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Apple TV+ rose to $12.99 a month in the U.S. in 2025, but it is still cheaper than Netflix’s ad-free plans. Netflix remains the lower-cost entry point with its $7.99 Standard With Ads tier, while Apple TV+ can cost about $8.33 per month when paid annually. The right choice depends on whether you value Netflix’s broad, frequently changing library or Apple’s smaller, ad-free lineup of originals.
All figures below are 2025 U.S. list prices before tax, promotions and bundles. Streaming catalogs, plan names and restrictions can change, so verify current terms on the Netflix plan page and Apple’s service page.
What changed in 2025?
Apple TV+ increased its monthly price
Apple TV+ went from $9.99 to $12.99 per month, a $3 increase of about 30%. The new price applied to new subscribers on August 21, 2025. Existing subscribers were to receive the higher price after their next renewal, with 30 days’ notice. Apple’s $99.99 annual price was reported as unchanged. The timing and annual-price details were reported by CBS News.
Apple had previously raised the U.S. monthly price from $6.99 to $9.99 in October 2023, making the 2025 change another substantial increase.
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#1 Best Overall
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
Netflix raised every U.S. tier
In January 2025, Netflix increased Standard With Ads from $6.99 to $7.99, Standard from $15.49 to $17.99, and Premium from $22.99 to $24.99. The change was notable because it was the first increase to Netflix’s ad-supported plan, according to TheWrap. Extra-member charges also changed for some plans.
2025 U.S. price comparison
| Plan | Monthly price | Annualized cost | Ads | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple TV+ monthly | $12.99 | $155.88 | No | Single tier; 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos available where supported |
| Apple TV+ annual | About $8.33 effective monthly | $99.99 upfront | No | Same service; requires a 12-month commitment |
| Netflix Standard With Ads | $7.99 | $95.88 | Yes | Lowest Netflix price; title and feature restrictions may apply |
| Netflix Standard | $17.99 | $215.88 | No | 1080p; two simultaneous streams |
| Netflix Premium | $24.99 | $299.88 | No | 4K/HDR; four simultaneous streams |
Netflix generally sells these subscriptions month to month rather than with an equivalent discounted annual plan. Apple TV+’s annual figure is therefore a prepaid commitment, not simply another monthly billing option.
Which Netflix plan is a fair comparison?
Apple TV+ versus Netflix Standard With Ads: the price-first comparison
Netflix Standard With Ads is $5 cheaper each month than Apple TV+ monthly. It also offers a substantially broader general-interest catalog, including licensed movies and shows, international programming, documentaries, reality television, children’s titles and stand-up.
Rank #2
- Our fastest-ever streaming media player - Brings lightning-fast app starts with an octa-core processor and is 2X as powerful as Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Hands-free Alexa with built-in mic and speakers - Control your compatible TV, soundbar, and receivers with your voice, even from across the room.
- Seamlessly navigate between your entertainment - Connect compatible devices and easily go from streaming to your cable box, game console, or webcam.
But it is not an equivalent product. Netflix inserts advertising, while Apple describes Apple TV+ as ad-free. Choose this comparison if your first priority is the lowest monthly bill and you accept commercial breaks. If uninterrupted viewing matters, the $5 difference is not the whole value calculation.
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Apple TV+ costs $12.99 monthly, $5 less than Netflix Standard’s $17.99. Both are ad-free, but they serve different purposes. Apple provides one premium presentation level across its service, while Netflix Standard supplies a much larger catalog, 1080p streaming and two simultaneous streams.
For a viewer who mainly wants Apple Originals and watches alone or with a small household, Apple is the less expensive ad-free choice. For someone who wants something new in many genres every week, Netflix Standard may justify its higher price through breadth and use.
Rank #3
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
Apple TV+ versus Netflix Premium: the household and quality comparison
Netflix Premium costs $24.99, or $12 more than Apple TV+ monthly. Its case is four simultaneous streams plus 4K/HDR. Apple says 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos are available on Apple TV+ where the title, device and connection support them, without a higher Apple tier.
Premium makes sense for a larger household that uses Netflix at the same time and has compatible 4K equipment. It is poor value if you watch alone, do not need 4K, or would not use Netflix’s larger library.
What you get with Apple TV+ at its price
- Ad-free originals: Apple’s concentrated lineup includes series and films such as Severance and The Morning Show.
- Premium formats: 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos are available on supported titles, devices and connections.
- Family Sharing: Apple says a subscription can be shared with up to six people through Family Sharing. That wording should not be read as a guarantee of six unrestricted simultaneous high-resolution streams.
- Downloads: Offline downloads are supported on compatible devices.
- Broad device access: The Apple TV app is available on Apple devices, Android, smart TVs, streaming devices, PCs and the web. An Apple TV 4K hardware box is not required.
- Selected live sports and events: Apple’s U.S. offering lists Formula 1, MLS and Friday Night Baseball, but rights and availability vary by market and season.
Apple’s official details, including the seven-day trial and qualifying three-month device promotion, are listed at apple.com/apple-tv. Trial and promotion eligibility, redemption deadlines and billing conditions apply.
Rank #4
- Ask to control your TV with your voice, and quickly cast your photos, videos, music and more from your phone, tablet, or PC to your TV with Chromecast built in
- Built-in Virtual Assistant – just press the mic button on the remote to get what you want
- Built-in content and entertainment including YouTube, Play Movies & TV, and more
- Support for thousands of Apps on the Play Store
- 2K resolution TV streaming
What Netflix offers for the money
- Catalog breadth: Netflix spans licensed and original television, films, documentaries, international productions, reality, stand-up and children’s programming.
- Choice of trade-offs: Its tiers let you exchange advertising, picture quality and simultaneous streams for a different price.
- Household flexibility: Standard permits two simultaneous streams and Premium four, subject to Netflix’s household and account policies.
- 4K access: Netflix ties 4K/HDR to Premium rather than including it in every plan.
Libraries change by country and date, so “broader” is more accurate than claiming a fixed catalog size. Current restrictions and plan features should be checked on Netflix’s official help page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Monthly versus annual Apple billing
Paying Apple TV+ monthly for a year costs $12.99 × 12 = $155.88. The $99.99 annual plan saves $55.89, reducing the effective cost to about $8.33 per month—roughly 36% below monthly billing.
That saving only exists if you expect to keep Apple TV+ for all 12 months. Monthly billing is more practical when you subscribe for a particular season, finish a show and cancel, or rotate between services. Netflix’s 2025 annualized totals are $95.88 for Standard With Ads, $215.88 for Standard and $299.88 for Premium because Netflix does not generally offer a comparable discounted annual subscription.
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- Ultra-speedy streaming: Roku Ultra is 30% faster than any other Roku player, delivering a lightning-fast interface and apps that launch in a snap.
- Cinematic streaming: This TV streaming device brings the movie theater to your living room with spectacular 4K, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision picture alongside immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- The ultimate Roku remote: The rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro offers backlit buttons, hands-free voice controls, and a lost remote finder.
- No more fumbling in the dark: See what you’re pressing with backlit buttons.
- Say goodbye to batteries: Keep your remote powered for months on a single charge.
Is Apple TV+ still good value after the increase?
Apple TV+ is the stronger fit when
- You want uninterrupted viewing and do not want an ad-supported tier.
- Your priority is Apple Originals rather than a huge back catalog.
- You can use the $99.99 annual plan for a full year.
- You already organize a household through Apple Family Sharing.
- High-end picture and sound matter more than having the maximum number of titles.
- You plan to subscribe around specific releases and cancel between viewing periods.
Netflix is the stronger fit when
- You want the lowest monthly price and accept ads: Standard With Ads is $7.99.
- Several people watch different programs or you need children’s and general-interest choices.
- You want a service for frequent, casual viewing across many genres.
- You prefer monthly flexibility over Apple’s annual prepayment.
- You specifically need four simultaneous streams and 4K/HDR, making Premium’s $24.99 tier relevant.
Ways to reduce the cost
Use Apple’s annual plan only with a 12-month viewing plan
The annual option is Apple TV+’s largest predictable saving, but it removes the ability to cancel after a single release window.
Consider Apple One only if you need its other services
Apple One includes Apple TV alongside services such as Apple Music and iCloud+. Apple’s page says plans start at $19.95 per month. It can make sense when you already pay for the included services; buying a bundle solely for television may cost more than standalone Apple TV+.
Use qualifying device offers carefully
Apple advertises three months of Apple TV with qualifying new devices, subject to eligibility and redemption rules. Treat this as an incidental benefit of a device you already intend to buy, not a reason to purchase hardware for streaming alone.
Rotate subscriptions
- Subscribe to Apple TV+ when the shows or sports you want are available.
- Cancel or let the monthly subscription end after you finish them, unless the annual plan is justified by a year of planned viewing.
- Use Netflix during months when its current lineup better matches your household.
- Keep both year-round only if the household regularly watches enough on each to justify the combined cost.
Verdict: which service should you choose?
| Your priority | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest monthly bill | Netflix Standard With Ads | $7.99, provided you accept advertising |
| Lowest effective ad-free price for a year | Apple TV+ annual | $99.99 upfront, about $8.33 per month |
| Focused, ad-free originals | Apple TV+ monthly or annual | Single tier, premium formats and flexible rotation when billed monthly |
| Ad-free breadth | Netflix Standard | $17.99, larger catalog and two simultaneous streams |
| Large household and 4K/HDR | Netflix Premium | $24.99, four simultaneous streams and 4K/HDR |
Apple TV+ did not become a bargain alternative to every Netflix plan after its 2025 increase. It is $5 more than Netflix’s ad-supported entry tier, $5 less than Netflix Standard, and $12 less than Premium on monthly billing. Its annual plan is the standout value only for viewers who will stay subscribed for the year and prefer Apple’s focused, ad-free catalog. For many households, rotating the services is more economical than treating either as a permanent replacement for the other.
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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.
