Update: Netflix announced the US Basic-plan phase-out in July 2024. The plan is now discontinued. US subscribers choosing between Netflix’s current standalone plans pay $8.99 per month for the ad-supported tier or $19.99 per month for the cheapest ad-free tier, before applicable taxes and any bundle-specific pricing.
Update: Netflix announced the US Basic-plan phase-out in July 2024. The plan is now discontinued. US subscribers choosing between Netflix’s current standalone plans pay $8.99 per month for the ad-supported tier or $19.99 per month for the cheapest ad-free tier, before applicable taxes and any bundle-specific pricing.
Netflix is no longer merely preparing to remove its cheapest ad-free plan in the United States: the company says the Basic plan has been discontinued. Former Basic subscribers now need to choose a different plan, cancel, or check whether Netflix is available through a qualifying phone, cable, satellite, or internet package.
What happened to Netflix Basic?
Basic was Netflix’s least expensive ad-free plan in the US. The plan reported in 2024 cost $12 per month and included 720p video, one simultaneous stream, and downloads. On July 18, 2024, Netflix told shareholders that it would begin phasing out Basic in the United States and France. The company had already begun removing the plan in the United Kingdom and Canada.
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Netflix’s reasoning was commercial rather than technical. Its advertising-supported plan gives the company a lower-priced entry point while creating a second source of revenue. Netflix said the ads tier was already generating a substantial share of sign-ups in markets where it was available and would become increasingly important to its longer-term growth.
That means the old headline that Netflix is kicking US subscribers off Basic “soon” is now out of date. The relevant question is what the current plans cost and which one best replaces the features a former Basic subscriber actually used.
Netflix’s current US plans
Netflix’s current US plans page lists three standalone options. Prices and features can change, and taxes may apply. A Netflix subscription obtained through a partner package may have different billing or eligibility rules.
| Plan | Monthly price | Video quality | Simultaneous devices | Downloads | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard with ads | $8.99 | 1080p | 2 supported devices | 2 supported devices | Yes |
| Standard | $19.99 | 1080p | 2 devices | 2 supported devices | No |
| Premium | $26.99 | 4K Ultra HD with HDR | 4 devices | 6 supported devices | No |
Standard is now the least expensive ad-free choice, but it costs substantially more than the former $12 Basic plan. Premium is the only current option in this list that includes 4K Ultra HD with HDR and four simultaneous streams. Standard and Premium also permit extra members, subject to Netflix’s rules and any applicable charges: one extra member on Standard and up to two on Premium.
Do not confuse the current $19.99 Standard price with the $15.49 price frequently quoted in coverage of the 2024 announcement. $15.49 was the reported price at that time, not the current US price listed by Netflix.
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Which plan should former Basic subscribers choose?
Choose Standard with ads if price matters most
At $8.99 per month, Standard with ads is the cheapest listed standalone US plan. It improves on Basic’s stated 720p resolution by offering 1080p and supports two simultaneous devices rather than one. The trade-off is advertising, and some titles or features may be unavailable in the ad-supported experience.
There is also a device question: not every older Netflix-capable television or streaming player can run the ad-supported plan. Check compatibility before changing plans if you rely on an older device.
Choose Standard if ad-free viewing is non-negotiable
Standard is the closest practical replacement for Basic because it remains ad-free. It provides 1080p video, two simultaneous streams, downloads on two supported devices, and the option to add one extra member. Its main disadvantage is the price: $19.99 per month is $7.99 more than the current ad-supported plan and $7.99 more than the old Basic price reported in 2024.
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Premium costs $26.99 per month. It makes sense when a household needs four simultaneous streams, 4K/HDR, downloads on up to six supported devices, or the ability to add up to two extra members. It is not a cost-effective Basic replacement for someone who watches alone on a 1080p television.
Cancel or rotate Netflix
If none of the current plans provides acceptable value, cancellation is a valid option. Netflix says members can change plans or cancel online. Some viewers may also choose to subscribe only during months when a particular series or film is available, then cancel again. That approach does not preserve the old Basic price, but it can limit the annual cost.
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Check your device before choosing the ads plan
A plan change can expose a compatibility problem that has nothing to do with your account. Netflix says some devices cannot run its ad-supported experience because the Netflix app or the device’s operating system cannot be updated to the required software.
Netflix provides a Plan Compatibility check inside the app. Use that check before moving from an ad-free plan:
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- Open the plan-change or plan-selection flow.
- Look for the Plan Compatibility option or warning.
- If the option is absent, treat that device as incompatible with Netflix’s ad-supported experience unless Netflix provides a different instruction.
If the device is incompatible, your practical choices are to keep an ad-free plan, watch Netflix on another supported device, or replace the streaming hardware. Netflix supports many smart TVs, streaming players, game consoles, phones, tablets, and computers, including device families such as Amazon Fire TV/Stick, Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast. However, Netflix warns that the service may no longer be available on some televisions and streaming devices made before 2015.
A Netflix-compatible streaming stick can be a reasonable solution when the television itself still works but its built-in software is obsolete. Verify the exact model’s current Netflix and ad-supported-plan compatibility before buying. A new streaming device changes how you access Netflix; it does not lower the subscription price or restore Basic.
Can a Netflix gift card help with the higher price?
Yes. Netflix says gift cards can pay for Netflix or be given as a gift, with the balance applied to future subscription charges. A Netflix gift card can therefore be useful for prepaying a current plan, controlling a household entertainment budget, or avoiding recurring charges to a primary payment card.
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The card does not preserve Basic, lock in an old price, or make the discontinued plan available again. If you move from Basic to Standard or Premium, the balance will be consumed more quickly because the monthly charge is higher. When the balance runs out, you will need another gift card or an accepted payment method to continue. Netflix also says gift cards are non-refundable.
Before buying, check the retailer’s current listing, denomination, seller, and redemption terms. Netflix confirms gift-card use and online or retail availability, but denominations and marketplace listings can change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check whether Netflix is included with another service
Some households may be able to obtain Netflix through an existing telecommunications or pay-TV package instead of paying Netflix directly. Netflix lists providers including Cox, Comcast Xfinity, DirecTV, Dish, Frontier, Optimum, Spectrum, T-Mobile, and Verizon among companies that may bill for Netflix or include it in a package.
Eligibility, plan level, taxes, equipment requirements, and the effective price vary by provider and customer. Compare the provider’s current offer with Netflix’s direct pricing before switching. Do not assume that a phone or internet bundle automatically includes ad-free Netflix, and do not assume that a package is cheaper once all required services are counted.
Netflix has also said it does not directly bundle its service with rival streamers such as Disney+ or Max. A claim that Netflix itself sells a permanent Netflix-plus-Disney+ or Netflix-plus-Max bundle should not be treated as a substitute for checking a separate provider’s promotion.
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What former Basic subscribers should do now
- Check the plan currently shown in your Netflix account. Do not rely on a 2024 article or an old billing screenshot.
- Decide whether ads are acceptable. If they are, Standard with ads is the lowest listed standalone US price.
- Run the Plan Compatibility check on older TVs and streaming devices before selecting the ads plan.
- Choose Standard if you require ad-free viewing and do not need 4K or four simultaneous streams.
- Choose Premium only when its 4K/HDR, four-stream, download, or extra-member features justify the higher cost.
- Compare eligible bundles from your mobile, cable, satellite, or internet provider.
- Cancel or change plans online if Netflix no longer offers enough value for your viewing habits.
The central change is straightforward: Basic is gone in the US. The cheapest route into Netflix is now the $8.99 ad-supported plan, while keeping Netflix ad-free requires at least the $19.99 Standard plan. The right decision depends less on the old plan’s name than on three practical questions: whether you can tolerate ads, whether your devices support the ads tier, and whether you actually need Premium’s higher-quality video and extra streams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Netflix Basic still available in the US?
No. Netflix announced the phase-out in July 2024, and its current US plans page says the Basic plan has been discontinued.
What is the cheapest Netflix plan in the US now?
Standard with ads costs $8.99 per month, while Standard without ads costs $19.99 per month in the US, before applicable taxes and any partner-package pricing.
Will my old TV work with Netflix’s ad-supported plan?
Usually, but check first. Netflix says some older devices cannot run the ad-supported experience. Use the Plan Compatibility check in the Netflix app before changing plans.
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Can a Netflix gift card preserve the old Basic plan price?
No. Netflix gift-card balances can pay for a current subscription, but they cannot restore Basic or lock in its former price. The balance is used more quickly when the monthly plan costs more.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Netflix’s US Basic plan is no longer available. Choose Standard with ads for the lowest listed standalone price, Standard for the least expensive ad-free option, or Premium only if you need 4K/HDR or more simultaneous streams. Check device compatibility before switching to the ads tier, and compare any eligible phone, cable, or internet bundle against Netflix’s direct prices.
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.
