Streaming prices compared: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+ and Prime Video

Streaming has got more expensive again in 2026. Netflix raised every plan in March, Peacock in August, Apple TV in late August, and Disney+ and Hulu prices went up for existing subscribers from October 21. Ad-supported plans are now the main way to keep costs down, and the gap between ad and ad-free plans has widened.

We've compared the US prices of the biggest services as of October 26, 2026. Disney+, HBO Max, Apple TV and Amazon's prices come from their own websites. Netflix, Peacock and Paramount+ sign-up pages wouldn't show US prices to us, so their figures come from their announced price changes as reported by the news outlets listed at the end. Check the service's own sign-up page before you subscribe, as taxes can be added.

At a glance

• Cheapest ad plans: Netflix Standard with ads, Peacock Select and Paramount+ Essential, all $8.99 a month.
• Cheapest ad-free plan: Paramount+ Premium at $13.99 a month, which also includes Showtime.
• Most expensive single plan: Netflix Premium at $26.99 a month.
• Best annual savings: Disney+ Premium at $214.99 a year instead of $257.88 paid monthly.
• Prime Video: included with Amazon Prime ($14.99 a month or $139 a year) but with ads. Going ad-free now costs an extra $4.99 a month.

Streaming prices compared

Monthly prices unless stated, before tax.

Netflix

Netflix's March 2026 increase took Standard with ads to $8.99 (from $7.99), Standard to $19.99 (from $17.99) and Premium to $26.99 (from $24.99). Both Standard plans stream in Full HD on two devices at a time, while Premium adds 4K with HDR and four streams. Adding someone outside your household costs $7.99 a month with ads or $9.99 without, on Standard and Premium only. There's no annual plan.

Disney+ and Hulu

On Disney's own plans page, Disney+ with ads is now $12.49 a month (up from $11.99) and Disney+ Premium is $21.49 (up from $18.99), or $214.99 a year. The new prices applied to new subscribers from September 23 and to existing subscribers from their first bill on or after October 21.

The bundles are where Disney is better value. Disney+ and Hulu with ads together cost $12.99 a month, just 50 cents more than Disney+ alone. The ad-free Disney+ and Hulu bundle is $21.99. A Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max bundle costs $21.99 with ads or $34.99 without, and bundles with ESPN start at $21.99 with ESPN Select.

HBO Max

HBO Max's own help center lists Basic with Ads at $10.99 a month, Standard at $18.49 and Premium at $22.99, or $109.99, $184.99 and $229.99 a year. Basic and Standard stream on two devices at once; Premium allows four and adds 4K. HBO Max last raised prices in October 2025, so it's the one big service without a 2026 increase so far.

Peacock

Peacock raised prices in August 2026. Select, which has a smaller library and leaves out most live sports, is $8.99 a month. Premium, with ads, is $12.99, and Premium Plus is $19.99, or $89.99, $129.99 and $199.99 a year. Existing annual subscribers keep their old price until they renew.

Paramount+

Paramount+ raised prices in January 2026. Essential, with ads, is $8.99 a month and doesn't include live local CBS or downloads. Premium is $13.99 and adds Showtime, live CBS and downloads. Reports differ on the current annual prices, so check Paramount+'s site if you want to pay yearly.

Prime Video

Amazon Prime costs $14.99 a month or $139 a year and includes Prime Video with ads. Amazon says the ad-free add-on is now called Prime Video Ultra and costs $4.99 a month (up from $2.99), or $45.99 a year for annual Prime members. Ultra also adds 4K, Dolby Atmos and five streams instead of four. If you already pay for Prime for shipping, the ad-supported Prime Video is effectively free.

Apple TV

Apple TV went up to $14.99 a month in August, according to Apple's own website, and has no ad-supported plan.

Ways to pay less

1. Rotate rather than stack. Keep one or two services at a time and switch when you've watched what you wanted. Monthly plans make this easy, as there's no contract to sit out.
2. Pay yearly for the ones you keep. HBO Max Basic with Ads is $109.99 a year against $131.88 paid monthly, and Peacock Premium is $129.99 against $155.88.
3. Use bundles. Disney+ and HBO Max with ads would cost $23.48 a month separately. The Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max bundle with ads is $21.99 and includes Hulu.
4. Check memberships you already pay for. Walmart+ ($98 a year) lets you choose Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential, both with ads, and switch every 90 days. Amazon Prime includes Prime Video.
5. Look at smaller services. If you mostly watch documentaries, Curiosity Stream was $5.99 a month or $49.99 a year on its website when we checked.

FAQs

Are ad plans worth it?

For many people, yes. The savings range from $5 a month on Paramount+ to $11 on Netflix, and most ad plans still stream in HD. The trade-offs are ads, fewer simultaneous streams on some plans and no 4K.

Will my price go up straight away?

Usually not. Services normally apply increases to existing subscribers from a later bill and tell you by email first. Disney's increase reached existing subscribers from October 21, a month after new subscribers.

Can I share my Netflix account?

Only within your household for free. Netflix charges $7.99 a month with ads or $9.99 without to add someone who lives elsewhere, on Standard and Premium plans.

Sources: Disney+: plans, HBO Max: plans and prices, Amazon: Prime Video Ultra, Apple: Apple TV, Walmart+, Curiosity Stream, BGR: Netflix price increase, Fox 9: Netflix raising prices, MacRumors: Disney+ and Hulu price increase, Droid Life: Peacock raises prices, Newsweek: Paramount+ price increase

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