How to Get Netflix Cheaper
No company has done more to revolutionize the way we consume TV shows and movies in the modern era than the California-based company, Netflix. Beginning way back in 1997 as an online DVD rental service, they switched over to being primarily an online streaming service in 2010.
Since then, they’ve grown into being not only the most popular out of the major streaming services, with over 200 million current subscribers worldwide, but also one of the biggest players in producing original TV shows and movies, including the likes of Stranger Things, Ozark, Enola Holmes, and Marriage Story.
Watch Netflix TV Shows
As the service has become more and more popular, Netflix has been able to increase the price of a Netflix subscription, which in turn has allowed them to keep on increasing their output of high-quality TV shows and movies.
Originally just a $7.99 monthly subscription cost for a standard Netflix account, which provides HD content on 2 devices at the same time, that price has now ballooned to $13.99 a month. Even the cost of the cheapest Netflix subscription, the Basic Netflix account, has seen an increase.
Getting Cheaper Netflix
If you want to watch Netflix, but long for the days of a more reasonably priced service, we’re going to look into some of the best ways you can get Netflix cheaper right now.
And even though they discontinued their free one month trial last year, there is still a way to get free Netflix with a free trial. We’ll look at how in part 2 with ‘The 4 best ways to get cheap (or free) Netflix subscription plans’. But first, let’s take a closer look at the different types of Netflix subscription currently available.
Which Netflix Subscription?
If you visit the Netflix website, you’ll be given the choice of signing up for 3 different types of Netflix subscriptions, which you can watch via the Netflix app. The cheapest Netflix subscription, as we mentioned, is the basic Netflix account.
Basic Netflix Subscription
At $8.99 for this Netflix subscription this is the cheapest price you can get Netflix for. Although you still get full access to all the content on the streaming platform, the basic plan doesn’t allow you to watch content in HD (high-definition) but only SD (standard definition). In technical terms, it’s the difference between 1080p and 480p.
Although that may sound a lot, you may find yourself not even noticing the difference. Plus, if you’re using a non-HD ready screen to watch Netflix, then the SD quality that comes with the basic Netflix subscription is all you would require.
This is also true if you have a low-speed internet connection, since SD content downloads at just 600 Kbps, whereas HD requires 6 Mbps (i.e. 10 times faster). So, if you’re looking to save money, the basic Netflix account could be the one for you.
Standard Netflix Subscription
Perhaps the biggest reason why you might want to upgrade from the basic plan to the standard plan, aside from the HD content, is that with the standard Netflix subscription, you’re able to watch on 2 devices at the same time..
This could make a huge difference if you have a family and plan to watch Netflix at the same time. Just like with regular TV, with the standard subscription, you can watch the TV shows you like in one room, while your partner or other family member watches the TV shows he or she likes in another room. This not only saves an awful lot of potential squabbling, it also helps with saving money on Netflix and even getting free Netflix, which we’ll come to in part 2.
Premium Netflix Subscription
But if you want to watch Netflix in all its glory, and watch not just on one screen at the same time or even two, but on four screens, then the Premium Netflix account is the one for you. With the premium plan, you and your whole family get to watch Netflix in incredible ultra HD, or 4K resolution. This is double the resolution of standard HD, with a much higher picture quality.
Though not every title on Netflix is available in ultra HD through their premium plans, there are still literally hundreds you can watch, and that number will only increase as they put out more TV shows and movies.
However, internet speed is a really important factor when considering whether or not to sign up for the premium Netflix subscription. It’s recommended that you have a stable internet connection that can download at speeds of at least 25 Mbps.
Once you’ve decided which Netflix subscription is the right one for you, the next thing to look at is how you can save money with Netflix, and even get free Netflix through free trials.
The 4 Best Ways to Get Cheap (or Free) Netflix Subscription Plans
Google Play Gift Cards
Before we come to our list, let’s look at the claim you find on many website that you can get Netflix cheaper using online discounted gift cards.
The truth is that gift cards are a notoriously hit-or-miss affair, especially when it comes to a company like Netflix. Having discontinued their free trials, it seems that Netflix does everything it can to wipe the net of discounted Netflix gift cards too.
There is another option available when it comes to getting a Netflix gift card. However, it’s not directly through Netflix itself and it’s only available to current Netflix subscribers who pay through iTunes or Google Play.
Google Play gift cards and discounted iTunes gift cards are more readily available than their Netflix equivalents, though this still doesn’t mean they’re that easy to come by. Sites like CDKeys.com could offer you a couple of dollars off for discounted iTunes or Google Play gift cards if you’re lucky enough to find them.
And another thing to bear in mind is that even current Netflix subscribers who pay this way can only do so as long as they’re using their current credit or debit card. Once that runs out so does this option, and you’d then need to sign up directly through Netflix.
Let’s start our list with a way to get the streaming service totally free…
1. T-Mobile Plan
Well…not exactly free. It does require that you’re signed up to certain T-Mobile plans. But if you’re already signed up to these plans, or switching to them is a viable option for you, then this is a great way to cut your Netflix bill to absolute zero.
The first of the free Netflix offers they provide is with their Magenta plan, holding a minimum of 2 lines, or their Magenta Max plan, holding just one line. If you have any of these then you get the Netflix Basic subscription included in your plan.
The second option gives you Netflix Standard for free. This is only available for users signed up to the T-Mobile Magenta Max plan, holding two or more lines.
When it comes to the monthly fee for these mobile plans, the Magenta plan costs $40 per line, and the Magenta Max plan $47 per line (at the time of writing).
2. DVD Rental Service
You may have known that Netflix started life as a DVD rental service before becoming the world’s most popular streaming service. But did you know that they still run their DVD rental service to this day?
It’s true, only the company is now called DVD.com, though it’s still entirely run by Netflix. If you search cheapest Netflix subscription, you’ll probably get the answer that it’s Basic Netflix at $8.99. But technically speaking the cheapest Netflix subscription is a dollar less, at $7.99.
This is for the standard Netflix DVD plan, for which you can enjoy unlimited movies every month, with one DVD out at a time. And the best thing about renting DVDs from Netflix is that there are no late fees and all shipping is paid for.
If you’d rather enjoy 2 DVDs at a time, with everything else exactly the same, then you need to opt for the Premier plan at $11.99 a month.
Now the great thing about the Netflix DVD company is that they provide a month’s free trial, something sadly lacking with their streaming service. However, you do need to provide payment details when registering. This means that if you don’t want to continue paying when the free trial expires, be sure to cancel your account, which you can do at any time.
3. The Ol' VPN Hack
Now, this isn’t really hacking, don’t worry. But what it is is a way to trick Netflix into thinking you’re in a different country than you really are.
Now, why on earth would you want to do that? To answer this, we have to spill one of Netflix’s sneakiest secrets: the price for a Netflix subscription varies from country to country. And not relatively, based on exchange rates, but in absolute terms. And by a lot!
Cheapest Country for Netflix
As we said, exchange rates are always changing and so too is the Netflix subscription pricing. At the time of writing, however, the cheapest Netflix country for the Basic and Standard subscriptions is Argentina, at around $3.28 and $5.40 a month respectively.
And for Netflix Premium, the cheapest country currently is Turkey, at $7.49 a month. These numbers alone (up to $10+ a month in savings) make it obvious why you would want to look into this method of getting a Netflix subscription. So, how can you make it work?
Setting it Up
The first thing you need to do is get a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This will change your IP (internet protocol) address, so that it’s the same as your country of choice.
There are many options for which VPN to choose, so it’s hard to say which is the best VPN . But some of the ones to take a look at are NordVPN, SurfShark, or ExpressVPN. You can compare prices and terms, but they should all do a good job of providing you with a fast, secure connection to your country of choice, for around $10 a month.
However, like most times you sign up for stuff on the web these days, Netflix requires new customers to provide a mobile number and send you an SMS to verify your account. And not actually being a native of Argentina or Turkey, chances are you don’t have a mobile number for those countries. Thankfully, there are a couple of ways around this bump in the road.
Method 1: Find an online SMS site
There are sites, such as smscodes.io, which let you create a virtual phone number in different countries. Once you’ve set this up, you can then successfully verify your Netflix account via SMS for that country. But you may have to spend a buck or two to get a number that actually works.
Method 2: Use an expired Netflix account
If you have previously been a subscriber to Netflix, or if you’re prepared to pay for a month of Netflix and then cancel your account, this method can work for you. Netflix only requires you to verify your account via SMS when you’re setting up a new account. So if you’re using an old one, this isn’t necessary. All you need to do is turn on the VPN to Turkey or Argentina, then click to restart your subscription, and you can start using Netflix for that country.
Method 3: Set up a new account in your country first
If neither of the first two options appeal, there’s still one more way you can do it. First, follow all the steps to sign up for Netflix in your own country (including the SMS verification part). Then, as soon as you reach the screen to pay by credit card, turn on your VPN to Turkey or Argentina, refresh the page, and all prices should now be converted to Turkish Lira or Argentine Peso.
Is it worth it?
One thing that might jump out at you at this point is that if you’re paying $10 a month for a VPN and getting just $10 a month in savings for your Netflix subscription, what’s the point?
It’s a good question. But it’s worth considering that VPNs aren’t just a great way to get cheaper Netflix, they’re also one of the best ways you can ensure your online security, especially in this day and age of ever-increasing cyberattacks and government spying.
So, it’s really up to you if you want to go with this option or choose another method of getting cheaper, or even free Netflix, and start watching your favorite TV shows in no time. Let’s look at some more hacks right now.
4. Share an Account
Method 1: Friends and Family
This is far and away the most common method used by people to lower the cost of streaming platform subscriptions, including of course Netflix. And it’s potentially the cheapest way to go about it.
All in or out of the Family
The great thing about streaming services, including Netflix, is that outside of basic subscriptions, Netflix offers plans that allow users to watch on multiple devices at the same time. So, while you’re watching your favorite TV shows, someone else using the same account can watch a movie on a different device.
Intended for people in the same household to be able to use the same account, Netflix thankfully is very cool about friends, colleagues, and other family members sharing an account, even if they don’t live in the same household.
How much you can save
With the standard subscription you can watch on 2 devices simultaneously, which means you could split the $13.99 a month subscription price in half, and enjoy a saving a $6.98 a month.
But for even better savings, go all out and get the Premium subscription and three friends to share the cost. That way, the $17.99 a month price just got slashed to $4.50 a month, and you make a whopping $13.49-a-month saving!
But in this online age, why not make the process a whole lot easier and save yourself the trouble of potentially creating money squabbles among your friends?
Method 2: Online Sharing Community
There are online platforms, such as TogetherPrice, which allow people to form streaming account groups and set up payments between each other.
This is a great way to find people in the same boat as you fast, rather than having to ask among people in real life. But, like with everything on the web, you have to be careful with your online security. If you join up to one of the groups without a current Netflix subscription, you need to make a monthly payment to the Admin of the group (i.e. the person who holds the Netflix account).
If you’re happy making private payments to individuals you don’t know over the internet, then this method could be for you. If not, there is another alternative, which bypasses the need to make these kinds of payments altogether, and even gives you the chance of free Netflix!
Method 3: OneChannel
OneChannel brings together all of the benefits of account sharing of the previous two methods, allowing you to make big savings every month. But on top of that, it provides you with full online security and convenience via an easy=to-use app on your phone or tablet.
After you download and set up the OneChannel app, you can start streaming Netflix right away. All the hassle of matching up with other users and the potential security risk of organizing private payments online is removed.
How OneChannel works
You sign up to the platform as either an Admin (i.e. have a current Netflix account) or Guest (looking share an Admin’s account). The software in the app matches you up with other users automatically and anonymously, so there’s never any need to contact or share information with others.
Payments are made through the app rather than between users, ensuring total peace of mind for everyone involved. All credentials are encrypted and stored on the server, and regularly changed for extra security.
By allowing the OneChannel app to use the auto-fill function on your phone, whenever you log into the Netflix app, the username and passwords are automatically filled in. You then have full access to your own fully private, secure account with a personalized streaming history and recommendations.
Stream it all!
If you want to get cheaper Netflix, OneChannel is the way to go. But it’s not just Netflix, you can sign up and start watching any or all of the 5 major streaming services: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and Hulu. You’ll now have a vast array of TV shows and movies you could start watching, all on one subscription!
7-day free trial
And what’s more, with OneChannel, you get a 7 day free trial – something that doesn’t exist with any other service. And you don’t need to worry about being charged automatically at the end of your 7 day free trial – no payment information is required to sign up. When the free trial is over, it’s entirely up to you if you want to continue.
However, with savings of up to $40 a month, there’s every reason to think you would want continue. But if you decide streaming isn’t for you, you can cancel your account any time, no questions asked.
OneChannel for your viewing entertainment
You can download the OneChannel app now from the App Store or Google Play, completely free of charge. Get started on your Netflix journey today, save money, and enjoy the ride!
Copyright © 2022 One Channel Ltd.
