Netflix Basic with Ads is cheap. But is it nasty? Here's what I think

EntertainmentStreamingNetflix Basic with Ads is cheap. But is it nasty? Here’s what I thinkNetflix’s cheapest plan has some serious shortcomings, especially if you have a big TVWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Netflix’s cheapest plan has some serious shortcomings, especially if you have a big TV

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Netflix logo on a TV

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

And on first glance that looks like a great deal compared to £6.99 / $9.99 for Basic, £10.99 / $15.49 for Standard and £15.99 / $19.99 for Premium. But the question Netflix subscribers need to ask themselves is, well, is it a great deal?

In my opinion, the short answer to that question is no. It’s eminently affordable, but I think it’s aimed at a very different kind of person than the bold readers of T3 and has some limitations that for most people will be deal-breakers.

Here I explain those limitations from my perspective.

What’s wrong with Netflix Basic with Ads?

The biggest issue isn’t the ads; they’re not too numerous and they won’t appear around kids' programs.

The biggest and most obvious shortcoming is that even though we’re nearly in 2023, Netflix Basic with Ads streams at just 720p resolution. If you have one of thebest TVsit’s going to look awful no matter how powerful your upsampling processor. If you’re watching on a small tablet or a phone you’ll be fine, but this isn’t one for a big TV.

The second shortcoming is that there’s no offline viewing, and the third is that some devices aren’t supported – so at the moment you can’t use the service onApple TV, or with Chromecasts predating theChromecast with Google TV.

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Last but not least, a lot of shows are unavailable to Basic with Ads subscribers. It’s not a huge list but it does include some big hitters: House of Cards, The Good Place, Friday Night Lights, Arrested Development, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Suits, The Office (US) and films such as Paddington, Scary Movie and Skyfall. Reports suggest as much as 10% of Netflix’s usual content will be unavailable to Basic with Ads subscribers depending on where you are.

If you’re already subscribing to other streaming services and only plan to watch the odd Netflix thing on your phone or tablet, this is an okay way of doing it. But Netflix Basic does live up to its name due to the lack of full HD and its current limited device support. It’s better suited to mobile viewing – provided, of course, that you aren’t far from Wi-Fi or mobile data signals.

Today’s best Netflix dealsNetflix - Standard with ads$6.99/mthViewatNetflixNetflix - Standard$15.49/mthViewatNetflixNetflix - Premium$22.99/mthViewatNetflix

Today’s best Netflix deals

Netflix - Standard with ads$6.99/mthViewatNetflixNetflix - Standard$15.49/mthViewatNetflixNetflix - Premium$22.99/mthViewatNetflix

Netflix - Standard with ads$6.99/mthViewatNetflix

Netflix

Netflix - Standard with ads

$6.99/mthView

$6.99/mth

/mth

atNetflix

Netflix - Standard$15.49/mthViewatNetflix

Netflix

Netflix - Standard

$15.49/mthView

$15.49/mth

/mth

atNetflix

Netflix - Premium$22.99/mthViewatNetflix

Netflix

Netflix - Premium

$22.99/mthView

$22.99/mth

/mth

atNetflix

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What’s wrong with Netflix Basic with Ads?#

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