Is the Netflix Basic Plan Worth It?

What is the Netflix Basic Plan?

The "Basic with Ads" plan is Netflix's cheapest offering, currently priced at $7.99/month in the US (or £5.99/month in the UK). It's the entry-level tier we cover in our full Netflix review. It's a trade-off: you get a much lower price in exchange for watching advertisements and accepting a few limitations.

Here's what you get (and what you don't):

• Video Quality: Full HD (1080p). This is a big upgrade from the old 720p it used to be, and it looks great on most TVs under 60 inches.
• Ads: Yes. You'll see an average of 4-5 minutes of ads per hour of streaming. These play before and during shows and movies.
• Simultaneous Streams: Only one device at a time. This plan won't work for a family that watches in different rooms.
• Downloads: Not available. You can't download titles to watch offline on a plane or subway.
• Content Library: Almost everything! A very small percentage of movies and shows aren't available due to licensing restrictions, but most of the library, including all Netflix Originals, is there.

How Do the Ads *Actually* Feel?

This is the big question, right? Is it like old-school cable TV with 15 minutes of ads every hour? Thankfully, no. At 4-5 minutes per hour, it's significantly less than broadcast TV and even less than competitors like Hulu's ad-supported plan.

Ads are typically 15 or 30 seconds long. For a 30-minute show, you might get a 30-second ad at the beginning and a 60-second ad break in the middle. For a movie, you'll get a pre-roll ad and a few short breaks throughout. It's noticeable, but it's not a deal-breaker for many, especially given the price. It's just enough time to grab a new snack or check your phone.

Who is the Basic Plan Good For?

This plan is a fantastic deal for a few specific types of viewers:

• The Budget-Conscious Streamer: If you want access to Netflix's library for the lowest price possible, this is it. It's less than half the price of the Premium plan.
• The Casual Viewer: If you only watch Netflix a few times a week or just want to keep up with one or two big shows (like *Stranger Things* or *Bridgerton*), there's no need to pay for a more expensive plan.
• The Patient Watcher: If you grew up with cable TV, 4 minutes of ads will feel like a luxury. If you're not bothered by short interruptions, you can save a lot of money.

Who Should Skip the Basic Plan?

On the other hand, this plan will be a major headache for others. You should avoid it if you're one of these:

• The Binge-Watcher: If you love to watch an entire season in one weekend, those ad breaks will add up and really break your immersion.
• The 4K TV Owner: You paid good money for a high-end 4K TV. Watching content in 1080p on it is like buying a sports car and only driving it in a school zone. You'll want the Premium plan for 4K.
• Families or Roommates: The "one stream at a time" limit is a deal-breaker for any household with more than one person. One person watching in the living room means no one else can watch anywhere else.
• The Commuter: If you rely on downloading shows for your daily commute or flights, this plan won't work for you at all.

Plan-for-Plan Comparison

Un's Final Verdict

So, is the Netflix Basic plan worth it? My answer is a solid YES, for the right person.

If you are a solo watcher on a tight budget who primarily watches on a laptop, tablet, or smaller TV, this plan is a brilliant deal. You get 99% of the Netflix library in crisp 1080p for less than the price of a fancy coffee.

However, if you have a 4K TV, share your account, or can't stand interruptions, you must skip it. You will be frustrated by the limitations. For you, the ad-free Standard plan is likely the sweet spot, unless you have a 4K TV, in which case Premium is the only way to get your money's worth from your television.

It's all about trading a little bit of your time (for ads) and convenience (no downloads, one stream) for a whole lot of savings. For many, that's a trade worth making!