TECH TIPS

How many people can watch Netflix at once? Device limits based on subscription plan.

Portrait of Olivia Munson Olivia Munson
USA TODAY

Have you ever sat down to watch a movie or show on Netflix only to be told, "Too many people are using your account right now"?

Any account on the streaming service can have up to five profiles, allowing users to share the platform with friends or family. However, this can prove to be a challenge when several people want to watch simultaneously. 

Netflix allows for a certain number of screens to watch at the same time. But, sharing an account can feel like a juggling act when deciding who gets to watch and at what times. 

Here is a guide to how many people can watch Netflix at once, depending on your payment plan. 

Any account on the streaming service can have up to five profiles, allowing users to share the platform with friends or family. However, this can prove to be a challenge when several people want to watch simultaneously.

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How many people can watch Netflix at once?

How many people can watch Netflix at once depends on what plan you purchased from the streaming service.

Netflix outlines a certain number of screens can be watched simultaneously. This breaks down to one user equaling one screen, meaning someone can watch on an iPad while another can watch on a TV, and so on. 

If you have the Basic plan, only one screen, or one user, is allowed to watch at the same time. 

On the Standard plan, you are upgraded to two screens, or two users, being able to watch at the same time. 

With the Premium plan, four screens, or four users, can stream at the same time.

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How much does Netflix cost?

Each Netflix plan comes with its own costs and perks, such as video quality and how many screens can watch at the same time. 

According to Netflix, the Standard with ads plan costs $6.99. For the Standard plan, it costs $15.49, while the Premium plan costs $19.99. These are monthly plans.

With the Standard plan, users have access to HD video quality. The Premium plan offers HD and Ultra HD quality videos. 

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