Money Saving Expert, founded by Martin Lewis, has shared a simple Netflix method that could help you save some serious cash
Netflix users could save themselves £156 a year(Image: Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Financial specialists at Money Saving Expert (MSE) have revealed “Netflix hacks” designed to help “cut the cost of subscribing”. According to its website, these tips could deliver annual savings of £156.
The MSE team – founded by Martin Lewis – poses the question on its platform: “Do you really need more than the cheapest Netflix plan?” The site says simply adjusting your subscription could “save up to £156 a year”.
It explains: “There are three different Netflix plans in the UK, the more you pay, the more screens you can watch on simultaneously, the higher the quality you can watch in and the more devices you can download to. So, depending on the plan you’re on, there may be an easy way for you to reduce the cost.“
As of April 2025, 42% of users are on the £5.99-per-month “standard with ads” plan, according to Hub Entertainment Research. Others pay £12.99 for the standard plan or £18.99 for the premium plan.
If you don’t need extras like simultaneous viewing across multiple devices or Ultra HD quality, downgrading from Netflix Premium to Standard could save you £72 a year. Meanwhile, those willing to tolerate advertisements could cut £84 annually by moving from Netflix’s standard (ad-free) package to its ad-supported equivalent.
Combined, these adjustments mean that dropping from the premium tier to the ad-supported option would save £156 per year.
It adds: “Content streams in HD on the ad-supported standard plan (same as the standard ad-free plan), though Netflix says “a few” TV shows and films aren’t available on it.”
How much is Netflix a month in the UK?
According to the official Plans and Pricing page on the official Netflix Help Center website, its Basic plan was discontinued for new users in 2023 and for existing subscribers in 2024.
The current costs at the time of writing are as follows:
- Standard with adverts: £5.99 per month
- Standard: £12.99 per month – you can add one extra member for £4.99 a month with adverts or £5.99 per month without adverts
- Premium: £18.99 per month – you can add up to two extra members for £4.99 per person, each month with adverts or £5.99 each per month without adverts
Can I share my Netflix account with someone I don’t live with?
According to the Netflix Help Center, the simple answer is no – unless you pay more. The streaming service explains: “You may not share your Netflix account outside of your household. A Netflix Household is a collection of devices connected to the internet at the main place where you watch Netflix.”
Those outside your household need to either set up their own Netflix account or be registered as an extra member.
How do I add an extra member to my Netflix account?
If you have a Standard or Premium Netflix plan in eligible countries, you can share your account with someone who doesn’t live with you by adding them as an extra member.
To do this, you need to:
- Buy an extra member slot
- Invite the person to join as an extra member
The extra member must activate their account in the same country where the account owner signed up. Some overseas territories may not be supported, Netflix warns.
Extra members can’t be added to:
- Ad-supported plans
- Some partner or third-party billed plans
- Certain Netflix-included packages
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