Netflix and Redbox both offer convenience without the cost of a monthly cable bill. But which is better?
I set out to compare the two services (Blockbuster’s bankruptcy filing may eliminate Blockbuster Express) based on price, convenience, and selection quality. As part of this comparison, I am giving away three one-month free trials to Netflix. A friend gave them to me and I am passing them onto you. To win, comment on this post about which home movie service is the best, in your humble opinion…oh wait. Anyone can get a free one-month trial on the Netflix homepage. Guess this prize isn’t so exclusive!
Factor No. 1: Price
Netflix plans run from $5 to $48 per month. The plan that seems the most advantageous costs $9 per month and lets you have one DVD at a time with no monthly limit and unlimited streaming. Once you watch your DVD and mail it back to Netflix, you get a new DVD in about a week. Given the turn around time and the fact that your life is busy (just a hunch), on this plan I’m going to guesstimate each month you will watch three DVDs. Postage is included in your monthly Netflix membership fee, meaning each movie costs $3. (Netflix has a $5 per month plan that includes two DVDs per month plus two hours streaming on your PC, which brings the cost down to $2.50 per month).
Rebox movies are $1 per night plus tax. This is a lot cheaper than Netflix, except if you forget to return the movie, like I did last week. Watching the so-so movie Date Night for $1 is a bargain. Watching it for $3 is nothing I’m proud of. Still, Redbox takes the cake when it comes to price.
Factor No. 2: Convenience
Netflix is superior. Add and subtract movies from your Queue online, get movies and TV shows delivered to your doorstep. What could be easier?
Redbox requires driving to your local grocer, gas station, or mall to rent. Choose a location that is close because returning it the next day is a pain!
Factor No. 3: Quality
Netflix quality is superior, hands down. Redbox has dozens of movies to choose from, while Netflix has thousands, including TV shows, movies released a few years back, and classics. Redbox kiosks are largely stocked with recent releases that appeal to casual movie watchers.
Overall, I believe Netflix is a better value than Redbox. The combination of better movie selection and supreme convenience trumps Redbox’s lower upfront cost. Plus, if you stream movies your cost per movie drops dramatically.
Which movie service do you prefer?
September 24th, 2010 at 9:12 am
I’ve used both services, but I have to say that I like netflix better. I just recently renewed my membership with them so that I could stream movies and tv shows. It’s not perfect, but it works for me and my family. My only issue is that the selections for streaming are not all that great. I don’t think that there is enough variety. Maybe as the program grows it will get better. Only time will tell.
September 24th, 2010 at 9:13 am
I love Netflix! I forgot to return a movie to the Red Box once, and it cost me 25.00! 25.00 for LAND OF THE LOST is just unacceptable!
Plus, my husband is a government contractor, and he can watch Netflix when he is overseas! So handy!
September 24th, 2010 at 9:21 am
I read this morning that Blockbuster boxes are NOT owned by Blockbuster, but that another company owns the boxes and simply pays Blockbuster licensing rights for using their name.
That said, Netflix all the way – the Watch Instantly feature makes it TOTALLY worth it.
September 24th, 2010 at 9:24 am
With Netflix, I return the movies on Monday and will have new ones on Wednesday. It has never taken longer unless there is a holiday.
September 24th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Blockbuster Express is a separate entity from Blockbuster, and will continue to operate as usual, per the email I received from the VP of the company. Per the letter:
BLOCKBUSTER Express business is 100% owned and operated by NCR Corporation, a rock-solid public company that has pioneered breakthrough consumer experiences for more than 125 years. We look forward to serving up those great experiences for another 125 years and more.
Meanwhile, I want to assure you that we are working hard every day to make your movie-rental experience with BLOCKBUSTER Express even better in a number of ways, including:
* Opening new locations nearby that make it more convenient to rent and return movies
* Adding more copies of more movies to rent at your local BLOCKBUSTER Express kiosks
* Preserving value, with most titles available to rent for only $1 per night
In addition, to thank you for being a great customer, we are starting our weekend promotion today, 1 day early. Rent any two movies and get the third one on us, just use code THXBBX. So, go ahead… make tonight a movie night, and enjoy!
September 24th, 2010 at 9:33 am
You can return a redbox movie to any redbox. It doesn’t have to be the same one you checked the movie out from.
September 24th, 2010 at 9:36 am
I could see Redbox being cheaper if you are responsible, because that $1 a day can add up if you forget to return it.
It is also more convenient if you want to watch a newer release right away (new releases aren’t available to stream on Netflix).
I have a Netflix $9 account, but also visit Redbox every once & a while.
Best of both worlds
September 24th, 2010 at 9:59 am
I love my Netflix membership. True, there’s lots of Redbox locations, but with Netflix I can watch without ever leaving the house, via computer, mailed DVDs or my PS3
September 24th, 2010 at 9:59 am
I have a friend who absolutely loves Netflix! He ended up canceling all his cable channel movies like HBO and now controls what he gets to see at his convenience and enjoys the savings.
September 24th, 2010 at 10:01 am
I sometimes have a movie a few days before I watch it, so it’s Netflix by a mile for me…
September 24th, 2010 at 10:06 am
Netflix has an amazing number of quirky independent films, foreign films, documentaries and classics. If you’re looking for a movie experience that doesn’t include massive amounts of explosions and car crashes (that is, anything but the Hollywood blockbusters) then Netflix can’t be beat.
September 24th, 2010 at 10:21 am
The selection on nextflix is unbeatable. But I don’t really take full advantage of the services. I never use the streaming and end up only watching maybe 2 movies a month, even though I pay for the $9 unlimited plan. My biggest issue is that by the time the movie shows up, it’s not what I’m in the mood to watch any more. And I’ve compared the 100 movies in my queue to my library’s catalog, and the library carries over 80 of them (most being indies and documentaries), plus you can rent them for free for 7 days. 14 days for any tv show seasons. The one thing the library can’t compete with is how netflix suggests movies based on my previously watched movies, I’ve found tons of great movies that way. So I’ve been wavering back and forth for months now about canceling my membership, but just can’t pull the plug yet!
September 24th, 2010 at 10:27 am
I have been with Netflix for about a year now, and it is a great deal in my mind. I pay $8.99 and I do wind up watching 3 or 4 a month. The turnaround time is really quick. Redbox is not a deal to me, I could go to my small local video store and do the same thing, but with Netflix we watch a movie, I throw it back in the mailbox and 4 days later I have another movie! What could be more convenient and cheaper than renting, considering the time it takes to return the DVD.
September 24th, 2010 at 10:35 am
@Danny Thanks for sharing these details!
September 24th, 2010 at 10:47 am
There is one really important thing that you forgot. The BABY BOOMERS are aging. We do not get around much. With Netflix and a willing Mailman, you never have to leave your house, especially if you cannot. They mail it to you and your Mailman will pick it up and return it to them. Plus, Streaming is great. It has the old stuff.
September 24th, 2010 at 11:09 am
I personally like Netflix when I had it. I had the plan where you have 3 movies at a time in the home. I’m single and so it was a good thing for me to do in the evenings. I went through lots of shows that way. I loved it when I had it. Now I got to busy and can hardly keep up with my tv shows.
September 24th, 2010 at 11:16 am
I used to get Netflix, but cancelled when I discovered that the billing I received was in excess of the site-listed price. $8 turned out to be $15+! I did enjoy the convenience, but I don’t stream or do anything that requires me to sit at my computer for long periods of time. Since I got a DVR, I can enjoy network and cable favorites on a rotating basis most of the year. Network series run fall-winter, and cable generally in spring-summer, with very little overlap.
September 24th, 2010 at 11:39 am
i think Netflix is better than Redbox in my opinion. and i hear Netflix is adding access for Xbox users as well, which will help my boyfriend – he’s waiting right now to sign up for Netflix once it’s Xbox capable
September 24th, 2010 at 11:45 am
I actually think netflix is cheaper because even though you only get 3 or so movies per month at $3.00 each, you get unlimited streaming movies that are available instantly. We have canceled our cable and use netflix streaming and bit torrent downloads for all of our tv and movie watching.
September 24th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
I have used both services. I like Red Box more because of the cost and convenience of planning my movie night without having to buy a whole month in advance.
September 24th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
I love Netflix if only because there’s no worry with returning a movie. It’s not a matter of money but of convenience.
September 24th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
I prefer Redbox. Although Netflix sounds like a better option, with a small baby in the home I dont get as much time as I used to therefor I dont watch as much TV. When using Redbox it’s usually something that more recent that I havent seen and would like to and can get usually that same night (taking into account that they have it available)
September 24th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
I like red box. It so convient and get emails of new releases every tuesday , and sometimes free rentals with special codes.
September 24th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
I like netflix better because it comes right to my house and is easier to remember to return it, too!
September 24th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I’ve only used Redbox and I’m pretty happy with them (as long as the movie I want is available and the kiosk is working).
September 24th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
My hubby uses both netflix and redbox. He likes Redbox for the instant gratification factor. He wants a movie he get a movie rather than having to wait.
September 24th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
C’mon, you can’t watch redbox on your phone. I watched Broadcast News the other day on my PHONE with the netflix app. AWESOME!
September 24th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
I’ve been a Netflix subscriber for about five years now, ranging from the 1x/mo. to 3x/mo. unlimited plan (currently the former now). There is a very quick turnaround time (one day) and good selection, and I’ve used streaming a few times. However, I had to wait an insane 6-8 months for my top three movies in queue (“Inglourious Basterds,” “Whip It” and “The Cove”)! And I never moved these titles down in queue…
When I called Netflix to inquire about the holdup, they told me that they are limited to a certain number of copies on certain releases (one would think that with profits way up they could afford to buy more).
In retrospect, I guess if really wanted to rent those movies, I could have gotten them On Demand, but I ended up knocking the subscription down to 1x a month instead of canceling. I’ll stick with it for now.
September 24th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
I like both but for me Netflix is better because I can just mail it back and I don’t have to go out of my way to go rent a movie. There’s only one red box by where I live.
September 25th, 2010 at 8:57 am
With all due respect, the one-month free trial of Netflix is ALWAYS available via their website at netflix.com.
September 25th, 2010 at 9:23 am
We have watched more movies since signing up with Netflix 3 months ago that we have watched probably in the past 10 years. We joined getting 1movie at a time. Our turn around time is about 3 days (mail Mon get new one Thurs). The streaming is great, especially since we have a Wii and are able to stream and watch on the TV. The convenience is great. Have used REdbox, but like Netflix much more, it is more convenient getting it in the mail.
September 25th, 2010 at 9:24 am
We have watched more movies since signing up with Netflix 3 months ago that we have watched probably in the past 10 years. We joined getting 1movie at a time. Our turn around time is about 3 days (mail Mon get new one Thurs). The streaming is great, especially since we have a Wii and are able to stream and watch on the TV. The convenience is great. Have used Redbox, but like Netflix much more, it is more convenient getting it in the mail.
September 25th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Now that Netflix has the streaming videos it is a much better deal, especially if you have one of the game consoles that allow that, but even if you don’t you can still stream from your computer or laptop. The best deal of all though, is probably still the library. In DC the libraries all have movies available for loan.
September 25th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I don’t have either one but heard Netflix is better.
September 26th, 2010 at 4:20 am
We have had Netflix for years and love it. The service we use most on it is the instant streaming. It’s nice because we can use the instant view anywhere we want. We recently used it to calm the kids during a rough night at a hotel room that had wifi. And we get the three movies at a time plan ($14/month). With five people in the house, it gives everyone a chance to have a movie. You can set up 1-3 separate queues on your account so that different people can have their own lists (one for Mom, one for Dad and one for the kids, for example). It’s definitely worth the $$.
September 26th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
We have the cheaper 2 DVDs/month Netflix program. Once we ran through all the HBO/Showtime-type series we wanted to watch, we didn’t need the more expensive one-DVD at a time plan. Two/month is good enough.
That said, we have used Redbox periodically. It’s a good complement to Netflix because there’s no membership fee or recurring fee for Redbox. It’s just “get a DVD, pay $1.” Simple and cheap. We have 2 Redbox kiosks near the house. So if we want to watch a mega-popular movie or get a kids’ movie for our 7-year-old, we use Redbox for that. Beyond the wildly popular, Redbox won’t help you. That’s when you need Netflix.
I don’t know if anybody else mentioned it, but for us Netflix is pretty much a substitute for cable, which we don’t get.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:51 am
@Maria Thanks for the tip. I didn’t know that you can return Redbox rentals to any location.
@John Kaiser You are right, Netflix makes more sense than Redbox for anyone who is less mobile or house-bound.
@Tamara I wonder how many people have canceled their cable after getting Netflix. The gratification is not as instant, but it sure if a lot cheaper!
@Elena I agree, Redbox is better for super busy folks who don’t watch one or two movies a month.
@Charissa You pointed out another Netflix use – when you’re on vacation or traveling and there is nothing on at your hotel.
September 27th, 2010 at 10:13 am
I have to say Netflix because we live in a very rural area and the closest Redbox is about 30 min away so to me it not very convienent
September 27th, 2010 at 10:24 am
I like Redbox only because I do not watch that many movies. The majority of what I rent are free with promotional codes. It is just remembering to take them back the next day!
September 27th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
I have used both and, have on and off cancelled my netflix membership. Cause sometimes i would have the DVD’s but just keep them and not return them or watch them. Anyways I like both and recommend both.
The thing is i did the 3 DVD’s at a time which with tax was about $18 I dont think I ever watched 18 movies in one month. With knowing this I know Redbox would be cheaper!
I have so far rented 6 movies this month and only paid for 1. 5 of them were free becaue of promo codes. So 6 movies cost me $2.17
Plus there is a redbox outside the grocery store i work, though i live 30 minutes out of town. But i come to town 5 out of 7 days so I pick one up one night and when i come to work the next day i return it.
Right now i don’t have internet in my house so netflix streaming won’t happen, but if it does i will just log into my brothers account.
Anyways wife is wanting netflix but maybe i will do redbox and get a library card and rent movies from the library
September 28th, 2010 at 10:19 am
@Christoph It is hard to watch three movies at a time! But seriously, who watches that many movies? I suppose that membership is for big families who watch a lot of TV and movie buffs. Glad you switched to Redbox and are saving money.
October 1st, 2010 at 6:19 am
We use Netflix and Blockbuster Express. I love Blockbuster Express because they get the new movies as son as they are released, sometimes weeks before Netflix. I also love that I can reserve on line and recieve emails when I pick up and return.
I had a bad experience with Redbox where I returned a movie but they claimed 52 days later that I hadn’t. That ended up costing me $27.00. Haven’t used it since.
Netflix is great because they have an extensive selection especially when we’re in the mood for something a little less mainstream.
October 1st, 2010 at 6:35 am
We watch that many movies:>)
We have netflix and love it. Our DVD collection was out of control.We average three-four netflix a week. We haven’t started streaming- but that will happen once we have our set up after Christmas.
October 1st, 2010 at 8:39 am
We get most of our movies from the library for free. Not all libraries have recent/decent movies though (the next city over does not – the two library systems had to end their intra-library loan program because tons of movies were getting borrowed over there from our system and almost nobody on our side was borrowing from them.)
Anyways, for us Redbox is a good supplement. You can get free or buy-1-get-1 codes pretty easily. We spend maybe $9 per year on redbox, so netflix would just cost us money.
October 1st, 2010 at 8:58 am
With Netflix we canceled our cable services. We saw tremendous savings there, and we started freeing up more time for other activities. Any new TV show episodes we wanted to watch we ending up streaming online from the station’s website.
Once we started freeing up the time spent uselessly sitting in front of the tube, and making decisions on what we REALLY wanted to watch… we weren’t using our Netflix account as much.
Now we use Redbox exclusively. We do have to be more responsible with returning them, but we only rent them when we make the decision to watch a new release.
Netflix helped cut out the cost of cable. Redbox helped us be more responsible and save even more money. Redbox is the better service in my opinion. You just have to make the decision of where your priorities are.
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:37 pm
We had a 30-trial period with Netflix and we really enjoyed. We watched only streaming movies, didn’t get any DVD mailed to us at all. . 9$ is cheap considering basics cable from directtv runs like 12.99 a month with almost nothing to watch.
We like Netflix better. The qualities of streaming movies are great. The one setback though is if you want to watch new movies, you have to request the DVD to be mailed to you. It’s kind a hassle of you forget to return it or misplace it.
We also try Redbox, but it can be expensive if you rent 1 movie a day for 30 days. Also, Redbox usually have old movies.
October 9th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Wow. Ya’ll watch a lot of movies by comparison to us. We rent from Redbox maybe once a week at most, often once every couple of weeks. As far as convenience, we pass two locations every single day on our way to and from work, which includes weekends oftentimes. They always have new stuff (which we check availability of on their site by logging in and selecting the location of the Redbox) and plenty of past stuff. Between this and requesting from our library and interlibrary loan program, we get to see most anything we’d like. I have used Netflix, and I loved it, too. But we didn’t watch enough to justify the price difference anymore. Nor did I find it any less convenient to mess with the mail rather than a minute at a machine at a place I’m already stopped at anyway.