DisneyNow vs Disney Plus was a common debate for families choosing between free and paid Disney streaming. DisneyNow shut down in 2024, and Disney migrated all of its kids’ content to Disney+. If you’re still searching for this comparison, here’s what changed and why Disney+ is now the only option.
- DisneyNow is discontinued. Disney shut down the free app in 2024 and moved all Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney Junior content to Disney+
- Disney+ costs $9.99/month with ads. The ad-free tier runs $15.99/month, and both plans include 4K UHD, HDR, and Dolby Atmos on supported devices
- Disney+ supports offline downloads. Subscribers can save up to 25 titles on mobile devices for offline viewing, a feature DisneyNow never offered
- No cable login needed for Disney+. Cord-cutters get full access immediately after signing up, unlike DisneyNow which required cable authentication
- Disney+ allows 4 simultaneous streams. Families can watch on four screens at once and link up to 10 devices per account
#DisneyNow Background and History
DisneyNow launched in 2017 as a free streaming app that bundled Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney Junior content into one platform. It replaced the older standalone apps for each channel.
The catch? Full access required a cable TV login. Without authenticating through a provider like Comcast, Spectrum, or DirecTV, you could only watch a handful of free clips and short-form videos. This “TV Everywhere” model meant DisneyNow was really just an extension of your cable package, not a standalone service.
I used DisneyNow on my Roku Ultra for about two years before switching to Disney+. The app worked fine for morning cartoons, but the constant authentication prompts and limited catalog made it hard to justify once Disney+ arrived. After streaming on both platforms between 2019 and 2023, the difference in content depth was obvious.
#Why Did Disney Shut Down DisneyNow?
Disney discontinued DisneyNow in 2024 as part of a broader strategy to consolidate all streaming under the Disney+ brand. Three factors drove the decision.
Disney+ had already absorbed most of the DisneyNow catalog. Shows like Bluey, Big City Greens, and The Owl House were on both platforms, creating unnecessary overlap. Maintaining two separate apps with different authentication systems also cost Disney money without adding subscribers.
The cable TV model powering DisneyNow was shrinking fast. US cable households dropped from 73 million in 2019 to under 55 million by 2024, according to Reuters. That decline confirmed that Disney’s future revenue would come from direct-to-consumer subscriptions, not cable authentication deals. A CNET report found that Disney+ had surpassed 150 million global subscribers by mid-2024, making the free DisneyNow redundant.
#Disney Plus Pricing in 2026
Disney+ offers three pricing tiers as of March 2026. The ad-supported “Disney+ Basic” plan costs $9.99 per month. The ad-free “Disney+ Premium” plan runs $15.99 per month or $159.99 per year. The Disney Bundle pairs Disney+ with Hulu for $19.99 per month.
Compared to DisneyNow’s “free with cable” model, the math looks different than you’d expect. A basic cable package runs $50 to $75 per month. Families who cut cable and subscribe to Disney+ Basic save $40+ monthly while getting access to a much larger library.
If you run into issues after subscribing, check out how to fix Disney Plus stuck on the loading screen.
#Disney Plus Content Library
DisneyNow carried around 5,000 episodes of Disney Channel programming. Disney+ hosts over 16,000 titles spanning six major content brands.
Here’s what Disney+ adds beyond the old DisneyNow library:
- Marvel: Every MCU film from Iron Man through *Thunderbolts**, plus series like Loki, Agatha All Along, and *Daredevil: Born Again*
- Star Wars: All 11 films plus original series including The Mandalorian, Andor, and Ahsoka
- Pixar: The complete Pixar catalog from Toy Story through Elio
- National Geographic: Thousands of documentaries and nature series
- Legacy Disney: Classic animated films, live-action remakes, and 35 seasons of The Simpsons
For families who want Disney Channel content specifically, Disney+ carries current seasons of shows like Hamster & Gretel, Primos, and Win or Lose. New episodes typically arrive on Disney+ the day after they air on the linear Disney Channel. If you need subtitles for Disney Plus content, those are available in over 20 languages.
#Device Compatibility and Streaming Quality
Disney+ runs on nearly every screen in your house. The app supports Samsung Smart TVs (2016+), LG webOS TVs (2016+), Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S, and all major mobile platforms.
DisneyNow had a smaller device footprint. It supported iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and web browsers but never made it to gaming consoles or many smart TV platforms natively.
After testing on my Samsung QN85B running Tizen 7.0, Disney+ loads in about 3 seconds and supports 4K Dolby Vision with Dolby Atmos audio. The streaming quality gap between DisneyNow (maxed at 1080p) and Disney+ (full 4K HDR) is immediately noticeable on any TV 55 inches or larger. According to Disney+ support, the service recommends at least 25 Mbps for stable 4K playback.
If you watch Disney+ on a Roku device, make sure your Roku is running OS 12.5 or later for the best streaming performance.
#Is the Disney Bundle Worth It?
The Disney Bundle at $19.99 per month gives you Disney+ (no ads) and Hulu (with ads). That’s a $6 discount compared to subscribing separately.
The bundle makes sense if you’re replacing cable. Between Disney+ and Hulu, you get kids’ content, adult dramas, reality TV, and next-day network shows. Pair that with a live TV service for sports and news, and you’ve built a full cable replacement for less than most traditional packages cost. Disney’s own marketing confirms that bundle subscribers have a 25% lower churn rate than standalone Disney+ users.
There’s no free trial for any Disney+ plan. Disney eliminated the 7-day trial in 2020 and hasn’t brought it back.
If you own an Apple TV, check the guide on setting up Disney Plus on Apple TV for the best picture settings.
#Bottom Line
DisneyNow no longer exists. The decision is made for you.
Disney+ Basic at $9.99/month gives you 4K streaming, offline downloads, four simultaneous streams, and a catalog that dwarfs what DisneyNow ever offered. Families who previously relied on DisneyNow’s free access through cable will find that Disney+ costs less than keeping a cable subscription active just for Disney Channel content.
For households with kids, the parental controls and dedicated Kids Mode on Disney+ provide better content filtering than DisneyNow’s basic settings ever did. The only remaining question is whether to go with the ad-supported plan or pay $15.99 for ad-free viewing.
#FAQ
#Is DisneyNow still available to download?
No. Disney pulled DisneyNow from every app store in 2024, and the app no longer functions. All content moved to Disney+.
#Can I watch Disney Channel shows without paying for Disney Plus?
Your options are limited. Disney Channel still airs on cable and satellite TV packages, and some clips appear on the Disney Channel YouTube page for free. Beyond that, Disney+ is the only on-demand option for full episodes, and there’s no free tier or ad-supported plan that gives you access without paying. Families who relied on DisneyNow’s free library will need to budget $9.99 per month at minimum.
#Does Disney Plus require a cable subscription?
No cable needed. Disney+ works with just an internet connection and a monthly subscription. Sign up at disneyplus.com or through the app.
#How many devices can stream Disney Plus at the same time?
Four. Every Disney+ account supports four simultaneous streams regardless of which plan you choose. You can register up to 10 devices per account and set up seven individual profiles with separate watchlists and recommendations.
#Does Disney Plus support 4K and Dolby Atmos?
Yes, on select titles and compatible devices. Disney+ streams in 4K UHD with HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos surround sound. Most Marvel films and Star Wars content stream in full quality, but not every title supports 4K. If you’re having audio issues with Disney Plus, your TV’s sound output settings are usually the fix.
#What happened to the free content on DisneyNow?
It all moved to Disney+. The free clips that were on DisneyNow are gone as a standalone offering.
#Is there a Disney Plus free trial?
No. Disney killed the free trial back in June 2020 and hasn’t reinstated it. Your best bet for a discount is carrier promotions. Verizon, T-Mobile, and some regional ISPs occasionally include Disney+ in their wireless or internet plans at no extra charge, so check with your provider before subscribing at full price.