Disney+ users miss out on cinema-like HDR quality, four devices and better sound without a £10.99 plan

While Disney+ fans are buzzing about the new Star Wars Acolyte series, many longtime users of the streaming site are facing higher bills and a crackdown on password sharing. If you’re wondering if the platform is worth shelling out your hard-earned cash for every month, our tech experts have highlighted the high-sec features you might not know about.

Disney+ users used to access its shows and movies for a paltry £1.99 a month, but the basic plan deal has since risen to £4.99, just £60 a year. A Netflix-style crackdown on passwords also means users can no longer share passwords with friends and family, and we’re limited to just two devices if they choose the cheapest basic plan… and you have to be on the same Address.

That’s why smart hacks like opting for an annual plan over monthly payments are gaining ground among standard and premium plan users — giving you 10 months for the price of 12.

Not only will you make a substantial saving by choosing the annual plan (which knocks £21.98 off the price), but you’ll also get access to superior features not included in any other plan. Starting with what we think is its best value for money feature, bill payers can stream from four devices simultaneously.

Double the amount compared to the two-device limit for both the standard £7.99 and the basic £4.99 plan (yes, despite the £3 difference between the two cheaper plans, the number of streaming devices remains the same).

The next feature that’s only available for premium Disney+ is Dolby Atmos support, something that some viewers might balk at, but will actually help transform the sound. Surround sound technology creates an immersive and atmospheric sound similar to that of a cinema.

The third feature only available on the £10.99 plan is much better 4K UHD and HDR quality, and if die-hard fans of the site remember, this was included in its £7.99 package before Disney+ introduced the plan premium – this ultra-high definition. and the sharpening feature was hit with it.

Then you have the two ad-free streaming and downloads included in both the premium and standard packages. If this tempts you to upgrade to the fancier Premium plan, you can do so here for £10.99 per month, or save and buy the annual plan.

In other streaming news, Amazon has just increased its Prime Kids subscription from £3.99 to £4.99 a month, which gives access to learning games and shows on its devices such as Kids Fire tablets. Streamers keen to get Netflix on the cheap (well, free) can do so at EE, as its bundles include a basic plan for £0.

Disney+ Premium plan benefits you don’t get anywhere else

• Watch different content on four devices at the same time
• Dolby Atmos support for better sound
• 4K UHD and HDR quality
• Ad-free streaming and downloads