How To Watch Netflix with Friends
By Staff• Edited by Lisa Holden • Updated Dec 04, 2023
Do you want to host Netflix watch parties with friends and loved ones but can’t get everyone in the same room? Thankfully, you can choose from numerous watch party apps and platforms.
Aside from Netflix, some of these apps and services can also be used to host watch parties on Disney+, Hulu, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, Funimation, Crunchyroll, Showtime, and Max.
Now you can enjoy Netflix movie nights even if your friends and family live on the other side of the world!
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You ask and we deliver—here are 5 of the best apps and services that you can currently use to watch Netflix with friends.
1. Teleparty
Formerly known as Netflix Party, Teleparty is an extension that works on Opera, Microsoft Edge, and Google Chrome. This extension allows you to watch Netflix shows in sync with friends.
Teleparty synchronizes video playback among all watchers, and anyone who’s watching can pause or play the video. Another cool feature is the chat window, which allows all watchers to communicate and post their reactions in real-time.
Some downsides: Your watch party will end once the movie or episode ends. You’ll have to start a new session and re-add all watchers if you want to watch something else. Also, Netflix’s regional restrictions apply. This means you’ll have to verify with all watchers if the movie you’re planning to watch as a group is available in all territories.
Teleparty plans and prices
The Teleparty extension is free to download and use.
Other streaming services supported by Teleparty
Besides Netflix, you can also stream Disney+, Hulu, Max, and Amazon Prime Video on Teleparty.
Do all watchers need to have a Netflix account?
Yes, all watchers need to have their own Netflix account to join a Netflix watch party hosted on Teleparty.
Teleparty device support
The Teleparty browser extension is available on Opera, Microsoft Edge, and Google Chrome. Teleparty can also be downloaded on Android devices.
2. Kast
Kast is another great watch party app to consider for your Netflix movie nights. Up to 20 people can share their screen or camera and another 100 people can attend a watch party.
When using Kast, one person controls the stream through a proxy on the online portal. Rooms are called “Parties” and anyone in the same Party as the streamer can watch the show. Kast Parties can be either public or private.
Kast plans and prices
While Kast is free, there is the option to upgrade to the Base or Premium subscription. The Base membership ($9.99 annually) gives you access to screen sharing. Premium membership ($6.49 monthly or $59.99 annually) gives you access to HD streaming, an ad-free experience, and access to Kast TV’s content library.
Other streaming services supported by Kast
Besides Netflix, you can also stream Disney+, Hulu, Max, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, Funimation, Crunchyroll, and Showtime.
The platform is extremely versatile and users can broadcast their screen, webcam, or streamed content to any channel they control.
Do all watchers need to have a Netflix account?
No, watchers at Parties don’t need to have their own Netflix accounts to watch the streamed content.
Kast device support
You can launch Kast in Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. The desktop app can be downloaded for PC and Mac, and the mobile app is available for iOS and Android.
3. Watch2Gether
The Watch2Gether app lets users enjoy content from YouTube, Twitch, Vimeo, SoundCloud, and DailyMotion. Users can also enjoy the synchronized player and interactions with their friends in the integrated chat room.
While Netflix is incompatible with the Watch2Gether player, a workaround is available via the beta W2gSync feature. Users can copy-paste the Netflix URL directly into a special window in their private room. When the host starts the video, all watchers will be able to watch the video.
Note that only the person who created the room and added the Netflix URL will be able to control the video.
To get the W2gSync feature to work, you’ll need to download the Watch2Gether Chrome browser extension.
Watch2Gether plans and prices
The basic service is free. Two upgrades are available: Watch2Gether PLUS ($2.90 monthly or $34.80 annually) and Watch2Gether Pro ($7.90 monthly or $94.80 annually).
Other streaming services supported by Watch2Gether
If you want to stream content that isn’t directly supported by the Watch2Gether player, you can use the W2gSync app. Use this guide to learn how to stream content from your favorite streaming service.
Do all watchers need to have a Netflix account?
No, the watchers in a room don’t need to have their own Netflix accounts to watch the streamed content.
Watch2Gether device support
W2gSync is currently not available on mobile. The extension is available for Chrome and Firefox.
4. Scener
Scener allows users to synchronously watch shows and movies from major streaming platforms. Watchers can use the accompanying chatroom to discuss the movie (and anything under the sun) in real-time.
While Scener is generally a great service, it has some notable restrictions. First, the app will only stream with the primary Netflix profile on the account. So if you share your Netflix account with someone else, you must select the main profile on the account before launching your watch party.
Second, a maximum of 10 people can join a virtual room. And finally, only the host can pause, start, or replay a video. So if a watcher needs to take a break, he or she will have to inform the host to pause the video.
Scener plans and prices
The service is completely free.
Other streaming services supported by Scener
Besides Netflix, you can also stream Disney+, Hulu, Max, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, Funimation, Tubi TV, Shudder, and Showtime.
Do all watchers need to have a Netflix account?
Yes, all watchers need to have their own Netflix account to join a Netflix watch party hosted on Scener. The same holds true for every other streaming service (except for YouTube and Vimeo).
Scener device support
The Scener mobile app is compatible with iOS 15 or later. It’s also available as a Chrome extension and can be connected to Roku.
5. Zoom
Zoom isn’t only useful for holding work meetings and town halls, but it can also be used to host virtual watch parties (including a Netflix comedy night). To avoid sharing a blank screen with other watchers (a common technical glitch), follow these steps:
- The host and all participants should download the latest version of the Zoom app for their device.
- It’s recommended to stream Netflix on Google Chrome as it offers a very stable connection.
- Log in to your Netflix account, switch back to Zoom and start a new meeting.
- Have your friends join the meeting. Either copy the meeting link or send them the meeting code and password.
- Click “Share Screen” on Zoom. Click the checkboxes for both “Share Sound” and “Optimize for Video Clip,” then click “Share”.
- Navigate back to Netflix and stream your movie.
To troubleshoot blank screen shares and choppy connections on Zoom, check out this useful tutorial.
Zoom plans and prices
The Personal Plan for Zoom is available in three tiers: Basic (free), Pro ($149.90), and Business ($199.90).
Basic gives you a 40-minute limit (with up to 100 attendees), Pro gives you a 30 hour per meeting limit (with up to 100 attendees), and Business gives you a 30 hour per meeting limit (with up to 300 attendees).
Other streaming services supported by Zoom
You can share any screen via Zoom. This means you can hold watch parties for all the major streaming services (e.g. Disney+, Hulu, Max, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, Funimation, Crunchyroll, and Showtime).
Do all watchers need to have a Netflix account?
No, watchers don’t need to have their own Netflix accounts to watch the streamed content.
Zoom device support
Zoom is available on Android and iOS devices; tablet PCs running Windows 10 Home, Pro, or Enterprise; and all the major web browsers.
We hope that this article has given you a few ideas for how to watch Netflix with your friends. Give them a try for your next virtual movie night!
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Sam Cook • Author
Sam Cook is a full-time content strategist by day, a part-time freelance content writer since 2015. In another life, he was a high school English teacher for nearly a decade. Based in sunny New Orleans, he writes long-form educational content on technology, including Insurtech, Fintech, HRtech, and content streaming.
Lisa Holden • Editor
Lisa Holden is an editor and creative based in Houston, TX. Lisa holds a BA in African-American Studies from Temple University and has spent her career working in news publications and magazines, even founding a magazine herself. When she’s not editing or working on one of her many creative endeavors (whenever that is), she enjoys traveling to new places and biking on sunny days.