Why I Left Netflix, and You Should Too
At this late stage of the streaming era, we’re all overwhelmed by digital subscriptions we can’t keep track of, from fitness apps to cloud storage. Yet, it seems that Netflix is one of the subscriptions people cancel the least, and the statistics back this up.
Perhaps it’s because Netflix was the first company to truly make streaming accessible, or perhaps it’s the vast catalog of content it’s amassed, or perhaps it’s simply the shows Stranger Things and The Squid Game . Whatever the case, Netflix’s subscriber churn is impressively low. Subscribers stick around.
Of course, I’ve always considered this app the primary one on my streaming device. But recently, while reviewing all my monthly subscriptions, I decided to save some money and ditch Netflix altogether. It went so well that I recommend you do the same.
Here’s what I’ve noticed since Netflix disappeared from my life—and I have a strong suspicion you might experience the same. (Honestly, I’ll eventually subscribe again, if only to finish Stranger Things , but there are benefits to ditching it, even if only temporarily.)
I didn’t miss it as much as I thought I would.
I was a fairly avid Netflix user before I quit, often checking out recommended shows and movies in the evenings, especially on weekends. Recently, I binge-watched shows like The Diplomat , Department Q , Departure , and Glass Dome . I could always find something to watch on Netflix.
But when I lost access to Netflix, I realized I didn’t miss it that much. I switched to other streaming services, particularly free ad-supported channels. There’s actually a lot more free content than you might think. I even rewatched a few movies and TV shows I’d previously purchased from various platforms (because you don’t always want to rent something for the evening).
I’ve also been streaming less video overall—I’ve been spending more time gaming and reading since I ditched my Netflix subscription. I’ve even been to a real movie theater a couple of times (though, of course , you almost never see anything Netflix produced on the big screen ).
Prices continue to rise
Before I ditched Netflix, I had the most expensive plan: £18.99 per month in the UK and $24.99 per month in the US. It offers the best audio and video quality, 4K HDR, surround sound, four simultaneous streams, and six devices for downloading content. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive streaming packages out there, and prices keep rising .
After a massive password audit in 2023, you won’t even be able to share an account with anyone outside your household—at least not without paying an extra fee (£4.99 in the UK and $8.99 in the US). By any measure, that’s a significant amount. If you pay for the best plan plus an additional six months’ subscription and decide to ditch Netflix, you’ll save over $200.
Sure, there are cheaper plans if you’re willing to watch ads and low-resolution videos, but I thought the whole point of streaming was to avoid ads . It’s hard to imagine Netflix ever lowering its prices, so this problem will likely become even more acute over time.
Your account will be retained for two years.
One reason you might be reluctant to cancel your Netflix subscription is because you fear losing years of viewing history and personalized recommendations, and having to start from scratch if you decide to re-sign up. However, Netflix actually stores your account data for 24 months , including ratings, game saves, and other data.
If you resubscribe in a couple of years, everything will be exactly where you left off (though you might have to watch recaps of some of the shows you binge-watched). This suggests Netflix is committed to keeping resubscriptions open for as long as possible. In my experience, you’ll likely receive numerous renewal emails during this time.
I’ll return to Netflix someday—there’s too much I want to watch—but after years of using the service, it was an interesting experiment to see what life was like without it. Now I definitely won’t worry about taking a break from Netflix again in the future. When I decide to renew my subscription, it’ll only take a couple of clicks or taps.