Both YouTube and Netflix offer compelling video streaming services, each with its strengths. YouTube excels in user-generated content and live streaming, while Netflix focuses on professionally produced content and a curated viewing experience. The choice depends on user preferences for content type, budget, and desired features.
| Attribute | YouTube | Netflix |
|---|---|---|
| Content library size | Over 800 million videos | Over 15,000 titles, US library has 5,087 titles as of May 2024, 3,657 Netflix Originals in the US as of July 2023 |
| Original content quality | YouTube Premium offers original films and series produced in collaboration with professional studios and YouTube personalities. The first episode of multi-episode series is typically available for free. | High quantity and quality, some sources note inconsistent quality and frequent show cancellations |
| Offline viewing availability | YouTube Premium allows users to save videos to their devices for offline viewing. Downloads remain available as long as the device has an active internet connection at least once every 30 days. | Videos can be downloaded for offline viewing |
| Subscription cost | Individual: $13.99/month or $139.99/year; Family: $22.99/month for up to five members; Student: $7.99/month | Standard with ads: $7.99/month, Standard: $17.99/month, Premium: $24.99/month (US prices as of July 2025), prices vary by region |
| Ad frequency (for YouTube) | Advertisers can optimize ad frequency with target frequency, selecting a goal of up to four times per week. YouTube also has built-in capping to prevent viewers from seeing ads too many times. | Not applicable, refers to YouTube |
| Video quality (resolution options) | YouTube offers options from 144p to 2160p (4K). Common choices for high quality are 1080p (FHD) and 4K. | SD, HD (720p or 1080p), and 4K Ultra HD |
| User interface intuitiveness | YouTube's recommendation system is designed to help users find videos they want to watch. | Clean and intuitive interface |
| Personalized recommendations accuracy | YouTube's recommendation system provides personalized video suggestions based on viewing habits, engagement, and preferences. The algorithm considers videos you've enjoyed, topics/channels you've watched, videos typically watched together, and when/how you watch. | Algorithms analyze viewing habits and preferences |
| Multi-device support | YouTube Premium allows users to watch ad-free videos on the website and mobile apps, including YouTube Music and YouTube Kids. | Smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and computers |
| Download quality options | YouTube allows you to adjust the quality of video downloads. | Standard (SD) and High/Higher (up to 1080p HD) |
| Parental control features | YouTube Kids is a separate platform designed for children under 13. Supervised accounts are available for older kids and pre-teens. Restricted Mode limits potentially inappropriate content. Parents can manage screen time, block content, and review watch history. | Profiles for kids, maturity ratings, block titles, PIN lock |
| Live streaming capabilities | YouTube Live allows creators to reach their audience in real time. Creators can stream via webcam, mobile, or encoder streaming. | Not available |
| Price | Not available | Not available |
| Ratings | Not available | Not available |