Streaming Prices 2026: Every Service's Cost and How to Save

📷 Image: Netflix Inc. (Public domain) — via Wikimedia Commons

Streaming just got more expensive — and your wallet has probably noticed. A recent Los Angeles Times analysis found that the average subscriber now pays roughly $22 more per month than they did a couple of years ago, thanks to a steady drumroll of price hikes across every major platform. If you've been meaning to audit your subscriptions, right now is a good time to do it.

What Every Major Streaming Service Costs in 2026

Here's where things stand after the latest round of increases:

Netflix — The Standard with Ads plan sits at $7.99/month, while the ad-free Standard tier runs $17.99/month. The Premium plan, which includes 4K streaming and four simultaneous streams, is now $24.99/month. Netflix remains the most-watched platform globally, but it's no longer the bargain it once was.

Disney+ — Disney+ Basic (with ads) costs $9.99/month, and the Premium ad-free tier is $16.99/month. The bundle with Hulu and ESPN+ starts at $16.99/month with ads, making it one of the better multi-platform deals if you actually use all three services.

Max (formerly HBO Max) — The ad-supported tier is $9.99/month, the Ad-Free plan is $16.99/month, and the Ultimate tier with 4K and Dolby Atmos is $20.99/month. Max consistently delivers some of the most critically acclaimed originals in the business, so the price is easier to swallow if you're watching shows like House of the Dragon.

Amazon Prime Video — Included with a Prime membership at $14.99/month (or $139/year), Prime Video now includes ads by default. Removing ads costs an extra $2.99/month on top of your Prime subscription.

Apple TV+ — Still the cheapest major streamer at $9.99/month, with no ad-supported tier. The library is smaller than competitors but consistently high-quality, with hits like Ted Lasso and Severance.

Paramount+ — The Essential plan (with ads) is $7.99/month, and the Paramount+ with Showtime plan is $12.99/month. If you're into Star Trek, Yellowstone spinoffs, or live sports, this one punches above its weight.

Peacock — Premium with ads costs $7.99/month, and Premium Plus (ad-free) is $13.99/month. It's the home of NBC content, major live sports, and a growing slate of originals.

Hulu — The ad-supported plan is $9.99/month, and the no-ads plan is $18.99/month. Bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+, it becomes a better deal, but on its own, Hulu is one of the pricier options for what you get.

How to Cut Your Streaming Bill

The good news is you don't have to pay for everything at once. Here are a few practical strategies:

Rotate your subscriptions. Pick two or three services at a time and cancel the rest. Most platforms let you resubscribe instantly, so you can cycle through them month by month. Watch everything you want on one service, then move on.

Go ad-supported. The ad-free premium is a luxury, not a necessity. Dropping from Premium to the ad-supported tier on Netflix alone saves you $17/month — that's $204 a year.

Use bundles wisely. The Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle and the Paramount+/Showtime combo can save you $5-10/month compared to subscribing separately. But only bundle if you'll actually use all the services included.

Share when you can. Netflix and some other platforms have cracked down on password sharing, but household plans still allow multiple profiles. Make sure you're not paying for a plan that's bigger than you need.

The streaming landscape in 2026 gives you more to watch than ever — but it also demands more of your budget. A quick subscription audit this weekend could save you hundreds over the next year. Which services are actually earning their spot in your monthly budget?