Netflix is increasing prices for subscriptions in 2025.
In a likely attempt to satisfy current shareholders and deal with increased content production and licensing costs, Netflix is increasing pricing for most of its plans, worldwide.
Users can expect to pay even more for their Netflix subscriptions in 2025, as Netflix has raised prices across the board. Virtually every Netflix plan, from the low-cost ad-supported subscription option to the premium plan, will see a substantial increase in pricing. The change applies to multiple countries, as well, directly impacting a large number of consumers.
The company’s cheapest ad-supported plan will increase to $7.99 per month, up from the previous $6.99. The standard ad-free plan, meanwhile, will go from a monthly price of $15.49 to $17.99. The price of the premium tier will be a whole $2 higher — $24.99, instead of the usual $22.99.
Netflix announced the price increases in its recent earnings statement. Netflix wants to “deliver more value” to its members through investment in programming. As a result, the company will occasionally ask its users to pay “a little more” so that it can “invest to further improve Netflix.”
The service’s plans will receive price increases in the United States, as well as in Argentina, Canada, and Portugal, which will impact a significant amount of Netflix’s overall user base. Users from these regions will be forced to pay more for their Netflix subscription or seek alternative options.
Why Netflix increases prices, and what they’ve changed over the years
Netflix announced the move despite its recent success in the fourth quarter of 2024, during which the service received a whopping 19 million new subscribers. Consequently, the service now has more than 300 million active users worldwide.
Netflix believes there’s still room for improvement, though, as its letter to investors states that Netflix accounts for less than ten percent of TV viewing in regions where it operates.
The company periodically increases the prices of its monthly plans to maximize profits and meet ever-increasing shareholder demands. In January 2024, Netflix discontinued its $9.99 Basic ad-free plan after limiting access to it in 2023, forcing users to rely on more expensive options for the time being.
Netflix’s price increases follow a relatively consistent pattern, with price hikes being an almost yearly occurrence. Before scrapping its $9.99 Basic plan, the company increased its price from $1 to $9.99 in January 2022, directly affecting consumers in the US and Canada. As a result, the company’s most recent price hike comes as no surprise.
Netflix has also cracked down on user password sharing in recent years, leading to an increase in subscription numbers in 2023. It remains to be seen whether the company’s latest price hike will prove effective, though.
How Netflix compares to rival products and services like Apple TV+ and Apple One
As with nearly any product, digital or otherwise, users always have access to suitable alternatives. Streaming services are no exception, with offerings such as Apple TV+ being a direct competitor. There’s also Apple One, which gives users access to multiple Apple Services for one price. This includes AppleTV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, and even additional iCloud storage.
Apple has its own streaming service called Apple TV+, which is also available via an Apple One subscription.
Relative to Netlix’s $7.99 ad-supported plan, AppleTV+ is available for just $9.99 per month. Apple One, meanwhile, is available in three different plans — Individual at $19.95, Family at $25.95, and Premier at $37.95.
Apple’s Family Plan lets users share Apple Music with their family members, while the Premier plan offers access to additional Apple services such as Apple News+ and Apple Fitness+.
While Netflix’s top-of-the-line plan is $24.99, the Apple One Family Plan is only $0.96 more at $25.95. For that price, it offers multiple additional services, rather than only allowing for video streaming.
Apple TV+ is an arguably decent competitor, rivaling Netflix and its offerings.
Apple’s high-end $37.95 plan is undoubtedly expensive, but it offers access to Apple Arcade, Apple Music, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, Apple TV+, and additional iCloud storage. The plan is also $28.99 cheaper than subscribing to each Apple service individually.
Netflix’s most expensive plan, meanwhile, offers support for 4K video, unlimited ad-free movies and TV shows, Netflix spatial audio, and lets users watch content on up to 4 devices at a time, or download content on up to 6 devices simultaneously. While the service does offer Netflix games, it’s arguably not up to par with Apple One.
Both services offer original programming, with AppleTV+ featuring Apple’s ever-popular Severance, for example. Even so, it’s always up to the end user to decide which shows matter to them, and which service is right for their needs and budget.
