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Netflix’s current U.S. pricing documentation says its Basic plan has been discontinued. Basic was the company’s cheapest ad-free tier. New subscribers can no longer select it, and Netflix’s phase-out has been staged rather than a single, publicly documented switch date for every existing customer.
For U.S. customers billed directly by Netflix, the cheapest ad-free replacement is now Standard at $19.99 per month. The cheaper Standard with ads costs $8.99 per month, but includes commercial breaks, possible catalog restrictions and device-compatibility limits.
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What happened to Netflix Basic?
Netflix’s old Basic plan offered ad-free viewing at the company’s lowest direct price. It is the plan being eliminated—not the ad-supported tier.
Netflix introduced its first U.S. ad-supported option, then called Basic with Ads, in November 2022 for $6.99 per month. The company kept Basic, Standard and Premium as ad-free choices at the time. The current U.S. product is called Standard with ads, not Basic.
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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.
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In its July 2024 shareholder letter, Netflix said it had already phased out Basic in the U.K. and Canada and would begin the process in the U.S. and France. Netflix’s current Help Center now states that “The Basic plan has been discontinued.”
Netflix’s current plans and pricing page confirms the present status, while the 2024 shareholder letter explains the earlier staged rollout.
Netflix’s current U.S. plan prices
These are Netflix’s listed U.S. direct-billing prices observed on August 18, 2026. Taxes, promotions and provider-bundle pricing can change the final amount.
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| Plan | Monthly price | Ads | Resolution | Simultaneous streams | Downloads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard with ads | $8.99 | Yes | 1080p | 2 | Included |
| Standard | $19.99 | No | 1080p | 2 | Included |
| Premium | $26.99 | No | 4K + HDR | 4 | Included |
The former Basic tier is not listed as a current sign-up option. Netflix’s official pricing page is the best place to check prices for a particular country and account.
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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
The cheapest ad-free option is now Standard
Standard at $19.99 per month is the lowest-priced direct U.S. plan without ads. It provides 1080p Full HD, two simultaneous supported devices and downloads on two supported devices. Netflix also says Standard can support one extra member, subject to its terms and current pricing.
Compared with Standard with ads, preserving ad-free viewing costs:
- $11 more per month;
- $132 more per year, before taxes.
That means the annual prices are $107.88 for Standard with ads and $239.88 for Standard, before taxes. The old low-cost combination of Basic-level pricing and ad-free playback is no longer available as a direct U.S. Netflix plan.
What you get with Standard with ads
Standard with ads is the cheapest Netflix option overall. It includes 1080p Full HD, two simultaneous supported devices, downloads and up to five profiles. For viewers primarily concerned with monthly cost, it is the closest replacement for the old entry-level experience.
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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.
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Its trade-offs are significant:
- Commercial breaks can appear before and during selected programs.
- Ads generally cannot be skipped or fast-forwarded while they are playing.
- A small number of movies and shows may be unavailable because Netflix does not have the necessary advertising rights. These titles may show a lock icon.
- Some older TVs, streaming devices, cable boxes and other hardware do not support the ad-supported experience.
- Ad-supported plans are not offered in every country.
Netflix says some newly released movies may show advertising only before playback begins, but the exact ad experience can vary by programming. See Netflix’s advertising help page for the current limitations.
Are existing Basic subscribers being forced to switch?
Netflix has confirmed that Basic is discontinued as a plan, but that does not establish one universal migration date for every legacy U.S. subscriber.
The earlier phase-out documentation focused on new and rejoining members in affected advertising markets. Existing customers may have retained legacy access for a period, received an account-specific notice or encountered different choices if their subscription is billed through a third party.
In practical terms, an old email, billing record or provider account may still mention Basic even though it is no longer available to new subscribers. Your account’s current plan—not an old price reference—is what determines your immediate options.
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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.
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How to check your plan
- Open Netflix in a web browser and sign in.
- Go to your account page and open the plan or change-plan section.
- Check the plan currently attached to the account and review the available alternatives.
- Open Payment History to confirm recent charges and billing details.
- Use Netflix’s billing-date guidance to identify the next renewal date before changing anything.
If Netflix is included in a cable, broadband, wireless or other package, you may not see the same options as a direct-billed customer. Netflix says partner-billed subscribers may need to manage plan changes through the provider. The provider may also set the package price and available tier.
What happens when you change plans?
Netflix says an upgrade to a higher-priced plan generally takes effect immediately. A downgrade generally takes effect on the next billing date. Partner-billed accounts can have different timing and restrictions.
If you decide that neither replacement is worthwhile, cancellation is available. Signing out of Netflix or deleting the app does not cancel the membership. The account owner must complete Netflix’s cancellation flow or cancel through the payment partner when the subscription is externally billed. Netflix’s cancellation instructions explain the relevant steps.
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| If you care most about… | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Paying as little as possible | Standard with ads | It is $8.99 per month, with 1080p and two streams. |
| Ad-free viewing | Standard | It is the cheapest remaining direct ad-free plan at $19.99. |
| Every available title | Standard or Premium | The ad tier may omit titles because of licensing restrictions. |
| 4K/HDR and four streams | Premium | It adds 4K/HDR and four simultaneous streams for $26.99 per month. |
| Using Netflix only occasionally | Consider canceling | The higher ad-free price may not justify keeping an always-on subscription. |
Device and catalog problems after switching
Your device cannot play the ad-supported plan
Some older TVs and streaming devices cannot run Netflix with ads because their software cannot be updated to support the advertising experience. Netflix also lists certain operating-system requirements and unsupported hardware, including VR headsets. Check Netflix’s device-compatibility guidance before switching.
Best Value
- 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
A title is missing
A lock icon or unavailable title on Standard with ads is usually a licensing restriction, not a playback fault. Moving to an ad-free plan may restore access where Netflix has the necessary rights, but availability can still vary by country.
The expected plans are not available
That can happen with a partner-billed account, a package-specific subscription or a plan that is not offered in your market. Check who appears as the biller in your account and contact that provider if Netflix directs you there.
What this means for Basic customers
The change removes Netflix’s former low-cost ad-free entry point in the U.S. Customers now have a clear price choice: pay $8.99 per month for Standard with ads and accept its limitations, or pay $19.99 for Standard to keep ad-free viewing. Premium is aimed at households that need 4K/HDR or four simultaneous streams, rather than viewers simply replacing Basic.
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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.
