Netflix versus Showmax

Showmax’s packages are more affordable than Netflix, or offer additional features at the same price, even after its price increase kicks in on 1 August.

However, Netflix offers a far more extensive content library, while Showmax focuses on a narrower niche.

On its most expensive plan, Netflix also provides higher quality video and audio than is available on Showmax.

Showmax also has a separate mobile-only subscription for the English Premier League that allows subscribers to live-stream all matches.

Both platforms allow subscribers to download video-on-demand content to watch later.

They offer similarly-priced mobile-only plans, with Showmax Entertainment Mobile costing R45 per month, while Netflix Mobile is R49.

These packages allow subscribers to watch content on a single smartphone or tablet.

Showmax’s mobile-only Premier League service is R69 per month and allows subscribers to stream matches to one device.

The full Showmax Entertainment package and Netflix Basic are both R99 per month.

However, Showmax offers full HD (1080p) and streaming to two devices simultaneously, while Netflix Basic is restricted to 720p video quality and streaming to one device.

Both offer Dolby 5.1 surround sound.

Showmax also offers combo deals, bundling its Premier League package with its Entertainment plans.

The mobile-only version of the bundle deal is R99 per month, while a package with the full Showmax Entertainment plan and Premier League is R140 per month.

Netflix Standard is most similar to Showmax’s Entertainment plan in terms of features but costs R159 per month. It supports 1080p video and streaming to up to two devices simultaneously.

Netflix Premium is R199 per month and supports up to 4K video quality with high dynamic range (HDR), Dolby Atmos, and up to four simultaneous streams.

One benefit for South African viewers is that Netflix has elected to keep offering its Mobile and Basic plans locally rather than launch a cheaper Standard plan with ads.

In locations where Netflix offers its Standard with Ads package, it has started shutting down its cheaper Basic plan.

Content-wise, Showmax has a large selection of African content, with international TV shows and movies from international partners like HBO, Sky, and NBCUniversal.

Its original content includes popular locally-focused reality TV shows like Real Housewives of Lagos, Nairobi, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and Die Wynlande.

Showmax also features many local documentaries, such as Devilsdorp, Steinheist, Convict Conman, Tracking Thabo Bester, and Chasing the Sun.

International shows include HBO’s House of the Dragon, the Last of Us, Succession, and Paramount+’s Yellowstone and Billions.

Based on figures from JustWatch, Netflix in South Africa has roughly five times more content than Showmax.

However, there is minimal overlap between the platforms.

While Netflix’s selection of local content is not nearly as deep, it does have a decent collection of South African shows and movies.

These include the recently released Heart of the Hunter film and the popular Blood & Water series, which is in its fourth season.

Netflix also features a show that was filmed in South Africa and is globally popular — One Piece.

Besides being shot on location in South Africa, One Piece made extensive use of South African actors for several key recurring roles, and relied on local crew.

The table below summarises how Netflix and Showmax compare in terms of pricing and features.

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