Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallFor US subscribers, Netflix lists Standard at $19.99 per month and Premium at $26.99 per month, a $7 monthly difference before applicable taxes. Premium is worth considering if you will use its 4K Ultra HD and HDR, four simultaneous streams, six download devices, spatial audio, or second extra-member slot. If two simultaneous streams and 1080p are enough, Standard is likely the better value. Prices and eligibility vary by region and some provider packages, so check the offer shown on your Netflix account.
Netflix Standard vs. Premium: what changes?
The comparison below reflects Netflix’s US-facing Plans and Pricing page checked October 3, 2026. Netflix says both plans include unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and games.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Feature | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Listed monthly price in the US | $19.99 | $26.99 |
| Price difference | — | $7 more per month |
| Ads | Ad-free | Ad-free |
| Simultaneous supported devices | 2 | 4 |
| Maximum listed streaming resolution | 1080p Full HD | 4K Ultra HD and HDR |
| Devices available for downloads at once | 2 | 6 |
| Extra-member slots outside the household | 1 | Up to 2 |
| Netflix spatial audio | Not listed | Included |
The listed prices are monthly US prices, not universal rates; applicable taxes may apply. Netflix says pricing and extra-member eligibility can vary for package or add-on subscribers. Its old Basic plan has been discontinued.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →When is Premium worth the extra $7 a month?
You regularly need more than two simultaneous streams
Standard lists two simultaneous supported devices, while Premium lists four. If more than two people in your household often watch Netflix at the same time, the higher limit may be useful. If concurrent viewing rarely exceeds two devices, this feature alone gives little reason to upgrade.
#1 Best Overall
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
You can actually watch in 4K or HDR
Premium lists 4K Ultra HD and HDR, but subscribing does not guarantee that every title will play at that quality. The title, device, display, internet connection, and playback settings all matter. Netflix’s best-video-quality guidance explains that available quality depends on the title and playback setup.
For Apple TV, Netflix specifies a compatible 4K television, a steady internet connection of at least 15 Mbps, and High streaming quality; its supported models include Apple TV 4K generations 1–3. See Netflix’s Apple TV requirements. If your screen or connection does not support 4K playback, Premium’s resolution ceiling may not change what you see.
Rank #2
- Ultra-speedy streaming: Roku Ultra is 30% faster than any other Roku player, delivering a lightning-fast interface and apps that launch in a snap.
- Cinematic streaming: This TV streaming device brings the movie theater to your living room with spectacular 4K, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision picture alongside immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- The ultimate Roku remote: The rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro offers backlit buttons, hands-free voice controls, and a lost remote finder.
- No more fumbling in the dark: See what you’re pressing with backlit buttons.
- Say goodbye to batteries: Keep your remote powered for months on a single charge.
You use Netflix downloads on several devices
Premium lists downloads on up to six supported devices at once, compared with two for Standard. This is a capacity difference, not a promise that every title can be downloaded on every device. Netflix also has a separate download-quality setting: Standard uses less storage and plays in SD, while High/Higher uses more storage and can play up to 1080p when supported. That download setting is distinct from the plan’s streaming-resolution limit; see Netflix’s download-quality instructions.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →You want Netflix spatial audio
Netflix lists spatial audio as included with Premium but does not list it with Standard. It is a reason to pay more only if you use compatible audio equipment and value the feature in your listening setup.
Rank #3
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
You need a second extra-member slot
Standard lists one extra-member slot; Premium lists up to two. Netflix says extra members have their own account and password, while the inviting member pays for the membership. The US page lists each extra member at $7.99 per month with ads or $9.99 per month without ads on either plan; applicable taxes and package or add-on eligibility may affect the actual offer. Factor the cost of any extra memberships into the household total rather than treating the slots as included extra subscriptions.
How much does Premium add up to over a year?
At the listed US prices, Premium costs $7 more per month, or $84 over 12 months if the monthly prices remain unchanged. The $84 figure is arithmetic based on the listed monthly difference, not a Netflix-published annual price. Netflix says it does not offer annual, multi-month, or lifetime memberships. Billing is monthly on the signup date, and members can change plans or cancel, according to its plans and pricing information.
Rank #4
- Advanced 4K streaming - Elevate your entertainment with the next generation of our best-selling 4K stick, with improved streaming performance optimized for 4K TVs.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Cloud gaming, no console required – Stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and hundreds of games on your Fire TV Stick 4K Select with Xbox Game Pass and Luna via cloud gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscription and compatible controller required. Each sold separately.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Wi-Fi 6 support - Enjoy smooth 4K streaming, even when other devices are connected to your router.
Which plan should you choose?
- Choose Standard if 1080p is sufficient, no more than two supported devices need to stream at once, and you do not need Premium’s download capacity, spatial audio, or second extra-member slot.
- Choose Premium if you will make practical use of 4K/HDR on a compatible setup, regularly need more than two simultaneous streams, or value its other listed features enough to justify $7 more per month.
- Check your actual offer if you subscribe through a provider, live outside the US, or plan to add an extra member; displayed pricing, taxes, and eligibility may differ.
The decision is about whether your household will use Premium’s specific extras often enough to justify the additional monthly cost—not whether the higher-tier plan is automatically better.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Essential 4K streaming – Get everything you need to stream in brilliant 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range 10+ (HDR10+).
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Make your TV even smarter – Fire TV gives you instant access to a world of content, tailor-made recommendations, and Alexa, all backed by fast performance.
- All your favorite apps in one place – Experience endless entertainment with access to Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, and thousands more. Easily discover what to watch from hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes (subscription fees may apply), including free, ad-supported content.
- Getting set up is easy – Plug in and connect to Wi-Fi for smooth streaming.
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.
