Netflix vs Stan: What is the best streaming service?

Updated on 9th November 2020

Is it possible to choose between Netflix vs Stan? How do their streaming TV libraries stack up? What about their monthly subscription prices? What devices can you watch them on? How easy are they to use? Are there any features that put one ahead of the other? Read on to find out how these two excellent services compare!

Netflix Australia vs Stan

It wasn’t long ago that streaming television in Australia was an impossibility, so to have advanced to the point where we now have multiple streaming platforms with enormous libraries of content is a huge step forward. Netflix has taken the world by storm while Stan has done the same thing in Australia, and they are both worthy choices – so which one best suits you?

It comes down to a number of things, be it the content that they offer, how easy they are to use, the cost, the availability, or anyone of numerous other factors. To simplify what can be at times a difficult decision, we’ve laid each of these factors out below to make it easier for you to settle on either Netflix or Stan.

What movies and shows are on Stan?

Stan launched in Australia back in January 2015 and offers unlimited viewing from a big library. Its parent company StreamCo is co-owned by Nine Entertainment Co – meaning it has access to some well-known titles. These include exclusive offerings like:

What Aussie Content is on Stan?

Australian content includes shows from the hilarious Summer Heights High to more serious dramas like Rake. Check out some of the Australian content on Stan below. 

What Original Content is available on Stan?

Stan has begun producing its own content, too – so far with the half-hour comedy series No Activity, two seasons of the high-budget horror-drama series Wolf Creek, a 6-part series sequel to the movie Romper Stomper and recent high-budget dramas Bloom and The Commons.

What Sport Content is on Stan?

Since it launched in 2015, there’s been speculation that Stan might one day add streaming sport to its mix of TV shows and movies, but now it’s official: Stan Sport will be available as an add-on to your Stan subscription starting in 2021, bringing live and on-demand sports to the service starting with Super Rugby, and with other sports (one of them rumoured to be tennis) to follow. Pricing hasn’t been revealed as yet, but with the experience of the Nine Network’s sports broadcasting team behind it, Stan Sport looks like being one to watch.

What Can I watch on Netflix Australia?

Meanwhile, Netflix Australia offers dozens of its own award-winning titles from the juggernaut political series House of Cards to one of Marvel’s many series such as Daredevil. Check out some of the content you can watch on Netflix Australia below.

Australian-produced content available on Netflix includes Offspring and Glitch.

Which Streaming Service has the best content?

Looking at the libraries, it’s clear that Netflix offers Australian viewers more content. However, SVoD libraries aren’t static offerings. Companies buy, swap and extend broadcasting rights to certain programmes and movies. In that light, the perceived value of any SVoD service becomes quite subjective. Libraries change – and so does what the viewers enjoy.

Stan’s library is smaller than Netflix’s but offers far more content for niche audiences, including foreign and arthouse films as well as less mainstream TV shows. There’s a bit of crossover between the two, but with Netflix’s library dominated by their original shows and movies, Stan tends to be the first port of call for more classic material. Netflix got off to a slow start in Australia, but their local library is now very large and frequently updated.

Stan vs Netflix: Devices and Apps

Stan is available on a wide range of devices, including both iOS and Android tablets and smartphones. It’s also available on laptop and desktop computers with modern browsers. Apple Airplay and Google’s Chromecast are also compatible with Stan’s mobile apps. Additionally, Stan has apps available for select Smart TVs, current gaming consoles, Apple TV, Fetch TV and Telstra TV, and there is also now an Android TV app that works even on imported Android based streaming boxes like the Nvidia Shield, as well as Google’s new Android TV-based Chromecast with Google TV.

Netflix has apps available for just about every device. It’s available on most modern smartphones and tablets, modern browsers, gaming consoles, Blu-ray players and Smart TVs, as well as Windows 10 via a dedicated app. It’s clear that Netflix has had years of development to refine their streaming technologies.

What Streaming Service has the best Video Quality?

Stan needs a minimum connection of 2Mb/s for streaming. For buffer-free viewing, they recommend a 3Mb/s connection for standard definition. At 1080p, subscribers need a minimum broadband connection of 7.5Mb/s for buffer-free HD display, while those streaming at 4K will want a connection capable of at least 15Mb/s.

Netflix adjusts streaming quality based on the connection available. It also depends on the subscription package – more on that below. The minimum recommended broadband speed is 1.5Mb/s for standard definition. This moves up to 15Mb/s for subscribers making use of 4K streaming.

Last audited 28 July 2021

4K Content from Stan and Netflix

Speaking of 4K, both Netflix and Stan offer a selection of Ultra HD shows and movies to stream on your new 4K smart TV – if you have a fast enough broadband connection. Stan’s 4K library is still very small – but growing steadily, and showcased by original productions Wolf Creek and Romper Stomper which were both made in the format. Newer Stan productions stream in HDR including recent shows like Bloom. Netflix, meanwhile, has plenty of 4K content – including most of their original productions – with many available to stream in HDR if your TV supports it.

How much does Stan Cost?

Stan’s entry-level rate of $10/month is now called the Basic plan. This price gives you access to the entire library in standard definition and viewing on one screen at a time – just sign up and start watching. New subscribers also get a 30-day free trial. The Basic plan is great for those watching on mobile devices, but there’s also a $14 Standard plan (HD available and 3 screens) and a Premium plan for $19 (HD and 4K available, 4 screens). Currently, no Australian ISPs offers unmetered access to Stan’s content.

How much does Netflix Cost?

Netflix offers three tiers of subscriptions. The Basic plan brings the full catalogue to a single screen for $10.99/month. The Standard pack is $15.99/month and enables streaming to two screens simultaneously. And the Premium pack brings streaming to up to four screens for $19.99/month. Again, there are no lock-in contracts. Netflix limits HD viewing to Standard subscribers, and Ultra HD (4K) to the Premium plan. Both iiNet and Optus have offered broadband packs with unmetered viewing for Netflix in the past, but both ISPs now let their unlimited-download plans get customers the same result.

Do Netflix and Stan offer Free Trials?

The sign-up processes for both services are very simple and take about one minute. Stan offers a 30-day trial experience from the day of sign-up; Netflix used to offer a similar trial but as of early 2020, no longer does. One difference is that Netflix gives you the opportunity to pay with PayPal.

If you’re a Telstra customer, you can actually use your existing Telstra customer account to sign up to Netflix and have all of your bills under the one monthly payment. This saves you having to remember multiple monthly payments and especially passwords. Telstra also offer this service for Kayo Sports, that’s if you’re interested in adding on a sports streaming TV service to your monthly streaming TV subscriptions.

All in all, both TV streaming offers are pretty appealing. But if you still want more, you can check out the table below!

Last audited 28 July 2021

Stan vs Netflix: Key Features

Stan makes it easy to find shows and movies across a range of genres and it lets subscribers add content to a list for later viewing. The interface also delivers brief descriptions, classifications and viewing times. Additionally, Stan offers suggestions based on what both you and other customers have viewed. This works well when combined with the “my list” feature. Maybe you start watching one movie and Stan suggests something similar. Instead of writing it down, you just click a button and Stan remembers the title for later.

Netflix features a personalised online interface that offers viewing options based on subscriber feedback. Users can rate what they watch with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down, and get recommendations based on their feedback. You can also add programs and movies to your list for later viewing. Netflix’s apps have a consistent look and feel no matter what device you’re using, with full-motion previews playing as you browse through content and suggestions for what to watch next displayed at the end of each episode or movie.

Choosing Between Stan and Netflix

Both Stan and Netflix offer compelling reasons to sign up. The content they provide is excellent and the availability is improving all the time.

On one hand, Stan delivers a massive content library. Many well-known titles are exclusive to Stan, making this a valuable selling point. The interface is slick and easy to use, and their library offers a lot of content that you’re not going to find anywhere else.

Netflix offers a vast library of shows and movies including a seemingly endless list of originals that you can’t see anywhere else. Like Stan, the service keeps track of what you’re watching, so if you’re interrupted you can find where you left off without a fuss. Netflix also offers suggestions based on your viewing habits and customer ratings. When comparing on self-produced content and technical slickness, Netflix also has the lead. The buffer-less viewing makes watching movies and series a breeze, while the $9.99 entry point is easily affordable.

Netflix and Stan Customer Service

Stan offers an extensive and growing help service. The Stan Help Service is streamlined and easy to navigate. Every article offers links to helpful resources. Subscribers can submit written help requests and even files directly through the help interface, and support through Facebook is lightning-fast. As usual, lost passwords are easily recovered using an automated email system.

The Netflix Help Centre offers subscribers quick links to frequently-asked questions. These are alongside with a searchable library of helpful answers. Users can chat with an online representative, after about a one-minute wait. Customers can also call Netflix directly, with a one-minute wait time in most cases. Lost passwords are easily resolved, with subscribers getting email support in seconds.