Who doesn’t love watching movies and shows? Since the time televisions were discovered and different media started telecasting different types of entertainment like movies, shows, and cartoons, we all have been amazed by their capability to capture our attention for hours. We enjoy watching them with our friends and families. In today’s time, with the boon of the internet, we can watch our favorites on streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and many others. But which streaming service is best for us?
In this article, we are going to talk about Netflix Vs Disney Plus, the two giants in this industry and which one should you consider for your entertainment.
Netflix’s History
It was founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph as a DVD rental-by-mail service. Now, it is an American subscription video-on-demand over-the-top (OTT) streaming service. In its initial days, Netflix allowed customers to rent DVDs online and have them delivered to their homes. This innovative approach disrupted the traditional video rental industry, which relied on physical stores. In 2007, Netflix introduced its streaming service, allowing customers to watch movies and TV shows instantly on their computers. This marked a significant shift in the company’s business model, as it moved away from physical DVDs and embraced digital streaming.
Beginning in 2013, Netflix started producing its own original content and expanded its services internationally, making its content available in more than 190 countries. In 2016, the company announced a major international expansion, bringing its streaming service to 130 additional countries. This move allowed Netflix to reach a global audience and establish itself as a leading player in the streaming industry.
Disney Plus’s History
Disney Plus, also known as Disney+, is a popular streaming service that offers a vast collection of movies, TV shows, and original content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. Disney Plus was launched on November 12, 2019, in the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands. It quickly gained popularity due to its extensive library of beloved Disney classics and the anticipation for new original content. The service expanded to other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and many more, within the first year.
Disney Plus offers integration with other streaming services like Hulu and ESPN+. Users have the option to bundle these services together, providing a comprehensive entertainment package. This allows subscribers to access a wide variety of content across different genres and interests. Disney Plus has experienced significant growth in its subscriber base since its launch. As of October 2022, it had reached approximately 129.8 million subscribers worldwide. The service’s popularity can be attributed to its extensive content library, including classic Disney films, beloved franchises, and highly anticipated original series.
Comparison Between The Two Streaming Services
| Features | Netflix | Disney Plus |
| Launch Year | 2007 | 2019 |
| Plans & Pricing | Standard with ads: $6.99 / monthStandard (without ads): $15.49 / month Premium (without ads): $22.99 / month | Basic monthly plan: $7.99/mo. Premium monthly plan: $13.99/mo. |
| Library Titles | Over 17,000 Shows and Movies | Around 15,000 Shows and Movies |
| Geographic Availability | over 190 countries | 60 countries |
| Supported Devices | Wide range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming sticks, gaming consoles, and mobile devices. | Available on most major streaming devices and platforms. |
| Original Content | Yes | Yes |
Netflix vs Disney Plus Content Variety
Netflix is known for its vast library of shows and movies from different genres and countries. With its mature rating ranging from G to NC 17, it offers something for everyone, whether you want to watch with your family or alone, be it action, comedy, romance, horror, thriller, or documentary. With original series like “Stranger Things,” “The Crown,” and “Narcos,” Netflix has established itself as a powerhouse in the world of streaming.
On the other hand, Disney Plus focuses more on family-friendly content with a rating of TV-14 or PG-13. It is the go-to platform for fans of Disney classics like “The Lion King,” “Aladdin,” and “Frozen.” It offers a wide range of content from the Marvel and Star Wars franchises, making it a favorite among superheroes and sci-fi enthusiasts.
While Netflix has a larger variety of content due to its vast library, Disney Plus is more focused on delivering quality family-friendly entertainment. It’s important to note that Disney Plus also includes content from other brands like Pixar, National Geographic, and even some Fox productions.
Content-wise, Netflix had a lot to offer compared to Disney Plus. It had numerous categories and titles to choose from and it keeps rotating, meaning you get something new, weekly as well as monthly. Disney Plus has more fan-favorite Disney franchise-based movies and shows and does not rotate content. You have to wait for a long period to watch something new and fresh.
Netflix vs Disney Plus User Experience
Both the streaming giants are available on many devices like smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and gaming consoles. Users can easily download their favorite shows and movies to watch offline, making it convenient for those on the go. Both platforms also allow multiple user profiles, catering to the preferences of different household members.
When it comes to their interface, Netflix takes pride in its user-friendly design. The app’s homepage features a clean layout, with different categories and personalized recommendations like my list, continue watching, are prominently displayed. Netflix’s search function is intuitive, making it easy to find specific titles. The playback controls are straightforward, and users can easily adjust subtitles and audio settings.
Disney Plus also provides a visually appealing interface, with a focus on vibrant colors and iconic characters. The homepage highlights featured content, franchises, and personalized recommendations. The search function allows users to find their favorite movies or shows quickly. Disney Plus offers a seamless transition between different screens and devices, ensuring a consistent experience.
Netflix vs Disney Plus Price Comparison
Each streaming platforms have different plans with pricing structures. Netflix has three plans, Standard with ads, Standard (without ads), and Premium (without ads). While Disney Plus has two plans, Basic and Premium. Each of them has their own features.
Price of Netflix’s Standard plan with ads – $6.99 / month
Features of Netflix’s Standard plan with ads –
- Ad-supported, all but a few movies and TV shows available, unlimited mobile games
- Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
- Watch in Full HD
- Download on 2 supported devices at a time
Price of Netflix’s Standard plan (without ads) – $15.49 / month
Features of Netflix’s Standard plan (without ads) –
- Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games
- Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
- Watch in Full HD
- Download on 2 supported devices at a time
- Option to add 1 extra member who doesn’t live with you
Price of Netflix’s Premium plan (without ads) – $22.99 / month
Features of Netflix’s Premium plan (without ads) –
- Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games
- Watch on 4 supported devices at a time
- Watch in Ultra HD
- Download on 6 supported devices at a time
- Option to add up to 2 extra members who don’t live with you
- Netflix spatial audio
Price of Disney Plus’s Basic monthly plan – $7.99/mo.
Features of Disney Plus’s Basic monthly plan –
- Ad-supported
- Up to 4K UHD & HDR
- 4 streams
- No offline downloads
Price of Disney Plus’s Premium monthly plan – $13.99/mo.
Features of Disney Plus’s Premium monthly plan –
- Ad free
- Up to 4K UHD & HDR
- 4 streams
- Offline downloads
Netflix vs Disney Plus Regional Availability
Netflix vs Disney Plus are popular streaming platforms available in many countries around the world. While they are accessible in the United States, UK, Europe, and Canada, there are a few exceptions.
1. Netflix Availability
Netflix is available for streaming in over 190 countries worldwide. However, there are a few countries where Netflix is not accessible. These countries include:
- North Korea
- China
- Crimea
- Iran
- Syria
- Russia
These countries have restrictions or government regulations that prevent access to Netflix. It’s important to note that Netflix is actively working to expand its services, and it continues to explore options for providing access in countries like China.
2. Disney Plus Availability
Similar to Netflix, Disney Plus is also available in many countries worldwide. However, there are a few countries where Disney Plus is not accessible. These countries include:
- North Korea
- China
- Crimea
- Iran
- Syria
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Belarus
These countries have restrictions or government regulations that prevent access to Disney Plus. As with Netflix, Disney Plus is constantly working to expand its services and may explore options for providing access in these countries in the future.
3. Using VPNs to Access Netflix vs Disney Plus
In certain scenarios, it is possible to access Netflix or Disney Plus using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN can help bypass regional restrictions and allow users to access content that may not be available in their country. However, it’s important to note that Netflix vs Disney Plus have measures to detect and block VPN usage. While some VPN providers may be able to bypass these restrictions, using a VPN to access streaming platforms is against their terms of service and may violate regional content agreements.
Conclusion
Choosing a better streaming service solely depends on your preference and budget. Disney Plus might look cheaper but it has fewer category options and offers more family-friendly and kid-friendly content. While Netflix has a wide range of categories ranging from family-friendly to dark thrillers and violence that you might want to watch alone. Both the platforms offer various features and which one is better completely depends on your taste in movies and shows.
