Which Streaming Services Allow Downloads?

The 'Ad-Free' Download Rule

Once upon a time, downloading for offline viewing was a standard feature. Not anymore! As services have introduced cheaper, ad-supported plans, they've turned downloads into a premium perk. The general rule is simple: If you pay for an ad-supported plan, you probably can't download.

Why? Ads need an internet connection to be served. If you're offline, the service can't show you ads, so they simply disable the feature for those plans. Now, let's break down the specifics for each major service.

Netflix Downloads

Yes, Netflix allows downloads, but NOT on its cheapest plan. You must be subscribed to the 'Standard' ($15.49/mo) or 'Premium' ($22.99/mo) plan. The 'Standard with Ads' ($6.99/mo) plan does *not* support downloads.

• Required Plans: Standard or Premium
• Available On: iOS, Android, Amazon Fire tablets, and Windows 10/11 app.
• The Fine Print: You can have up to 100 active downloads at a time per device, on a set number of devices (2 for Standard, 4 for Premium).

We break down all the plan differences in our complete Netflix review.

Amazon Prime Video Downloads

Yes, Prime Video is the big exception to the rule! It allows downloads for offline viewing on *all* its plans, including the standard ad-supported plan that comes with your Prime membership ($14.99/mo).

• Required Plans: All plans (including standard ad-supported).
• Available On: iOS, Android, Amazon Fire tablets, and Windows 10/11 app.
• The Fine Print: You can download a maximum of 15-25 titles at a time (depending on your region) across all devices.

This makes it one of the best-value options for offline viewing, as detailed in our Amazon Prime Video review.

Disney+ Downloads

Yes, but only on the ad-free plan. You cannot download content on the 'Basic' (with ads) plan for $7.99/mo. You must upgrade to the 'Premium' (ad-free) plan for $13.99/mo to get download access.

• Required Plans: Premium (No Ads)
• Available On: iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire tablets.
• The Fine Print: You can download on up to 10 mobile devices. There's no limit on the number of titles, as long as you have storage space.

Is the ad-free plan worth the upgrade? Find out in our Disney+ review.

Hulu Downloads

Yes, but just like Disney+, only on the ad-free plan. The popular 'Hulu (With Ads)' plan for $7.99/mo does *not* allow downloads. You must have the 'Hulu (No Ads)' plan for $17.99/mo.

• Required Plans: Hulu (No Ads)
• Available On: iOS and Android devices.
• The Fine Print: You can store up to 25 downloads at a time across 5 supported devices. Downloads expire after 30 days.

That $10 price jump is steep. See if it's justified in our Hulu review.

Max (formerly HBO Max) Downloads

Yes, but you'll need to skip the base plan. The 'Max (With Ads)' plan ($9.99/mo) has no downloads. You must subscribe to the 'Max Ad-Free' ($16.99/mo) or 'Ultimate Ad-Free' ($20.99/mo) plans.

• Required Plans: Max Ad-Free or Ultimate Ad-Free
• Available On: iOS and Android devices.
• The Fine Print: You get 30 downloads with the Ad-Free plan and 100 downloads with the Ultimate plan.

Check out our full Max review to see if the content library is worth the price.

Paramount+ Downloads

You guessed it: only on the ad-free plan. The 'Paramount+ Essential' plan ($5.99/mo) does *not* include downloads. You must have the 'Paramount+ with SHOWTIME' plan for $11.99/mo.

• Required Plans: Paramount+ with SHOWTIME
• Available On: iOS and Android devices.
• The Fine Print: You can download up to 25 titles, which are accessible for 30 days.

See all the exclusives you could be downloading in our Paramount+ review.

Peacock Downloads

Exactly the same story. No downloads on the ad plan. The 'Premium' (with ads) plan for $5.99/mo is streaming-only. You must upgrade to the 'Premium Plus' (no ads) plan for $11.99/mo to download content.

• Required Plans: Premium Plus (No Ads)
• Available On: iOS and Android devices.
• The Fine Print: You can download a maximum of 25 titles at one time.

Is the ad-free tier worth doubling the price? We discuss it in our Peacock review.

Side-by-Side: Download Plans

Here's the data all in one place. This table shows the *cheapest* plan on each service that allows you to download for offline viewing.

Un's Final Verdict

The data is clear: downloads are now a premium feature. Services use it as a major incentive to get you to upgrade from their cheaper, ad-supported plans. The one glorious exception is Amazon Prime Video, which stands alone in offering downloads to all its subscribers.

• Best Value Winner: Amazon Prime Video. It's the only service that doesn't punish its ad-supported users and still allows downloads, making it the clear best-value choice for travelers.
• The "Pay to Play" Crew: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Paramount+, and Peacock all make you upgrade to their more expensive ad-free tiers. If you want to download from them, be prepared to pay the premium.

My advice? If you're a frequent flyer or commuter, the $14.99/mo for an Amazon Prime membership is your best bet. If you only travel occasionally, it might be worth upgrading your favorite service (like Netflix or Disney+) for just one month to cover your trip, then downgrading when you get back!