Netflix vs YouTube Premium comparison

By starting price alone, Netflix is ₩1,500 cheaper. But price is not everything, so see below what differs.

Netflix and YouTube Premium compared side by side in OTT streaming.

CurrencyUSDKRWEUR

What is different

Starting price

Netflix≈$5.27+ (₩7,000)
YouTube Premium≈$6.40+ (₩8,500)

Free tier

NetflixPaid only
YouTube PremiumFree plan available

Netflix

OTT with the largest global originals catalog, also offering Korean originals and SBS shows

What is good

  • Largest global originals catalog
  • Premium has 4K, HDR and 4 simultaneous streams
  • Ad tier is effectively free with Naver Plus

What could be better

  • Ad-free plans are expensive, starting at ₩13,500
  • Account sharing limits mean extra member fees

Netflix official site

YouTube Premium

Subscription that removes YouTube ads and adds background play, offline saving and YouTube Music (a cheaper Lite plan launched in 2026)

What is good

  • Ad removal, background play and offline saving
  • Korea's largest video platform
  • Good value if you also use music, and Lite is available if you only want video

What could be better

  • No family or student plans in Korea
  • iOS in-app billing is expensive

YouTube Premium official site

At a glance

ItemNetflixVisit siteYouTube PremiumVisit site
Starting price≈$5.27+ (₩7,000)Official price≈$6.40+ (₩8,500)Official price
Free tierPaid onlyFree plan available
Maximum quality4K UHD4K UHD
Max simultaneous streams4-
Ad-supported planYesYes
Main content
  • Culinary Class Wars Season 3, The East Palace, Boyfriend on Demand, Can This Love Be Translated?, Possible Love by Lee Chang-dong
  • New and older SBS shows
  • Global original series and films
  • All YouTube videos and creator content
  • YouTube Music (Premium only)
  • Official broadcaster clips
Partner discounts
  • Ad tier included in the Naver Plus membership (₩4,900/mo)
  • Bundles with the 3 Korean telecoms (unverified)
  • KT YouTube Premium Choice Special (Lite ₩8,000/mo)
  • SKT T Universe Lite ₩7,900/mo
  • LG U+ Yudok Pick 2 (유독 Pick 2) with Premium included ₩13,900/mo
Good for
  • Value-focused solo viewers, Naver Plus members (ad tier)
  • 2-person households (Standard)
  • Families with a 4K TV (Premium)
  • People who use a separate music app and only want to remove video ads (Lite)
  • People who also use YouTube Music (Premium)
TypeOTT streamingOTT streaming
CategoryKorean Dramas/Variety Shows, International Series, Movies, Animation, Documentaries, KidsMusic, Korean Dramas/Variety Shows, Kids
CompanyNetflix, Inc., United StatesGoogle LLC (YouTube), United States
Plans
  • Standard with ads ₩7,000/mo
  • Standard ₩13,500/mo
  • Premium ₩17,000/mo
  • Extra member ₩4,000/mo per person (with ads) or ₩5,000
  • Premium Lite ₩8,500/mo (iOS ₩10,900)
  • Premium ₩14,900/mo
  • For reference: Music Premium ₩11,990/mo
  • Family and student plans are not offered in Korea
Pros
  • Largest global originals catalog
  • Premium has 4K, HDR and 4 simultaneous streams
  • Ad tier is effectively free with Naver Plus
  • Ad removal, background play and offline saving
  • Korea's largest video platform
  • Good value if you also use music, and Lite is available if you only want video
Cons
  • Ad-free plans are expensive, starting at ₩13,500
  • Account sharing limits mean extra member fees
  • No live terrestrial broadcasts or sports
  • No family or student plans in Korea
  • iOS in-app billing is expensive
  • Lite shows ads on Shorts, music and search screens

Prices and benefits may change. Check the official site before you pay.

Prices converted at 1 USD = ₩1,327.84 (2026-10-20). Original price shown in brackets. Taxes as listed by each provider.

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