Nov 15, 2025
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Remember when cutting the cord was supposed to save you money? That feels like a distant memory as streaming services continue raising prices at a rapid pace. With 2025 bringing another round of hikes, "streamflation" is squeezing family entertainment budgets.
Every major streaming platform has raised its prices since 2019, and some have more than doubled their original monthly cost. As these companies chase profitability and spend billions on original content and sports rights, subscribers are left wondering whether the cost of sitting there, deciding what to watch over cold food, is worth it.
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Here’s a countdown of the seven major streaming services ranked by their price increases, from the most modest bumps to the most dramatic jumps.
7. Max, formerly HBO Max (NASDAQ:WBD)
Most popular original movies: Zack Snyder's Justice League, The Fallout
Most popular original shows: Euphoria, Peacemaker, White Lotus, Game of Thrones
Max has kept its price increases relatively moderate. The service launched in May 2020 at $14.99 per month for its ad-free tier. Today, the standard ad-free plan costs $18.49 — a 23% increase.
The first price hike came in January 2023, followed by additional increases in June 2024 and October 2025. For longtime users, that adds up to about $42 more per year. The Premium tier, which includes 4K streaming and four simultaneous streams, now costs $22.99 per month.
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6. Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX)
Most popular original movies: K-Pop Demon Hunters, Red Notice
Most popular original shows: Stranger Things, Squid Game, Black Mirror
Netflix has steadily pushed prices higher. The standard plan cost $12.99 in January 2019. Today, that same tier runs $17.99 per month — a 38% jump.
The Premium plan has seen an even larger increase, rising from $15.99 in 2019 to $24.99 today, a 56% jump that adds up to an extra $108 per year for users who want 4K streaming and multiple simultaneous streams.
Netflix typically raises prices every 18 months, with increases in October 2020, January 2022, October 2023 and January 2025. The company often points to its massive content spending — roughly $17 billion in 2024 — as justification.
5. Paramount+ (NASDAQ:PSKY)
Most popular original movies: Jerry and Marge Go Large, Infinite
Most popular original shows: Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, 1923, Halo
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Paramount+ launched in March 2021 as a rebrand of CBS All Access. Its ad-free Premium tier debuted at $9.99 per month. Today, that same tier costs $13.99 — a 40% increase in less than four years.
The most recent price bump arrived in January 2026, adding another dollar to both monthly tiers. The Essential (ad-supported) plan now costs $8.99, up from $4.99 at launch. Annual plans are available at $89.99 for Essential and $139.99 for Premium.
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4. Hulu (NYSE:DIS)
Most popular original movies: Prey, Predator: Killer of Killers
Most popular original shows: Shogun, The Handmaid's Tale, The Bear
Disney-owned Hulu has quietly implemented substantial price increases. The ad-supported tier cost $7.99 per month in early 2019. Today, that same plan costs $11.99 — a 50% increase.
The ad-free tier has grown even faster, from $11.99 in 2019 to $18.99 today, a 58% jump. The latest price adjustment arrived in October 2025 alongside a broader price update for Disney+.
Hulu's pricing strategy has become increasingly intertwined with Disney's broader streaming ambitions, as the company plans to fully merge Hulu into Disney+ by 2026. For longtime subscribers of the ad-free tier, the steady drumbeat of increases means they're now paying nearly $84 more per year than they were 6 years ago.
3. Peacock (NASDAQ:CMCSA)
Most popular original movies: Sick, The Killer
Most popular original shows: John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise, A.P. Bio, Mr. Mercedes
Peacock has raised prices by 120% since launch. The service debuted in July 2020 with a $4.99 monthly rate for its ad-supported Premium tier. Today, the same plan costs $10.99.
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The ad-free Premium Plus tier has jumped to $16.99 per month. After staying at launch price for nearly three years, Peacock began raising prices in 2023, followed by additional increases in 2024 and July 2025 — the latter being its largest jump.
Executives have said the service was initially underpriced, and its growing slate of sports content, including NBA games and Sunday Night Football, has contributed to the higher rates.
2. Apple TV+ (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Most popular original movies: Killers of the Flower Moon, Napoleon
Most popular original shows: Slow Horses, Severance, Ted Lasso
Apple TV+ takes second place with a 160% increase since launch. It debuted in November 2019 at $4.99 per month — well below competitors. Today, it costs $12.99.
Apple held its price steady until October 2022, when it rose to $6.99. Another jump to $9.99 came in 2023, followed by its biggest increase yet in August 2025.
While Apple TV+ has added acclaimed original programming and recently secured exclusive rights to stream Formula One in the US, the 160% increase means early adopters are now paying an extra $96 per year.
1. Disney+ (NYSE:DIS)
Most popular original movies: Soul, Disenchanted
Most popular original shows: The Mandalorian, Andor, Daredevil
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Disney+ takes the proverbial princess crown with a 172% increase since launch. When it arrived in November 2019, it cost $6.99 per month. Today, the ad-free Disney+ Premium tier is priced at $18.99.
Disney implemented its first increase in 2021, followed by larger jumps in 2022, 2023, 2024 and October 2025 as it introduced new tiers and invested heavily in original content.
For families who signed up expecting an affordable alternative to cable, the difference is stark: They’re now paying $132 more per year.
Is this just cable all over again?
When you add up subscriptions to just these 7 services at their current prices, you're looking at $75.93 per month if you opt for the cheapest (mostly ad-supported) tiers.
Want everything ad-free with standard features? That jumps to $118.43 monthly. But here's where it gets truly eye-opening: If you want the premium experience — Netflix's 4K Premium tier at $24.99, Max's Premium at $22.99, plus the top tiers of the other services — you're looking at $129.93 per month just for these seven platforms.
Add in other popular services like Spotify ($11.99/month), YouTube TV ($72.99/month for live TV), or specialized platforms like ESPN+, Crunchyroll, or other sports packages, and you're easily pushing $200-250 monthly.
Suddenly, your old cable bills don't look outrageous.
The streaming revolution promised choice, flexibility, and savings. While we have flexibility and choice, the savings have largely evaporated. As these services continue to consolidate, bundle, and raise prices in lockstep, consumers are left wondering if we've simply traded one monopolistic system for another — just with better user interfaces and on-demand viewing.
The trend shows no signs of slowing. With streaming services pouring billions into content production, sports rights, and international expansion, further price increases seem inevitable. The question isn't whether prices will go up again, but when and by how much.
For now, consumers can try to stay ahead by rotating subscriptions, taking advantage of promotional offers, and bundling where it makes sense. But one thing is clear: The golden age of cheap streaming is officially over.
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Rudro is an Editor with Moneywise. His work has appeared on Yahoo Finance, MSN Money and The Financial Post. He previously served as Managing Editor of Oola, and as the Content Lead of Tickld before that. Rudro holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Toronto.
