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Netflix vs Apple TV+ UK — 2026

Side-by-side comparison: pricing, content library, 4K, downloads, family features, and which is right for you.

Updated April 2026 · We may earn a commission if you sign up via our links — no extra cost to you.

N
Netflix
From £4.99/mo
Try Netflix
A
Apple TV+
From £8.99/mo
Try Apple TV+

Pricing

PlanNetflixApple TV+
Entry (with ads)£4.99/mo
Ad-free£10.99/mo£8.99/mo
4K / Premium£17.99/mo£8.99/mo
DownloadsUp to 100Not available
Max screens4 (Premium)6 (Premium)

Features at a glance

FeatureNetflixApple TV+
Content library~6,000 titles~350 titles (all originals)
4K HDR✓ Premium plan✓ Premium plan
Dolby Vision✓ Premium plan✓ Premium plan
Dolby Atmos✓ Premium plan✓ Premium plan
Downloads100 titles— titles
Simultaneous screens4 (Premium)6 (Premium)
Kids profiles
Cancel anytime
Free trial
Annual billing

Content library

Netflix
~6,000 titles

Heavy investment — Stranger Things, The Crown, Squid Game, Wednesday

Stranger Things
The Crown
Squid Game
Wednesday
Bridgerton
Black Mirror
Apple TV+
~350 titles (all originals)

Quality over quantity — Severance, Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, Slow Horses, Monarch

Severance
Ted Lasso
The Morning Show
Slow Horses
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
Shrinking

Family & parental features

Netflix
Per-profile parental controls with PIN lock
Maturity rating filters (Little Kids, Older Kids, Teens)
Dedicated Kids experience with visual menu
Profile transfer — move a profile to its own account
Apple TV+
Up to 6 family members with own accounts
Parental controls with PIN protection
Age-restricted content filtering
Shared purchases and in-app subscriptions

Pros & cons

Netflix
+Largest library of the two (~6,000 UK titles)
+Best original content variety — drama, comedy, international
+Strong ad-free tier at £10.99
+Up to 100 offline downloads
Premium plan (£17.99) is expensive for 4K
No annual billing option
No free trial
Password sharing now restricted to one household
Apple TV+
+No ads whatsoever on any plan
+Consistent award-winning production quality
+Up to 6 family members at no extra cost
+4K Dolby Vision and Atmos on all content
+Often free with Apple device purchases
Originals-only library (~350 titles vs Netflix ~6,000)
Smallest catalogue of any major service
Not ideal for heavy bingers — fewer shows to choose from
Limited back catalogue to discover

Which should you choose?

Choose Netflix if…
You want the largest variety of shows and films
You enjoy international TV (Korean drama, Spanish thriller, etc.)
You want ad-free streaming from £10.99
Choose Apple TV+ if…
You have children at home
You're a Marvel, Star Wars, or Pixar fan
You want 4K HDR at a lower price (£11.99 vs £17.99)
Get both if…
Your household has mixed tastes
You watch MCU/Star Wars AND need a broader library
Combined cheapest tier cost is just £9.98/month
Cancellation guides

Not sure yet? Both services are easy to cancel — no long contracts.

Frequently asked questions

Is Netflix or Apple TV+ better value in the UK?

For general entertainment, Netflix offers a bigger library and more varied genres. Apple TV+ is better value for families and franchise fans — its Premium plan (£8.99/mo) costs less than Netflix Premium (£17.99/mo).

Can I watch 4K on Netflix and Apple TV+ in the UK?

Yes, but only on their most expensive plans. Netflix requires the Premium plan (£17.99/mo). Apple TV+ requires the Premium plan (£8.99/mo). Neither includes 4K on their entry-level ad-supported tiers.

Which has more content — Netflix or Apple TV+?

Netflix has the larger library with ~6,000 titles in the UK. Apple TV+ has ~350 titles (all originals), but with exceptional franchise depth: every Marvel Cinematic Universe film and show, all Star Wars content, Pixar, Disney Animation, and National Geographic.

Do Netflix and Apple TV+ both allow downloads?

Netflix allows up to 100 downloads on Standard and Premium plans. Apple TV+ allows up to 25 downloads on the Premium plan. Neither allows downloads on their ad-supported entry tier.

Can I have both Netflix and Apple TV+?

Yes. At their cheapest tiers combined cost is just £9.98/month. Many households use Netflix for variety and adult viewing, and Apple TV+ for family and franchise content.

Still not sure? Let us decide for you.

Our subscription advisor analyses your watchlist and taste to tell you exactly which services you should keep, drop, or try.

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