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The cheapest standalone Netflix plan in the U.S. is Standard with ads at $8.99 per month, as of August 16, 2026. The biggest additional savings usually come from a carrier or internet benefit you already qualify for—or from paying only for the months you watch. Netflix has no general free trial, and a bundle is not automatically a bargain if it requires a more expensive service plan.
What Netflix costs in the U.S.
Netflix lists three U.S. monthly plans. Prices can differ when a partner supplies the service, and taxes may apply. Netflix has discontinued Basic.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Netflix eGift Card | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Netflix eGift Card | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Netflix Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Netflix Physical Gift Card - $60 | $60.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Netflix Physical Gift Card - $30 | $30.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| Plan | Monthly price | Features and trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Standard with ads | $8.99 | 1080p, two simultaneous streams and downloads on two supported devices; includes ads and some titles may be unavailable. |
| Standard | $19.99 | Ad-free, 1080p, two simultaneous streams and one extra-member slot. |
| Premium | $26.99 | Ad-free, 4K/HDR, four simultaneous streams and up to two extra-member slots. |
These are Netflix’s listed U.S. prices as of August 16, 2026. Check Netflix’s current plan and pricing page before changing plans, since prices and features can change. The ad-supported plan may not work on every device; check device compatibility and title availability if either matters to you.
1. Choose Standard with ads if its limits fit
At $8.99 a month, Standard with ads is the lowest direct Netflix price in the U.S. It is a regular plan, not a temporary sale. It can suit viewers who accept advertising, do not need 4K, and are comfortable with two simultaneous streams. Before downgrading, consider whether missing titles, device compatibility, or ad breaks would make the lower price poor value for your household.
#1 Best Overall
- Unlimited movies, TV shows, and more. Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.
- Give the gift of entertainment so your friends and family can stream unlimited films and Netflix original series. Whether your loved one already has a Netflix account or they will be creating a new account, they can use a Netflix gift card toward their membership.
- No credit card is required to redeem a gift code.
- Codes are applied to your account as a gift balance
- Redemption: Online
2. Check whether T-Mobile already includes Netflix
T-Mobile includes Netflix Standard with ads, valued at up to $8.99 per month, with certain qualifying plans. Its offer page lists eligible plan examples including Go5G or Magenta with at least two lines, Experience More, Experience Beyond, Go5G Next, Go5G Plus, Magenta MAX, and certain eligible Military, 55+, and First Responder plans. Eligibility depends on the exact plan and account. Some customers can pay to upgrade to a higher Netflix tier; confirm the current upgrade price in your T-Mobile account rather than assuming it matches Netflix’s direct price.
“Netflix on Us” means included with an eligible wireless plan, not free without conditions. If you already have a qualifying plan, the benefit may reduce your incremental Netflix cost. If you would switch or add lines solely for Netflix, compare the full wireless cost—including taxes, fees, line requirements, and any device obligations—with the Netflix bill you would otherwise pay.
Activate and verify the benefit
- Sign in to your T-Mobile account or the T-Life app and open the plan, benefits, or add-ons area.
- Select the Netflix benefit and choose the included tier or an available upgrade.
- When prompted, sign in to the Netflix account you already use, or create one if needed.
- Confirm that the Netflix account shows the partner benefit as its payment source. Check both T-Mobile billing and Netflix’s Membership & Billing page to catch an old direct charge.
Start at T-Mobile’s Netflix on Us page or consult its support instructions for account-specific eligibility and steps. If you cancel the qualifying line or lose eligibility, Netflix may resume billing the payment method previously on the account.
Rank #2
- Unlimited movies, TV shows, and more. Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.
- Give the gift of entertainment so your friends and family can stream unlimited films and Netflix original series. Whether your loved one already has a Netflix account or they will be creating a new account, they can use a Netflix gift card toward their membership.
- No credit card is required to redeem a gift code.
- Redemption: Online
- No Returns and Refunds on Gift Cards
3. Compare Verizon’s Netflix-and-Max perk
Verizon lists a Netflix & HBO Max with Ads perk for eligible mobile or home-internet customers at $13 per month. It combines Netflix Standard with ads and HBO Max Basic with ads, so it is a paid bundle—not free Netflix. Verizon also describes a possible discount of up to $10 per month when eligible mobile and home services are combined; eligibility depends on the account and plan configuration. Check the offer terms in your Verizon account before budgeting for that discount.
This can make sense if you already have eligible Verizon service and value both streaming services. It may not be worthwhile if you want ad-free Netflix alone or would pay more for Verizon service just to get the perk. Add or activate the perk through Verizon, then link the Netflix account you already use. Confirm the payment source on Netflix afterward; an unlinked account can continue billing separately. The partner package generally covers the main membership, not extra-member charges. Moving to an ad-free or Premium tier may require paying the difference. A plan change or canceled mobile or home service can affect eligibility.
See Verizon’s Netflix and Max perk FAQs and its perks page for current terms.
Rank #3
- Unlimited movies, TV shows, and more. Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.
- Give the gift of entertainment so your friends and family can stream unlimited films and Netflix original series. Whether your loved one already has a Netflix account or they will be creating a new account, they can use a Netflix gift card toward their membership.
- No credit card is required to redeem a gift code.
- Codes are applied to your account as a gift balance. Gift codes can be added to any plan, regardless of the amount.
- Redemption: Online
4. Look for Netflix in services you already pay for
Netflix’s payment information identifies partner billing or packages involving Cox, Comcast Xfinity, DirecTV, Dish, Frontier, Optimum, Spectrum, T-Mobile, and Verizon. That list does not mean every customer on those services gets a discount; Netflix may simply be available as an add-on for some plans.
- Open your provider’s streaming, entertainment, or perks page, or search your account for “Netflix.”
- Check whether Netflix is included, discounted, or only available as a paid add-on.
- Confirm the tier, ad status, eligibility rules, promotional period, and price after the promotion ends.
- Ask whether you can link your existing Netflix account and how to cancel the add-on.
When activation offers a choice, use “Sign in” or “Already a member” and enter the email tied to your current Netflix account. Linking correctly can preserve profiles, viewing history, My List, and other account details while moving billing to the package. Verify the resulting payment source and check both bills before the next renewal. If both Netflix and the provider charge you, contact them before paying another cycle.
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A Netflix gift card bought for its face value is a payment method, not a discount. It saves money only if you receive it as a gift or get it below face value through a legitimate retailer sale, loyalty redemption, rewards program, or other verified promotion. Netflix allows multiple gift cards to be applied to an account; where supported, the balance is used before a preferred backup payment method. Check the payment options and payment-method guidance for details.
Rank #4
- Unlimited movies, TV shows, and more. Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.
- Give the gift of entertainment so your friends and family can stream unlimited films and Netflix original series. Whether your loved one already has a Netflix account or they will be creating a new account, they can use a Netflix gift card toward their membership.
- No credit card is required to redeem a gift code.
- Codes are applied to your account as a gift balance. Gift codes can be added to any plan, regardless of the amount.
- Redemption: Online
Gift cards have restrictions: the currency must match the account’s billing country and currency; Apple-billed accounts cannot redeem them without first ending Apple billing and restarting with another payment method; accounts tied to Netflix-included packages may not accept a gift card directly; and extra-member accounts cannot use gift cards as though they were the primary membership. See Netflix’s instructions for Apple billing, gift-card redemption problems, and gift-card or promotion eligibility.
Some partners issue Netflix promotional codes or redemption links. Check the offer’s eligibility and expiry, and redeem an eligible code at netflix.com/redeem. Offers may be limited to new or returning members, may not work with Apple billing or an existing partner package, and generally cannot be used across countries. A promotion becomes an account balance; changing plans can use that balance at a different rate, and Netflix may require a payment method when it runs out. Do not rely on generic coupon pages unless the offer’s issuer and terms can be verified. Netflix explains the rules on its promotions page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.6. Pay only for the months you watch
If you watch Netflix for only part of the year, canceling between viewing periods can save more than a small monthly discount. At the $8.99 Standard with ads price, four active months cost $35.96 and six cost $53.94 before taxes or plan changes; those are simple calculations from the listed monthly price, not annual Netflix offers. Keeping that plan all year would total $107.88 before taxes.
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- Unlimited movies, TV shows, and more. Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.
- Give the gift of entertainment so your friends and family can stream unlimited films and Netflix original series. Whether your loved one already has a Netflix account or they will be creating a new account, they can use a Netflix gift card toward their membership.
- No credit card is required to redeem a gift code.
- Codes are applied to your account as a gift balance. Gift codes can be added to any plan, regardless of the amount.
- Redemption: Online
- Subscribe when the shows or films you want are available.
- If you do not want automatic renewal, cancel after subscribing; you can keep watching through the paid billing period.
- Set a reminder near the next billing date and restart only when another month is worthwhile.
Netflix says cancellation does not trigger another charge unless you restart, and it does not remove access before the paid period ends. Eligible accounts can pause for one month and generally extend the pause to three months total. During a pause, you can browse and add titles to My List, but streaming and downloads are unavailable. See Netflix’s cancellation and pause instructions. Netflix does not offer a general free trial; a specific partner promotion is different and must be checked against its own terms at Netflix’s free-trial help page.
7. Match your plan and household setup to how you watch
Premium costs $26.99 per month, but its 4K/HDR and four simultaneous streams may be unnecessary for a household that watches in HD or on fewer screens. Standard costs $19.99 and is ad-free at 1080p with two simultaneous streams. Compare what you actually use before paying more; a partner’s included ad-supported tier may also be cheaper than upgrading if ads are acceptable.
For someone outside your Netflix household, use an official extra-member option where available or have that person get a separate subscription. Standard includes one extra-member slot and Premium up to two, but the primary subscriber pays for those slots. Partner packages generally cover the main plan rather than extra members. Do not treat password sharing outside Netflix’s household rules as a discount.
Compare the options before you switch
| Method | Typical Netflix cost | Ads? | Requires another service? | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard with ads | $8.99/month direct, as of August 16, 2026 | Yes | No | Lowest standalone monthly price | Some titles or devices may not be supported. |
| T-Mobile Netflix on Us | Included tier valued at up to $8.99/month with qualifying plans | Yes, for the included tier | Yes, an eligible T-Mobile plan | Customers who already have a qualifying plan | Eligibility varies; a higher tier may cost extra and the wireless plan has its own cost. |
| Verizon Netflix & HBO Max with Ads | $13/month for the listed perk | Yes | Yes, eligible Verizon mobile or home internet | Eligible customers who value both services | It is a paid bundle; eligibility and any mobile-plus-home discount vary. |
| Other provider package | Depends on provider and plan; not stated as a universal price | Depends on package | Yes | Customers checking an existing cable, TV, or internet account | A provider listing does not establish that every plan includes a discount. |
| Gift card or promotion | Depends on verified discount or offer; otherwise face value or standard plan price | Depends on Netflix plan | Sometimes | People with a legitimate sale, reward, gift, or eligible offer | Country, account, billing, and expiry restrictions may apply. |
| Seasonal subscription | $8.99 per active month on Standard with ads | Yes, on that tier | No | Viewers who only watch during certain months | Streaming stops when the paid period ends or the account is paused. |
How to judge whether a bundle really saves money
Use this calculation: true Netflix saving = the direct Netflix price you would otherwise pay − the bundle’s incremental cost. If you already need the carrier or internet plan, do not count its entire bill as the cost of Netflix. If you would switch providers only to get the benefit, include the added service cost, required lines, taxes and fees, device financing, promotional end date, cancellation costs, and any upgrade charge for ad-free or Premium. Also account for other bundle benefits only if you genuinely value them.
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Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
