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Disney Plus and Netflix are two of the biggest streaming services available. Both streaming services have an extensive library full of content to choose from. With the prices for both services increasing, many people are considering which of the two streaming services would be more worth it to subscribe to.
Netflix has been around for a long time since 1998 while Disney Plus is still fairly new in comparison, having only launched in 2019. Both streaming services are popular with kids and adults alike and both have a huge user base. If you are debating which one would be better to have, there are many different factors that you will have to consider.
In this guide, we’ll help shed some light on some of the most important details to consider when you’re deciding which one to choose.
Disney Plus vs. Netflix At A Glance
Disney Plus Advantages
- Century-old catalog of children’s classics
- Cheaper pricing
- Allows more simultaneous streaming for a lower price
- Original programming from Marvel and Star Wars
Disney Plus Disadvantages
- Doesn’t have a broad catalog of movies
- Relatively new service, compared to Netflix
- Available on fewer platforms and devices
Netflix Advantages
- An extensive catalog of more than 6,000 shows
- Consistently produces original content
- Compatible with more devices
Netflix Disadvantages
- Charges more for more devices to simultaneously stream
- More expensive than Disney Plus
- Doesn’t cater as well to children when compared to Disney Plus
Winner: Don’t want to read the full article? The editor’s choice is Netflix.
What’s The Difference Between Disney Plus and Netflix?
Price
The price of a streaming service is one of the most crucial factors for many people. Prices can make or break someone’s budget, and it can be especially jarring if the price of a subscription rises over time. That is a significant reason why many people decided they would rather cancel their Netflix subscriptions rather than be subjected to a heavier price.
As far as the price between Disney Plus and Netflix goes, Disney Plus is the less expensive option. Many people consider keeping their Disney Plus subscription because it is affordable enough. It is definitely worth it to keep the kids (and yourself) entertained with your favorite Disney shows and movies.
Verdict: Disney Plus is the cheaper service between the two.
Read Disney Plus’ subscription tiers
Original Content
Both streaming services have plenty of original content for their viewers that can be found exclusively in their content library. For example, Netflix has popular shows like “Squid Game,” “Orange is the New Black,” and the newly released “Heartstopper.” Disney Plus has a variety of exclusive Marvel and Disney series such as “WandaVision” and “Loki” that you can access easily through a subscription to their service.
One of the biggest factors that draw subscribers to Netflix is its vast library full of original content. Netflix features many original shows and movies that keep its subscribers hooked on its services, and it’s still occasionally releasing new original content. With Netflix, you can be assured that there’s a rather consistent production of originals. Whether you love reality shows, movies, or series, Netflix seems quite stable and consistent with its commitment to producing original shows.
Likewise, Disney Plus has avid Marvel fans hooked on their services. People can find pretty much any Marvel movie they want and they can enjoy the multiple Disney Plus exclusive Marvel series they have released.
Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference of what types of original content appeal to you.
Verdict: Netflix wins this category as it has been extremely consistent in producing originals.
Read more about Netflix’s memberships
Simultaneous Streaming
Simultaneous streaming is another vital factor as to why some people choose one service over the other. Disney Plus allows up to four simultaneous streams so you and your family can watch whatever you want without any issues or extra costs. It also allows you to be logged into a maximum of ten devices.
With Netflix, it is an entirely different story. You are only allowed to have one stream at a time unless you upgrade your subscription plan. The standard plan allows you to have two streams at once, and the premium plan allows you to have four at once.
Netflix only allowing one stream at a time can be frustrating when everyone in the household is trying to watch shows at the same time. Unless you’re willing to pay more to allow more streams, it just seems like more of a hassle than anything. In this aspect, Disney Plus defeats Netflix.
Verdict: Disney Plus wins. It allows up to four simultaneous streams whereas Netflix makes you pay more for the same number of streams.
Creating Profiles
Both Netflix and Disney Plus allow you to create multiple customized profiles for everyone in your family. You can create seven profiles on Disney Plus and five profiles on Netflix. Both services have parental control settings so they can restrict content for children.
If you have a big family with many children, being able to have multiple personalized accounts is crucial. Since Disney Plus allows multiple simultaneous streams, you can continue watching your own shows or movies while the kids are occupied with their own.
Verdict: This is a draw. Both services make it possible and easy to create profiles.
Read if you’re looking to change region in Netflix
Compatibility with Devices
Disney Plus and Netflix can run on a whole lot of different devices. Since Netflix is one of the original streaming services, the Netflix app can work on older devices. Since Disney Plus is a newer streaming service, it may only work on newer types of devices.
Many people prefer to use streaming services on their televisions or their internet browsers most of all. They can also be used on video game consoles, tablets, and plenty of other devices.
This list below will show which devices can run which streaming services.
Netflix
- Apple TV
- Android TV
- Amazon Fire Stick
- Google Chromecast
- Safari
- Mozilla Firefox
- Google Chrome
- Playstation 3 and 4
- Multiple Smart TVs and Blu-ray players
- Nintendo 3DS
- Apple phones and tablets
- Android phones and tablets
- Nintendo WiiU
- Xbox 360 and Xbox One
- Roku
Disney Plus
- Google Chromecast
- Apple TV
- Android TV
- Amazon Fire TV
- Amazon Fire tablets
- Xbox One
- Google Chrome
- Mac OS
- Windows PC
- Playstation 4
- LG and Samsung Smart TVs
Verdict: Netflix does allow compatibility with more devices so while it wins this category, Disney Plus doesn’t fare too badly either as you will be able to watch it on most common devices.
No Advertisements
Netflix’s Basic Plan includes ads for CAD5.99, unlike Disney Plus. Commercial free streaming can be one of the most important deciding factors when it comes to streaming services. People who pay to have subscription services don’t want to be subjected to ads.
Kids and adults alike would get annoyed easily by a constant onslaught of ads.
Verdict: Disney Plus wins. It gives users an ad-free and undisrupted viewing experience.
Content Library
Both Netflix and Disney Plus have an extensive library full of original content and many fan favorites. When it comes to the size of the content library, Netflix has Disney Plus beat by a long shot. However, both streaming services have high-quality shows that their audiences are sure to enjoy. Disney Plus has many of the classic Disney movies, along with original content and series that avid fans love.
Netflix has over 6,000 movies and shows in its content library, many of which consist of original television shows and movies. While Netflix’s content is exceptionally bigger than Disney Plus’s, Disney Plus’s library is still full of amazing shows and movies. It even includes shows from channels like National Geographic, Disney Channel, and more. Many famous movie franchises can also be found on Disney Plus, like Marvel and Star Wars.
Both Netflix and Disney Plus have amazing libraries. If you are looking for quantity over quality, Netflix would be the way to go. However, it may be more difficult to decide between the two when it comes to quality over quantity. You may have to take the time to weigh your options if both streaming services have the content you are interested in.
Verdict: Netflix wins with a more extensive library of over 6,000 shows.
Read more on Netflix US in Canada
Family-Friendly Content
When it comes to family-friendly content, both Netflix and Disney Plus both excel. Both streaming services allow parents to set parental controls and restrict their children’s access to the settings. This will allow the kids to watch all of the family-friendly content they want without you having to worry about them stumbling onto something they are not supposed to watch. Parents can take a breath of relief knowing their children are watching age-appropriate content.
Disney Plus certainly has all of the family-friendly content anyone could ask for. In fact, their entire content library full of a century’s worth of well-loved classic movies and television shows can’t be ignored. Movie nights will be made easy and fun with their high-quality content library. They even have National Geographic available on their streaming service if you want your kids to watch something educational.
Netflix has an extensive library that is full of family-friendly shows and movies. They have movies and television shows like “Shrek,” “Bee Movie,” “Cocomelon,” and many other shows that children will love. Netflix’s extensive content library gives it a huge advantage and you won’t struggle to find a suitable family-friendly movie.
Verdict: Disney Plus wins this round with its century-old catalog of children’s classics.
Easy to Use
The user interface for both Netflix and Disney Plus are pretty similar and they are both simple to use. They both have a search bar that will allow you to look up any specific show you want to see. Both even allow you to download and watch shows offline, which is perfect for watching when you’re traveling.
Netflix has many sections that provide recommendations based on genre, the shows you have watched before, and popularity. They even allow you to keep a list of the shows you would like to see later so you will have an easier time finding them. You can fix the settings on your Netflix account to give kids their own profile so they can stick to their age-appropriate content. Netflix will allow you to have 100 downloads at one time, perfect for road trips and plane rides.
Disney Plus also has different sections that will allow you to find shows easily. They have many personalized sections that make it easier to find certain shows or series within a minute or two. They also have sections for recommended shows, movies, and channels for your viewing needs. With Disney Plus, you can have an unlimited amount of downloads that you can use for on-the-go viewing.
Verdict: Draw. Both are similarly easy to use and navigate.
Conclusion
Netflix and Disney Plus both offer high-quality content available to their subscribers. If you’re able to afford both, you’ll never run out of high-quality, engaging shows to watch. However, if you can only choose one, Netflix is the winner as it has a much broader catalog that caters to different ages and people. If you have to pick one, it’s likely that Netflix will suit different needs, whereas Disney Plus isn’t extensive enough to entirely replace Netflix.
While Disney Plus’ library isn’t as broad as Netflix’s, it caters well to children and is cheaper than Netflix’s. It’s also worth noting that Disney Plus has achieved so much after only being around for a short period. This can bode well for its potential as it keeps improving and building on its catalog. So if you prefer a cheaper streaming service and have children who love Disney’s range of entertainment, then Disney Plus is the way to go. Overall, though, Netflix takes the cake in a broader comparison of various factors.