Two of the most popular streaming services are Netflix and Disney+. Both platforms have a wide selection of movies and television shows. But which one’s better?
We’ll take a look at the price, user interface, content, and special features of Netflix and Disney+ to see which service offers the best value for your money.
Once known as the undisputed master of original programming, Netflix is slowly losing its crown. Netflix’s long-term contracts are coming to an end, and a lot of content is leaving the streaming service as a result.
A major blow to Netflix came when its contract with Disney expired, which meant that Netflix’s own original series based on the Marvel comics were no longer available.
Disney+, the company’s own streaming service, now houses all of that content. As a result, a lot of people are curious about Disney+ and how it stacks up against Netflix. I’m happy to report that things worked out well. What you need to know is here.
Key Takeaways:
- Disney+ is more affordable than Netflix by a significant margin.
- Aside from the Premium Netflix plan, Disney+ offers a plethora of extras that no other streaming service can match.
- Disney+’s content is more exclusive, but Netflix’s content section is more diverse.
Netflix vs. Disney+: Which Is the Better Deal?
Netflix’s ever-increasing prices have been making headlines recently, and for good reason. With the platform’s Premium subscription, you’ll be paying among the highest monthly rates for streaming services available today. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, you’ll have to pay more for Netflix.
| NETFLIX | BASIC | STANDARD | PREMIUM |
| Cost | $9.99 | $15.49 | $19.99 |
| Simultaneous streams | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Video quality | SD | HD | HD (Select 4K) |
| Offline viewing | Yes (1 Device) | Yes (2 Devices) | Yes (4 Devices) |
It’s a lot easier to choose from with Disney+. Paying monthly or annually is your only option. Regardless of which option you choose, you’ll get the same benefits:
| DISNEY+ | DISNEY+ MONTHLY | DISNEY+ ANNUAL |
| Cost | $7.99 | $79.99 |
| Simultaneous streams | 4 | 4 |
| Video quality | HD (Select 4K) | HD (Select 4K) |
| Offline viewing | Yes (10 Devices) | Yes (10 Devices) |
It’s also worth noting that you can get a decent discount on Disney+ by combining it with Hulu and ESPN+ (compared to getting the services separately). Hulu (Ads) costs $13.99 per month and Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu (Ads) costs $19.99 per month (No Ads).
Prices: Netflix Vs. Disney+
Disney+ comes out on top when it comes to value. The cost of the monthly plan is $7.99, which is charged on a recurring basis. It costs $79.99 a year to subscribe to the annual plan, which is charged once a year (or $6.67 a month).
The cheapest Netflix plan is 20 percent more expensive than the monthly Disney+ subscription. And if you’re willing to pay for it annually, Disney+ is a third less expensive.
The price comparison gets even worse when you consider the features you get. This comparison between Disney+ and Netflix Premium requires the $19.99 Premium Netflix plan in order to be valid. There is a full Disney+ bundle with No Ads Hulu and ESPN+ for that price.
Number of Simultaneous Streams
In the case of a streaming service, the number of devices you can simultaneously access can have an enormous impact on how you use it.
Streaming on four devices at once is made simple by Disney+, which allows you to do so. The Netflix Basic plan, which is the most affordable, only allows you to stream to one device at once. Two streams are included in the $15.49 mid-tier plan. In order to get as many streams as a Disney+ subscription, you’ll need the $19.99 Premium plan.
Video Quality of Content
More and more people are paying attention to the quality of the content they watch as HD-ready televisions become more commonplace. Playing DVDs on your new television? In some cases, it can be startling
You get at least HD quality (720p to 1080p) for everything you stream on Disney+, and up to 4K Ultra HD (2160p) for content that can support it. More than 100 titles from Disney are available in 4K quality, according to the company’s website.
Netflix, on the other hand, isn’t so hospitable. 480p is the maximum resolution for standard definition (SD) content on Netflix’s Basic plan. On a screen larger than your cell phone, you’ll likely notice the difference. Paying $19.99 a month for Netflix’s Premium plan is the only way to get high-definition content.
Downloading for Offline Viewing
Even if you’re just driving around town with the family, having downloaded content on your devices can make all the difference. For those long layovers, even if you don’t have children, having the most recent episode downloaded to your tablet can make all the difference.
Disney+ is once again offering a better deal than Netflix in this area. You can use up to ten devices at a time to download anything you want from Disney+. For the duration of your subscription, the content will be saved to your device and can be accessed at any time by connecting your device to the internet once per month.
When it comes to downloads, Netflix is a lot more strict. You can only download to a certain number of devices depending on your plan. You can only download to a single device at a time with the Basic plan. Additionally, you’re limited to 100 downloads (and yes, each episode of a show would count as one download). You’ll only have 48 hours to finish your download after pressing play, so don’t wait too long.
Library of Content
This is where things get a little more complicated, despite how simple the feature comparisons were. By definition, Netflix and Disney+ are two very different content providers.
Basically, you’ll only find Disney content on Disney+. For example, you won’t be able to find shows from HBO or Paramount on the platform.
In addition, it doesn’t mean only Disney films from the last century are included. Keep in mind that Disney is also the parent company of several well-known franchises, such as Marvel and Star Wars. Content from Pixar and National Geographic is also available.
Content from various studios can be found on Netflix, on the other hand. Even excluding Disney, you’ll find a wide range of programming, including a significant amount of programming from other countries. Even more money has been devoted to Netflix’s own original programming. Due to these and other factors, it’s fair to say that Netflix has a more extensive library and more varied selection than Disney+.
Final Verdict: Netflix vs. Disney+
When it comes to overall value, Disney+ appears to be the better option. It’s better than Netflix in terms of quality, the number of downloads, and the number of streams.
Netflix, on the other hand, has a much broader selection of content. Although Disney+ is the exclusive home of some of the world’s best-known franchises, that doesn’t mean it’s not a strong contender in this category.
Disney+ may be more of a side dish than a main course for many people. There might not be enough content for the whole family without a second streaming service (perhaps Hulu, in some sort of bundle?).
Well, that’s all we have here about Netflix vs. Disney+. We hope you liked this comparison. If you enjoyed this, make sure to check out the best Peacock TV Alternatives
