Netflix vs Peacock: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Netflix is the broad originals library, billed monthly only, with downloads and live events on every plan. Peacock is NBC and Bravo shows plus live sports — but only from Premium up — and it prepays every plan at 12 months for the price of 10. Peacock’s cheapest plan leaves out sports, movies and originals; Netflix’s cheapest plan has the whole catalog with ads.
Option A
Option B
We compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Netflix | Peacock |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | Standard with ads, Standard, Premium | Select, Premium, Premium Plus |
| Live sports | Live events, every plan | Premium, Premium Plus |
| Yearly billing | No | Every plan |
| Downloads | Every plan | Premium Plus |
| Screens at once | 2 / 2 / 4 | 3 |
| Share outside the home | Extra members | No |
Netflix builds around its own series, films and games; Peacock is NBCUniversal’s service — network TV, live sports, movies and Peacock Originals.
If you don’t want to read further
Originals, downloads on the cheapest plan, watching abroad — Netflix. NBC, Bravo and regular live sports, with yearly billing — Peacock Premium.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Is the cheapest plan the full catalog?
Netflix
Yes — Standard with ads has the catalog with ads (a few titles excepted).
Peacock
No — Select excludes live sports, movies and Peacock Originals.
Compare Netflix Standard with ads to Peacock Premium.
Live sports?
Netflix
Live events on every plan — NFL games, WWE Raw and boxing among them.
Peacock
Live sports and events on Premium and Premium Plus.
For regular live sports, Peacock Premium; for big one-off events, Netflix on any plan.
Yearly billing?
Netflix
No — monthly only.
Peacock
Every plan — 12 months for the price of 10.
Only Peacock lets you prepay a year.
Downloads?
Netflix
Every plan, including Standard with ads (15 per device a month).
Peacock
Premium Plus only, and not all content.
Offline on a budget — Netflix.
Screens at once?
Netflix
Two on Standard plans, four on Premium.
Peacock
Three on every plan, up to 6 profiles.
Three viewers without paying for the top plan — Peacock.
Sharing outside the home?
Netflix
Paid extra members on Standard (1) and Premium (2).
Peacock
No paid sharing option; others need their own account.
If someone outside your home watches with you, Netflix.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
Live breaks have ads
Netflix live events and Peacock live sports keep ads, whatever the plan.
Through partners
Both can be billed by app stores or TV and phone providers — cancel there.
Monthly option
Both can be paid month to month and canceled before the next billing date.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You watch NBC and Bravo shows | Peacock | On every plan. |
| You want regular live sports | Peacock Premium | Select has none. |
| You watch offline on a budget | Netflix Standard with ads | 15 downloads per device a month. |
| You travel abroad | Netflix | Available in many countries. |
- Peacock Select has no live sports, movies or originals.
- Peacock gives no refunds on cancellation unless required by law.
- Netflix has no annual plans.
- Netflix’s plan with ads can’t add extra members.
Where the facts come from
Sources: the Netflix Help Center for the United States and Peacock’s plans page and Help Center. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Netflix or Peacock
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “Streaming services” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — maximum resolution: Peacock Premium Plus
Netflix Standard: 1080p Full HD (3,0/5) · Peacock Premium Plus: 4K UHD (HDR not for all content) (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — simultaneous streams: Peacock Premium Plus
Netflix Standard: 2 screens at the same time (3,0/5) · Peacock Premium Plus: 3 screens at the same time (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — what else is included: Peacock Premium Plus
Netflix Standard: the catalog only (2,0/5) · Peacock Premium Plus: 1 extra content type at no extra cost (3,0/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: