Netflix is a dedicated streaming service for TV shows and movies with 282M subscribers and curated original content, while YouTube Premium removes ads from user-generated and music content with 100M+ subscribers across all YouTube videos. They serve fundamentally different purposes: Netflix for scripted entertainment vs YouTube Premium for ad-free browsing and music.
Netflix vs YouTube Premium — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Netflix if you want curated, professionally-produced TV shows and films with a deep library of originals and licensed content from studios worldwide. Choose YouTube Premium if you want ad-free access across all YouTube's user-generated content, music streaming (300M+ tracks), and don't want limitations on simultaneous streaming—it's more of a utility than entertainment-focused service.
Subscription streaming service with original films, series, and documentaries.
Ad-free access to YouTube videos with offline downloads and background playback.
Monthly Subscription Price (Basic Ad-Supported)
Monthly Subscription Price (Premium Ad-Free)
Netflix vs YouTube Premium — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for Netflix vs YouTube Premium with 284 attributes.
Original Content Releases in January 2026
Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
Maximum Simultaneous Streams (Standard Plan)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard/Ad-Free US Plan)
Monthly Subscription Price (US Individual)
Discovery Algorithm Rating (User Satisfaction)
Netflix vs YouTube Premium — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Netflix vs YouTube Premium.
Is YouTube Premium cheaper than Netflix?
YouTube Premium's ad-free plan costs $14.99/month compared to Netflix Premium at $15.49/month, making YouTube Premium $0.50 cheaper monthly. However, Netflix's ad-supported plan is $9.00/month versus YouTube Premium's $9.99/month. The comparison depends on which plan tier you choose and what content you prioritize.
Can I download videos offline on both services?
Both services offer offline downloads, but with different scopes. Netflix allows offline downloads on all subscription tiers (Basic, Standard, and Premium). YouTube Premium members can download videos for offline viewing, but the feature is more limited than Netflix's comprehensive offline library capability.
How many people can watch at the same time?
Netflix Premium allows 4 simultaneous streams, while YouTube Premium offers unlimited simultaneous streaming across all devices. If household sharing is important, YouTube Premium is significantly better. Netflix has implemented password-sharing restrictions limiting each account to one primary household as of 2026.
Does YouTube Premium include music streaming?
Yes, YouTube Premium includes full access to YouTube Music with 300+ million tracks and unlimited ad-free listening. Netflix does not offer a music streaming service; it focuses exclusively on video content. If you want both video and music in one subscription, YouTube Premium is the integrated solution.
What's the quality difference between ad-supported and ad-free plans?
Netflix's ad-supported plan ($9/month) limits video quality to 720p, while Premium plans offer 4K. YouTube Premium's quality remains consistent regardless of which plan tier you choose—both remove ads across all content. This is a significant advantage for YouTube Premium on the ad-supported tier.