Disney Plus and Netflix are competing for your attention and your money, so before you invest in the latter, it’s worth spending some time determining which streaming service is the best fit for you. Join us as we compare the benefits and drawbacks of Disney Plus vs. Netflix.
Netflix originated as a DVD rental service in 1998 and transitioned to digital film streaming in 2007. Since then, it has grown to a record-breaking 200 million members, won a bevy of Emmys for original programming such as The Crown, and – most recently – won 2020 What Hi-Fi? Award.
Disney Plus entered the streaming wars in 2019 and has since grown to over 100 million subscribers. Disney’s ‘family,’ which includes Fox, Marvel, Pixar, National Geographic, and Lucasfilm, is featured on the app (home to everything Star Wars).
Both have impressive résumés, but how is the visual and audio quality? And who creates the original content? And how about the most intuitive user interface? Which option is the more cost-effective? All frequently asked questions about Disney Plus can be found here.
Disney Plus Vs. Netflix: Pricing
Disney Plus is the more economical alternative if you want to watch shows in at least HD resolution. The House of Mouse keeps things simple by charging £7.99 / $7.99 / AU$11.99 per month or £79.90 / $79.99 / AU$119.99 per year for a single subscription package. This offers access to HD, 4K, and HDR video simultaneously across up to four monitors.
Netflix subscriptions are available in three different tiers. Netflix Standard is £9.99 / $13.99 / AU$15.99 per month and includes HD watching on up to two devices. Netflix Premium costs £13.99 / $17.99 / AU$19.99 per month and has 4K streaming on up to four devices, making it the closest match for Disney Plus’s single tier. Are you unconcerned with high definition or 4K? Netflix Basic costs £5.99 / $8.99 / AU$10.99 per month and provides standard definition video streaming to a single screen.
To US users, Disney Plus offers a package of Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus. For just $13.99 per month, you get access to all three of Disney’s streaming services.
Disney Plus vs. Netflix Availability
While almost every online browser can stream Netflix and Disney Plus, most consumers prefer to use the programs, which we highly suggest.
Netflix has become so popular that some television remote controls now contain a dedicated Netflix button. The program is compatible with Windows and Mac computers and Google Chromecast, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku streamers, smart TVs, Sky Q, Xbox, PlayStation, and Blu-ray players (whether Android or iOS).
The Disney Plus app is also compatible with a similarly broad range of devices. All of the above are compatible, except the odd Windows device. Additionally, up to four screens can be used concurrently with a single account, equal to Netflix’s more expensive Premium tier, and exceed the three-screen limit on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video.
Without a doubt, Netflix is the world’s most widely adopted streaming service. It is now available in over 190 countries, an increase over the previous 36 for Disney Plus.
Disney Plus vs. Netflix: Comparison of catalogs
Netflix’s vast collection of over 6000 movies and web series – five times the number available on Disney Plus – combines both quality and quantity. It is perhaps most recognized for true crime documentaries such as The Jinx and Tiger King (season two is out on 17th November 2021, so get your mullet wig ready).
Additionally, Netflix is home to several notable television shows, including The Office, Stranger Things, Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, Bridgerton, Prison Break, Line of Duty, Peaky Blinders, and Community (depending on your location). Additionally, the site offers a diverse selection of Academy Award-winning films, such as The Iron Lady, 1917, The Social Network, and The Departed.
While Disney Plus’s catalog is five times that of Disney, it is incredibly diverse. It includes blockbuster films from Disney and its subsidiaries – Jungle Book, Pixar, Marvel, and National Geographic – as well as oldies such as Star Wars, Marvel, and The Simpsons. Three of the top four highest-grossing films of all time are included in its film lineup: Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Star is available to Disney Plus subscribers in Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. This additional channel contains “adult” material from the ABC, FX, and 20th Century Fox archives and original programming from Michael Keaton and Rosario Dawson in the highly anticipated Dopesick.
Finally, there is a strong potential that an app’s exclusive content will influence you. Disney Plus will be difficult to resist for die-hard Star Wars fans in need of a Skywalker fix. Those looking to catch up on Tiger King Joe Exotic or witness Elizabeth Debicki resume her role as Princess Di in The Crown will rush to Netflix.
Disney Plus vs. Netflix: Streaming
You’re looking for a high-quality photograph to accompany your favorite drama or documentary series. You do.
Disney Plus offers a plethora of 4K HDR material (some originally mastered and remastered). 4K HDR versions of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Lion King (2019), Aladdin (2019), and Frozen. Indeed, even classics like The Jungle Book are accessible in 5.1 surround sound in Full HD.
Netflix has a massive range of 4K content, ranging from The Crown to Snowpiercer. If you type ‘HDR’ into the search box, you’ll also see a list of HDR content, such as Ricky Gervais’ After Life. If your TV supports it, you’ll notice an HDR badge on suitable content (or a Dolby Vision logo). Dolby Atmos is also available in audio on a substantial portion of Disney Plus and Netflix content.
Availability
Netflix’s UI is uncomplicated and convenient. It’s simple to browse, create a shortlist, and utilize Netflix’s more-than-likely-to-be-hit recommendation engine based on your recent viewing location or trends. Additionally, you may create many user profiles with parental settings to prevent minors from discovering the latest gangster film by accident.
Disney Plus’s user interface is comparable to Netflix’s — and just as straightforward to use. Channels such as ‘Recommended for You,’ ‘Originals,’ ‘Marvel,’ ‘Spongebob,’ and ‘Mickey Mouse Through the Years’ make finding what you’re looking for straightforward. There’s even a lovely ‘HDR’ category (because Netflix’s app includes a dedicated HDR area, Disney wins this one).
Both applications offer offline viewing, which makes binge-watching programs on the go much more accessible. Users of Netflix can download up to 100 titles continuously; customers to Disney Plus can supposedly download an “unlimited number” of tags using the mobile app. We have not attempted this but will rely on the company’s assurances.
Conclusion
What more is there to say about Netflix? It features a vast collection of original content, is simple to use, and is compatible with nearly any device (including streaming sticks, smart TVs, and games consoles). You’re also not left wanting in terms of visual quality, as there is an abundance of 4K and HDR content available. In short, there are multiple reasons to cozy up on the couch with this 2021.
While Disney Plus’s catalog is not as extensive as Netflix’s, it is packed with an incredible array of content ranging from The Simpsons to Frozen to Star Wars to Finding Nemo. It is far less expensive than Netflix (per-view in HD and 4K), simple to use, and engaging adults and children alike. If Disney Plus can establish itself as a viable competitor within two years of its launch, the sky is the limit for this svelte streaming service.
