The whole point of streaming services like Netflix was that they weren’t cable. This meant no ads, no fixed schedules, and significantly lower costs. But all that is changing.
With numerous platforms competing for content rights, not everything is available in one place anymore. If you’re trying to keep up with every subscription, it’s not exactly cheap either. Moreover, services like Hulu have had ads for a while now, and now Netflix is slowly but surely following suit.
So, what’s really going on here? And more importantly, what can you do about it?
Does Netflix Have Ads?
Yes, Netflix has ads now. But it’s not for everyone.
For years, Netflix took pride in being an ad-free service. That was part of its brand: no commercials, no product placement, just on-demand content. But that’s changed. Netflix recently introduced a new plan with ads, marking the first time the platform has offered a service similar to traditional TV.
If you’ve seen ads on Netflix recently, you’re probably on this new plan, and you reside in one of the regions where Netflix shows ads. But don’t worry. Ad-free plans still exist. Whether you’re affected depends on the plan you’re on.
Which Netflix Plan(s) Come With Ads?
Netflix only has one plan with ads: Standard with Ads.
It’s the cheapest one and was introduced as a way to make Netflix more accessible without a free tier. Unlike the other plans, this one has ads before and during shows and movies.
The other plans like Standard and Premium, are ad-free. Netflix has already discontinued the Basic (no ads) plan in some regions, so budget-conscious users are being nudged towards the ad-supported option.
So if you see ads on Netflix, chances are you’re on the Standard with Ads plan, either by choice or because it was the only low-cost option in your country.
Ad-free vs Ad-supported Netflix Plans
At first glance the difference is obvious: one has ads, the other doesn’t. But there’s more to it than that.
The Standard with Ads plan is the cheapest option but comes with some caveats. Along with ads, some titles are not available due to licensing restrictions. It also limits you to 1080p on 2 devices at a time.
The Standard plan removes the ads and has the full content library. Want more? The Premium tier adds 4K, more simultaneous streams and download on additional devices.
Here’s a quick comparison.
| Plan | Price (USD) | Ads | HighestVideo Quality | Devices | ContentAvailability |
| Standard with Ads | ~$7.99/month | Yes | 1080p | 2 | Limited |
| Standard | ~$17.99/month | No | 1080p | 2 | Full |
| Premium | ~$24.99/month | No | 4K + HDR | 4 | Full |
Note: Prices and availability may vary by country. Netflix has removed the “Basic” (ad-free) plan in some regions.
It’s not just ads vs no ads, you get more features and flexibility with the higher tiers. If you share your account, travel a lot or just want the best video quality, you might wanna opt for a higher tier. But if you watch solo and don’t mind the occasional break, the cheaper ad-supported plan might be enough.
What Kind of Ads Does Netflix Show?
Netflix ads are short and inserted like traditional TV breaks, but less so than cable.
You’ll see one ad before a show or movie starts (a pre-roll) and a few mid-roll ads during longer content. On average, about 4-5 minutes of ads per hour. Each ad is 15-30 seconds long and can’t be avoided once they’re in the stream.
As for content, it’s mostly brand safe, region targeted advertising (e.g., telecoms, consumer products and streaming services). Nothing too jarring or disruptive (yet). Netflix has been rolling out more targeted ads based on broad viewer demographics and viewing habits but it’s not full algorithmic like YouTube or Meta.
No banner ads, no pop-ups, no product overlays. Just plain old commercial breaks. But that’s also what makes them hard to ignore, they’re built into the stream (more on that later).
Can You Skip Ads on Netflix?
Nope. If you’re on the Standard with Ads plan, you’re stuck with the full ad experience.
Netflix doesn’t allow skipping, fast-forwarding or even rewinding past ad segments. Once an ad starts, you’ve got no choice but to sit through it. And unlike YouTube, there’s no “Skip in 5 seconds” button. It’s old-school, cable-style commitment. Even if you try refreshing the page or jumping to a different timestamp, Netflix just picks up where it left off, with ads and all.
If skipping ads is a dealbreaker for you, the only real solution is to upgrade to an ad-free plan. Otherwise, bring a snack, check your phone and wait it out.
Can You Block Ads On Netflix?
Not really. Ad blockers do not work on Netflix.
Netflix ads are built into the stream, and ad blockers cannot differentiate between ads and actual content on Netflix. While some self-hosted DNS-based solutions like AdGuard Home worked for a while, users have reported that they do not work anymore.
Even if you’re watching in a browser, the ads are part of the stream. There’s no external script to block, no network call to intercept. And if you’re on a Smart TV or using the Netflix app, it’s basically impossible to block those ads.
However, there is one workaround.
How To Block Ads on Netflix?
You can’t really “block” Netflix ads. But here’s what you can do: avoid them altogether by switching your Netflix region.
Netflix’s ad-supported plan availability and pricing varies by country. In some regions the Standard with Ads plan doesn’t exist at all. In others the ad-free plans are way cheaper. So you might be able to get a better (and ad-free) version of Netflix just by changing your virtual location.
With a premium VPN like Surfshark you can connect to a country where ad-supported tiers aren’t offered or where the ad-free plans are cheaper. It’s not exactly “blocking” ads but it’s a clever workaround that might save you money and spare you the interruptions.
Just make sure you’re signed up using the region you’re tunnelling into, Netflix ties plan availability to your billing country.
Is Paying for an ad-free Netflix plan Worth It?
Yes. But not just because it removes ads, there’s also more content there.
If you’re a binge-watcher or like to settle in for a long movie without interruptions, the ads will get to you fast. Netflix shows around 4-5 minutes of ads per hour, which adds up. Especially if you watch multiple episodes in one sitting. And unlike YouTube, these ads aren’t skippable. Moreover, ad blockers don’t work on Netflix either.
And there’s the issue of missing content. Some shows and movies are just not available on the ad-supported plan due to licensing restrictions. Add to that no downloads for offline viewing and the upgrade starts to make more sense.
On the other hand, if you’re a casual viewer and saving money matters more than skipping ads, sticking with the cheaper plan isn’t a bad choice. You still get access to a good chunk of the library in HD.
So is it worth it? If you care about convenience, content and uninterrupted viewing yes. If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind a few ad breaks, the difference in prices are big enough that you can save quite a lot.
Why Did Netflix Start Showing Ads?
Netflix added ads to retain their users while increasing prices for their plans in certain regions.
For years Netflix refused to have ads, even as Hulu and Peacock went a cheaper route with ad-supported models. But after a rough patch in 2022 where Netflix lost subscribers for the first time in over a decade, things changed. Revenue was flat, growth had stalled and shareholders wanted new ways to make money.
The Standard with Ads plan allowed them to raise prices across the board and still have a cheap plan. By offering a lower cost tier supported by ads, Netflix can attract budget users and make money off every view.
Also worth noting, Netflix was one of the last big streamers to make this move. Hulu, HBO Max (now Max), Disney+ and even Amazon Prime Video have all launched or announced ad-supported options.
Will all Netflix Plans Have Ads in the Future?
No, not yet. According to Netflix, ad-free plans aren’t going anywhere.
The Standard with Ads plan was added as a lower cost option, not a replacement for existing ad-free plans. In fact, Netflix has said they want to give users a choice between paying with money or paying with time.
But no guarantees things will stay this way forever. The streaming industry is changing fast and Netflix has already made some quiet moves (like discontinuing the Basic (no-ads) plan in some regions) that may suggest that they’re gradually moving towards ad-supported viewing.
For now the Standard and Premium plans are ad-free. But if history is any indication, Netflix isn’t afraid to pivot when the numbers dictate. So while not all plans have ads today, keep an eye on what’s next.
Final Thoughts
Netflix hasn’t fully turned into cable, but it’s inching closer. Ads are here, and they’re probably not going away anytime soon. Whether you stick with them or pay to skip the noise, it all comes down to how you watch, and what that experience is worth to you.
And until the ads are available on all regions, you can still find an ad-free cheaper tier by switching another country with Surfshark.