(Credit: Vicky Leta)
Ahh, Netflix. I love the variety of terrific movies and TV shows you offer. I’ve been a loyal subscriber for years, but you keep testing my loyalty every time you increase your prices.
Yep, the popular video-streaming service has increased its subscription costs yet again. As of March 26, 2026, the Standard plan with ads is up to $8.99 per month, and the Standard plan without ads is up to $19.99 per month. Netflix Premium, meanwhile, is a whopping $26.99 a month. To add an extra member to any plan, you'll also need to cough up an extra dollar. But what can you really do about it?
After the last Netflix price increase in early January 2025, I downgraded my plan from the Standard without ads tier to the Standard with ads plan, so I’m already on the lowest tier. The latest price hike now has me debating whether I should just cancel outright. I already subscribe to a host of other streaming services, all of which also take a bite out of my wallet, and there are only so many movies and TV shows my wife and I can consume in an average week.
If you’re in a similar boat, you can downgrade to a more affordable plan. Netflix Premium works out to about $324 per year, while Standard without ads is $240. So, switching to the $9-per-month plan ($108 per year) could save you $216 or $132, depending on which plan you choose. Already on the cheapest option? It might be time to pause or cancel your membership.
Change or Pause Your Netflix Subscription
To modify your subscription, you’ll have to do so from a web browser. Head to the Netflix website and sign in to your account. Hover over your profile icon and choose Account > Account Details and select the Change Plan option. Choose your new plan and click Continue.
(Credit: PCMag / Netflix)Review the details of your new plan, then click Confirm to proceed. The new plan and price will kick in at the next billing cycle.
(Credit: PCMag / Netflix)Cancel Your Netflix Subscription
To cancel your subscription instead, select the Manage Membership option at the Account page and then click the Cancel Membership button at the bottom.
(Credit: PCMag / Netflix)On the next page, Netflix will offer a few options to try to keep your business. Here, you can choose to change the plan or pause your membership for a month. If you’re still intent on canceling, select the Cancel option and then click Finish Cancellation. Your streaming plan will then be canceled at the end of the current billing cycle, with the date listed on the page.
(Credit: PCMag / Netflix)Note that Netflix retains your account data for 24 months after a membership is canceled, though you can request an earlier deletion by emailing privacy@netflix.com from the email address associated with the account.
Netflix says you can undo your deletion request from the Account page any time before the end of your current billing period. However, once your account is deleted, you'll need to create a new account to return to Netflix. If you want to shop around and try out other streaming services, consider the one-month pause option, which will retain your watch history and billing information.