Is Netflix Premium Worth It? Price & Perks Explained

Those looking to subscribe to a new streaming service may be considering if Netflix Premium is worth it over the platform's other subscription models, and there are pros and cons to selecting the most expensive tier. Netflix has always been one of the most popular streamers available. Whether that's by virtue of Netflix's library of TV shows and movies or because it was first to the table when the streaming wars began, is up for debate. Either way, Netflix has always been a solid and dependable platform, and most likely, everyone who streams has the platform available.

Things haven't been all rosy for Netflix; over the years, the service has changed its subscription model. Prices have been raised on Netflix for years, with the original Basic package going from $7.99 in 2011 to $9.99 in 2022. When it was phased out and replaced with Standard with Ads, the price dropped to $6.99, but it was a controversial downgrade in every other way. However, Standard saw a jump from $9.99 in 2013 to $15.49 in 2024, and Premium jumped from $11.99 to $22.99 in the same period, and some are wondering if that last jump was worth it.

What Netflix Premium Offers Subscribers

Premium Costs $22.99/Month

Netflix Premium now costs $22.99/month, though the price has increased nearly every year since it was introduced in 2013, so expect that to climb. Premium does offer a significant amount of features. Along with access to the entire ad-free library of TV shows, movies, and mobile games, Premium also allows users to watch on four supported devices simultaneously, that is, devices within the same household. 4K (Ultra HD) + HDR is available and downloads are supported on six supported devices.

Netflix spatial audio is also available with Premium, which enhances sound without the need for surround sound speakers for home theater equipment. Premium also allows the option to add two extra members who don't live in the household. Critically, these two members aren't free and each incurs an additional $7.99/month. Premium just allows two of those slots to be purchased.

How Does Netflix Premium Compare To Other Netflix Plans?

Premium Is By Far The Most Expensive Plan

From a price standpoint, Premium is much more expensive than Standard with Ads ($6.99/month) and Standard ($15.49/month). Standard with Ads still offers the same library, though with a few titles locked. Only two devices in the home are supported, and they only offer 1080p (Full HD). Downloads are supported on two devices at a time.

Standard has all the same features as Standard with Ads except that the entire Netflix library is available, and, of course, there are no ads. It also allows for the option to pay for one additional member who doesn't live with the subscriber.

Netflix Premium Is Not Worth It

Standard Gets Most Users Everything They Need

While it may seem like Premium offers much more than Standard, the important difference between any of these services for most users is whether there are ads or not, and Standard offers no ads, just as Premium does. While Premium may be the best bet for large families with multiple TVs, four supported devices is overkill anyway and may only make sense for something like college housing where everyone has their own preferences and devices.

Netflix spatial audio and 4K are nice, but only so useful as much as the movies and TV shows someone is watching need it. Reality TV shows, most Netflix TV shows, movies, and older titles really don't benefit from those features, and they'll be wasted on everything but the most modern titles. Netflix Standard is plenty for most users.