Ultimately, it comes down to your priorities. Disney+ is cheaper and has the big names, but Netflix’s deep and varied content library is tough to beat. Here’s everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
In many ways, the Netflix versus Disney+ battle will come down to a quality-versus-quantity debate. Disney+ hasaround 600 movies and TV shows. There’sa lot of good stuffin there, but reportedly that’s less than one-fifth of the number of TV shows that Netflix offers, and only one-eighth as many feature films.
But — and this is a big “but” — Disney+’s listings include many of the most popular films and television shows ever made. Within a year after its debut, Disney+ will host all of the Star Wars films, most of which are currentlyhard to find online. Disney+ is the exclusive digital home for all new Marvel movies, includingCaptain MarvelandAvengers: Endgame. Every Disney animated film is available on the service (with the exception ofSong of the South), as are all 30 seasons ofThe Simpsons.
Disney+’soriginal offeringsaren’t anything to scoff at, either. With the Star Wars movies going on a three-year hiatus followingStar Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker, Disney Plus’live-action Star Wars serieswill be the only way to get your fix of a galaxy far, far away. In the future, Marvel shows likeWandaVision,Falcon and Winter Soldier,Loki, andHawkeyewill tie into theatrical movies likeDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. For kids,High School Musical: The Musical: The Seriesand the Pixar spinoffForky Asks a Questionshould be big draws, and the National Geographic content is nice to have, too.
On the other hand, Netflix has pouredbillions of dollarsinto its own original programming, and it’s ended up withsome of the best shows on televisionas a result, in adizzying spectrum of genres and formats. Netflix is the only place where you’ll find established hits such asStranger Things,The Crown, andBlack Mirror,as well as buzzworthy recent releases includingRussian DollandThe Haunting of Hill House.
Don’t count out Netflix’sfeature film slate, either. From Oscar-winning originals likeRomato cult hits likeHot FuzzandMoon, Netflix has more movies than you could ever possibly watch. Disney+ might have the biggest blockbusters, but Netflix offers a more varied and eclectic lineup. If you want options, Netflix is the way to go.
Disney+ has less content, but it costs less too. A monthly Disney+ subscription will onlyset you back $7 (or $70 per year), although we expect that price to rise over time. Disney+ will play on four different devices at once and supports 4K Ultra HD video at no extra charge.
Meanwhile, Netflixkeeps getting more expensive. Right now, a Basic plan costs $9 a month, but that only lets you stream one movie at a time and only in SD resolution. A Standard subscription, which includes two simultaneous streams and HD resolution, is $13, while a four-screen Ultra HD Premium plan is $16. Netflix still offers its old disc mailing service, too, which runsbetween $8 and $15depending on whether you want DVDs or Blu-rays and how many movies you want to keep at a time. Disney+ will undoubtedly get more expensive — the market all-but demands it — but it’s going to be a sweet bargain for some time.
User interface
Disney clearly took a lot of inspiration from Netflix when designing Disney+. The two apps look remarkably similar. Both Netflix and Disney+ have a large window that highlights featured material, followed by horizontal lists that sort content into new releases, personalized recommendations, and other categories. Disney+ has a few extra buttons that let you sort content by franchise, but otherwise, they’re more or less the same.
Disney+ is available on all major streaming devices: Apple TV (tvOS), iOS, Google Chromecast, Android, Android TV, PlayStation 4, Roku, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung smart TVs, and LG smart TV devices all run the Disney+ app.
Similarly, Netflix is already available on virtually every device you can imagine, save the Nintendo Switch. You should be able to stream Netflix on any modern tablet, smartphone, streaming box, gaming console, or smart TV. CheckNetflix’s official compatibility listfor more specifics.
Conclusion
If your viewing habits skew toward big blockbusters like Marvel and Star Wars, if you have kids who you’re looking to keep busy, or if you’re nostalgic for old Disney Channel shows and ’90s cartoons, you’re going to want Disney+. However, if you’re not a fan of those properties, stick with Netflix.
While it costs more, Netflix offers more variety in terms of genre, has a bigger selection of movies and television shows, and already hosts a large number of critically acclaimed original series. Disney+ is great, but it’s geared toward fans of Disney’s specific brands. By contrast, Netflix is for everyone.
That said, if you’re anything like us, you’ll end up paying for both. While they’re both streaming services, Netflix and Disney+ occupy different niches. Both are incredibly compelling in their own way.
