# Netflix vs START

The clearest difference is rating: Netflix at 4.7 against START's 3.8. Netflix also leads on ratings volume (7.3M vs 190) and review sentiment (59% vs 35%). START's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Netflix sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month and START sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Netflix holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Netflix has 7.3M ratings behind it against 190, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of Netflix's written reviews are positive against 35% of START's.

Netflix ships an update weekly, START every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Netflix | START |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (7.3M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/netflix/id363590051/reviews)** | [3.8 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start/id1273218458/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.3M** | 190 |
| Positive reviews | **58.7% of reviews** | 34.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#11** | — |
| Size | 194 MB | 550 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Netflix, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/363590054) | [Start.Ru LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1273218457) |

## What reviewers say

### Netflix

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/netflix/id363590051)

**Currently charting:** #11 Top Free · Entertainment, #15 Top Grossing · Entertainment, #75 Top Free, #104 Top Grossing (US App Store)

Stream award-winning series, movies, documentaries, and stand-up specials from around the world. Get personalized recommendations and enjoy a safe kids' experience. Watch on your device while traveling or taking a break.

**Highlights:** Award-winning series, movies, documentaries, Personalized recommendations, Kids' safe watching experience, Stream on any device, New titles added regularly, Notifications for new releases

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Netflix | $19.99 | per month |
| Netflix 2 Screens - Unlimited Streaming | $19.99 | per month |
| Netflix Standard | $19.99 | per month |
| Netflix 4 Screens - Unlimited Streaming | $26.99 | per month |
| Netflix Premium | $26.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great selection of movies and TV shows
- 👍 Convenient offline viewing
- 💡 Customizable profiles for different users
- 🚀 Smooth streaming experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitches and bugs in the app
- 🔋 High data usage and battery drain
- 🤔 Inconsistent rating system and content availability
- 😡 Removing popular shows and movies

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes
- Offline downloads not working as expected
- Profile switching issues
- Playback controls not functioning properly

**Requested features**

- Add a teen-friendly section
- Allow removing items from 'Continue Watching'
- Improve content management and availability
- Provide better account management options


### START

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start/id1273218458)

This app offers a vast library of films, series, and cartoons from global studios, alongside exclusive original productions. Enjoy high-definition streaming, offline viewing, and bonus content with a single subscription, accessible across all your devices worldwide without any advertisements.

**Highlights:** Exclusive original series and films, Large library of movies, series, and cartoons, Single subscription for full catalog access, Offline viewing of downloaded content, Full HD 1080p quality, Ad-free viewing, Cross-device compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All inclusive | $7.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good customer support
- 🚀 High-quality content
- 💡 Variety of movies and shows

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 💰 Unauthorized charges and subscription issues
- 🤖 Poor app performance and user experience

**Reported bugs**

- App freezes and becomes unresponsive
- Playback issues and video quality problems
- Incorrect billing and subscription handling

**Requested features**

- Add English subtitles
- Improve content availability outside of Russia
- Allow easier subscription management and cancellation


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Netflix free?

Netflix is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is START free?

START is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Netflix or START?

Netflix is rated higher. Netflix averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7.3M ratings, while START averages 3.8 from 190 ratings.

### Do Netflix or START have ads?

Netflix shows ads; START does not.

### Which is updated more often, Netflix or START?

Netflix ships an update weekly, and START every 2 weeks. Most recently, Netflix was updated on September 25, 2026 and START on September 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*