Entertainment · head to head
Netflix vs YouTube
Netflix
Entertainment
Watch TV shows and movies anytime, anywhere
- From
- $6.99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only YouTube has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Netflix the entry plan caps video at 720p and allows one simultaneous stream and one download device; YouTube youTube Premium/Music subscriptions bill through the App Store with a stated auto-renewal clause: renewal charges are applied within 24 hours of the current period ending unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before that point, and no price figure is disclosed in the listing itself.
- They diverge on capability: Netflix covers Video streaming, YouTube covers Video hosting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Netflix and YouTube actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Netflix
- Video streaming
- Offline downloads
- Multiple profiles
- Personalized recommendations
- Original content
- Multi-device support
- Auto-play next episode
- Smart TVs
Only in YouTube
- Video hosting
- Live streaming
- Content discovery
- Creator tools
- Analytics
- Google services
- Social media
- Creator tools
Both cover
- Parental controls
- Parental controls
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Netflix
- Streaming films and series on demand across TVs, phones and browsersnot YouTube
- Downloading titles for offline viewing on a limited number of devicesnot YouTube
- Playing Netflix mobile games included with a subscriptionnot YouTube
YouTube
- Video sharingnot Netflix
- Content marketingnot Netflix
- Educationnot Netflix
- Entertainmentnot Netflix
- Live streamingnot Netflix
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Netflix
- The entry plan caps video at 720p and allows one simultaneous stream and one download device
- 1080p and two simultaneous streams require the Standard plan
- 4K Ultra HD, HDR and spatial audio are restricted to the Premium plan, which allows 4 streams and 6 download devices
- Netflix states an account is for people who live together in a single household, so viewers outside the home need a paid extra member slot
- Plan prices and availability differ by country and change when Netflix is bought through a partner package or add-on
YouTube
- YouTube Premium/Music subscriptions bill through the App Store with a stated auto-renewal clause: renewal charges are applied within 24 hours of the current period ending unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before that point, and no price figure is disclosed in the listing itself.
Pricing, plan by plan
Netflix
$6.99/month- Standard with ads$6.99/month
- All but a few movies and TV shows
- Unlimited ad-free series and movies
- Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
- Standard$15.49/month
- All Netflix movies and TV shows
- Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
- Watch in HD
- Premium$22.99/month
- All Netflix movies and TV shows
- Watch on 4 supported devices at a time
- Watch in Ultra HD
YouTube
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited video watching
- Basic video uploads
- Community features
- YouTube Premium$11.99/month
- Ad-free videos
- Background play
- YouTube Music included
Which should you pick?
Choose Netflix if
- You need video streaming.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Streaming-devices.
- You also want offline downloads.
Choose YouTube if
- You need video hosting.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
- You also want live streaming.
Questions people ask
- Is Netflix or YouTube better?
- Neither clearly leads. Netflix starts at $6.99/month and YouTube at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Netflix or YouTube?
- YouTube has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $6.99/month for Netflix and Free for YouTube.
- Does Netflix or YouTube run on more platforms?
- Netflix runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Streaming-devices. YouTube runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
- Can I use YouTube for free?
- Yes. YouTube has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Netflix starts at $6.99/month.
- What is Netflix best used for?
- Netflix is most often used for streaming films and series on demand across tvs, phones and browsers, downloading titles for offline viewing on a limited number of devices, playing netflix mobile games included with a subscription. Of those, streaming films and series on demand across tvs, phones and browsers and downloading titles for offline viewing on a limited number of devices are not what YouTube is typically brought in for.
- What can Netflix do that YouTube cannot?
- Netflix covers Video streaming, Offline downloads, Multiple profiles, Personalized recommendations. YouTube covers Video hosting, Live streaming, Content discovery, Creator tools. Both handle Parental controls, Parental controls, Web support, Ios support.