How Different Subscription Services Handle Password Sharing

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This month, my Scientific American column took a look at the squishy topic of password sharing. Once you’ve subscribed to some online service—Netflix, Spotify, or the New York Times, let’s say—how strictly tied to you is that name and password?

All of the companies, of course, say they’ll shut down your account if you go nuts with password sharing. But short of that, they offer a fascinating range of plans and restrictions. In general, the streaming video services prevent you from exceeding the “simultaneous logins” maximum using technological means—they simply block new people from logging in if others are already streaming video. On the other hand, paid news sites rely on your conscience not to distribute your passwords.

Here are their monthly fees and details, all on one handy list:

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Netflix. Original shows, plus studio movies and TV shows. Price: $8 a month for one stream, $11 for two simultaneous streams, $14 for four. Enforcement: Technological. A third person can’t watch if two already are.

Hulu. Current shows from ABC, Fox, and NBC; older ones from CBS; some original shows. $8 per month with ads or $12 per month without ads, for two simultaneous streams; $15 for unlimited streams within the same household and three streams outside the house. Enforcement: Technological.

Hulu with Live TV. TV channels over the Internet. Price: $40 a month for two simultaneous streams, or $55 for five (three of which must be within the house). Enforcement: Technological.

HBO Now. Original shows, recent studio movies. Price: $15 a month for 3 simultaneous streams.Enforcement: Technological.

Showtime. Original shows, plus studio movies and TV shows.Price:$11 a month for 3 simultaneous streams. Enforcement: Technological.

Amazon Prime Video. Original shows, plus studio movies and TV shows. $9 a month, for 3 simultaneous streams. Enforcement: Technological.

YouTube Red. Ad-free music, no ads on YouTube videos, original shows for tweens and teens. Price: $10 or a month 1 simultaneous logon, or $15 for 4 logons. Enforcement:

CBS All Access. CBS shows, both live and archived. Price: $6 a month, or $10 without ads, for 2 simultaneous streams. Enforcement: Technological.

DirecTV Now. TV channels from the Internet. Price: $35 a month and up, for 2 simultaneous streams. Enforcement: Technological.

Sling TV. TV channels from the Internet. Price: $20 or $25 a month and up, for 1 or 3 simultaneous streams. Enforcement: Technological.

Playstation Vue. Live cable stations, plus on-demand TV and movies. Price: $40 a month and up, for five simultaneous streams (some must be within the same household). Enforcement: Technological.

New York Times online. Daily news and opinion. Price: $16 a month for access to the Web site and apps (after introductory offer), for one person logged in at a time. Enforcement: Honor system.

Wall Street Journal. Daily news and opinion. Price: $29 a month for access to the Web site (after introductory offer). Enforcement: Honor system.

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