Stan Australia: Price, plans, content and everything you need to know

Stan is a leading Australian streaming service owned by Nine Entertainment. It offers a diverse library of on-demand TV shows and movies, including a strong focus on local productions, international hits and live sport. This guide provides an in-depth look at Stan's subscription plans, what you can watch and essential details to enhance your streaming experience.

What is Stan?

Stan is a popular Australian subscription video-on-demand streaming service offering a wide array of entertainment. Since launching in 2015, Stan has carved out a significant niche in the Australian streaming market, competing with global giants by investing heavily in Australian original productions and securing exclusive international content. The platform is known for its high-quality video streaming, including 4K Ultra High Definition options and a dedicated live sports add-on.

Does Stan offer a free trial?

Stan previously offered a 30-day free trial but this has since been discontinued. However, new subscribers may occasionally find introductory offers or special deals for a reduced price on their first few months. Always check the official Stan website for the latest sign-up promotions.

What to watch on Stan

Stan boasts a vast and diverse content library with thousands of hours of entertainment, ranging from critically acclaimed original productions to beloved international series and movies.

Australian originals

Stan is a powerhouse for local storytelling, consistently producing award-winning Australian original series and films. Popular titles include:

• Bump
• The Tourist
• Black Snow
• Wolf Creek
• Scrublands
• Ten Pound Poms
• RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under

International series and movies

Stan holds broadcasting rights for content from major studios, bringing a wealth of international hits to Australian screens. Popular series available on Stan include Yellowstone and its spin-offs, Poker Face, Hacks, The Walking Dead franchise, Fargo, Call the Midwife, Normal People and Breaking Bad.

Kids content

Stan also offers a dedicated kids section, featuring a wide selection of family-friendly movies and TV shows for younger viewers, including popular animated series and educational programming.

New and upcoming content

Stan regularly updates its library with new releases, from Stan Originals to exclusive licensed international titles. The best way to keep up with what's new is to browse the "New Releases" and "Coming Soon" categories in the Stan app, which are updated regularly.

Stan Sport: Live sports streaming

Stan Sport is a dedicated add-on for sports enthusiasts, available only with an active Stan subscription. For an additional $20 per month, you can access a wide range of live and on-demand sports content.

What sports can I watch on Stan Sport?

Stan Sport offers comprehensive coverage of premium rugby union competitions, including:

• Super Rugby Pacific
• The Rugby Championship
• Six Nations
• All Blacks and Wallabies Tests

It also features all four tennis Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland-Garros French Open, Wimbledon, US Open), UEFA club football competitions such as the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, plus motorsport events including Formula E, INDYCAR and the World Rally Championship.

How much does Stan Sport cost?

Stan Sport is available for an extra $20 per month on top of your chosen Stan subscription plan. There is no free trial for Stan Sport.

Which devices are compatible with Stan?

Stan is widely available across a broad range of devices, ensuring you can stream your favourite content wherever you are. Compatible devices include:

• Computers: PC, Mac (via web browser)
• Phones and tablets: iPhones and iPads running iOS 15.6 and above, and Android phones and tablets running Android 5.0 and above
• Gaming consoles: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Smart TVs: Samsung, LG, Hisense, Sony, Panasonic, TCL, Philips, Kogan, FFALCON, Toshiba, EKO
• Streaming media devices: Apple TV, Android TV, Google TV, Chromecast, Fetch TV, Telstra TV, Amazon Fire TV

Note: The dedicated Stan app for Windows PCs has been discontinued. Users can stream Stan via a web browser on their laptop or desktop. Downloads for offline viewing are available only on compatible iOS and Android mobile devices.

Best internet plans for Stan streaming

To enjoy Stan without buffering or interruptions, a reliable internet connection with adequate speed is essential. The recommended speed depends on the video quality you wish to stream. Most internet plans in Australia come with unlimited data, so focusing on speed is key.

Recommended NBN speeds for Stan:

• Standard Definition (SD): A minimum download speed of 3 Mbps is recommended. NBN 25 (Basic II) plans are generally sufficient for single SD streams.
• High Definition (HD): A minimum download speed of 4.5 Mbps is recommended. NBN 50 (Standard) plans are ideal for HD streaming, especially for households with multiple users.
• Ultra High Definition (4K UHD): A minimum download speed of 15 Mbps is recommended. For optimal 4K streaming, particularly with other internet activity in your household, NBN 100 (Fast) plans or faster are highly recommended.

For households with 2-4 people frequently streaming Stan and other online activities, an NBN 100 plan typically provides a good balance of speed and value. If you have many devices or stream in 4K often, consider an NBN 250 or even NBN 1000 plan.

Frequently asked questions about Stan

• How much data does Stan use?

  The quality of your stream significantly impacts data usage. Stan automatically adjusts quality based on your internet speed, but you can manually set it in the app settings.

  • Low quality: Approximately 570MB per hour
  • Medium quality (SD): Approximately 1.13GB per hour
  • High definition (HD): Approximately 2.89GB per hour
  • Ultra high definition (4K): Approximately 7GB per hour

  To change video quality settings, select the settings cog in the Stan app on your device and choose the video quality option. For the best quality, leave it on auto. If you need to save data, manually select low or medium. Stan also offers an offline mode for its Android and iOS apps, allowing you to download content and watch it later without an internet connection.

• How can I watch Stan on my television?

  You can watch Stan on your television using a compatible mobile device with either Chromecast or Apple TV. Many smart TVs and gaming consoles also have a dedicated Stan app that you can download and use directly.

• Does Stan come with parental controls?

  Yes, Stan provides parental controls. You can set up kids' profiles or apply restrictions by content classification to control what children can watch. A four-digit PIN is required to switch from a kid-friendly profile to an unrestricted one.

• How do I create profiles using Stan?

  Log in to your Stan account via a web browser, go to the "Manage Account" tab, and you can create, edit or delete profiles there.

• Where did the show I was watching on Stan go?

  Unfortunately, Stan does not own all the content in its library. Content licensed from third parties can be removed when agreements end. Stan Originals should remain on the platform, but many other titles may leave without much notice.

• How do I know if new TV shows or movies have been added to Stan's selections?

  Stan features "New Releases" and "Recently Added" categories within the app for easy browsing. You can also sign up for email newsletters to receive updates on new content.

• How do I cancel Stan?

  To cancel your Stan subscription, visit the Stan website, log in, go to your account details and follow the cancellation prompts.

• How do I pay for Stan?

  Stan accepts payments from Visa, Mastercard, American Express and PayPal. You enter your payment details when creating your account, and payment is automatically taken each month on your sign-up anniversary.

• Is Stan ad-free?

  Yes, all Stan subscription plans offer an ad-free viewing experience.

• Can I download content on Stan for offline viewing?

  Yes, you can download selected TV shows and movies on compatible iOS and Android mobile devices for offline viewing. The number of devices you can download to depends on your subscription plan.

• How can I switch from HD to SD?

  When watching a video, look for a quality icon (often "HD" or a cog) in the bottom right corner of the screen. Clicking this allows you to toggle between available video qualities like HD and SD. If the icon is blue, HD is active; if white, it is SD.

• What if Stan movies do not play on my NBN connection?

  If you are experiencing issues with Stan movies not playing on your NBN connection, first check your internet speed to ensure it meets the minimum recommendations for streaming. Stan adjusts quality based on connection speed, so a slow NBN connection may cause buffering or lower quality. If problems persist, contact your internet service provider or Stan customer support for further assistance.