Is Netflix with ads better than paying full price?

Typical prices (approximate): Netflix Standard with Ads: ~£5.99 / $6.99 · Netflix Standard (Ad-Free): ~£12.99 / $15.49

Whether Netflix with ads is better than paying full price depends on how much you value saving money versus avoiding ads and getting the broadest catalog.

Short answer

• Choose Netflix with ads if your main goal is lower cost. It is typically priced at well under half the ad-free plan in many markets, while still offering up to 1080p streaming.
• Choose the ad-free plan if you want uninterrupted viewing and the widest possible selection of titles. Some movies and shows are not available on the ad-supported tier because of licensing restrictions.

Key factors

1. Big price gap: For example, in the UK, Netflix Standard with ads is £5.99/month versus £12.99/month for Standard ad-free.
2. Video quality is similar: The ad-supported tier now offers 1080p, matching the standard ad-free plan.
3. Catalog differences: A small number of titles may be unavailable on the cheaper tier due to licensing.

Bottom line

For most casual viewers, the savings from the ad tier will be worth the tradeoff if you don’t mind a few ads. If you strongly prefer a fully uninterrupted experience or want the broadest possible selection, paying full price is the safer choice.

Plan features and prices can change by country and over time, so it’s worth checking Netflix’s current help pages for the exact details in your region.