Streaming was supposed to be the affordable alternative to cable. For a while, it was. But somewhere along the way, the math changed. Between Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Apple TV+, YouTube Premium, and Peacock, a fully-loaded streaming stack now costs more than a cable subscription did a decade ago — and the prices keep climbing.
Here's a full breakdown of where prices stand heading into 2026, what's changed, and what you can actually do about it.
The Price Rundown
Netflix
Netflix has gone through several rounds of price increases and plan restructuring over the past few years. The ad-supported Standard plan sits at around $7.99/month, but the Standard plan (no ads) is $17.99/month, and Premium (4K, multiple streams) runs $24.99/month.
The company also cracked down on password sharing, effectively forcing former account-sharers to either subscribe independently or pay an add-on fee (around $8.99/month per extra member).
Disney+
Disney+ launched in 2019 at $6.99/month and positioned itself as a budget-friendly option. Those days are over. The ad-supported plan is now $11.99/month, while the ad-free Premium tier is $18.99/month. The Disney+/Hulu Bundle with ads runs $12.99/month.
Hulu
Hulu's with-ads plan is $7.99/month, up from $5.99 at launch. Without ads: $17.99/month. Hulu + Live TV (which includes Disney+ and ESPN+) starts at $89.99/month — squarely in cable territory.
Max (formerly HBO Max)
Max now offers three tiers: the with-ads plan at $10.99/month, the Standard plan (ad-free) at $18.49/month, and the Premium tier (4K, up to 4 simultaneous streams) at $22.99/month. Max has consolidated content from multiple Warner Bros. Discovery properties, so you're getting more — but also paying considerably more than the original HBO Now pricing from a few years back.
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is now $12.99/month, up from its original $4.99 launch price. The library is smaller than competitors, but the originals (Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, Slow Horses) are consistently high quality.
YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium — which removes ads from YouTube and includes YouTube Music — is now $13.99/month for individuals, up from $11.99. A family plan runs $22.99/month for up to 6 people.
Peacock
Peacock now offers three paid tiers: a Limited plan at $7.99/month (with ads and limited content), Premium at $10.99/month (with ads, full library), and Premium Plus at $16.99/month (no ads). Its library leans heavily on NBCUniversal properties and live sports.
The Total If You Subscribe to Everything
If you subscribed to every major service at their mid-tier (ad-free or equivalent), here's roughly what you'd pay per month:
| Service | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Netflix Standard | $17.99 |
| Disney+ Premium | $18.99 |
| Hulu (no ads) | $17.99 |
| Max Standard | $18.49 |
| Apple TV+ | $12.99 |
| YouTube Premium | $13.99 |
| Peacock Premium | $10.99 |
| Total | ~$111/month |
That's over $1,330 per year — and we haven't included Amazon Prime Video (bundled with Prime at ~$139/year), Paramount+, Spotify, or any sports streaming add-ons.
What You Can Actually Do About It
Rotate Services
You don't need all of them at once. Watch everything you want on Netflix for two months, then pause it and switch to Max to get through their catalog. Most services allow you to cancel and resubscribe without losing your watch history or preferences.
This takes a bit of planning — note what's leaving a service soon, what new shows are dropping where — but it's one of the most effective ways to cut costs by 40–50%.
Use Bundle Deals
The Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) is notably cheaper than subscribing to each separately. Verizon, T-Mobile, and certain credit cards also offer streaming service perks or discounts — it's worth checking what's included in plans you already pay for.
Choose the Ad-Supported Tier
The ad-supported tiers have gotten much better. Netflix and Disney+'s ad tiers now have very limited interruptions on most content, and the price difference is meaningful. For occasional viewing, ad-supported is often the right call.
Share a Family Plan
Most services offer family or multi-profile plans at significantly lower per-person cost. If you have roommates, family members, or trusted friends who want to split, a family plan often brings the cost per person down to $3–$6/month.
Watch for Annual Plan Discounts
Some services offer a discount for paying annually rather than month-to-month — effectively getting 1–2 months free. If you're committed to a service for the long term, annual billing makes sense. Just set a reminder to evaluate whether you still want it before it auto-renews.
Price Increases Aren't Slowing Down
Streaming services are no longer in the growth-at-all-costs phase. They're focused on profitability now, and price increases are a direct result. Analysts broadly expect continued price increases across the industry through 2026 and beyond.
The key is staying aware. Many people don't realize a service has raised its price until months later when they finally look at their statements. SubOwl's Price Alerts feature notifies you automatically when any subscription's price changes, so you're never caught off guard. When a service raises its price, you can make an informed decision about whether it's still worth keeping — rather than absorbing the increase silently for months.
The streaming landscape is better than ever in terms of content. Whether it's worth the price is a question only you can answer — but at least now you know exactly what you're paying.