Netflix vs Apple TV+ (Apple TV): price, plans, and which to keep
Current US prices, price history, trial terms, and cancellation friction side by side, built from our service guides. Last reviewed August 26, 2026.
The short answer
Apple TV+ is one ad-free plan at $12.99, cheaper than any ad-free Netflix tier, but with a far smaller catalogue built around a short list of prestige originals. Netflix runs from $8.99 with ads to $26.99 for Premium. Apple raised its price 30% in August 2025, its third increase since 2022, yet almost nobody needs to pay it: new Apple devices include three months, the 7-day trial still exists, and Apple One at $19.95 bundles TV+ with Music, Arcade and iCloud+ for the price of Netflix Standard.
Netflix is cheaper by $48 a year on its entry plan.
At a glance
| Netflix | Apple TV+ (Apple TV) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest standard plan | Standard with Ads: $8.99/mo | Monthly: $12.99/mo |
| Cheapest plan per year | $107.88 | $155.88 |
| Most expensive plan | Premium: $26.99/mo | Monthly: $12.99/mo |
| Price changes since 2023 | 3 | 2 |
| Latest price change | March 2026 | August 2025 |
| Free trial | Netflix no longer offers free trials in the US. | 7-day free trial; 3 months free with new Apple device purchases; often bundled by carriers. |
| Cancellation | 5 steps · app-store or partner billing caveat | 4 steps · app-store or partner billing caveat |
Cheapest and most expensive plans exclude add-ons, student, bundle, and per-seat plans. Price changes are counted from January 2023. US list prices, last reviewed August 26, 2026.
Which one should you pick?
Choose Netflix if…
Pick Netflix if you want volume and variety, or the cheapest ad plan at $8.99. It is the daily-driver service; Apple TV+ is not built to be one.
Choose Apple TV+ (Apple TV) if…
Pick Apple TV+ if you already pay for Apple Music or iCloud+ and can fold it into Apple One, or if you only want a handful of specific shows and can watch them inside a trial or a device promo.
Every current plan
Netflix plans
| Plan | Current price |
|---|---|
| Standard with Ads | $8.99/mo |
| Standard | $19.99/mo |
| Premium | $26.99/mo |
| Extra Member (ad-free)Now costs more than a whole Standard-with-Ads account. | $9.99/mo |
Apple TV+ (Apple TV) plans
| Plan | Current price |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12.99/mo |
| Via Apple One bundleIndividual bundle: TV+, Music, Arcade, iCloud+. | $19.95/mo |
US list prices; taxes, promotions, and app-store billing may differ. Last reviewed August 26, 2026.
Price history, both services
March 2026 · Netflix
Second hike in under two years: Standard with Ads $7.99 → $8.99, Standard $17.99 → $19.99, Premium $24.99 → $26.99.
August 2025 · Apple TV+ (Apple TV)
The publicly advertised monthly price rose from $9.99 to $12.99 (+30%).
January 2025 · Netflix
US prices rose to $7.99 (ads), $17.99 (Standard) and $24.99 (Premium).
October 2023 · Apple TV+ (Apple TV)
Rose from $6.99 to $9.99.
July 2023 · Netflix
The ad-free Basic plan was retired for new members.
November 2022 · Netflix
Ad-supported tier launched at $6.99/month.
October 2022 · Apple TV+ (Apple TV)
First hike: $4.99 → $6.99.
How to run both without paying for both
Never pay Apple TV+ month to month for a full year. Bank the free months from a device purchase, binge in a trial, or switch to Apple One if you use two or more Apple services. Keep Netflix as the base and cancel it during Apple's free windows.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Netflix or Apple TV+ (Apple TV)?
Netflix. Its cheapest standard plan works out to $8.99 a month ($107.88 a year) versus $12.99 a month ($155.88 a year) for Apple TV+ (Apple TV), a difference of $48 a year. Bundles, promotions, and app-store billing can change the final price.
Is Apple TV+ cheaper than Netflix?
Yes for ad-free viewing: $12.99 versus $19.99 for Netflix Standard. Netflix's $8.99 ad-supported plan is cheaper than Apple TV+, which has no ad tier.
Why is my Apple TV+ price different from $12.99?
You are probably on a legacy rate, a carrier promotion, or Apple One. If TV+ is part of Apple One you cannot cancel it alone; you have to change or cancel the bundle.
Full guides
Netflix price & cancellation guide
The biggest streaming service, and one of the most frequent price raisers, with two US hikes in under two years.
View guideApple TV+ (Apple TV) price & cancellation guide
Apple's prestige streamer rose 30% to $12.99 in August 2025, but free-trial routes remain everywhere.
View guideMore comparisons
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