Ad-free streaming used to be the cheap escape hatch. The early pitch was simple: pay a few dollars a month, skip the ads, and get a deep library without the cable bill.
The pricing story looks very different in 2026. Disney+ and Hulu now charge $21.49 a month for standalone ad-free plans, while Netflix and Peacock are both near $20. Apple TV+ is still below those absolute levels at $14.99, but it has tripled from its $4.99 launch price.
The ranking is clearest when viewed by percentage change. Disney+ has risen 207% from launch, Apple TV+ is up 200%, Netflix is up 150%, and Peacock is up 100%. Hulu is up 79%, Paramount+ is up 40%, and HBO Max has increased the least at 23%.
The price gap also shows how different the starting points were. HBO Max launched high at $14.99, so its percentage increase is smaller even though its current ad-free price is $18.49. Disney+ and Apple TV+ launched low, then moved toward the rest of the market as their catalogues and pricing power grew.
The ad-supported tiers now play a bigger role in the business model. Streamers can keep a lower entry price visible while continuing to push ad-free users toward higher monthly bills.