Apple launched its streaming service in 2019, entering a crowded market that has only become more competitive since. The content library was small but the app itself was impressive from a technical standpoint.
Fast-forward to now and Apple TV Plus managed to deliver several bona fide TV and movie hits in the last few years. Still, can it come close to streaming giant Netflix? Let's discuss.
Also read: Disney Plus vs Netflix comparison.
Netflix offers 4 types of subscription plans. Its Standard with Ads plan has some content and devices unavailable on it aside from the obvious of featuring ads. The other 3 plans let you access the entire content library, with the differences being video quality and the number of devices you can watch on at the same time. Its Basic plan is not available to new or rejoining subscribers.
Meanwhile, Apple TV Plus only offers 1 subscription plan that gives you premium streaming features and enables you to share your subscription with your loved ones.
Apple TV Plus costs $12.99 a month, which is fairly affordable given the current streaming landscape. You can watch on up to 6 devices at the same time, in up to 4K quality. New users get a 7-day free trial. Additionally, if you purchase an eligible Apple device you automatically get 3 months of Apple TV Plus for free.
Netflix's cheapest plan is $6.99 a month, but it features ads. To compare ad-free experiences on the 2 services, you'd need to start at the Standard plan for $16.99 a month, enabling you to stream on 2 devices at the same time in HD. That's assuming you didn't already have the Basic plan at the time it was shelved to new users in Australia.
Finally, splurge on the Premium Plan and you'll pay a hefty $22.99 a month. It supports 4 concurrent streams and 4K video quality.
Netflix doesn't offer a free trial.
Netflix has set the standard on what users have come to expect from internet TV streaming services, with others following in its footsteps. Apple TV Plus meets the basic requirements rather than raising the bar.
Content is on-demand and ad-free, which is on par with what Netflix offers outside of its Standard with Ads plan. Both services support offline viewing. Apple TV Plus also goes native on 4K and claims that "most titles" will support Dolby Atmos. Both services offer accessibility features like closed captions and audio descriptions.
Apple TV Plus is a part of the Apple TV ecosystem. It's not hard to figure out which book Apple has taken a page out of here with its interface. The general user interface and dedicated Kids section is clearly inspired by Netflix's benchmark design.
Netflix has some shiny extra features like the Play Anything button, mobile games and interactive content.
Obviously, the answer is awfully subjective. One thing's for sure: if sheer quantity is what you're after, Netflix is your best bet. The giant is constantly adding new titles to its library, from TV shows to movies to documentaries to kids' programming. You get an impressive amount of choice.
Popular titles on Netflix include Squid Game, The Witcher, The Sandman, Stranger Things, You, Bridgerton, Virgin River and Ozark. On the movie front, the service had a lot of success with The Tinder Swindler, The Adam Project, The Gray Man and Red Notice. It excels in true crime content and reality TV.
Apple TV Plus launched with a small library and only adds a few new titles every month. Consequently, even years after launch, it can't compete with Netflix in numbers.
However, the service made a name for itself thanks to churning out TV hits that took the world by storm. Top titles on the platform include Ted Lasso, Severance, For All Mankind, Bad Sisters, Black Bird, Slow Horses and Morning Wars.
The movie collection is tiny yet appealing, with highlights such as Cha Cha Real Smooth, CODA, Luck, Greyhound and Causeway. Several documentaries and kids' shows are also streaming. Everything you see on Apple TV Plus is exclusive.
While quality varies on Netflix, with the giant aiming to provide something for every taste, Apple TV Plus is targeted to viewers who would rather have access to a smaller, but more carefully curated selection.
This is where it gets interesting. Netflix takes the crown for device compatibility, there are no two ways about it. The streaming giant has worked for years to get the world's most popular streaming platform onto set-top boxes, video game consoles and more.
Most notably, it's managed to weasel its way onto region-specific devices, like Fetch TV and more recently, Foxtel iQ here in Australia.
However, in a first for Apple, which typically gates its services behind iOS, its TV app and by extension Apple TV Plus is available on a number of compatible devices.
The list features selected smart TV models (LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, VIZIO), Amazon Fire TV, Android TV streaming devices and TVs, Google TV, Chromecast and gaming consoles (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S).
Of course, you can also watch with Apple devices (Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Mac and Airplay) and Windows PCs. There isn't a dedicated app for Android phones and tablets.
It depends on what you like to watch and how often you want to watch it. Apple TV Plus offers quality content for sure, but it can't compare with Netflix in library size. As a result, the price feels steep – even when you consider that it's one of the cheaper streaming services out there.
Prime Video, for instance, is priced even lower and offers a much bigger library.
If you're an Apple enthusiast you'll likely be tempted to hang on to the service for longer. Otherwise, check out the free trial or subscribe for 1 month and then only renew your subscription when a new title you're interested in pops up. Netflix is a better fit for viewers who binge-watch a lot and for families.
It might not look much different on the outside, but 2016's Apple TV is packed with awesome new features such as voice control, a touch-sensitive remote and gaming.
View detailsUnhappy with both Apple TV Plus and Netflix? Compare more streaming services below.
Check out Netflix's current promotional offers.
These titles are about to set sail and leave Netflix indefinitely.
Grab the tissues, Netflix Australia has huge list of quality dramas to snuggle up with.
Whoever said there was such a thing as too much Saw?
From Sesame Street to the Dark Knight himself, Netflix offers Children and Family movies for kids of every age.
If you're yet to jump on the Smart TV bandwagon, there are multiple ways you can stream services like Stan, Netflix and Foxtel Play.
That movie you're looking for may not be available on Netflix Australia, but is it available on Netflix US? Find out here.
Give the gift of endless entertainment with a Netflix gift card.
Our list of Netflix Australia movies is updated daily. Use our helpful tool to find if that movie you're looking for is available to stream.
We maintain a regularly updated list of Netflix TV shows so you know what to stream before settling in for the night.
