Netflix has officially pulled the trigger. If you’ve been ignoring those emails in your inbox, it's time to face the music: Netflix has announced a price increase for all three plans, and it’s hitting everyone from the budget-watchers to the 4K enthusiasts. Honestly, it was only a matter of time. With the streaming giant moving into massive live sports deals like WWE Raw and NFL Christmas games, the bill for that content had to come due eventually.
This isn't just a minor tweak in a single region. The price hike is live across the US, Canada, and several other international markets. For some, it’s just an extra buck or two. For others, particularly those on the Standard ad-free plan, the jump feels a bit more aggressive.
The New Monthly Reality: Breaking Down the Costs
Let’s skip the corporate jargon and look at what’s actually leaving your bank account. Netflix doesn't offer that "Basic" ad-free tier anymore—that’s long gone. We are left with three distinct choices, and all of them just got more expensive.
Standard with Ads is now $7.99 per month. It used to be $6.99. A dollar doesn't sound like much until you realize this is the first time Netflix has ever raised the price on its "cheap" tier since launching it in 2022. It’s still the most accessible way to watch, but that $1 increase is a symbolic end to the sub-$7 era.
The Standard (No Ads) plan saw the biggest percentage jump. It moved from $15.49 to **$17.99**. That’s a $2.50 monthly increase. If you’re like most people, this is the plan you have. It’s the sweet spot for 1080p streaming, but at nearly $18, it’s starting to rival a premium movie ticket every single month.
Then there’s the Premium tier. If you want 4K and spatial audio, you’re now looking at $24.99 a month, up from $22.99. We are officially knocking on the door of a $300 annual commitment for a single streaming service.
Why Is This Happening Now?
Business analysts like to point at "ARPU"—Average Revenue Per User. Basically, Netflix has reached a point in the US where they can’t just keep finding new people who don't have accounts. They’ve already cracked down on password sharing. They’ve already added ads. The next logical step to keep Wall Street happy is simply charging the people they already have more money.
But there’s a content side to this too. Have you seen the price of sports rights lately? Netflix is paying roughly $5 billion over ten years just for WWE Raw. They are also deep in the pocket for NFL games. Moving away from just "shows" and into "live events" requires a massive infrastructure and even bigger checks.
The "Extra Member" Stealth Tax
Don't forget the password-sharing crackdown. If you’re still paying for a sibling or a friend who doesn't live in your house, that cost went up too. The fee to add an "Extra Member" is now $8.99 for ad-free users.
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It’s a clever move. By the time you pay for a Premium plan ($24.99) and add two extra members ($17.98), your monthly bill is hovering around $43. At that point, you have to ask yourself: is Stranger Things or the latest true-crime docuseries really worth half a hundred dollars a month?
How This Compares to the Competition
Netflix isn't acting in a vacuum. The entire industry is in a "price hike" fever. Disney+, Hulu, and Max have all adjusted their numbers upward in the last year. However, Netflix remains the "ceiling." When Netflix raises prices, it gives everyone else the green light to do the same.
- Max (formerly HBO Max) currently sits at around $18.49 for its ad-free mid-tier.
- Hulu (No Ads) is pushing $18.99.
- Disney+ Premium is at $15.99 but is rumored to be looking at the $18 mark soon.
Netflix is betting that their library is "sticky" enough that you won't cancel. They know you’re waiting for Wednesday Season 2 or the next season of Squid Game. They are banking on your "subscription fatigue" being less powerful than your FOMO.
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What You Can Do Right Now
You don't have to just take it. There are ways to soften the blow if your budget is feeling the squeeze.
First, check your usage. Most people pay for the $24.99 Premium plan because they want "the best," but do you actually have a 4K TV in every room? If you’re mostly watching on a laptop or a standard 1080p screen, dropping to the $17.99 Standard plan saves you $84 a year with almost zero noticeable difference in quality.
Second, consider the "Churn Method." There is no contract. You can cancel Netflix today, watch everything on Disney+ for a month, then swap back when a new show drops. Keeping five services active at once is a 2021 habit that doesn't fit a 2026 budget.
Finally, if you really want to save, the Standard with Ads plan at $7.99 is actually a decent deal. The ad load is surprisingly light compared to traditional cable—usually about 4 minutes per hour. It’s a bitter pill for some, but it keeps $120 a year in your pocket compared to the ad-free version.
Next Steps for You:
Log into your Netflix account settings and look at "Plan Details." Check how many "Extra Member" slots you are currently paying for. Many people are still paying for "ghost" users who haven't logged in for months. Pruning those slots and potentially downgrading from Premium to Standard can offset this price increase entirely without losing your access to the library.