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Student Hack: Share Streaming
As a student, you’re most likely looking for ways to save money, and streaming services can quickly start to add up.
Here are some hacks for using your student status, with your housemates, to spend less money on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Spotify.
Netflix
So, you’ve decided you want Netflix. You might first wonder, “does a Netflix student discount exist?”
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Netflix doesn’t offer a specific student discount. But what about sharing passwords?
Is Netflix password sharing allowed?
According to Netflix’s terms and services, you’re not allowed to share your login and password “beyond your household”. Netflix is also trying to crack down on password sharing by trialling validation codes. However, you can share your Netflix subscription with your family members or people you live with.
What does this mean for students? This means it’s okay to share your Netflix password among your household, AKA, your housemates. If you’re living in a student house, you can all share one Netflix account and split the cost!
Account Plans
You might wonder what account plan is best if you’re planning to share it with your housemates. Here’s a breakdown of the different plans:
Basic with ads 🥉
This is the cheapest plan at only £4.99. This is a great option if none of your housemates want to share, and you don’t want to spend loads.
However, there are some downsides. For a start, you’ll have to deal with regular ads. Plus, you can only stream in 720p, some films and TV shows aren’t available, and you can’t download anything. You can also only watch on one device at a time.
Standard 🥈
This is a bit pricier at £10.99. But you get higher quality video (1080p) and downloads. And you can stream on 2 different devices simultaneously. This is the best option if you’re sharing with only 1 other housemate or if you think you’re unlikely to all be watching stuff at the same time.
Premium 🥇
Netflix’s most expensive plan is £15.99. But in return, you get the best quality video (4K+HDR), downloads, and you can stream on 4 devices simultaneously.
This is the best option if you want to share with your whole house. If you live with 3 other housemates and you’re feeling antisocial, you can all be watching different things at the same time. Plus, it works out to only £3.99 per person, which is less than the basic plan with ads!
Amazon Prime
A Prime subscription is a bit different from Netflix because it includes both free Prime shipping and Prime Video. This means Prime has slightly different rules about password sharing.
Does Amazon Prime offer a student discount?
The good news is that, unlike Netflix, Prime does offer a student discount. If you’re new to Prime, you can get a 6 month free trial as a student (you will need to verify your student status).
After your free trial, you get 50% off full-price Prime making it only £4.49 a month (for 4 years or until you graduate). Plus, you get exactly the same benefits as a full-price account!
Is sharing an Amazon Prime account allowed?
Unfortunately, you can’t share your student Prime account. However, you can share a standard Prime account with one housemate through Amazon Household. This means you’ll share both Prime delivery and Prime streaming. However, you can’t share Amazon music.
This is a good option if you can’t get the student discount. But you’ll need to trust your housemate as you can access each other’s card details.
Spotify
Spotify offers a couple of different options that you can take advantage of as a student to save money.
Does Spotify offer a student discount?
Much like Prime, Spotify offers a student discount and a free trial (for new members). As a student, you can get free Spotify Premium for 3 months and then £5.99 (compared to the standard £9.99) a month for the rest of your studies.
Is sharing a Spotify account allowed?
Sharing is not allowed on a Premium Spotify account. But Spotify does offer Spotify Family for up to 6 people who live at the same address for £16.99 a month. So, if you live in a large student house, you might want to upgrade to Spotify Premium Family plan.
If you already use Spotify, you can switch to Spotify Premium Family and keep all your saved music, playlists and recommendations! You will each have your own Premium account and can all listen simultaneously on different devices, so you don’t have to take turns.
If you’re sharing with 3 or more housemates, it works out cheaper than the student discount!
*All the above prices are accurate as of January 2023.
How else can I save money as a student?
If you’re looking for another easy way to save money as a student, why not try using our bill splitting service?
Here at Split the Bills, we use the best utility providers and bundle your bills into one neat monthly payment. You can create a unique package that suits you and your housemates, so you’re only paying for exactly what you need. And unlike sharing a Netflix account, we’ll be the ones chasing up any housemates who aren’t paying their share, so none of the stress is on you!
If you’re interested in discovering more about how Split the Bills can make your life easier, then you can learn more about how we work. Or get in touch with us today!
Electricity. Gas. Broadband. Water. TV Licence.
Want to find out more?
Interested in splitting your student household bills rather than splitting up friendships? Check out SplitTheBills now and make life easier for everyone in your shared student house.
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