By now you may have heard that Netflix is cracking down on people swapping account passwords. Maybe you were accessing a friend’s account to avoid paying an extra service fee, or perhaps you were giving out your password to others in your circle. But as of early 2023, Netflix password sharing in Canada has been removed.
Read on to find out what the ban on Netflix password sharing in Canada means to you, and how much Netflix plans cost today following its price updates.
Why Has Netflix Password Sharing In Canada Been Banned?
Netflix lost 200,000 subscribers in just the first quarter of 2022. It was the first time the streaming service lost subscribers in a decade. Experts say, to offset this dramatic loss in customers, Netflix has decided to ban the sharing of passwords among people not living in the same household.
How Is Netflix Enforcing This Netflix Password Sharing Ban?
No major streaming service has ever cracked down on password sharing, so Netflix is the first. As such, there may be some confusion about how Netflix will enforce its new rules regarding sharing passwords.
It seems that Netflix will require you to verify your device if you sign in outside of your household so the streaming service can confirm that the device being used is not unauthorized. If you can’t verify your device, there may be a chance that you could be blocked from your account.
New Netflix Canada Plans
Netflix recently came out with new plans that allow you to share your password, but for a fee:
Standard With Ads Plan
Much like traditional television, the standard Netflix plan with ads simply means you’ll have to sit through advertisements at various intervals throughout your show or movie. As annoying as having your show interrupted by ads may be, it’s a more affordable way to stream on Netflix.
The standard plan with ads is $5.99 per month. The trade-off for the lower price point is not just the ads, but there may be some shows and movies that are not included. Plus, you won’t be able to download content to your mobile device.
Since you can only stream on one screen at a time, you won’t be able to share your password on this plan.
How Are Ads Shown?
Ads are shown before or during most shows and movies. Roughly four minutes of ads per hour of streaming will be shown when using the service. You also cannot skip the ads.
Standard Plan
For a few extra dollars, you can sign up for the standard plan to stream up to two screens at the same time, as long as they’re in the same location.
The standard plan costs $16.49 per month and allows you to have access to 1080p (Full HD) streaming and the ability to download shows and movies to your devices.
If you want to share your password and stream in two different locations, you’ll need to pay an extra $7.99 per month. You can add one extra user to this plan.
Premium Plan
The premium plan is the most expensive at $20.99 per month, but it offers the most features. For starters, you can stream up to four screens at the same at once in 4K (Ultra HD) and HDR. Plus, you can download shows and movies on up to four devices.
Like the standard plan, the premium plan requires an additional $7.99 for every extra user in a different location. You’re allowed up to two additional users who are not in your household.
Netflix While Traveling
When travelling, you can watch Netflix on your portable devices or sign into a new TV. If you travel frequently to the same location — such as a second vacation home — open the Netflix app on your device once a month. Then, login to Netflix when you arrive at your second location to watch Netflix with no interruptions.
What Were Netflix Prices Before?
Netflix updated its plan prices in early 2022. The standard plan went from $14.99 to its current price of $16.49, and the premium plan inched up from $18.99 to $20.99.
Netflix also recently phased out its basic plan (without ads), which was the streaming service’s cheapest ads-free plan at $9.99 per month.
Should You Cancel Your Netflix Account?
Whether you decide to cancel your Netflix account or not depends on your needs and finances. If you can afford to pay for Netflix’s new subscription plans and use it regularly, it can be worth it. However, if the new plans are going over your budget or are simply not worth its price anymore, cancelling can be a good idea. Moreover, if you cancel your account, you can save up to $251.88 a year depending on the plan you’re subscribed to.
Want To Cancel Netflix? Here’s How
Whether you’re looking to reduce your monthly expenses or simply have no more use for Netflix, you may want to cancel your subscription to the streaming service. Here are a few ways to cancel your membership:
Delete Netflix Via Web Browser
- Visit Netflix.com on your web browser and log in to your account
- Hover over the account profile icon on the top right-hand of the page
- Click “Account”
- Click on “Cancel Membership” under “Membership and Billing”
- Click “Finish Cancellation”
Cancel Netflix Via App Store
- Open the Settings app on your mobile device
- Tap your name at the top
- From the Apple ID menu, tap “Subscriptions”
- Choose Netflix, then “Cancel Subscription”
- Confirm your cancellation
Cancel Netflix Via Google Play Store
- Open the Google Play Store app on your mobile device
- Tap your profile icon in the top right-hand corner
- Tap “Payments & Subscriptions”
- Tap “Subscriptions”
- Choose Netflix, then tap “Cancel Subscription”
- Confirm your cancellation
Alternatives To Netflix Canada Plans
Netflix was one of the original streaming services, but since its inception, several others have emerged. Here are a few other popular streaming platforms in Canada competing with Netflix:
Disney Plus
Password sharing. Disney Plus doesn’t technically allow password sharing, though the streaming service does not enforce this rule.
Cost. A Disney Plus subscription costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year.
Number of devices you can connect. You can watch up to four devices on one subscription.
Amazon Prime Video
Password sharing. Amazon Prime Video does not specify any limits on password sharing. That said, giving out your password to your Amazon Prime Video account is not recommended. However, you can share your account with others without giving out your password by using the Invite Users feature. You can add and remove authorized people and decide on the amount of access they have.
Cost. Amazon Prime Video is included in your Prime subscription. The plan costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year.
Number of devices you can connect. You can stream up to three videos simultaneously using the same account, but only two devices can stream the same video at a time.
Crave TV
Password sharing. Crave TV allows account sharing, though there is no specification regarding the location of all users or devices streaming at the same time.
Cost. The price for a Crave TV subscription is $19.99 per month or $199.90 per year.
Number of devices you can connect. Crave Total subscribers can stream on up to four devices simultaneously.
Apple TV
Password sharing. Apple has a ‘Family Sharing’ feature, which allows password sharing. You can have up to six people (including you) in your family sharing Apple TV.
Cost. Apple TV costs $8.99 per month.
Number of devices you can connect. Apple TV allows up to 3 devices to stream at the same time if you’re part of a Family Sharing group.
Final Thoughts On Netflix Password Sharing In Canada
If you’ve managed to avoid paying for a Netflix subscription by sharing your friend’s or family’s password, you may be disappointed to hear about the ban on Netflix password sharing in Canada. Luckily, there are free streaming platforms that you can look into if you want to avoid spending money on this type of service.
Netflix FAQs
Is Netflix still worth it?
Can I try Netflix for free?
What is YouTube TV?
Are there any free streaming services in Canada?
- Tubi
- The Roku Channel
- CBC Gem
- Pluto TV
