Two of the biggest names in entertainment, Disney+ vs Netflix would be the main event of any fight night. They both have their pros and cons, hosting premiere content exclusive to their respective services. Now let’s take a look at how they do in each other's wheelhouse.
A quick overview of both services
Everybody knows Disney+, but its Disney-exclusive library may not be a draw for everyone. Although, the introduction of parental controls and mature content indicates a change.
Netflix is another well-known name that needs little introduction, revolutionizing how we watch TV. However, the binge pioneer has been dabbling with a variety of releases, from award-winning films to reality tv.
The table below gives a brief overview of what both services offer in terms of content, features, and prices.
| Disney+ | Netflix | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Basic: $7.99/month | |
| Premium: $10.99 | Standard w/ ads: $6.99 | |
| Standard: $15.49/month | ||
| Premium: $19.99 | ||
| Free Trial Length | None | None |
| Popular Content | The Book of Boba Fett | |
| Man in the Arena | ||
| Snowdrop | Better Call Saul | |
| Money Heist | ||
| Narcos | ||
| Original Content | The Beatles: Get Back | |
| Moon Knight | ||
| Secrets of Sulphur Springs | Bridgerton | |
| Don’t Look Up | ||
| Mindhunter | ||
| Home Theater Features | 4K UHD, Full HD (1080p) | |
| HDR, Dolby Vision | ||
| IMAX Enhanced | ||
| Dolby Atmos | ||
| 5.1 Surround Sound | 4K, Full HD (1080p), SD (480p) | |
| HDR | ||
| 5.1 Surround Sound | ||
| Dolby Atmos | ||
| Offline Viewing | Yes | Yes |
| Device Support | Web, Mac, Windows, Chrome OS, Android, iOS, Fire Tablet, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox, Android TV, Smart TVs, Cable STBs | Web, Windows, Android, iOS, Fire Tablet, Windows Phone, Apple TV, Chromecast, Facebook Portal, Fire TV, Nvidia Shield, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox, Smart TVs, Blu-Ray Players, Cable STBs |
| Simultaneous Streams | 4 | 2-4 |
Disney+ offers better prices
Disney+ has two plans to choose from: Basic (with ads) and Premium (ad-free). A price increase is on the horizon for the Premium plan, but it’ll still be cheaper than Netflix’s Standard ad-free plan.
And if you’re concerned about not having a wide enough range of content, you can opt for one of the Disney Bundle plans, which includes subscriptions to Hulu and ESPN+ as well.
Disney+ Basic
Get 3 HULU, DISNEY Plus, ESPN
- On demand content
- Stream on four screens
- HD and 4K video quality
$7.99/month
Disney Bundle Duo Basic
- Includes Disney+ and Hulu
- On demand content
- Stream on four screens
$9.99/month
Disney+ Premium
- No ads
- Stream on four screens
- HD and 4K video quality
- Offline viewing
$13.99/month
Disney Bundle Trio Basic
- Includes Disney+ Hulu and ESPN+
- On demand content
- Stream on four screens
$14.99/month
Disney Bundle Duo Premium
- Includes Disney+ and Hulu
- On demand content
- Stream on four screens
- Offline viewing
- No ads
$19.99/month
Disney Bundle Trio Premium
- Includes Disney+ Hulu and ESPN+
- No ads
- On demand content
- Stream on four screens
- Offline viewing
$24.99/month
Netflix recently changed their plan up, now having three plans to choose from: Standard with ads, Standard, and Premium.
Netflix Standard with Ads
- Stream on two screens
- On demand content
- HD video quality
- Downloads on up to two devices
$6.99/month
Netflix Standard
- No ads
- Stream on two screens
- HD video quality
- Downloads on up to two devices
$15.49/month
Netflix Premium
- No ads
- Stream on four screens
- HD and 4K video quality
- Downloads on up to six devices
$22.99/month
Neither service offers a free trial
There’s really no winner here, because neither service offers a free trial. They also have strict no refund policies. Disney+ wins more or less by forfeit. At least they’ll give you a refund within 3 days of purchase–if you haven’t watched anything.
Netflix has the broader content library
Netflix offers a far more robust selection of content than Disney+, since they house both Netflix exclusives as well as licensed content from all studios. On Disney+, you can only watch what’s owned by Disney, and while that’s still a lot, the variety doesn’t compare to what Netflix has to offer.
What to Watch on Disney+
Disney+ keeps things tidy by organizing shows and movies into 5 content hubs: Disney, Marvel, National Geographic, Pixar, and Star Wars. But there are plenty of titles that don’t fall so neatly into these characters, like the FOX acquired shows and movies, so you’ll have to do some searching to see what all else Disney+ offers.
Some popular Disney+ original titles are:
- Turning Red
- The Mandalorian
- Howard
- Welcome to Earth
- The Wonder Years
Take a look at our Disney+ Content Library and List of Titles for a deeper dive into what’s available.
What to Watch on Netflix
After Disney+ announced it was leaving Netflix to start its own streaming service, Netflix quickly put to sleep any worries about content. Its original content has been nominated for numerous Emmys, Oscars, Grammys, Golden Globes, and more.
Some of the hottest TV shows in the past 10 years have come from Netflix, including Stranger Things and Ozark. And with Netflix spending billions on content each year, the trend is bound to continue.
Here’s a variety of Netflix original shows and movies worth checking out:
- The Crown
- Disenchantment
- Emily in Paris
- The Power of the Dog
- The Witcher
Both streamers offer 4K streaming options
Disney+ boasts an excellent slate of audio and video options, with numerous titles in 5.1 surround sound. And the growing list of titles in 4K UHD, HDR (high dynamic range) video, and Dolby Atmos audio, are bound to please most home theater enthusiasts.
The default HDR format is HDR10, but select titles support the even more dynamic Dolby Vision. And if that’s not enough, you’ll also find IMAX Enhanced content, which enables you to see every part of the original shot captured by the camera.
All Netflix plans support Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound, but you’ll need the Premium plan to enjoy the select titles available in Dolby Atmos.
Furthermore, the two HDR formats that are supported, Dolby Vision and HDR10, both require the Premium plan, which is also what you need for watching 4K UHD. The Standard plan, Netflix’s most popular, streams at Full HD (1080p).
Download unlimited titles with Disney+
This is a tight race, as Disney+ and Netflix both allow downloading content to watch offline. But Disney+ gets the nod for a couple of reasons.
Disney+ allows unlimited downloads on up to 10 devices that have the app. It’s available on Mac, Windows, and Chrome OS, meaning you can download to your laptop–which is great for long flights.
Netflix allows up to 100 active downloads for 2 devices with the Standard plan or 4 devices with the Premium plan. Downloads are not available for the Standard with ads plan.
The Netflix app is on Windows and Chromebook, but if you’re on a long flight with a Macbook, you’ll be stuck with whatever the airline offers.
Both services have great device support
It’s another slim margin victory as Netflix edges out Disney+. You’ll be hard pressed to find a modern device that doesn’t support Netflix. It’s one of the few streaming services to support Windows Phone and Facebook Portal. Practically every new TV comes Netflix-ready, as do many cable TV set-top boxes (STBs), and even some Blu-Ray players.
Check our Netflix device support article to see a full list of supported devices.
Laptop-wise, Disney+ can be viewed on web browsers, Chrome OS, Mac, and Windows. It’s also on Android, iOS, Fire Tablets, all major streaming media players, Android TV, smart TVs, and STBs.
For the full picture, check out the full list of Disney+ supported devices.
Watch on more screens for less with Disney+
There’s no contest here. Both Disney+ plans allow 4 simultaneous screens. Netflix requires you to get their Premium subscription for 4 streams. Otherwise, you get 2 with the Standard with ads and Standard plans.
Disney+ lets you create up to 7 profiles to Netflix’s 5, and both have “kid profiles” with parental controls. Netflix even lets you block specific shows or movies.
Our takeaway: Pick the streamer that works best for you
Both services are at the top of the industry, and you can’t really go wrong with either. But if you’re looking for a cable TV replacement, you’ll be more satisfied with Netflix. It’s got a wider range of content, as well as some of the most bingeworthy (and award-winning) originals on the planet.
Disney+ is also a great deal–especially for families with kids. And with all signs pointing to the Mouse adding more content for parents, this matchup between two heavyweights might have a different outcome next time around.
Douglas Wright • Author
Douglas Wright is a freelance writer based in Japan. A former web designer and technical writer, he left beautiful Vancouver for bustling Tokyo, where he spent a decade recruiting for software and high-tech firms. No longer commuting through the world’s busiest train station, he writes fiction and a wide range of formats for clients around the world. When he gets AFK, he’s either outdoors with his two boys, streaming a show with his wife, or reading a book over a French-pressed, hand-ground coffee.
Davan Hamilton • Editor
Davan Hamilton is an editor and writer based in Jacksonville, FL. Holding a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, her writing spans a wide range, from essays on film criticism and analysis to surreal poetry. Now, she works for Flixed as an editor, continuing to ignore the list of passion projects she’s accumulated. When she’s not glued to her computer, you can find her building endless amounts of Lego sets, binge-reading manga, or playing with (fighting) her cat.
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