolcaesar / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frequently asked questions
How much is Netflix per month now?
In the United States, Netflix costs $8.99 a month for Standard with ads, $19.99 for Standard and $26.99 for Premium, plus any sales tax. These are the prices on Netflix's Plans and Pricing help page, checked on October 16, 2026.
When did Netflix last raise prices?
The latest US increase was announced on March 26, 2026, and covered every plan. Standard with ads went from $7.99 to $8.99, Standard from $17.99 to $19.99 and Premium from $24.99 to $26.99. The increase before that came in January 2025.
Will Netflix increase prices again in 2026?
Netflix has not announced another US increase as of October 16, 2026. In its July 2026 letter to shareholders, the company said its first-half price changes in markets like the US, Mexico and Spain had gone as expected, and that it occasionally adjusts prices to reinvest in the service. Netflix has raised US prices roughly every 12 to 24 months since 2019, so a 2027 change would fit the pattern, but nothing is confirmed.
Do existing subscribers pay the new price right away?
No. When Netflix raises prices, new members pay the new price from the first day. Existing members are moved to the new price on a later billing date, and Netflix sends a notice by email and in the app before the change hits your bill.
What is the cheapest Netflix plan?
Standard with ads, at $8.99 a month in the US. It streams in 1080p on two devices at a time and includes most, but not all, movies and shows. The old Basic plan without ads has been discontinued.
How much does a Netflix extra member cost?
In the US, an extra member costs $7.99 a month with ads or $9.99 a month without ads. Standard allows one extra member and Premium allows up to two. Extra members must be added by the account owner and paid on the same bill.
How much is Netflix in the UK, Canada and Australia?
Netflix's help center lists £7.99, £13.99 and £20.99 in the UK; 7.99, 18.99 and 23.99 Canadian dollars in Canada; and AU$9.99, AU$20.99 and AU$28.99 in Australia for Standard with ads, Standard and Premium.
Can I avoid the Netflix price increase?
You cannot keep an old price once your account moves over, but you can switch to a cheaper plan, drop an extra member slot, or pause and rejoin later. Some bundles from phone and TV providers include Netflix, but prices and plan rules differ, so check with the provider.
Sources
- Netflix Help Center: Plans and Pricing (US, UK, Canada and Australia versions)
- Netflix Help Center: Extra members
- Netflix Terms of Use (section 2.7, price changes)
- Netflix Help Center: How to change your plan
- Netflix Q2 2026 Shareholder Letter (July 16, 2026)
- Netflix Q1 2026 Shareholder Letter (April 16, 2026)
- Netflix Q4 2025 Shareholder Letter (January 20, 2026)
- Netflix Q4 2024 Shareholder Letter (January 21, 2025)
- Netflix Q3 2023 Shareholder Letter (October 18, 2023)
- Netflix Q2 2023 Shareholder Letter (July 19, 2023)
- Netflix Q3 2022 Shareholder Letter (October 18, 2022)
- Netflix Investor Relations: Quarterly earnings
- CNBC: Netflix raises prices of its standard and premium monthly plans (October 29, 2020, date confirmation)
Log in to comment
No comments yet. Be the first.