Ever sat down to watch your favorite show, only to find someone else already using your account? Or tried to start a movie for the kids, only to get kicked off because the limit was reached? It’s frustrating - and it’s not just you. Most streaming services let you create multiple profiles, but they also cap how many people can watch at the same time. Knowing those limits saves you from mid-show interruptions and helps you pick the right plan.
Netflix: 4 Profiles, 4 Streams
Netflix is the most common culprit when people run into streaming limits. Its Standard plan lets you create up to 4 profiles, and allows 4 simultaneous streams. That means four different people can watch different shows at the same time - no sharing logins, no buffering conflicts. The Basic plan only allows one stream and one profile, so if you’re sharing with a partner or kids, you’re stuck. The Premium plan also gives you 4 streams but adds 4K Ultra HD and Dolby Atmos. There’s no plan with more than 4 streams. Even if you have 10 profiles, only 4 can watch at once. Netflix tracks device usage and will block new streams if the limit is hit. Some users try to bypass this by logging out others, but that’s not reliable - and it’s against their terms.
Disney+: 7 Profiles, 4 Streams
Disney+ is more generous with profiles. You can create up to 7 individual profiles, perfect for big families or households with different tastes - one for Marvel, one for Star Wars, one for Pixar, and so on. But here’s the catch: only 4 streams can run at the same time. So if your partner, two kids, and a guest all want to watch something different, you’re covered. But if a fifth person tries to start a show, they’ll see a message saying "Too many users are streaming." Disney+ doesn’t let you upgrade beyond 4 streams - even on the most expensive plan. That’s a common point of confusion. People think more profiles means more streams, but that’s not how it works.
Hulu: 6 Profiles, 2 Streams
Hulu’s structure is different. You can set up 6 profiles, which is great for personalization. But the base plan only allows 2 simultaneous streams. If you’re on the Hulu (No Ads) plan, you still only get 2 streams. To get more, you need to add the Unlimited Screens add-on. That upgrade costs extra - about $9.99 per month - and lets you stream on any number of devices at once. It’s not included by default. Many users don’t realize this until they get blocked mid-episode. If you’re a household with more than two active viewers, this add-on is practically mandatory. Without it, you’re stuck sharing screens or waiting your turn.
Amazon Prime Video: 5 Profiles, 3 Streams
Prime Video comes with your Amazon Prime membership. You can create up to 5 profiles, including kid-specific ones. The streaming limit is 3 simultaneous streams. That’s a decent middle ground - enough for a couple and a kid, or three roommates. Unlike Netflix or Disney+, Prime Video doesn’t offer a higher-tier plan to increase stream limits. If you need more than 3, you’ll have to share devices or use a different service. Prime Video also lets you download content for offline viewing, which helps bypass the stream limit temporarily. But if you’re all trying to watch live at the same time, you’ll hit the wall at 3.
Apple TV+: 6 Profiles, 3 Streams
Apple TV+ is simpler. It allows up to 6 profiles, which is useful for families with different interests. But like Prime Video, it caps simultaneous streams at 3. There’s no paid upgrade to unlock more. Apple doesn’t make money from streaming alone - it’s bundled into Apple One subscriptions - so they keep limits tight. If you’re on an Apple One Family plan, you still get only 3 streams. That’s fine for small households but falls short for larger ones. Some users combine Apple TV+ with other services to cover gaps, but that adds cost.
Comparison Table: Profiles vs. Streams
| Service | Max Profiles | Max Simultaneous Streams | Upgrade for More Streams? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | 4 | 4 | No |
| Disney+ | 7 | 4 | No |
| Hulu | 6 | 2 | Yes ($9.99/mo) |
| Amazon Prime Video | 5 | 3 | No |
| Apple TV+ | 6 | 3 | No |
Why Do These Limits Exist?
It’s not about stopping you - it’s about money. Streaming services make most of their revenue from monthly subscriptions. If one account could support 10 people streaming at once, fewer people would pay for their own plans. They want you to upgrade, not share. That’s why Hulu charges extra for unlimited screens, while Netflix doesn’t offer a plan with 6 streams - even though it could technically handle it. The limits are intentional. They’re designed to nudge you toward buying more accounts, not just using one.
There’s also a technical side. Streaming servers have bandwidth limits. Too many high-def streams at once can overload systems. Companies set caps to keep quality stable. If you’ve ever seen a video buffer during peak hours, that’s why.
How to Avoid Getting Kicked Off
- Use profiles wisely. Assign each person their own profile so the system tracks who’s watching what.
- Check who’s streaming. Most apps show active sessions in account settings. Log out inactive devices.
- Download ahead. Use offline mode to watch later without using a stream slot.
- Coordinate schedules. If you know the kids have soccer practice at 7 PM, plan your movie for after.
- Upgrade if needed. For Hulu, the Unlimited Screens add-on is worth it if you have three or more active viewers.
What About Sharing Accounts?
Sharing accounts is common - but it’s not always allowed. Netflix started cracking down in 2023, requiring extra fees for accounts used outside the primary household. Disney+ and Apple TV+ are watching closely. Hulu and Prime Video are less strict, but still warn users in their terms. If you’re sharing with someone outside your home, you risk account suspension. Some services let you add "extra members" for a fee - like Netflix’s "Add a Member" option - but that’s not the same as sharing passwords.
What’s Next? Will Limits Change?
As of 2026, no major service has increased its stream limits beyond 4. In fact, some are tightening controls. Disney+ now blocks logins from too many IP addresses in a short time. Hulu’s add-on has become more popular - sales jumped 37% in 2025. The trend is clear: services want you to pay more for more access. Don’t expect unlimited streams to become standard. If you need more than 4, you’ll likely need multiple subscriptions.
Can I have more than 4 streams on Netflix?
No. Netflix’s highest plan allows only 4 simultaneous streams, even if you have multiple profiles. There is no paid upgrade to increase this limit. If you need more than 4 streams, you’ll need a second Netflix account.
Why does Hulu only allow 2 streams by default?
Hulu keeps the base plan at 2 streams to encourage users to upgrade to the "Unlimited Screens" add-on, which costs extra. This helps them increase revenue without raising the base subscription price. Many households with more than two viewers end up paying for the add-on - which is exactly what Hulu planned.
Can I watch on two TVs at once with Disney+?
Yes, as long as you’re not exceeding 4 total streams. Disney+ allows 4 simultaneous streams, so two TVs are fine - even if different people are watching different shows. Just make sure each person is logged into their own profile.
Does Amazon Prime Video let me download shows to avoid stream limits?
Yes. Prime Video lets you download titles for offline viewing on up to 10 devices. Downloads don’t count against your 3-stream limit. This is a great way to free up a stream slot for someone else to watch live.
What happens if I exceed the stream limit?
The service will block the new stream and show an error message like "Too many users are streaming" or "Account is in use elsewhere." You’ll need to wait for someone to stop watching, log out a device, or upgrade your plan (if available). Some services let you remotely log out other devices from your account settings.
Final Tip: Know Your Household’s Needs
If you live alone or with one other person, almost any plan works. Two streams is plenty. But if you have kids, roommates, or elderly relatives who watch daily, plan ahead. Count how many people watch regularly - not just how many profiles you’ve created. Then match that number to the service’s stream limit. Don’t assume more profiles = more streams. They’re separate rules. And if you’re constantly getting kicked off? It’s not a glitch. It’s a policy. Time to upgrade, share, or switch.