Password sharing is over. Netflix now enforces stricter household rules, meaning South Africans must pay for their own accounts or risk losing access. If you’ve seen the “This account is being used in another household” warning, you’re probably asking: How much does Netflix cost in South Africa now, and which plan is worth it?
This guide covers the 2026 Netflix SA price list, plan features, payment options, and how it stacks up against Showmax, Disney+, and other competitors.
Netflix South Africa Prices: Complete Guide
| Plan | Price | Screens | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ads Plan | R49 | 1 | Full HD |
| Standard | R139 | 2 | Full HD |
| Premium | R199 | 4 | Ultra HD / 4K + HDR |
Prices include VAT and were last updated in early 2026. Expect annual increases of R10–R20 per tier.
Plan Breakdown
Ads Plan — Budget Choice
- R49/month
- 1 screen, Full HD
- No downloads, adverts every hour, limited casting options
- Best for students or solo mobile users with uncapped Wi‑Fi
- Not ideal for travellers or households needing offline viewing
Standard Plan — Balanced Option
- R139/month
- 2 screens, Full HD
- Downloads on 2 devices, no adverts
- Perfect for couples or small families
- Avoid if you need 4K or more than two simultaneous streams
Premium Plan — Full Experience
- R199/month
- 4 screens, Ultra HD 4K + HDR
- Downloads on 6 devices, Dolby Atmos audio
- Designed for large households and home theatre setups
- Overkill for single users or couples
Account Sharing Rules
Netflix now defines a household as people living at the same address. Logging in from another location for more than 14 days triggers verification.
Extra Members:
- Standard: Add 1 extra member for R49/month
- Premium: Add up to 2 extra members for R49 each
Example: Premium (R199) + 2 extras (R98) = R297/month. Each extra member gets their own login and profile.
Competitor Comparison
| Service | Price | Screens | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix Ads | R49 | 1 | Originals, docs, reality |
| Netflix Standard | R139 | 2 | Full library, downloads |
| Netflix Premium | R199 | 4 | 4K, Atmos, extra members |
| Showmax | R69–R149 | 1–5 | Local content, Premier League |
| Disney+ | R139 | 4 | Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar |
| Amazon Prime Video | R79 | 3 | Global hits, sports |
| Apple TV+ | R129 | 6 | High‑quality originals |
| DStv Stream | R220–R680 | 1–3 | Live sport, local soaps |
Netflix dominates international originals, Showmax leads in local programming, Disney+ excels for families, and DStv Stream remains the go‑to for live sport.
Payment Options in South Africa
- Cards: Visa, Mastercard, AmEx
- Vodacom & MTN billing: Add Netflix to your monthly cellphone bill
- Prepaid vouchers: Available at Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, spaza shops
- Gift cards: Online via Takealot and other retailers
Load Shedding Solutions
- Downloads: Standard and Premium allow offline viewing; Ads plan does not
- LTE routers with backup batteries: Keep streaming during outages
- Inverters/generators: Maintain fibre or DSL connectivity
- Data usage: ~1GB/hour (SD), 3GB/hour (HD), 7GB/hour (4K)
FAQs
- Is Netflix worth it? Yes, especially compared to cinema tickets or DStv bouquets.
- Local content? Yes — titles like Blood & Water, Ludik, Jiva.
- Free trial? No, discontinued in 2022.
- Best plan for Load shedding? Standard or Premium (downloads enabled).
- Can I share with my girlfriend down the road? Only by adding her as an extra member (R49/month).
Which Plan Should You Choose?
- Ads Plan (R49): Budget users, mobile viewing, don’t mind adverts
- Standard (R139): Couples, commuters, small families, offline downloads
- Premium (R199): Large households, 4K TVs, audiophiles, extra members
If you only watch occasionally, subscribe for one month, binge, then cancel.
Price Outlook
Netflix typically raises prices once a year. Premium rose from R179 (2023) to R199 (2024). Expect another R10–R20 increase by late 2026 or early 2027. Despite this, Netflix remains South Africa’s leading international streaming service.