The two heavyweights of UK streaming serve different purposes. NOW gives you Sky content without a dish. Netflix gives you... Netflix content. Both cost roughly the same, but the libraries couldn't be more different.
Here's how they compare in 2026.
Quick Comparison
| NOW | Netflix | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (standard) | £9.99/mo (Cinema) | £10.99/mo (Standard) |
| Best for | Sky exclusives, HBO, live sport | Netflix originals, global content |
| Content model | Licensed Sky content | 60% originals, 40% licensed |
| Ads | No (at current tiers) | Ads on £4.99 tier only |
| Simultaneous streams | 1-3 (by membership) | 2-4 (by tier) |
| Download | Yes | Yes |
| Live content | Sky Sports, Sky News | No |
Pricing Breakdown
NOW
NOW splits content into "memberships" — confusing, but here's what matters:
| Membership | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment | £9.99/mo | Sky Atlantic, HBO content, Sky Originals |
| Cinema | £9.99/mo | Latest Sky Cinema releases, 1,000+ films |
| Sports | £14.99-34.99/mo | Sky Sports (day/week/month passes) |
| Hayu | £4.99/mo | Reality TV (Kardashians, Real Housewives) |
The catch: Most households need Entertainment + Cinema for full value = £19.98/month.
Netflix
| Tier | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Standard with Ads | £4.99/mo | Ads, 1080p, 2 streams |
| Standard | £10.99/mo | No ads, 1080p, 2 streams |
| Premium | £17.99/mo | 4K HDR, 4 streams |
No content splitting. One subscription = full library.
Content Comparison
What NOW Has That Netflix Doesn't
HBO content (via Sky):
- Succession
- The Last of Us
- The White Lotus
- House of the Dragon
- Euphoria
- True Detective
- Barry
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
Sky Originals:
- Chernobyl
- This England
- Gangs of London
- Save Me
- I Hate Suzie
Live sport:
- Premier League (most matches)
- F1 (2024 onwards shared with Channel 4 highlights)
- Cricket, golf, NFL, NBA
Cinema:
- Day-and-date Sky Cinema releases
- Latest Paramount/Universal films before Netflix
What Netflix Has That NOW Doesn't
Netflix Originals:
- Stranger Things
- Wednesday
- Squid Game
- Bridgerton
- The Crown
- Black Mirror
- You
- Ozark
- The Bear
International content:
- Korean dramas (Extraordinary Attorney Woo, All of Us Are Dead)
- Spanish (Money Heist, Elite)
- French (Lupin)
- Anime (massive library)
Documentaries:
- Making a Murderer
- Tiger King
- Our Planet
- F1: Drive to Survive
Family content:
- Significantly stronger kids' library
Who Wins By Category?
Prestige TV
NOW wins. HBO content is simply the best TV being made. The Last of Us, Succession, and House of the Dragon are on NOW, not Netflix.
Original Films
Netflix wins. Netflix produces more original films (varying quality), but gems like Glass Onion, All Quiet on the Western Front, and The Power of the Dog are Netflix-only.
International Content
Netflix wins decisively. Korean, Spanish, French, Turkish — Netflix's global investment pays off here.
Live Sport
NOW wins by default. Netflix has no live sport. NOW has most Premier League football.
Family/Kids
Netflix wins. Better animation, more kid-friendly originals, proper profiles for children.
Classic Films
NOW wins slightly. Sky Cinema has a larger film library, though neither is great for classics (BFI Player, Arrow, and MUBI beat both).
Value Per Pound
Netflix wins. One subscription, full library. NOW's membership splitting means paying more for equivalent access.
The Value Question
NOW is worth it if:
- You need live sport (especially football)
- You care about HBO prestige TV
- You want new cinema releases faster
- You're willing to pay for Entertainment + Cinema (~£20/mo)
Netflix is worth it if:
- You want one subscription, full library
- You prefer global content variety
- You have kids who need quality content
- You want Korean dramas and anime
- You want the cheaper entry point (£4.99 ads tier)
Can You Have Both?
Budget: Netflix Standard (£10.99) = full library
Mid-range: Netflix Standard (£10.99) + NOW Entertainment (£9.99) = ~£21/mo
Premium: Netflix Premium (£17.99) + NOW Entertainment + Cinema (£19.98) = ~£38/mo
For most households, choosing one makes sense. If you choose Netflix for everyday viewing and add NOW for football season or HBO drops, that's a reasonable compromise.
The Verdict
Netflix is the better overall value. One subscription, no confusing membership splits, better international content, and a stronger family offering.
NOW is essential for specific needs: If you must have live Premier League football, HBO shows on release, or Sky Cinema exclusives, NOW has no real competitor.
Our recommendation:
- If budget allows only one: Netflix Standard (£10.99)
- If you need sport: NOW Sports + free alternatives for entertainment
- If you need HBO: Consider NOW Entertainment (£9.99) for specific shows, cancel when caught up
FAQ
Can I watch NOW without a Sky dish? Yes — NOW is streaming-only. No dish, no installation, no contract.
Does NOW have ads? No ads on current tiers, unlike Netflix's cheaper option.
Which has better picture quality? Netflix Premium has 4K HDR. NOW's quality is capped at 1080p with some content in 720p. Netflix wins here.
Can I download on NOW? Yes, but with a 30-day expiry and more restrictions than Netflix.
Looking for something specific to watch? Try our recommendation engine.