Which Streaming Services Are Actually Worth Your Money?
It has never been easier to access countless hours of the latest and greatest TV shows and best movies from the comfort of your couch. The explosion of streaming services has given us ample choice, but what sets them apart? Join us as we break down the key points to consider and delve into the best streaming services for you.
We are sticking to on-demand streaming services here, but we have separate guides to the Best Live-TV Streaming Services, the Best Free Streaming Services, and the Best TV Streaming Devices.
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What to Consider
How to Choose a Streaming ServiceFeatures, content, and limitations differ from one streaming service to the next, so take some time to consider what you care about.
Content: Work out what TV series, movies, documentaries, and other kinds of content are most important to you. If you have favorite shows or franchises, check which services carry them. All streaming services have some exclusive content, but there’s also a lot of overlap, and the lineup of shows and movies can change. You can browse or search at ReelGood or JustWatch to find a complete content guide for all the top streaming services.
Quality: Different streaming services support various levels of video quality and audio standards and sometimes charge more for better-quality streams. If you have a 4K TV and surround sound system in your home, then you will want the content to take full advantage. But if your TV maxes out at HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels), there is no point in paying for 4K. Bear in mind that higher-quality streams require higher internet speeds. For example, while a 5 Mbps (megabits per second) connection is enough for an HD stream, Netflix recommends at least 25 Mbps for 4K content.
Features: Think about the features you need and compatibility with your most-used devices. If you are sharing your streaming service with other people, you will want to create separate profiles. Families may want parental controls to block unsuitable content for younger kids. Most streaming services limit the number of simultaneous streams you can have and some charge more to increase this limit. If you plan to watch offline, check into the download policy.
Budget: Free trials are very common, so take advantage of them. Most streaming services offer a discount on the monthly subscription fee if you pay for a year upfront. Some mix in the option to rent or buy content along with what you get as part of your subscription, which may not be ideal if you prefer to fix a monthly budget. Don’t be afraid to sign up to a service for a single month to watch a show you like and then cancel the subscription. If you don’t intend to watch tons of content, it may make sense to rotate your services and just catch the shows you simply can't miss.
- Photograph: Netflix
For Everyone
NetflixWith a healthy mix of movies, TV series, documentaries, kids’ shows, and more, there is something for everyone on Netflix. While some popular series and movies rotate on and off the service, exclusives like Squid Game, Bridgerton, and Stranger Things attract new viewers and persuade subscribers to stay.
Functionally, Netflix is also the best streaming service—with a very accessible app available on virtually every platform. There are no ads, video quality is high with lots of 4K content, and performance is reliable. We also appreciate the slick cutting of title and credit sequences during binging sessions. Unfortunately, the basic tier is limited to a single stream in standard definition, and you have to pay double to get 4K and HDR.
Cost: $9 for SD and one stream, $14 for HD and two streams, $18 for 4K HDR and four streams
- Photograph: HBO
For Discerning Viewers
HBO MaxPacked with critically acclaimed shows and blockbuster movies, HBO Max has some of the best content you can find anywhere. The exclusive content is unsurpassed, with hits old and new—from The Wire and Game of Thrones to Succession and Lovecraft Country.
The movie library is impressive, too, with classics like Citizen Kane and new releases like Dune. The service works on most platforms, has an attractive and intuitive interface, and allows for three simultaneous streams. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, 4K and HDR support are limited to a handful of movies, and everything else is 1080p at best. It’s also relatively expensive, and the ad-supported tier has annoying restrictions (no in-theater movie releases, no downloads).
Cost: $10 a month for ad-supported, $15 a month for ad-free
- Photograph: Disney
For Families
Disney+For family-friendly content, there is no better service than Disney+. Aside from Disney’s movies and shows, the service is home to the Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar universes. A mix of content that includes Disney classics like Ratatouille and Beauty and the Beast sits alongside exciting new shows like The Mandalorian and Wandavision, not to mention every epsiode of The Simpsons.
The complete lack of R-rated content on the US version of Disney+ makes it a safe space for kids and teens. It has no commercials, 4K and HDR content are included standard, the app works well on many platforms, and you can stream simultaneously on up to four devices. You can also get Disney+ as part of a bundle with Hulu and ESPN+ for $14 a month.
Cost: $8 a month or $80 a year
- Photograph: Hulu
For Cord Cutters
HuluWith an enormous choice of new and classic TV shows, an optional live TV component, and the ability to bundle in additional channels and services, Hulu is an ideal service for new cord-cutters who are used to cable.
Big shows from networks like ABC, Fox, and FX rub shoulders with Hulu Originals, so you’ll find shows like Lost, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Castle Rock. The basic tier is ad-supported, 4K content is limited, and Live TV is an expensive addition. You must pay extra if you want to simultaneously stream on more than two devices. You can also get Hulu as part of a bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $14 a month.
Cost: $7 a month for ad-supported, $13 a month for ad-free, $65 for ad-supported and Live TV, $71 for ad-free and Live TV
- Photograph: Amazon
For Amazon Subscribers
Prime VideoThere is a decent depth of movies and TV series on Prime Video nowadays, and the service also offers content to rent or buy. There are even a few compelling exclusives, like The Expanse, Catastrophe, The Boys, and Goliath. To further tempt you, Amazon offers a relatively large amount of 4K and HDR content, and it’s all available as part of the basic subscription, which also covers simultaneous streaming on up to three devices.
Prime Video works on most platforms, but the recommendation system is not very sophisticated, so it can be time-consuming to unearth gems. Included as one of the benefits of Amazon Prime membership, it’s part of a compelling package, but you can also get Prime Video as a stand-alone service and add individual channels for an additional monthly fee.
Cost: $9 a month, or included as part of Amazon Prime at $13 a month or $119 a year
- Photograph: ViacomCBS
For Classic TV
Paramount+As the newest streaming service with a plus sign on the end of its name, Paramount+ is not winning any originality awards. It boasts a sizable library of classic TV shows and movies, with a light smattering of exclusives, including iCarly, The Good Fight, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Fargo, and Trainspotting. Paramount+ also offers new Paramount movies—like the upcoming Mission: Impossible 7—just 45 days after they hit theaters.
For now, this service will satisfy fans of Star Trek more than anyone else. There are five original Star Trek shows actively airing now and throughout the next year, and likely many more to come.
Support for 4K and HDR is sparse, but the service works on most devices, and you can have up to three simultaneous streams. The basic plan has commercials and does not allow you to download content to watch offline. Upgrading kills the ads, enables downloads, and throws your local CBS station into the mix.
Cost: $5 a month or $50 a year for ad-supported, $10 a month or $100 a year for ad-free with live CBS
- Photograph: Apple
For Apple Fans
Apple TV+With a modest content library that’s very light on movies, Apple TV+ has some great documentaries and original series—we like Ted Lasso, Foundation, and The Morning Show. There's also a massive library of TV shows and movies for rental or purchase, and you have the option of adding channels for an additional monthly fee. You can even get three months free with the purchase of a new Apple device.
There are no commercials, and support for 4K and HDR is standard. You can download content for offline viewing and have up to six simultaneous streams. Content discovery is not great, although there isn’t a great deal to browse through anyway. A relatively low price mitigates some of the limitations of Apple TV+. But it is an even better deal if you opt for the Apple One bundle at $15 per month, as it also includes Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud storage.
Cost: $5 a month or $50 a year
- Photograph: NBC
For a Bit of Everything
PeacockThe only option here with a free tier, the basic Peacock service includes shows like Parks and Recreation, The Office, and Battlestar Galactica and movies like The Big Lebowski, all with commercials.
Pay for Premium, and you unlock more content, with episodes from NBC shows available the day after they air, original series, and new movies like Halloween Kills, as well as sports coverage that includes Sunday Night Football. But you must spring for Premium Plus to ditch ads and enable mobile downloads for offline viewing. Sadly, there is currently no support for 4K or HDR content on any tier.
There have been a few comedy highlights like Rutherford Falls and Girls5eva, but Peacock is currently riding hard on its back catalog.
Cost: Free limited ad-supported, $5 a month or $50 a year for ad-supported unlimited, $10 a month or $100 a year for ad-free unlimited
Photograph: Curiosity StreamFor Specific Interests
More Streaming ServicesThere are several specialist streaming services and channels now that cater to specific interests. While they don’t have the breadth and depth needed to serve as your main streaming service, they may be worth adding on top or as part of a package.
For Documentary Fans
Curiosity Stream offers thousands of high-quality documentary films and TV shows, many of them originals, for a very reasonable $3 a month or $20 a year. However, if you want 4K content, the price jumps to $10 a month or $70 a year.
For Animation Lovers
VRV might be the ultimate streaming service for anime and cartoon fans. It currently includes Crunchyroll, Cartoon Hangover, Mondo Media, Rooster Teeth, and VRV Select. The service costs $10 a month, but the channel lineup seems to change quite frequently.
For Reality TV Fans
Discovery+ is packed with familiar lifestyle shows, documentaries, and original reality TV shows, covering cooking, travel, home improvements, history, true crime, and more. The ad-supported tier is $5 a month, but you can pay $7 a month to go ad-free.
For Sports Fans
ESPN+ is a sports streaming service that shows some NHL and MLB games, college sports, and soccer, alongside commentary shows. It doesn’t have live NBA or NFL games, but sports are underrepresented in on-demand streaming, so fans might feel the $7 a month or $70 a year price is worth paying. ESPN+ is better value if taken as part of a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for $14 a month.
For British TV Fans
Britbox claims to have more British boxsets than any other service. It has lots of old and new British TV shows and a few films produced by the UK’s public service broadcasters, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5. It costs $9 a month or $90 a year.
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