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No Student Discount? 7 Ways to Save on Your Netflix Plan
How to save money on Netflix? Does Netflix have a student discount? You can check out this guide to find the seven methods to save on your Netflix plan!
There was a time when canceling cable TV was seen as a smart way to save money, but streaming isn’t cheap anymore. Netflix’s once ad-free, low-cost plan is long gone, and platforms like HBO Max and Peacock have cut back on their affordable options. Not only that, password sharing has been severely cracked down on, and Netflix student discounts are no longer available. According to Deloitte research, the average American user spends $61 per month on streaming services. When the price increases by another $5, almost half of the people say they will choose to cancel their subscription.
Netflix, in particular, can now cost 2.5 timesmore than Hulu with ads. Plus a shrinking library of movies and rising membership fees, which makes people wonder: “Am I saving money, or am I being ripped off?” Is there any way to get Netflix cheaper? If you are also a Netflix user, whether you are a new viewer or a loyal fan for many years, now is the time to learn some practical tips to help you find Netflix discounts without sacrificing your viewing experience. In this guide, we will share 7 ways to use Netflix on a budget without Netflix student discounts.
Why should we take control of your streaming costs?
According to the latest CNET survey data, we spend an average of more than $200 per year on subscription services that we hardly use. Faced with this reality, we must start to take a hard look at our spending habits. A key question is, do you really watch all the streaming platforms you pay for? Or do you just "watch when you want," and the result is that fees are automatically deducted every month, and you never open those apps?
If you are like me, you have subscribed to Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, and Apple TV+ for a few popular dramas... Now may be the best time to re-evaluate these expenses. Don't worry, you don't need to cancel all subscriptions at once, nor do you need to sacrifice your favorite shows or dramas. With a little brainpower and a small strategy, you can save money without affecting your entertainment life.
I have personally tested some simple and effective methods to help me cut a lot of streaming expenses every month, and almost no extra work is required. Let's take a look at 7 ways to find Netflix discounts so that you will no longer ask questions like, Is there any way to get Netflix cheaper?
7 ways to save on your Netflix plan
1.Try different subscription plans
Netflix offers multiple subscription tiers, each with slightly different prices and features. Choosing the tier that works best for you is an investment in your streaming experience. Although we can't use the Netflix student discount to get a Netflix discount. You can try different subscription plans.
If you're a new user or just want to watch a certain show at a certain time, and you're not sure if you'll use Netflix long-term, you might want to start with the lowest-priced, ad-supported plan.
Although the premium plan is more expensive, it allows you to watch on multiple devices at the same time and supports HD or UHD quality—perfect for family sharing or sharing the cost with friends.
If you're so busy that you barely have time to watch TV for a period of time, you can temporarily downgrade your plan. When the holidays come and your desire to watch TV soars, you can switch back to a higher plan.
Not only will this simple operation not affect your account settings, it will also prevent you from continuing to pay a high price when you "basically don't watch TV." It's actually not complicated to save money on Netflix. By understanding your viewing habits, flexibly switching packages, and making good use of free trials and family sharing, you can enjoy your favorite content in the most cost-effective way.
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2.Monthly Subscription
Annual payment may seem like a better deal, but it may not be for everyone. If you're trying to control your streaming budget, a monthly payment is usually a smarter choice. Although Netflix does not have Netflix student discounts, compared to a one-time annual payment, a monthly subscription can avoid a large one-time expense and reduce short-term financial pressure. It is easier to cancel or change the plan at any time, especially for users with irregular viewing habits. In addition, it can help you seize the opportunity of free trials and special offers, and flexibly enter and exit the service according to the billing cycle.
Of course, the only advantage of annual payment is that the total price is cheaper, but the premise is that you can be sure that you will use it for a whole year. What if you don't want to forget to cancel the automatic renewal? You can use a calendar reminder or download a dedicated subscription tracking app to monitor the payment time to prevent missing the best time to quit. When considering the question, like, is there any way to get Netflix cheaper, a monthly subscription is a good choice.
3.Make the most of your free trial
Don’t underestimate the value of a free trial, especially if you’re just starting your Netflix journey, and Netflix doesn’t have a Netflix student discount, or if you want to try out different plan tiers. Netflix occasionally offers free trials for new users or new device signups, and while it’s not as common as it once was, it’s still worth keeping an eye out for.
You can explore different plans with low risk to see which one works best for you. It’s also a good idea for short-term binge-watching plans, like if you just want to finish a season of a hit show. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends, and you won’t be charged. Even if you’re not a new user, you can check to see if your friends and family are eligible for free trials or if they can sign up for a new account to get a discount.
4.Pause your subscription
Sometimes, the best way to save money isn’t to look for a cheaper plan or find Netflix student discounts. But to proactively hit the pause button. When you realize you won’t be checking Netflix much in the next few weeks, consider pausing your subscription.
Netflix lets you pause for up to three months, and you won’t be charged anything during that time. Plus, your watchlist, recommendations, and account settings are all preserved. And, when you resume your subscription, everything will be the same, without having to reset it all over again.
For example, maybe you’re planning a summer trip, or you’re switching to a different streaming platform. Whatever the reason, pausing your subscription is like giving your wallet some breathing room without having to give up all the content you love.
Make sure you pause before your next payment so you don’t get charged unnecessarily. You can even cancel if you don’t plan on returning to Netflix anytime soon. The good news is that Netflix will keep your account information and viewing data for 10 months, so you don’t have to start from scratch when you return.
5.Keep an eye out for discounts and promotions
Don't miss out on those "hidden menu" offers! Although Netflix itself rarely offers direct discounts, it sometimes quietly launches some surprising bundles or giveaways by partnering with mobile operators, Internet service providers, or other platforms. Some broadband services may also offer "three months of free Netflix trial included" as a bonus when you sign up for a package. This benefit often only appears in a corner of the website or in a pop-up window when you sign up, and you'll miss it if you don't pay attention.
In addition, if you are a student, don't underestimate the value of your student status. Although Netflix has not officially launched a Netflix student discount, many campus-related platforms or third-party discount websites will integrate offers from various streaming services, some of which may include Netflix joint promotions. For example, university dormitory broadband packages may come with Netflix subscriptions or get discounted prices through campus card partnerships. You can also regularly browse platforms like UNiDAYS and Student Beans that offer global student discounts to see if there are any applicable coupons or cashback activities.
In short, smart money-saving strategies don't just stop at canceling subscriptions and downgrading packages. Spending a few more minutes digging into these "inconspicuous" cooperative promotions can often bring unexpected gains. Let's get a Netflix discount!
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6.Watch your data usage
Watching your data usage may not directly reduce the cost of your Netflix subscription, but it can certainly save you a lot of money in other ways, especially if you often rely on mobile data to watch shows. It's easy to use up your data allowance without realizing it when watching HD or UHD videos on your phone or tablet while out and about or commuting. When answering the question of whether there is any way to get Netflix cheaper, the easiest way is to monitor your data usage.
You can download the shows or movies you plan to watch ahead of time at home or somewhere with Wi-Fi. Netflix's mobile app supports this feature (how many titles you can download and on which devices depends on your subscription plan), so you can watch movies without worrying about your data usage "whirring out."
You can also adjust the data usage settings on Netflix mobile to control data consumption. In the Netflix app, go to My Netflix > Menu > App Settings > Video Playback > Cellular Data Usage and select Low or Wi-Fi Only mode to limit data usage at the source. Although this may sacrifice some image quality, it is definitely worth it if you are killing time or just following the plot without paying much attention to the image.
In short, managing data usage can not only protect your wallet from being "harvested" by the operator but also make you feel more at ease when enjoying your favorite content. A small setting adjustment can help you avoid the "surprise" of overspending.
7.Find other platforms
If you find yourself not opening Netflix for weeks, or you can't find what you want to watch after opening it, it may be time to re-examine your streaming options. Today's market is full of diverse streaming platforms, each with its own exclusive content and features: Disney+ has a large number of Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars series; HBO Max is known for its high-quality American dramas and movies; Amazon Prime Video offers a wide variety of dramas and movies, even some independent films and original content; Hulu, Apple TV+, Paramount+, etc., also have their own highlights. Even some local or niche platforms, such as Mubi, Crunchyroll, or Bilibili, may provide content that better suits your taste.
Switching platforms is not only for the freshness of content, but also may mean a better value for money. Many platforms offer free trials, student discounts, first-month discounts, or preferential packages in cooperation with telecom operators. If you are good at taking advantage of these promotional strategies, you can save a lot of money in a year. Moreover, flexibly switching platforms can also prevent you from forcing yourself to pay during a period of content exhaustion. After all, subscribing to the most expensive package but hardly watching anything is the biggest loss.
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Conclusion
Although Netflix does not offer a dedicated Netflix student discount, it does not mean that you have to pay a high price to catch up on TV. By flexibly applying the various saving strategies introduced in this article, you can significantly reduce your expenses without sacrificing your viewing experience. If you feel that Netflix's content or prices no longer meet your needs, you might as well try other streaming platforms. You can switch and use them flexibly to enjoy a rich and diverse film and television resource while better controlling your entertainment budget.
The streaming market is highly competitive, with a variety of choices and fast changes. Smart subscription management will become your weapon in entertainment consumption. Don't let the rising costs become a hindrance to your chasing TV. Use your brain and adjust your strategy. You will find that it is not difficult to enjoy your favorite shows and movies while saving money. Remember, saving a little money and making entertainment more relaxed and comfortable is our ultimate goal. I hope this guide can help you.
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Written by
Kimmy
Published on
May 20, 2025
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