The Netflix and Disney+ battle is on the rise as the late is expanding to 42 new markets this June. At the same time, Netflix reported a decline in its user base for the first time since launching in 2007.
Disney Plus will be available in 42 new countries and 11 new territories on June 8 including the Middle East and Africa, offering highly competitive content as well as prices compared to its rival.
Netflix has been suffering the Disney’s competition in the US and UK in the last few months, now, it’s getting even worse in other markets.
Netflix launched its streaming service in 2007, in the US, and Canada, then in Latin America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan before it expands to more than 60 countries in 2016.
Netflix could lose 750,000 UK subscribers as Disney takes control of hit shows. The Guardian reported in Jan. Accordingly, the Disney+ launch in emerging markets might drive more users to cancel their Netflix accounts and make it even harder for the giant online streaming network to survive in 2022.
So, what brings people to switch from Netflix to Disney+? In this article, we’ve outlined all the differences between Disney Plus and Netflix.
What is better Disney+ or Netflix?
The answer has different axes; as we should consider the following: online streaming content and the number of titles, monthly subscription price, the number of profiles associated with one account, number of devices you can use at once while streaming, kids mode feature, video and audio quality, free trial length, number of subscribers around the world, and many more.
Netflix vs. Disney+ overview
Netflix | Disney+ | |
No. of subscribers | 222 million | 87.6 million |
Free trial | Not available | Up to 7 days |
Monthly subscription fee | Basic $9.99 – Standard $15.99 – Premium $19.99 | $7.99 per month OR $79.99 annually |
No. of available titles | +5381 titles | +949 titles |
No. of profiles | 5 profiles | 7 profiles |
Simultaneous streams | Watch on 4 different devices with Premium, 2 with Standard, and 1 with Basic | 4 devices |
Kids mode | Available | Available |
Video and audio quality | Studio quality, Dolby Atmos, 5.1 sound (available only for premium plan) | full HD, ultra HD 4K, Dolby Atmos, 5.1 sound |
Online streaming content
Disney+
- Hit original comedy series
- Wide-reaching movie line-up from classics to action-packed Academy Award-nominated comedy
- Marvel Cinematic Universe titles, including Academy Award-nominated, the latest Marvel series, and the animated series
- Beloved stories from Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Academy Award-winning stories
- Disney beloved classics alongside recent blockbusters
- Hundreds of Disney Channel series, shorts, and specials are available to stream
- Popular National Geographic series and documentaries available to stream, and much more
- +949 available titles
Netflix
Although Netflix is a huge library for movies and TV shows, it has lost significant titles this year to its rival Disney+, including Prison Break, New Girl, Homeland, and Modern Family.
- +5381 available titles
Monthly subscription plans
Disney+
Costs $8 a month or $80 a year for ad-free streaming. You can also bundle Disney Plus with Hulu and ESPN+ for a $14/month starting price. A cheaper Disney Plus plan with ads is set to launch in late 2022 but the price is still unknown.
Netflix
Raised its monthly subscription prices in the U.S. and Canada by $1 and $2, depending on the plan. The basic plan costs $9.99 per month. The standard plan costs $15.99 per month. The premium plan costs pay $19.99 per month.
Number of profiles associated with one account
Disney+
Allows for up to seven profiles to be associated with one account, but the four-device cap remains.
Netflix
Netflix allows the creation of five profiles per premium account, yet, the company has announced early this year that it’s testing charging a fee to its subscribers who share their accounts with other people outside their homes. Subscribers on Standard and Premium plans will be able to add up to two new sub-accounts for people they don’t live with – each with their own profile, personalized recommendations, login, and password.
Simultaneous streams/devices
Disney+
Subscribers can use up to four separate devices at once while streaming.
Netflix
Depending on the kind of Netflix plan you have, you can stream video on one device (Basic), two devices (Standard), or four devices (Premium) at a time.
Kids mode feature
Disney+
As part of the parental controls that Disney+ offers, viewers can create a Kid’s profile for an easy-to-use interface that only features shows and movies appropriate for all ages.
Netflix
A Netflix Kids profile (intended for ages 12 and under) will only play TV shows and movies carefully selected for kids, and it won’t allow access to account settings or Netflix mobile games.
Video and audio quality
Disney+
Offers full HD (1080p resolution) picture quality for most content. They also provide a selection of Ultra HD 4K movies which will have Dolby Vision, 5.1 sound, and Dolby Atmos on the Disney+ App on compatible Android TV, Apple TV, and LG TV. Of course, the quality of video and audio will depend upon a number of factors, including device capability and internet speed.
Netflix
Has brought “studio quality” sound to its audiences. The company increased its audio bitrate up to 640 kbps on devices that support 5.1 surround sound and up to 768 kbps for Dolby Atmos — though you’ll need to be a Premium subscriber for that.
Netflix supports streaming with improved audio quality to give you a cinematic experience at home. You can stream high-quality audio on most titles available with 5.1 surround sound or Dolby Atmos.
Free trial
Disney+
Disney+ offers a 7-days free trial to new customers. Customers will automatically move to a paid subscription plan at the end of your free trial, billed at the current rate until canceled. You can cancel your free trial at any time.
Netflix
Netflix does not offer free trials, but you have the freedom to change your plan or cancel online at any time if you decide Netflix isn’t for you.
Number of subscribers
Disney+
The total number of subscribers is around 87.6 million worldwide, excluding the 50.1 million people subscribed to Disney Plus Hotstar internationally.
The number of subscribers for all of its streaming offerings — including Hulu and ESPN Plus — had grown to over 205 million, an increase from the 196.4 million it reported in January.
Netflix
Has 222 million subscribers. Announced a net loss of 200,000 subscribers globally, and expects to lose a further two million of its subscribers.