The world of streaming has changed over recent years, with an influx of new players coming to the forefront to give viewers another way to spend a night on the couch. But while not all have stuck around, Australia has had two staples: Foxtel and Netflix. One represents the old guard, while the other represents the new wave of streaming platforms and content that has taken over plenty in recent years. But for those who are looking for some evening entertainment, how do they compare? Find out how the two major names stack up against each other in this Canstar Blue guide.
Netflix & Foxtel Compared
As two of the most well-known streaming platforms within Australia, there are a number of areas to consider when comparing Netflix and Foxtel – although most of us are predominantly interested in what we can watch, and how much it’ll cost. But you should also think about the ease of signing up and any installation requirements needed, as well as what devices each service can operate on, and how much upside each service has. Will they be hosting more content down the line, or will you be locked into a contract where nothing new is brought to the table? To help you find out more, click on the links below to jump to the major points covered in this article:
Netflix Vs. Foxtel Price Comparison
While not the cheapest option available in the streaming market, Netflix is cheaper than Foxtel, with Netflix’s range of price tiers costing between $10.99 to $22.99 per month, all of which are currently cheaper than Foxtel’s cheapest option: Foxtel Now for $25 per month. Here is a breakdown of the costs associated with each service.
Netflix Prices & Plans
Netflix offers a number of monthly plans available to choose from, and allow you to cancel at anytime (although you’ll have to pay for the rest of your billing month).
- Netflix starts at $10.99 a month for a ‘Basic’ plan, and then jumps to $16.99 for ‘Standard’ and $22.99 for ‘Premium’.
- In addition to the quality upgrade per pricing tier, you’ll also be able to stream on more devices, meaning a Premium plan is a better fit for larger households.
- Unfortunately, Netflix does not currently offer a free trial.
| Basic Plan | Standard Plan | Premium Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $10.99 | $16.99 | $22.99 |
| HD available | |||
| Ultra HD available | |||
| No. of screens you can watch on at the same time | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Source: Prices collected from Netflix website, January 2022.
Foxtel Prices & Plans
Foxtel offers a number of plans and contract options, allowing you to either sign up to a 12-month contract, or stick with a monthly plan if you’re not looking to commit. Foxtel Now is the cheapest option, and costs $25 per month, while the larger bundles can cost well over $100 per month.
- Foxtel packages (or ‘bundles’) include a wide variety of channels and focuses, from sports to movies and everything in between. These are available as either a 12-month contract, or no lock-in option.
- And if you’re worried about the price, Telstra customers may be able to score a discount, although terms and conditions apply.
- Foxtel also offers a 10-day free trial.
| Bundle | 12-month plan (per month) | No lock-in contract (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum Plus | $111.20* | $139* |
| Premium | $79.20* | $99* |
| Sports HD | $59.20* | $74* |
| Movies HD | $55.20* | $69* |
| Foxtel Plus | $49* | $63* |
| Foxtel Now Base Pack | N/A | $25* |
Source: Prices collected from Foxtel website, January 2022. *Special offer at time of writing, offer expires 15/02/2022.
Netflix Vs. Foxtel: Value Verdict
If you’re looking at purely a price point, Netflix is the clear winner. With all three subscription tiers costing less than Foxtel’s cheapest offering, those looking to stick to a budget may be tempted by Netflix’s Basic Plan for their entertainment needs. But price is just one aspect of it all, because while cheaper, does Netflix give you the same amount of value as Foxtel does, or is Foxtel’s price tag fair given its scope? Find out what each service has available below.
Can I save money on my NBN with Foxtel or Netflix?
When it comes to saving money on your NBN, Foxtel trumps Netflix with their range of unlimited broadband and entertainment packs. If you’re already happy with your current provider, it may not be worth it, but for someone who is setting up or looking to switch plans, a Foxtel and NBN bundle could save you money in the long run. Foxtel packs kick off at a little over $100 a month, which could work out cheaper than if you source Foxtel and your internet connection separately.
The below table features a selection of published Foxtel NBN plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost from lowest to highest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a wide range of providers.
Netflix Vs. Foxtel Content Comparison
Big Little Lies, with Foxtel also predominantly the place to be for HBO content in Australia, as well as offering plenty of sports and live-programming. Check out the major points of difference between Netflix’s and Foxtel’s content below.
Netflix Vs. Foxtel: Sport
Foxtel, on the other hand, has broadcasting rights to some of the most popular Aussie sporting codes – including the NRL and AFL – in addition to international sports, such as the NBA and NFL, as well as select football leagues. And if you love a sport in particular, you can tune into a channel that’s dedicated purely to the one sport, with some channels also home to talk-shows, which dive deep into the sporting code seasons, players and analysis, making Foxtel a clear winner in the sports category.
Stream Sports with Kayo
Love streaming? Love sports? Kayo is a streaming platform that provides access to a wealth of sports, from basketball to cricket, motorsports and soccer. Click ‘go to site’ for more details.
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $25 over 1 month |
2 | $25 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $35 over 1 month |
3 | $35 |
Go To Site |
|
Telstra Exclusive Offer – Basic Subscription
min. cost $15/mth first 12 months then $25/mth |
2 | $25$15 |
Get Offeron Telstra’s website |
 |
^^View important information | |||
Netflix Vs. Foxtel: Movies
This is a bit of a closer race, as both Netflix and Foxtel have a wide range of movies to choose from. Foxtel’s multiple movie channels showcase the latest movies as soon as they’re released, with the Foxtel Store allowing you to rent movies on demand rather than wait for them to be shown on TV. Netflix, on the other hand, has a large back catalogue of movies across every genre, in addition to a range of Originals that aren’t available anywhere else, although you may have to wait for the latest blockbuster to hit the service.
Netflix Vs. Foxtel: TV Shows
Another close call, both Foxtel and Netflix have a strong library of TV shows for viewers to choose from. Foxtel has plenty of American content, such as HBO, in addition to dedicated channels for classics, comedies and kids shows, making it easy to find something in you know what genre you’re after. Netflix also has plenty of strengths, again on the back of its Originals content, which has given us plenty of gems over the years. However, Netflix Australia does offer less range to its American counterpart, meaning we may miss out on some worthwhile shows, but there’s still plenty to keep you entertained.
Netflix Vs. Foxtel: Ease of Sign-up
Both Netflix and Foxtel can be subscribed to online within a matter of minutes. In Foxtel’s case, it usually takes a few days for the set-top box to be delivered and installed in your home, but once it’s in you’re ready to go. In this respect, Netflix does have the edge on its traditional rival – you can start watching it right after you subscribe, whether it’s on your phone, tablet or even smart TV, making movie night that much easier.
Netflix Vs. Foxtel: Overall Verdict
All in all, deciding between Foxtel and Netflix comes down to what you really want to watch. If you place a higher value on live sports and blockbuster movies, then Foxtel might be for you – if you can afford it. On the other hand, if you’re more interested in TV shows, movies and docos for a cheap price, then you might want to consider Netflix. We’re calling this one a tie, though it’s undeniable that Foxtel is superior for live TV, sports and premium content, whereas Netflix reigns supreme for cost and in-house productions.
If you still need a bit of help to make a decision between the two, why not check out our ratings on streaming services to see what Aussies think of the platforms.
Sign up to Disney+ Australia
After some more content? Why not check out Disney+? There are two plan options to choose from – a monthly subscription at $11.99 per month, or prepay for a year at $119.99 and save on the monthly cost. This table includes links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month or year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $11.99 over one month |
4 | $11.99 |
Get DealCanstar Blue receives a commission for sign-ups through Disney+ * |
|
min. cost $119.99 over one year |
4 | $119.99 |
Get DealCanstar Blue receives a commission for sign-ups through Disney+ * |
|
^^View important information | |||
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