Netflix review

Netflix is likely to be the first provider you think of when it comes to TV streaming services – it's been in the UK since 2012 and is thought to have double the number of subscribers of Amazon Prime Video. 

The premise is simple: you pay a monthly subscription and get access to an unlimited amount of content, some of which is exclusive to Netflix. But, given that it's been around so long and boasts a huge market share, is it still doing enough to make it the best choice? Read on for our review of Netflix plus answers to all the key questions you’ll have about the popular streaming service.

Prefer the sound of a combined TV and broadband deal with Sky or Virgin Media? Find out how they stack up using our round up of the best and worst TV and broadband providers.

Netflix reviewed

Weighing up whether to sign up to Netflix? Get help with your decision using our review in the table below. 

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How to get Netflix

Signing up to Netflix is simple – just head to Netflix.com and follow the sign-up process. You’ll be asked to choose the plan you’d like to sign up to. You'll have to provide an email and password, and payment details. While Netflix used to offer 30-day free trials, these are no longer on offer in the UK so your first payment will be taken straight away.

If you want to use Netflix on your phone or tablet, you can also download the Netflix app on your device and sign up that way. The app is available on Apple, Android and Windows phones and tablets, and also allows you to watch and download Netflix shows on your device.

How to get Netflix on your TV

Netflix is also available as a dedicated app on smart TVs, including those from Sony, Samsung, LG and Panasonic. You can usually access it from the main menu on your TV, though some have a Netflix button on the remote.

Not having a smart TV doesn’t mean you can’t watch on your TV, though – there is an array of devices you can use to turn your standard TV into a smart one. Find out more using our guide to the best streaming devices.

How much is Netflix in the UK?

Netflix offers three main pricing plans, each of which have a monthly payment. A fourth plan, Basic, is still available to those who subscribed to it before late July 2023, but is no longer offered to new or rejoining subscribers.

Standard with ads: £4.99 per month

• Four to five minutes of adverts per hour of film and TV viewing. Some movies and TV shows unavailable. Unlimited mobile games.
• Stream to two devices at a time
• Watch in full HD
• No downloads

Standard: £10.99 per month

• Unlimited advert-free films, TV shows and mobile games
• Watch on two devices at a time
• Watch in full HD
• Download on two devices at a time
• Option to add one extra member who doesn't live with you for an additional fee

Premium: £15.99 per month

• Unlimited advert-free films, TV shows and mobile games
• Watch on four devices at a time
• Watch in ultra HD
• Download on six devices at a time
• Option to add two extra members who don't live with you for an additional fee

Standard and Premium plan users can also add on up to two Extra Member plans to their subscription. This plan is for people who live outside the Netflix Household associated with the main account.

Basic: £6.99 per month (no longer available to new subscribers)

• This is no longer available to new or rejoining subscribers. Netflix says those currently on the Basic plan can remain on it until they change plans or cancel their account.
• Includes unlimited advert-free films, TV shows and mobile games
• Watch on one device at a time
• Watch in HD
• Download on one device at a time

Extra Member: £4.99 per month

• Unlimited advert-free films, TV shows and mobile games
• Watch on one device at a time
• The same video quality as the person who has invited you (full HD for a Standard plan, ultra HD for a Premium plan)
• Download on one device at a time

You can check which payment plan you’re on – and change it – in your account settings.

Find out how Netflix compares to the cost of other popular options in our comparison of TV streaming services. 

How to cancel Netflix

Netflix is available on a rolling basis – you pay month to month, meaning you can easily cancel at any time. Once you've cancelled you will be able to continue to watch until your account closes at the end of your current billing period.

If you subscribed to Netflix directly, you can cancel your service using the Netflix website or its app. Navigate to the 'Account details' section and you’ll be able to cancel your membership from there.

If your subscription to Netflix is via iTunes, you’ll need to cancel it using the Settings app on your Apple device. Head to 'iTunes & App Store', select your Apple ID and tap into the 'Subscriptions' section. Netflix will be in your list of subscriptions – tap it then tap 'Cancel subscription'.

What are the Netflix password sharing rules in the UK?

Since May 2023, Netflix has begun enforcing its new password sharing rules in the UK.

These rules mean that accounts will have a primary location – known as a ‘Netflix Household’ – and all of its users will need to log into Netflix using the wi-fi connection at the primary location at least once every 31 days.

The changes were announced on May 23 and come into effect 30 days after you receive a notification from Netflix.

Netflix Households are determined using your smart TV – when you log onto your account, you will be asked to set it as the primary location for your account. Once this is done, only people who regularly use the same wi-fi connection as the smart TV will be able to continue using that Netflix account.

If you want to allow someone outside of your household to use your Netflix account long-term, you'll need to pay for an extra member. The other option is for the person outside of the household to transfer their profile to a different account.

Sharing your subscription with people outside of your household has always been part of most streaming services’ terms and conditions, but it has never previously been enforced in this way - Netflix actually previously endorsed password sharing on social media.

What is a Netflix Household?

Netflix term and conditions state that each account is only meant to be shared by people who live in one household. 

Netflix establishes the location of your household using your smart TV. When you log on to your account, you’ll receive an alert saying

• 'Confirm this TV is in your Netflix Household’ or 
• ‘Netflix is meant for you and the people who live with you’

This alert will then ask you to confirm that the smart TV you're using is part of your Netflix household. This location will then be used as the primary location for your Netflix account - all users will need to connect to the same wi-fi connection that the smart TV is using every 31 days.

If you don’t set a Netflix Household, Netflix will set one for you automatically. However, if you don’t watch Netflix using a smart TV, you won’t need to set a household.

How to set or change your Netflix Household

Netflix will send smart TV users an alert asking them to set their Household. When you confirm the device is in your Household, you’ll then be asked to verify your account via a link sent to the main email address or phone number associated with that account. If you don’t set a Netflix Household, Netflix will set one for you automatically. 

If you want to change the location of your Household, you’ll need to log in to your account on your smart TV using the connection at the place you’d like to be your primary location. 

Select ‘Get help’ and then ‘Manage Netflix Household’ – you’ll then be able to update your Household to your current primary location.

How to add an extra member to your Netflix account

'Extra member' slots are a way people who do not live in the same household can continue to use a Netflix subscription - for an additional fee. Netflix subscribers with a Standard plan get one extra member included, those with a Premium plan get two - each at an effective price of £4.99 per month. More can be added on if needed.

Extra members essentially have a separate account - they won't show up in the same list of profiles as the main account. However, the monthly fee will be paid by the owner of the main account, who will also need to invite them to join. Compare the Netflix account types to see how an Extra member plan compares to other Netflix plans.

Extra members must activate their account in the same country associated with the main account. Their account will also only have one profile - only main accounts can have multiple.

How to transfer your Netflix account

If you want to transfer your profile to a new Netflix account you'll need to use a web browser.

Login to your account, navigate to the Profiles and Parental Controls section and select the profile you'd like to transfer. If you'd like to start a brand new account, you'll then need to enter the email address and password you'd like to use for it and provide the payment information for the new account.

Netflix will then set up a new account that still has your old profile - you will keep your recommendations, viewing history and saved games. This transfer feature can only be used to set up a new Netflix account - you can't use it to transfer your profile to an account that already exists.

What to watch on Netflix

With thousands of titles across film, television and documentary, one of Netflix’s selling points is its exclusive content. It offers an array of original television shows including The Crown, Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Love Is Blind, and Emily in Paris. Exclusive films are on offer too, with Oscar-nominated titles such as All Quiet on the Western Front, Roma, Don't Look Up, Marriage Story and The Power of the Dog all included in the Netflix catalogue.

If you struggle to find something to watch, Netflix is happy to help. One key feature it offers is its recommendations – the service takes note of what you’ve watched and the rating you award it. It uses this – and the tastes of other users with similar tastes - to estimate how likely you are to watch titles in its catalogue. When you select a title, Netflix will give you a ‘% Match’ rating – the higher the percentage, the more likely you are to enjoy the show... in theory. Check our review of Netflix above to see how well this works in practice.

Can you download from Netflix?

It is possible for Netflix users to download most of the service's content to watch offline without an internet connection. Unfortunately you can’t download shows using your internet browser – you’ll need an app.

In the app on your phone or tablet, shows that can be downloaded will have Netflix's download symbol next to them – it's a downward arrow with a line underneath. Tap this, and the app will download the show or film to your device. To watch it, head to the Downloads tab which will show a list of everything you’ve downloaded.

If you’d like to watch Netflix offline using your laptop, you’ll need to download the Netflix app from the Windows store. Unfortunately there isn’t a Netflix app for Mac – Mac users will need Windows.

Do I need a TV licence to watch Netflix?

No – you don’t need a TV licence if you only ever watch Netflix (or other paid streaming services, such as Amazon Prime).

You will need a TV licence if you use BBC iPlayer and/or watch (or record) TV at the time it is broadcast – whether on a television or online. Learn more using our guide to the TV licensing rules.

What broadband speed do I need for Netflix?

Netflix recommends the following speeds to get good-quality streams across its video content:

• Standard definition (480p): 3Mbps
• Full HD (1080p): 5 Mbps
• 4K Ultra HD: 25 Mbps

Netflix recommends you have a broadband speed of at least 1.5Mbps, but the bare minimum required is 0.5Mbps. Not sure how fast your connection is? Test it using our free broadband speed checker.  

If your connection is particularly slow you might find it's worth upgrading - particularly if you have a standard (ADSL) broadband connection. Check our guide to the best broadband deals - you may find you can pay less for a faster connection.

How much data does Netflix use?

Data use may be a concern if you’re using the Netflix app on your mobile phone

Watching standard-definition film or TV shows uses around abut 1GB an hour. If you opt to watch programmes in high definition, use rises to around 3GB an hour.

It is possible to adjust your data use settings – this is under ‘Playback Settings’ in the ‘Account details’ section of your profile. There are three options:

• Low uses 0.3GB an hour
• Medium uses 0.7GB an hour
• High uses up to 3GB an hour for HD
• Auto adjusts automatically to offer the best quality possible based on your internet connection speed

You can also opt to only be able to stream on your device while connected to wi-fi.

For more information on Netflix and to sign up and get started, visit Netflix UK.