Your Netflix picture looks worse than Disney+, but don’t blame your TV. The streaming giant uses lower bitrates than competitors, sacrificing quality for bandwidth. On October 28, 2025, this quality gap remains one of streaming’s biggest complaints. It’s pure engineering, not your equipment.
🔥 Quick Facts:
- Netflix 4K averages 8-15 Mbps bitrate versus 20 Mbps for Disney+
- Disney+ requires 20 Mbps for 4K versus Netflix’s aggressive compression
- Netflix reduced bitrates by 50% in recent years without telling users
- Dolby Vision on Netflix uses less bandwidth than competitor standards
- The AV1 codec is helping Netflix reclaim quality without raising bitrates
The Bitrate Battle: Why Netflix Streams Look Softer
Netflix deliberately uses lower bitrates than Disney+, Apple TV+, and Prime Video. Their 4K content sits around 8 Mbps while Disney+ demands 20 Mbps for the same resolution. This aggressive compression saves Netflix millions in server costs yearly. The trade-off? Visible artifacts and softer details in complex scenes.
The problem intensified after 2020. Netflix cut bitrates by 50% to handle pandemic streaming spikes. They never raised them back. Users noticed immediate quality drops on 4K TVs. Dark sequences show crushing, bright scenes lose detail, and motion looks slightly artificial. The HD tier fares better but still lags Disney+ roughly by 30%.
“Netflix has a laughably low bitrate. Even 4K content looks noticeably bad.” — r/netflix community discussion, 2025
Disney+ and Apple TV+ prioritize visual fidelity over efficiency. They spend more on delivery but users get cleaner, more detailed pictures. Netflix bet on compression algorithms improving faster than viewers would notice. Spoiler: viewers noticed.
The Compression Technology Behind the Scenes
Netflix uses multiple codec strategies to combat their aggressive bitrate cuts. H.264, H.265 (HEVC), and AV1 each offer different compression-to-quality trade-offs. The platform prioritizes AV1 now because it achieves 30-40% better compression than H.265. Yet even with superior technology, the underlying bitrate ceiling still clips quality.
In July 2025, Netflix unveiled Film Grain Synthesis technology through AV1 encoding. This clever trick lets the platform strip film grain during compression, then synthetically re-add it during playback. The result? Lower bitrates without visible quality loss on classic films. But this only helps specific content—action movies and CGI shows still suffer from reduced bitrates.
Disney+ takes the opposite approach: higher bitrates, straightforward codecs, minimal manipulation. Their HDR10 implementation uses 10-bit color while Netflix defaults to 8-bit in many regions. These technical choices add up to a noticeably sharper picture on Disney+ on comparable TVs.
| Feature | Netflix 4K | Disney+ 4K | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Bitrate | 8-15 Mbps | 20 Mbps | Disney+ |
| HDR Format | 10-bit HDR (selective) | HDR10 (standard) | Disney+ |
| Primary Codec | AV1, H.265 | H.265, HEVC | Netflix (AV1 edge) |
| Color Depth | 8-bit HD, 10-bit 4K | 10-bit standard | Disney+ |
| Data per Hour | 3.6-6.75 GB | 9 GB | Disney+ (cleaner) |
The gap exists by design. Netflix operates in 190+ countries with wildly different internet speeds. Lower bitrates mean service reliability everywhere. Disney+ focuses on the US, Europe, and developed markets where bandwidth is abundant. Different markets demand different strategies.
Can You Actually Fix This?
You can’t change Netflix‘s bitrate allocation from your TV settings. The platform decides your bitrate automatically based on plan tier and internet speed. Premium subscribers get fractionally better bitrates than Standard users, but even Premium plans max out around 15 Mbps for 4K.
Your best option? Switch to Disney+ for visually critical films. Use wired internet instead of Wi-Fi to maximize your current bitrate. Check your playback settings on Netflix and select “High” or “Auto” for best results. Most importantly, don’t upgrade your TV for better Netflix quality—upgrade to another streaming service first.
The Real Culprit: Your Internet Plan
Netflix requires 25 Mbps for stable 4K streams, but only uses 15 Mbps maximum. This gap isn’t accidental. It ensures the stream stays stable even if your connection dips. Disney+ uses the available bandwidth more fully, delivering sharper images at the same internet speed.
What’s Next for Streaming Quality?
The AV2 codec arrives in 2026-2027 for Netflix and competitors. This next-generation technology could deliver 50% more compression versus AV1, or alternatively, vastly superior quality at current bitrates. Netflix might finally raise quality without raising costs.
Disney+ isn’t resting either. Their 4K rollout continues expanding, with Dolby Vision support growing steadily. By 2026, expect Disney+ to dominate visual quality perception, forcing Netflix to invest further in encoding technology. The streaming wars just got visual.
“Netflix pioneered content-adaptive encoding, achieving over 30% bitrate reduction without degrading quality between 2015-2018.” — Cord Cutters News, September 2025
Why Does Netflix Still Win, Then?
Despite worse picture quality, Netflix dominates with 282.7 million subscribers globally. Content beats quality—it’s that simple. Exclusive shows like Stranger Things, The Crown, and upcoming originals drive subscriptions. Picture quality matters less than having something you actually want to watch.
But the gap won’t last forever. As AV2 arrives and internet speeds improve, pressures will mount on Netflix to raise baseline quality. Disney+ can afford to stay generous indefinitely. Netflix must balance global accessibility with viewer expectations for visual fidelity. The October 2025 landscape shows Disney+ pulling ahead on visual metrics, but Netflix‘s content catalog remains unmatched.
Your Action Items
- Test side-by-side: Stream identical content on both services side-by-side to see the difference yourself
- Check your connection: Ensure your internet can support 25 Mbps for any 4K streaming reliably
- Adjust TV settings: Enable HDMI Enhanced for full HDR support across all platforms
- Choose wisely: Use Disney+ for visual masterpieces, Netflix for storytelling excellence
- Wait for AV2: The next codec generation arrives soon and will reshape quality expectations
The Real Question: Is Netflix’s Approach Unsustainable?
Going forward, Netflix faces genuine pressure. Competitors raised quality precisely to differentiate themselves. Viewers increasingly compare services on visual metrics, not just content. Netflix‘s aggressive compression strategy, while profitable, risks alienating users with high-end TVs and good internet.
The company could raise standard bitrates tomorrow and absorb 15-20% higher delivery costs. For Netflix‘s scale, that’s manageable. But shareholder pressure and subscriber churn prevention might finally force the issue. Will Netflix prioritize picture quality as streaming matures? Only their quarterly earnings reports will tell.
Sources
- Netflix Tech Blog – AV1 Film Grain Synthesis and encoding research (July 2025)
- Cord Cutters News – Streaming quality comparison and bitrate analysis (September-October 2025)
- CNET – Best streaming services ratings including video quality assessment (October 2025)
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.