4K Streaming Compared 2026: Which Services & Plans

All four big services — Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV+ — offer 4K in Europe, but Netflix and Disney+ reserve it for their Premium plans while Prime Video and Apple TV+ include it at the base price. To watch 4K you also need a 4K device, a High Speed HDMI cable on an HDCP 2.2 port, and about 25 Mbps. This data guide compares 4K availability by service and plan, with a table. It builds on our resolution guide and fix 4K guide.

Streaming services compared on 4K availability by plan
4K in Europe — included on Prime and Apple TV+, Premium-only on Netflix and Disney+.

4K by Service and Plan

Typical eurozone pricing; prices vary by country.

Service 4K on which plan HDR / Dolby Vision Atmos 4K cost
Netflix Premium only (≈ €19.99) HDR10 + Dolby Vision Yes Extra (top tier)
Disney+ Premium only (≈ €13.99) HDR10 + Dolby Vision Yes Extra (top tier)
Prime Video Included with Prime HDR10 + Dolby Vision Yes Included
Apple TV+ Included (single tier) Dolby Vision Yes Included

Even on a 4K plan, only titles mastered in 4K stream in Ultra HD — often originals and marquee films, not the whole catalogue.

What You Need to Watch 4K

Every link in the chain must support 4K, or you drop to 1080p:

Requirement Detail
A 4K plan Premium (Netflix/Disney+) or included (Prime/Apple)
A 4K device A 4K streaming device, not an HD one
A 4K TV + HDMI High Speed HDMI on an HDCP 2.2 port
Bandwidth 25 Mbps per 4K stream
The right settings Device output at 2160p; app on highest quality

If 4K won’t engage, work through our fix 4K not working guide; if the picture looks dull, see the HDR washed out guide.

The chain of requirements needed to stream 4K
Every link must support 4K — plan, device, cable, port and bandwidth.

The Bottom Line

All four big services offer 4K, but the cost differs: Prime Video and Apple TV+ include it, while Netflix and Disney+ charge for Premium. Access is only half the story — you also need a 4K device, TV, cable, HDCP 2.2 port and ~25 Mbps, and only 4K-mastered titles play in Ultra HD. For cheapest 4K, choose Prime or Apple TV+; for 4K plus the biggest library, Netflix Premium. Understand quality in our resolution guide, fix issues in our fix 4K guide, compare prices in our European streaming prices guide, and look up any term in the streaming glossary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which streaming services offer 4K in Europe?

Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV+ all offer 4K, but on different terms: Netflix and Disney+ reserve 4K for their top Premium plans, while Prime Video and Apple TV+ include 4K at their base price. So all four have 4K content — the difference is whether you pay extra for it, which makes Prime Video and Apple TV+ the cheapest routes.

Which plan do I need for 4K on Netflix and Disney+?

You need the Premium plan on both. Netflix Premium (around €19.99) and Disney+ Premium (around €13.99) are the only tiers with 4K Ultra HD, HDR and Dolby Atmos; their Standard and ad-supported tiers cap at 1080p. If 4K matters, budget for Premium, or choose Prime Video or Apple TV+, which include 4K without a higher tier.

What do I need to actually watch 4K?

A 4K subscription or plan, a 4K-capable streaming device, a 4K TV connected by a High Speed HDMI cable on an HDCP 2.2 port, and about 25 Mbps of bandwidth per stream. If any link is missing — plan, device, cable, port or speed — you'll get 1080p instead. Our fix 4K guide walks through each requirement if 4K won't engage.

Is all content available in 4K?

No. Even on a 4K plan, only titles mastered and licensed in 4K stream in Ultra HD — often originals and marquee films, not the whole catalogue. Older or licensed content may only be in HD. So a 4K plan gives you access to the 4K titles a service offers, not a guarantee that everything plays in 4K.

Which is the cheapest way to get 4K streaming?

Prime Video, because 4K is included with Amazon Prime at no extra tier, and Apple TV+, which streams almost everything in 4K Dolby Vision at its single price. Both are cheaper routes to 4K than Netflix or Disney+ Premium. For 4K plus the biggest catalogue, though, Netflix Premium remains the option despite its higher price.