Netflix is a dedicated streaming service with original content and ad-free viewing across all plans, while YouTube Premium removes ads from the world's largest video platform and adds offline downloads and background play. Netflix costs $6.99-$22.99/month depending on plan; YouTube Premium costs $13.99/month.
Netflix vs YouTube Premium — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Netflix if you want professionally produced original series, films, and documentaries with a curated experience and flexible pricing starting at $6.99/month with ads. Choose YouTube Premium if you want access to the world's largest video platform with music, tutorials, vlogs, and educational content, plus offline viewing and background playback across all subscription tiers.
Subscription streaming service with original films, series, and documentaries.
Ad-free access to YouTube videos with offline downloads and background playback.
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.
Can I watch Netflix or YouTube Premium offline?
Both services offer offline downloads, but with differences. Netflix requires a Premium subscription ($22.99/month) to download content for offline viewing. YouTube Premium includes offline downloads on all paid subscription tiers starting at $13.99/month, making it more accessible for offline use.
Which service is cheaper for ad-free viewing?
YouTube Premium is $13.99/month for complete ad removal with music included. Netflix's cheapest ad-free option is the Standard plan at $15.49/month (which removes ads but limits to 1080p resolution). Netflix's Premium plan with 4K and background play is $22.99/month.
Combined cost would be $29.48/month minimum ($13.99 YouTube Premium + $15.49 Netflix Standard). However, you'd get Netflix originals plus YouTube's massive user-generated content library and music streaming. Many users subscribe to both for their complementary offerings.
Does YouTube Premium include YouTube Music?
Yes, YouTube Premium ($13.99/month) includes YouTube Music Premium, which costs $11.99 separately. This makes YouTube Premium a better value if you use both services, as you save $11.99/month compared to subscribing to both individually.
Which service has better original content?
Netflix has significantly more original content with 2,100+ originals including award-winning series like Stranger Things and films like Glass Onion. YouTube discontinued its YouTube Originals program in 2022 and now focuses on user-generated content, making Netflix the clear winner for professional original productions.