Netflix is still perceived as the default on-demand TV streaming service, delivering movies and series to over 300 million paid subscribers. Despite its popularity and sizable catalog, the platform has been steadily raising prices while introducing changes that downgrade the overall user experience.
Apple TV+, on the other hand, offers a more limited content library and has only attracted around 45 million users. Nevertheless, after using both platforms for years, I canceled my Netflix subscription and decided to embrace Apple’s alternative service. Here’s why.
Sharing is caring
One thing I despise is when tech corporations paywall free features instead of innovating to boost their revenue. Once upon a time, Netflix allowed multiple users to share a single account—even when they lived in separate households. In fact, the company encouraged this behavior back in 2017 by tweeting “Love is sharing a password.” To prevent misuse at the time, Netflix set fair concurrent stream limitations dictated by the tier you opt for. So, no matter how many people had access to a certain account, only up to four of them could watch content at the same time. Sensible and just.
To attract more paying subscribers, Netflix recently backtracked and introduced password sharing fees. Those living in different houses now need to pay for additional slots or sign up for their own independent accounts.
Apple’s approach is more private and forgiving—and certainly not driven by greed. Instead of sharing passwords, TV+ uses Apple’s Family Sharing setup. Up to six “family” members can access the service using their personal Apple Account login credentials—as long as one member is subscribed. All six users can stream movies and series simultaneously, regardless of where they live. Plus, family members have their own individual queues, watch histories, and wishlists, letting everyone enjoy their own guilty pleasures in peace.
It just works abroad
While Netflix generally lets you watch content when traveling internationally, there are restrictions that downgrade the viewing experience. For starters, the offered catalog will change based on the country you’re visiting due to licensing reasons. So, the show you’re currently binge-watching may be blocked when you’re abroad. Some users have also reported that the service stops working altogether when leaving their home countries. It’s unpredictable and can be irritating.
Conversely, the Apple TV+ catalog remains consistent even when you cross borders (and without using a VPN service). For example, my U.S. Apple Account lets me access the American TV+ library when visiting Türkiye—where the service is otherwise completely unavailable.
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Quality over quantity
Speaking of the catalog, Netflix and Apple TV+ have adopted two very distinct approaches for their content. The former service consistently puts out loads of new shows and movies, many of which are unwatchable. I’d regularly spend over 30 minutes per session trying to find something of interest to watch, only to give up on the endeavor soon after. Also, many of the titles are licensed from third parties for a limited time, so I would feel pressured to quickly burn through affected episodes before they leave the platform.
Meanwhile, Apple typically sticks to its original productions, which have been gradually increasing over the years. While the TV+ library was too limited when it first launched in late 2019, it now offers a decent number of movies and series stretching across various genres. Thanks to Apple’s higher standards, the content quality tends to be superior, despite the lower volume. That’s not to mention that Apple usually releases just one episode of a certain show per week, which makes it less overwhelming for busy users to catch up.
See for yourself
Other Apple TV+ perks include a free trial, a cheaper subscription fee, and bundled access. Unlike Netflix, any new TV+ user can try the service for free. By default, newcomers get a 7-day trial or a 3-month one if they’ve recently bought an eligible Apple product. After the trial expires, the plan optionally renews at $12.99/month or $99 a year, and it packs family sharing with no ads, restrictions, or upselling, spatial audio support, and the highest video quality available. Those already subscribed to Apple One or Apple Music’s student plan can also enjoy TV+ for free.
Then you’ve got Netflix, which doesn’t offer any free trials and whose cheapest ad-free plan costs $18/month. Notably, said tier limits you to 1080p quality and excludes Dolby Atmos support. To enjoy 4K video and unlock the immersive audio technology, you’d need to upgrade to the $25/month plan.
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One queue
The Apple TV app houses a ton of streaming services, including TV+ and third-party options, like Paramount+ and Starz. This lets viewers access all of their favorite shows via a universal queue. For petty reasons, Netflix refuses to support the feature. When it accidentally rolled it out a few months ago, it disabled it immediately and called it a mistake. It’s choosing to downgrade its users’ experience due to ongoing disputes with Apple.
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InSight
Another Apple TV+ exclusive is the InSight feature, which, like Amazon Prime Video’s X-Ray, lets you view details about on-screen actors. It also lets you effortlessly add soundtracks to your Apple Music library. The feature is baked into the iPhone’s virtual Apple TV remote, making it easy to use when watching on the big screen. You can also access it when watching on other devices, like iPads and Macs.
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Designed for Apple devices
Overall, the Apple TV app is more polished than Netflix and follows Apple’s design guidelines. While the Netflix app is generally stable, its UI is arguably inferior, and it misses out on certain OS integrations, like in-app purchases and the aforementioned universal queue. That’s not to mention that, unlike Netflix, Apple’s app is available natively on macOS and supports offline viewing. Plus, whenever a major OS update is out, the TV app typically supports the added features on day one.
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The bigger picture
While Netflix has a sixfold subscriber lead over TV+, Apple appears to be playing the long game here. It’s slowly, but consistently, expanding its library with quality series and movies that a higher percentage of viewers enjoy. And, since it’s fundamentally a hardware company, Apple isn’t resorting to user-hostile and dark patterns to increase TV+ subscribers. It’s letting the service grow organically, sans the dystopian stimulants.
It may not occur tomorrow, but if both companies maintain their current directions, I believe Apple TV+ is set to surpass Netflix at some point in the next decade.
