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Netflix’s ad-free Basic plan is discontinued in the United States. Netflix’s U.S. Help Center lists Standard with ads at $8.99 per month, Standard at $19.99, and Premium at $26.99. Standard with ads is the cheapest listed plan, but it includes commercials and some titles may be unavailable.
The change happened in stages, not as one worldwide switch. Here’s what the current U.S. plans include, what former Basic subscribers should check, and how to choose between switching and canceling.
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What happened to Netflix Basic?
Netflix discontinued its ad-free Basic plan in the U.S.; new and returning customers cannot select it. That does not mean the company eliminated its cheapest tier. The current lower-priced option is called Standard with ads, and it differs from old Basic in both price structure and features.
Netflix’s first U.S. ad-supported plan launched on November 3, 2022, as Basic with Ads for $6.99 per month. At launch, Netflix described it as an additional choice alongside ad-free Basic, Standard, and Premium—not a replacement for Basic. The current plan name and price are different. Netflix’s launch announcement explains the original offer.
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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
- Redemption: Online
The phaseout was market-specific and gradual. On July 18, 2024, Netflix told investors it was phasing out ad-free Basic in the U.K. and Canada and beginning that process in the U.S. and France. Netflix’s current U.S. plan page now lists Basic as discontinued. There is no single global cutoff date that applies to every subscriber. Netflix’s Q2 2024 shareholder letter describes the staged phaseout.
Current Netflix plans and prices in the U.S.
The following are the prices and features shown on Netflix’s U.S. Help Center page when checked August 18, 2026. Prices may change, taxes may apply, and a bundle or third-party billing arrangement can affect what you pay. Netflix’s plan and pricing page is the current reference.
| Plan | Monthly price | Ads and catalog | Simultaneous streams | Video quality | Downloads | Extra members |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard with ads | $8.99 | Ads; most, but not all, titles | 2 | 1080p / Full HD | 2 supported devices | Not available on ad-supported plans |
| Standard | $19.99 | Ad-free; full local catalog | 2 | 1080p / Full HD | 2 supported devices | 1 in eligible arrangements |
| Premium | $26.99 | Ad-free; full local catalog | 4 | 4K / Ultra HD and HDR | 6 supported devices | Up to 2 in eligible arrangements |
Netflix lists extra-member pricing at $7.99 per month with ads or $9.99 without ads, where eligible. Extra members are not supported on ad-supported plans, and availability may depend on the country, plan, and billing partner. Netflix accounts are intended for people in the same household; see Netflix’s account-sharing guidance.
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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.
- Redemption: Online
- No Returns and Refunds on Gift Cards
What Standard with ads does—and does not—include
It adds screens and downloads, but not the full catalog
Standard with ads supports two simultaneous streams, 1080p playback, and downloads on two supported devices, according to Netflix’s current plan comparison. That is more than the old Basic plan’s one stream. However, some movies and shows are unavailable on the ad-supported plan because of licensing restrictions. A lock icon may appear in search results, title pages, Top 10 rows, My List, or Continue Watching. Seeing a title listed does not guarantee it can be played on this plan. Netflix explains the lock icon and title restrictions.
Check device compatibility before changing
A small percentage of devices cannot run Netflix’s ad-supported experience because their app or operating system cannot be updated to support it. In the Netflix app, go to Menu → Get Help → Plan Compatibility. If Plan Compatibility is not available, Netflix says that device cannot be used with an ad-supported experience. Casting or mirroring Netflix from a mobile device to a TV is also unavailable with an ad-supported experience. Details are in Netflix’s device-compatibility instructions.
Which plan makes sense for a former Basic subscriber?
Choose Standard with ads to keep the bill down
At $8.99 per month, it is the least expensive currently listed U.S. plan. It can suit a household that accepts commercial breaks, has checked that its must-watch titles are available, and does not need to add an outside-household member. It offers two streams and 1080p, but the locked-title and device limits are real trade-offs.
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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
Choose Standard for ad-free 1080p
Standard costs $19.99 per month. It is the fit for viewers who want ads removed and access to the full local Netflix catalog but do not need 4K/HDR or more than two simultaneous streams. It includes one extra-member slot in eligible arrangements.
Choose Premium only if the household will use its extras
Premium costs $26.99 per month and adds 4K/HDR, up to four simultaneous streams, downloads on six supported devices, spatial audio, and up to two eligible extra members. The higher price is easiest to justify when people regularly watch at once, multiple people need downloads, or the viewing setup can use 4K/HDR. A 4K-capable display and compatible setup are needed to benefit from that resolution.
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If you only watch Netflix for a few releases each year, dislike ads, and do not consider Standard worth its price, keeping the subscription year-round may not fit your budget. You can cancel and return when the shows you want are available, subject to Netflix’s current terms. Also check whether a mobile, cable, or other package already includes Netflix before starting or changing a direct subscription.
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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
What if you still have a legacy Basic account?
Netflix’s public plan page confirms that Basic is discontinued, but it does not specify one transition path for every legacy account. Do not assume every former Basic subscriber was automatically moved to the same plan. Existing customers may receive an account-specific notice with available alternatives; partner-billed subscribers may get different instructions from the provider.
Check the email sent to the account holder and the membership or payment history in the account before making a change. Netflix says it sends a price-change email one month before the billing date when a change takes effect; a billing partner may send the notice instead. See Netflix’s explanation of price changes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to change plans or cancel
For a direct-billed account, review the plan options in your Netflix account and follow the on-screen instructions to change. If Netflix is billed through a carrier, cable provider, app-store package, or another partner, you may need to make the change there; the partner can affect available plans and charges.
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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
To cancel a direct Netflix membership:
- Go to Manage your membership.
- Select Cancel.
- Select Finish Cancellation.
Signing out or deleting the app does not cancel a membership. If you cancel with time left in the billing period, Netflix says you can continue watching until that period ends. Partner-billed customers may need to cancel through their provider. See Netflix’s cancellation instructions.
Why did Netflix phase out ad-free Basic?
Netflix has described advertising as a way to offer a lower entry price while creating an additional revenue stream. In its July 2024 shareholder letter, the company said the ad-supported tier had become a meaningful source of sign-ups in markets where it was available and discussed phasing out Basic in selected countries. That is Netflix’s stated business rationale, not proof that every subscriber will find the ad plan better value.
Prices outside the U.S. and partner billing
The prices above are U.S. prices, not global rates. Netflix varies prices, currencies, features, catalog availability, and extra-member eligibility by country. A bundle or third-party billing arrangement may also produce a different charge or require changes and cancellation through the provider. For country and moving-account details, see Netflix’s guidance for moving with Netflix. Netflix’s June 30, 2026 filing likewise says its global plan prices vary by country and that it may test plan and price variations: Netflix Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
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.
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