Stan vs Binge vs Netflix: Which Streaming Service Wins in Australia (2026)

Let’s cut through the marketing spin. If you’re an Australian trying to decide where your streaming dollars go, you’ve probably narrowed it down to the big three local contenders: Stan, Binge, and Netflix. Each has genuine strengths. Each has genuine blind spots. Here’s an honest breakdown to help you figure out which one (or two) actually deserves your money.

Pricing Comparison (AUD, February 2026)

Netflix

• Basic with Ads: $7.99/month (720p, ads, single screen)
• Standard: $18.99/month (1080p, two screens, ad-free)
• Premium: $29.99/month (4K HDR, four screens, ad-free)

Stan

• Basic: $12.00/month (1080p, single screen)
• Standard: $18.00/month (1080p, three screens)
• Premium: $22.00/month (4K HDR, four screens)

Binge

• Basic with Ads: $10.00/month (1 screen, ads)
• Standard: $18.00/month (2 screens, ad-free)
• Premium: $22.00/month (4 screens, 4K, ad-free)

Verdict on price: Stan and Binge are noticeably cheaper than Netflix at the premium tier. If you want 4K without ads, Stan and Binge will save you roughly $8/month compared to Netflix Premium. Netflix’s ad-supported tier is the cheapest way in, but 720p in 2026 is genuinely hard to look at on a decent telly.

Content Libraries

Netflix

Netflix’s library is the largest, but it’s also the most inconsistent. For every Stranger Things or Wednesday, there are dozens of mediocre originals that get cancelled after one season. That said, Netflix still dominates in sheer variety — Korean dramas, true crime, stand-up comedy, anime, reality TV, kids’ content. The international catalogue is a genuine strength that neither Stan nor Binge can match.

Best for: International content, Korean dramas, reality TV binges, anime, and anyone who wants a bit of everything.

Weak spots: Australian content is thin. Prestige drama has taken a backseat to algorithm-driven content. The constant cancellations of promising shows are infuriating.

Stan

Stan is quietly the best value streaming service in Australia, and more people should recognise it. It’s the exclusive home of Paramount+ content in Australia, which means Yellowstone, 1883, Tulsa King, and a deep Paramount movie catalogue. It also produces strong Australian originals — Bump, The Other Guy, and the excellent RomCom series. The back catalogue includes classics like The Office (US), Seinfeld, and Parks and Recreation.

Best for: Prestige American drama, comedy classics, Australian originals, and Paramount content.

Weak spots: The interface is clunky compared to Netflix. Kids’ content is decent but not as deep. The originals, while good, don’t generate the same cultural conversation as Netflix or HBO fare.

Binge

Binge is the HBO platform in Australia, and that single fact makes it essential for prestige drama fans. The Sopranos, The Wire, Succession, The White Lotus, Euphoria, The Last of Us, House of the Dragon — it’s all here. Binge also carries a solid movie library, Foxtel originals, and reality content. If you care about quality over quantity, Binge punches well above its weight.

Best for: HBO prestige drama, quality over quantity, blockbuster movies shortly after cinema release.

Weak spots: The overall library is smaller than Netflix or Stan. Australian content is limited compared to Stan. The ad-supported tier is a frustrating experience on drama content.

Interface and App Quality

Netflix remains the gold standard here. The app is smooth, recommendations are (mostly) useful, profiles work seamlessly, and the download functionality is reliable. It just works.

Stan has improved significantly over the years but still feels a step behind. Navigation can be sluggish, the recommendation engine is basic, and the search function occasionally returns baffling results. It gets the job done without ever feeling polished.

Binge sits in the middle. The app is clean enough, but it lacks the polish of Netflix and occasionally stutters on older smart TVs. The “continue watching” feature has a habit of losing your place, which is maddening when you’re midway through a series.

Verdict on interface: Netflix wins comfortably. Stan and Binge are both perfectly functional but lack that premium feel.

Australian Content

This matters more than you’d think. If you want to watch stories set in your own country, made by local creators, your options vary wildly.

Stan leads here with genuine investment in Australian originals. Bump, The Other Guy, and No Activity are all worth your time, and Stan consistently commissions new local content.

Netflix has ramped up Australian originals — Heartbreak High (the reboot), Boy Swallows Universe, and The Tourist are standouts — but it still feels like a secondary priority for the platform.

Binge offers Foxtel originals like Wentworth, Mr Inbetween, and Love Me, but the pipeline of new Australian content is thinner than Stan’s.

Verdict on AU content: Stan is the clear winner for supporting local stories.

The Final Verdict: Which One Should You Pick?

If you only pick one: Go with Stan. It offers the best balance of quality content, Australian originals, Paramount library, and pricing. The comedy back catalogue alone justifies the subscription.

If you’re a prestige drama snob: Get Binge. The HBO library is untouchable, and if you mainly care about watching the best-written, best-acted television being made, nothing else comes close.

If you want maximum variety: Netflix is still the broadest library. If you watch Korean dramas, anime, reality TV, and international content, Netflix is the only service that covers all those bases.

If you can afford two: The Stan + Binge combo gives you the strongest overall content library for Australian viewers at a combined cost that’s still less than Netflix Premium alone. You get HBO prestige, Paramount content, comedy classics, and the best local originals.

The honest truth: Most Aussie households will get the most value from rotating subscriptions. Watch what you want on one service, cancel, switch to another. There’s no contract, no penalty, and no loyalty rewards. The streaming services know this — it’s why they stagger their big releases throughout the year. Play the game right back.