Netflix’s cheapest ad-free plan in Canada is no longer available. The company began removing its CAD$9.99-a-month Basic plan from new and returning subscribers in 2023, then completed the phase-out for existing members in 2024. This is not a new August 2026 change; it was a transition carried out in stages.
Canadians choosing Netflix now generally have to pick between a lower-priced plan with ads and some title restrictions, a more expensive ad-free Standard plan, or Premium. Prices shown on Netflix’s Canadian pages are not fully consistent, so confirm the amount at checkout before subscribing.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Netflix eGift Card | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Netflix eGift Card | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Netflix Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Netflix Physical Gift Card - $60 | $60.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Netflix Physical Gift Card - $30 | $30.00 | Buy on Amazon |
What Netflix removed—and when
The discontinued plan was Basic, Netflix’s entry-level ad-free subscription. It historically cost CAD$9.99 a month and offered 720p video and one simultaneous stream. Netflix’s separate ad-supported tier was not a like-for-like replacement: it costs less, but includes ads and has licensing-related catalogue limits.
The change happened over time:
- November 1, 2022: Netflix launched its advertising-supported plan in Canada at CAD$5.99 a month. Netflix’s launch announcement described the new tier.
- Second quarter of 2023: Netflix stopped offering Basic to new and returning Canadian members. It said existing Basic members were initially unaffected. The timing is documented in the company’s Q2 2023 shareholder letter.
- 2024: Netflix moved to end Basic for grandfathered members too. The company reported phasing it out in Canada and the U.K. during the second quarter of 2024 in its Q2 2024 shareholder letter. Canadian reports in January and July covered notices to remaining subscribers and the final stage of the change (CityNews; MobileSyrup).
So the plan is gone as a normal sign-up option, and former Basic subscribers should not expect to recover it by cancelling and rejoining. There was no single date on which every Canadian member lost it: new and returning customers were affected first, while existing customers were initially allowed to stay before the phase-out was completed.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#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
Netflix’s current Canadian plans
As of August 16, 2026, Netflix’s Canadian plan comparison page displayed the following monthly prices and features. Prices are before tax.
| Plan | Price shown | Ads and catalogue | Resolution and streams | Downloads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard with ads | CAD$8.99/month | Ads; some titles may be unavailable because of licensing restrictions | 1080p; two simultaneous streams | Included |
| Standard | CAD$19.99/month | Ad-free | 1080p; two simultaneous streams | Check the plan details shown at sign-up |
| Premium | CAD$26.99/month | Ad-free | 4K/HDR, spatial audio; up to four simultaneous streams | Check the plan details shown at sign-up |
These are price signals from Netflix’s Canadian plan page, not a guarantee that every account will see the same offer. Netflix’s Canadian homepage has also displayed a different plan-price range. Billing partners, bundles, taxes and price changes can affect what appears for an individual subscriber. Verify the exact plan and charge in your account or on the checkout screen; Netflix explains that prices can change and members are notified about increases in advance in its pricing help page.
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
Is Standard with ads the same as the old Basic plan?
No. The ad tier is a different product, not Basic with commercials added. Netflix says to expect a few short ads per hour, with placement varying by program and market. Some titles are unavailable on the ad-supported plan because of licensing agreements; Netflix says unavailable titles may appear with a lock icon. Kids profiles do not show ads, according to its ad-plan details.
Standard with ads offers 1080p, two simultaneous streams and downloads, but it can be incompatible with some older TVs and devices. Those features differ from the former Basic plan’s reported 720p picture and single stream. The practical trade is therefore not simply “the same Netflix for less”: you accept advertising, possible title gaps and device requirements in exchange for the lower subscription price.
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
What former Basic subscribers can choose
- Standard with ads is the lowest-priced option if you can tolerate commercial breaks, watch titles available on the ad tier and have a compatible device.
- Standard keeps viewing ad-free and provides 1080p with two simultaneous streams, without paying for Premium’s 4K/HDR features.
- Premium makes sense for households that will use 4K/HDR, spatial audio or up to four simultaneous streams. It is unlikely to be good value if you watch alone on an HD screen.
- Cancel if the new price is not worth what you watch. Netflix says members can cancel without a cancellation fee.
For context, when Netflix first removed Basic from new Canadian customers in 2023, the old plan was CAD$9.99 a month and the reported ad-free Standard price was about CAD$16.49. That was roughly CAD$6.50 more each month for the least expensive ad-free replacement at the time, before tax. Netflix’s ad tier launched at CAD$5.99. These are historical transition prices, not current offers.
Plan availability can depend on how you pay: a carrier, TV provider or bundle may not offer every Netflix plan. Moving countries can also change the available plans and prices; Netflix says pricing and availability vary by country, and moving generally requires cancelling and signing up again in the new country (Netflix Help Center). Check the terms of a specific live event as well; advertising during live programming may not follow the normal experience of an on-demand title.
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
Why Netflix phased out Basic
Netflix has described the ad-supported tier as a way to offer a lower entry price while building an advertising business. In context, removing Basic reduces overlap between a low-cost ad-free plan and the ad tier, making the latter Netflix’s budget option. That is a business interpretation of the company’s strategy, not a separate promise that the cheaper plan is equivalent to Basic.
Quick Recap
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
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.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →
