Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Netflix’s ad-free Basic plan is discontinued in the United States. The phase-out began in 2024, not August 2026. U.S. subscribers who want to keep Netflix can choose Standard with ads for $8.99 a month, or Standard for $19.99 a month if they want ad-free viewing. Whether a grandfathered Basic subscriber has to change plans now depends on their account and billing arrangements; check the notice and plan options shown in Netflix Account.
What Netflix discontinued—and what it did not
The retired plan was ad-free Basic, Netflix’s former entry-level ad-free subscription. It is not the same as the advertising-supported plan Netflix introduced in 2022. That plan launched in the U.S. as Basic with Ads; Netflix’s current U.S. lineup calls its ad-supported option Standard with ads. Netflix’s U.S.-dollar plan page now says Basic has been discontinued and lists Standard with ads, Standard, and Premium instead. Netflix’s current Plans and Pricing page is the reference for the current U.S. lineup.
The distinction matters: Netflix removed its lowest-priced ad-free tier, but it did not remove every lower-cost way to subscribe. Standard with ads costs less than the current ad-free options, though advertising, title availability, and device compatibility can make it a different experience.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
When the Basic phase-out happened
Netflix described a market-by-market rollout, rather than a single global cutoff date. Its shareholder letters trace the change from a plan for new and returning members to phase-outs in additional markets.
#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.
| Date | What Netflix said or did |
|---|---|
| October 13, 2022 | Netflix announced Basic with Ads in the U.S. at a launch price of $6.99 per month. That was the price at launch, not the current price. Netflix’s announcement. |
| January 23, 2024 | Netflix said it would begin retiring ad-free Basic for new and returning members in Canada and the U.K., then expand the policy to other advertising markets. Q4 2023 shareholder letter. |
| July 18, 2024 | Netflix said the phase-out had begun in Canada and the U.K. and would start in the U.S. and France. Q2 2024 shareholder letter. |
| October 17, 2024 | Netflix reported Basic had been phased out in the U.S. and France, and said Brazil would follow later in the fourth quarter. Q3 2024 shareholder letter. |
| August 2026 | Netflix’s U.S. plan page lists Basic as discontinued. Its current U.S. choices and prices are shown below. Netflix Plans and Pricing. |
Current U.S. plans and prices
The prices and features below are those on Netflix’s U.S.-dollar plan page as of August 2026. Prices, taxes, packages, and partner-billed options can affect what an individual account is offered or charged.
| U.S. plan | Monthly price | Ads | Resolution | Simultaneous devices | Downloads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard with ads | $8.99 | Yes | 1080p | 2 | 2 supported devices |
| Standard | $19.99 | No | 1080p | 2 | 2 supported devices |
| Premium | $26.99 | No | 4K/HDR | 4 | 6 supported devices |
Netflix also lists extra-member options for Standard and Premium; check the account’s plan page for the terms available to that subscription. Feature and price details are from Netflix’s Plans and Pricing page.
Rank #2
- 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.
Does losing Basic mean you have to pay more?
Not necessarily to keep Netflix, but staying ad-free costs more than choosing the current ad-supported tier. Using the U.S. prices Netflix listed in August 2026, Standard costs $11 more per month than Standard with ads—$132 more over 12 months before taxes. Premium costs $7 more per month than Standard, or $84 more per year before taxes. Standard with ads is $18 less per month than Standard, a difference of $216 over 12 months before taxes.
Those calculations compare recurring prices on Netflix’s U.S. page; they do not include taxes, bundles, or account-specific offers. For historical context only, Netflix announced its U.S. ad-supported plan at $6.99 a month in 2022, and CBS News reported a $11.99 grandfathered U.S. Basic price in January 2024. Neither figure is a current price, and the historical Basic amount was not necessarily what every subscriber paid. Netflix’s 2022 announcement; CBS News, January 24, 2024.
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
Netflix described advertising as a way to offer members a lower-priced option while developing advertising revenue as an additional business stream. That is the company’s stated rationale; it does not change the practical trade-off for a subscriber choosing between ads and an ad-free tier. Netflix Q2 2024 shareholder letter.
What changes if you choose Standard with ads?
- Commercial breaks: Ads run during most shows and films on the ad-supported experience. Netflix’s Ads Help Center.
- Some titles may be locked: Licensing restrictions mean a small number of titles are not available on the ad-supported plan; Netflix marks them with a lock icon. The plan is not guaranteed to include the entire catalog. Netflix’s Ads Help Center.
- Device compatibility can differ: Some older devices may not support the ad experience if they cannot run the required Netflix app or software. Check the device and app before changing plans. Netflix’s Ads Help Center.
- Travel can affect availability: Netflix says the ad-supported plan may be unavailable while traveling or after moving to a country where that plan is not offered. Netflix regional ad-plan help.
The current U.S. plan table lists downloads for Standard with ads, but the supported-device details and allowance should be checked on the plan page for the account’s country. Netflix’s plan names, features, and availability are not identical in every market.
Rank #4
- Advanced 4K streaming - Elevate your entertainment with the next generation of our best-selling 4K stick, with improved streaming performance optimized for 4K TVs.
- 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.
- Cloud gaming, no console required – Stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and hundreds of games on your Fire TV Stick 4K Select with Xbox Game Pass and Luna via cloud gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscription and compatible controller required. Each sold separately.
- 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.
- Wi-Fi 6 support - Enjoy smooth 4K streaming, even when other devices are connected to your router.
What existing Basic subscribers should check
Netflix’s initial announcement focused on new and rejoining members in affected markets; its later letters reported broader country-level phase-outs. Those announcements do not establish one universal deadline or migration process for every grandfathered subscriber. An existing member may receive an in-app or email notice asking them to select another plan, but timing and choices can depend on country, billing date, account status, grandfathered pricing, and whether Netflix or a partner handles billing.
Recommended Free Tools
Use the account’s own notice and plan page rather than assuming an old article or social post describes the account. Netflix says it sends a price-change email one month before the billing date on which an increase applies. Netflix: Why your price changed.
Best Value
- Essential 4K streaming – Get everything you need to stream in brilliant 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range 10+ (HDR10+).
- 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.
- Make your TV even smarter – Fire TV gives you instant access to a world of content, tailor-made recommendations, and Alexa, all backed by fast performance.
- All your favorite apps in one place – Experience endless entertainment with access to Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, and thousands more. Easily discover what to watch from hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes (subscription fees may apply), including free, ad-supported content.
- Getting set up is easy – Plug in and connect to Wi-Fi for smooth streaming.
How to check or change your Netflix plan
- Open Netflix and go to Account. Review the membership, billing information, and next billing date.
- If Netflix has presented a migration notice or plan-change option, compare the plans offered on that account. Standard with ads is the lowest-cost U.S. option shown in August 2026; Standard is the lowest-cost ad-free option.
- If a mobile, cable, internet, app-store, or other partner bills the account, check that provider’s account or support channel. The partner may control which plans or changes are available.
- Review Netflix’s notice and the next charge before confirming a change. A notice date and the date a new price takes effect are not necessarily the same.
- If none of the available plans works for you, cancel before the next charge. Netflix says members can change or cancel online at any time; check the account’s billing route for the applicable cancellation steps. Netflix Plans and Pricing.
Do not cancel and rejoin on the assumption that the old Basic tier will return: Netflix’s shareholder letters described its retirement for new and returning members in affected markets.
Which option fits your household?
- Choose Standard with ads if the monthly cost matters most and you can accept ad breaks, possible locked titles, and the device and regional limits of the ad-supported plan.
- Choose Standard if you want ad-free viewing at 1080p and two simultaneous devices are enough.
- Choose Premium if you need 4K/HDR or up to four simultaneous devices and the additional cost suits your budget.
- Cancel or pause your spending elsewhere if no Netflix option is worth its recurring cost for the programs you watch. If you switch later, check the plans available then rather than counting on a free trial or a retired tier; Netflix’s Help Center says it does not generally offer free trials, though promotions may vary by market. Netflix Free Trial Help Center.
A plan change applies to the account, not only one profile, so consider everyone who uses it, offline viewing needs, and any account-sharing arrangements before choosing.
Plan availability differs outside the United States
The prices in this article are U.S. prices, not a global Netflix rate card. Netflix says plan availability and prices vary by country; packages and third-party billing can also change the options shown. The shareholder letters document selected markets and rollout stages, but they do not establish a single worldwide retirement date for every existing Basic subscriber. For a subscriber outside the U.S., use the Netflix plan page and account notice for that country rather than applying the U.S. table. Netflix Plans and Pricing; Netflix Ads Help Center.
Alternatives if Netflix no longer fits
Other services may suit a household better, but none is a direct substitute for Netflix’s catalog. Hulu, Disney+, Max, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Peacock, and Paramount+ each have different programming, plans, and regional availability. Their prices and ad policies change, so check each provider’s official page for current terms rather than comparing an undated price with Netflix’s August 2026 figures.
For a lower-cost option, free ad-supported services such as Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel offer rotating catalogs. Kanopy and Hoopla may be available through participating libraries, subject to library eligibility and service terms. These options can reduce subscription spending, but their catalogs and access models differ from Netflix.
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.
