Netflix: is it a good idea to switch from the premium to the standard plan?

Netflix has three plans to choose from in Portugal. So there is Basic, Standard and Premium. It’s a bit confusing, especially when compared to other streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, which has everything in a single subscription. It is true that with the Netflix Premium plan, you benefit from 4K content, the possibility of watching on four screens simultaneously and other advantages. But it also has a higher price. At a time when many Portuguese people are doing their math, we’re going to tell you if it’s really worth switching from Netflix’s premium plan to the standard one.

Netflix: is it a good idea to switch from the premium to the standard plan?

Before moving on to this answer, it is worth taking a closer look at the Premium plan and the differences.

Everything you can watch on Netflix is ​​available on all plans (with the exception of some films and programs not available on the Standard plan with ads for those countries that have it), although the Premium plan is the only one that offers some of them in 4K.

Therefore, there are three factors you should take into account when evaluating the value of the most expensive Netflix subscription: cost, simultaneous viewing and streaming quality.

How many people use your Netflix account?

Each Netflix account, regardless of the plan it is on, can have up to five profiles. This allows everyone using a Netflix account to have their own dedicated area, with personalized recommendations, a list of movies to watch, accessibility settings and much more.

But the number of profiles you can have should not be confused with the number of people who can view content at the same time on different devices.

On the Basic plan, you can only stream to one device at a time. This means that if you’re watching Netflix on your TV, the other person living in your house can’t log into their account on another device.

Netflix’s most expensive subscription increases this possibility to four devices simultaneously. You can also transfer Netflix content for offline viewing on six devices. If you live in a household with a few people, this will be essential. But if you are single or live as a couple, you will be better served with one or two simultaneous screens on the Basic or Standard plan, respectively.

Keep in mind that Netflix is ​​cracking down on sharing passwords with people outside your household by introducing the “extra members” feature. This allows account owners to invite someone outside their household to use Netflix. This extra member has their own account and password, but can only view on one device at a time, and is paid by the original account holder.

As such, the Premium plan is the only one that allows four simultaneous streams within a household and two additional streams for extra members outside the household.

Do you have a 4k television?

Netflix has a wide range of 4K content that streams at 3840 x 2160 pixels. This means the image contains more data and therefore appears sharper and more detailed, especially on large screens.

However, not everything on Netflix is ​​available in 4K. The exact number varies depending on the region, but there are around 1500 titles. It’s plenty to keep you busy, but it means most movies and shows aren’t 4K.

Generally, modern films, series and Netflix Originals stream in 4K, although it is not guaranteed. The best way to check is to search “4K” on Netflix. Or, when you expand the information for a series or movie, look for the 4K/Ultra HD badge. If you have the Basic or Standard plan, or a device that doesn’t support 4K, you won’t see this symbol, although content will still be displayed through search.

Some Netflix content supports Dolby Vision and HDR10. These are color and dynamic range improvements that provide more accurate image presentation. Some shows and movies also support Dolby Atmos, which provides a 3D surround sound effect. Additionally, more than 700 titles have spatial audio, which delivers more immersive audio and is supported on all devices. All of this is only available on the Premium plan.

What does this mean?

If you are only interested in watching old series and classic films, it is unlikely that these will be broadcast in 4K. But if you like the latest blockbusters and Netflix original content, you’ll be able to watch a lot in 4K.

If your screen doesn’t support 4K, you won’t be able to access anything in this resolution. However, if you support it, the size and quality of your screen will determine the quality of 4K content. If the TV panel is not really good, you will not see all the benefits. Likewise, a larger 55-inch or 65-inch TV will display high 4K resolution better than a 40-inch TV.

However, if you only watch Netflix on your phone, tablet or small screen, you don’t need the Premium level.

Is your Internet stable enough for 4K?

Netflix recommends that you have a stable internet connection with speeds of 15 Mbps or higher to stream 4K content. Simply put, 4K content contains more data than SD/HD, so it requires a stronger internet connection.

The best way to check your connection speed is to visit a site like Speed ​​test.

If you can’t achieve a consistent speed of 15 Mbps, 4K content will be buffered or streamed at a low resolution – at that point, there’s no reason to pay a Premium subscription for a 4K perk you can’t use. 720p content requires a minimum connection of 3 Mbps, while 1080p content requires 5 Mbps, so consider the Basic or Standard plan if your connection isn’t sufficient.

An important factor to keep in mind is that when downloading content for offline viewing, Netflix only offers up to 1080p. So, if most of your Netflix viewing is offline, you won’t benefit from the 4K of the Premium plan.

Should you subscribe to the Netflix Premium plan?

All these advantages come at a high price. Almost 16 Euros per month. Even if you want 4K content and four streaming devices simultaneously, it’s up to you to decide if this is affordable. There are other cheaper services. But if Netflix has the movies and shows you want to watch and you have a large family or circle of friends using an account, then the Premium account is a must. Just make sure you have a 4K capable device and a decent internet connection.