We recommend products and services based on unbiased research from our editorial team. We make money via affiliate links, which means if you click a link on our site, we may earn a commission. Any commissions we receive do not affect our recommendations; if you want to know more about how that works, read more.
Netflix Review
Netflix remains a market-leading streamer with a huge catalog and steady cadence of originals. It reports continued global subscriber growth toward the high-280 million range in 2025 (see Netflix Investor Relations). It offers one of the largest 4K libraries among subscription services and supports downloads for offline viewing; 4K requires the Premium plan and compatible devices (Netflix Ultra HD help). You can watch on nearly any modern device and create separate profiles (including a kids profile with parental controls). Overall, Netflix is a strong addition to most entertainment setups.
Netflix vs. Other Streaming Services
| Netflix | Hulu | Amazon Prime Video | HBO Now | |
| Price | $9-$16/mo. | $8-$12/mo. | $119/yr. Or $9/mo. | $15/mo. |
| Est. number of titles | 6,500+ | 9,000+ | 20,000+ | 950+ |
| Est. number of original content | 850+ | 50+ | 100+ | 400+ |
| Free trial | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 7 days |
| Offline viewing | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Parent controls | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
How We Evaluated Netflix
We’ve done tons of research and comparison on Netflix when reviewing the best TV streaming services, and the best movie streaming services. We emphasize up-to-date engagement and business disclosures over sheer catalog counts. Netflix’s biannual engagement data helps show how viewing splits between originals and licensed titles; reputable analyses of the latest dataset find originals represented roughly the mid-50% share of hours in H2 2023, with about 30% of hours coming from non-English titles (Netflix engagement report; Variety analysis).
Usability, compatibility, live/event additions, and pricing/value (including ad tiers and paid sharing) were all taken into consideration as well. You can read more about movie streaming services and logic behind the review.
Large library of original and award-winning content
You’ll never run out of things to watch with Netflix’s massive catalog of movies and shows — especially with new original content released year-round. Netflix guided to approximately $17 billion of cash content spend in 2024 and signaled plans to increase content investment in 2025 as revenue expands (shareholder materials). Engagement data shows the majority of hours viewed go to Netflix-owned titles, with substantial non-English viewing (about 30% of hours in H2 2023) — reinforcing a durable global originals strategy (What We Watched; Variety). Earlier analyses like Quartz underscored the rapid growth of Netflix originals; today, the focus is on sustained scale and global reach.
Netflix’s rate of release hasn’t affected the quality of its content. Shows like “Stranger Things,” “Queer Eye,” and “Black Mirror” dominate pop culture conversation. While earlier coverage (e.g., Quartz) highlighted its awards momentum, Netflix’s own engagement reports show originals populating the upper tiers of viewing.
The most 4K content
For anyone who owns a 4K TV, Netflix is one of your best bets for streaming 4K shows and movies. Third-party trackers typically show Netflix with one of the largest 4K catalogs among subscription services in many markets, often in the low-thousands of titles in the U.S. at a given time — but counts vary by region and change frequently (verify using JustWatch’s 4K filter and uNoGS UHD). Note that 4K requires the Premium plan and supported devices/bandwidth (Netflix Ultra HD help).
Impressive compatibility and usability
Because Netflix is purely a streaming service, it’s broadly compatible across modern smart TVs, streaming devices, game consoles, and mobile platforms. In 2024, Netflix tested and began rolling out a refreshed TV interface with a simplified top navigation and a prominent “My Netflix” tab to surface your picks faster (TechCrunch; The Verge).
When testing, we had no trouble navigating Netflix’s interface. It offers separate profiles for each family member — including a parent-controlled “kids” setting that curates the content for young viewers. You can also download many of Netflix’s shows for offline viewing. Note that support for some legacy devices has ended (for example, Netflix no longer works on Apple TV 2nd/3rd generation), prompting upgrades for the modern experience (Netflix device support). Netflix has also been expanding a cloud-gaming beta on TVs and PCs in select regions, integrating games discovery into the TV app (The Verge).
No standard free trial
Netflix no longer offers a standing 30-day free trial in the U.S.; promotions vary by market and over time. To test the service, consider starting with the lower-priced ad tier or check the current plans page for your region (Netflix plans and pricing). You can cancel anytime.
Comparatively expensive
Compared with many competitors, Netflix’s ad-free tiers sit at the higher end of the market. In the U.S., Standard with ads is $6.99/month, Standard (ad-free, 1080p) is $15.49/month, and Premium (4K) is $22.99/month; the legacy Basic plan remains only for existing members (Netflix plans). U.S. account sharing is monetized via “extra member” slots at $7.99/month each on eligible plans (extra member details). Broadcast TV moved away from SD years ago (context), so most households will want at least HD — and 4K requires Premium.
Licensed content: from losses to strategic gains
Early in the streaming wars, Netflix lost several marquee U.S. licensed hits — “Friends” and “The Office” moved to rivals’ movie streaming services — events widely covered at the time (see reporting and earlier analysis). Since 2023, studios have increasingly returned to third-party licensing, and Netflix has been a major buyer — adding HBO library series, high-volume network comedies and procedurals (e.g., “Suits,” “Young Sheldon”), and even weekly live entertainment with WWE Raw beginning in 2025 (HBO licensing shift; Netflix engagement report; Nielsen 2024 rankings; WWE Raw on Netflix). Today, Netflix’s library is a mix: originals lead overall engagement, and licensed hits continue to deliver huge viewing.
No live TV bundle, but more live events
Netflix isn’t suited to true cord-cutters seeking a full channel bundle. There’s no traditional live-TV grid or broad day-and-date linear feeds. However, Netflix has added selective live and event programming, including NFL Christmas games (2024–2026) and WWE Raw starting in 2025 in the U.S. (Netflix IR; WSJ). There are plenty of other streaming services available to you if you’re looking for live channels.
The Bottom Line
The best streaming service for you will depend on your entertainment preferences. Netflix remains the most complete single-service option for general entertainment, bolstered by a steady original slate, one of the largest 4K libraries, and selective live events. Its ad tier offers a low entry price, while Premium unlocks 4K. To compare a full suite of streaming options, check out our full reviews of the best TV streaming services and movie streaming services.
