The streaming landscape has become a vast and ever-shifting terrain. What once felt like a manageable selection of on-demand entertainment has exploded into a dizzying array of services, each vying for your attention and subscription dollars. It’s a far cry from the days of simple cable packages, and the sheer volume of choices can be overwhelming. Every week seemed to bring a new contender to the cord-cutting arena, boasting exclusive content and innovative features. Keeping track of them all, along with their unique libraries of movies and TV shows, is a challenge in itself.
Thankfully, navigating this complex world doesn’t have to be a headache. We’ve sifted through the multitude of options to identify the best streaming services available right now. We’ve also compiled a list of lesser-known gems for those seeking to expand their viewing horizons beyond the mainstream.
Defining the "best" streaming service is a subjective exercise, deeply rooted in individual preferences and priorities. Some users prioritize an extensive selection, while others value exceptional streaming quality, live TV options, or, perhaps most importantly, affordability. The ideal service perfectly aligns with these specific needs.
However, when considering a balance of factors – content diversity, streaming quality, and cost-effectiveness – the Disney+ bundle emerges as a clear frontrunner, especially as Netflix experiences losses of popular series and franchises to competing platforms. Disney+ caters to a wide range of interests, from family-friendly fare to mature content, making it a compelling choice for diverse households. The pairing of Disney+ with Hulu offers a broad spectrum of entertainment, appealing to various age groups and tastes.
Hulu, often considered the more mature counterpart to Disney+, has significantly enhanced its appeal with the integration of content from FX. This addition solidifies Hulu’s position as a content powerhouse, offering a robust library of original series, critically acclaimed shows, and blockbuster movies.
The Disney+ bundle, starting at an attractive $14 per month for the ad-supported Hulu option, undercuts the price of Netflix’s popular standard plan. This affordable entry point grants access to a wealth of content, including Disney+ originals, legacy franchises like Star Wars, Pixar, and Marvel, National Geographic documentaries, the vast Hulu library, and ESPN+ with its live events, original series, and fantasy league tools.
The bundle offers various tiers to suit different needs and budgets. Ad-free Hulu is available for $20 per month, while ad-supported Hulu with live TV costs $70 per month, and ad-free Hulu with live TV is priced at $76 per month.
Beyond its impressive content selection, the Disney+ bundle provides several valuable perks at no extra charge. High-definition streaming is standard, and the service supports 4K Ultra HD streaming with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos for compatible devices. Furthermore, the bundle allows for up to seven user profiles, simultaneous streaming on up to four devices, and unlimited downloads on up to 10 phones or tablets for offline viewing. This makes it an ideal solution for families or households seeking a single service to cater to everyone’s entertainment preferences.
For those who crave the familiarity of linear viewing and the excitement of live broadcasts, the Hulu + Live TV package, now bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+, is an excellent option. Starting at $70 per month after a free trial, this package provides access to Hulu’s extensive library of originals, TV series, and movies, as well as more than 75 live and on-demand TV channels, including news and sports. The inclusion of FX content further enhances the value of Hulu + Live TV.
Hulu + Live TV also offers customization options. The standard package allows for simultaneous viewing on up to two screens, but an add-on for $10 per month enables unlimited screens at home and up to three screens remotely. Premium viewing with HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, and Starz can be added to the plan for an additional cost of $9 to $15 per month per channel. Hulu + Live TV can be accessed online and on various devices, including iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, select Samsung and LG TV models, and most major game consoles.
YouTube TV is another compelling alternative to traditional cable. While it offers a broader selection of live television channels (over 85), it lacks the depth of on-demand content found on Hulu + Live TV. YouTube TV provides unlimited storage space for recordings, which are stored for up to nine months. The service supports up to six individual user accounts and streaming on up to three devices simultaneously.
With both YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV consistently raising their prices, service-exclusive features, such as unlimited DVR storage and a greater on-demand selection, are likely to be the determining factors in choosing between the two.
For those seeking a simple channel-surfing experience akin to traditional over-the-air programming without the associated costs, Pluto TV is a viable option. While it lacks the perks of a paid subscription, Pluto TV offers hundreds of channel options. It can be a budget-friendly addition to a streaming portfolio alongside services like Netflix.
HBO Max, despite undergoing a recent revamp that some users may find confusing, remains a powerhouse of premium content. It offers a vast library of HBO originals, Warner Bros. movies, and a growing slate of new originals.
In addition to its exclusive content, HBO Max features hubs for Studio Ghibli, Crunchyroll, Adult Swim, the DC catalog, Turner Classic Movies, and Cartoon Network. This extensive collection makes it a solid value proposition. In 2021, Warner Bros. films were released on HBO Max on the same day they premiered in theaters, at no extra cost to subscribers.
Warner Bros. has announced a merger between HBO Max and Discovery+. HBO Max has also launched a limited-time discount for new subscribers and removed certain titles from its service.
NBCUniversal’s Peacock presents a compelling option with its low-cost premium streaming tiers and a free entry-level tier. The premium options ($5 per month with ads or $10 per month without ads) provide access to over 40,000 hours of content, including originals and The Office. Peacock also includes live and linear TV. The free plan offers roughly half of the content and no originals but still provides a solid collection of movies and shows.
Netflix remains a dominant player in the streaming landscape. Its standard subscription, the most popular plan, offers HD viewing and streaming on up to two devices simultaneously. It is suitable for smaller households where not everyone is streaming simultaneously. Netflix may soon include live streaming for unscripted shows and reality TV reunion episodes. The company is also cracking down on password sharing.
The premium plan allows for ultra-high-definition streaming and simultaneous viewing on up to four devices. While its price is steep for single users, it is an option for those who want to maximize their 4K TV’s capabilities.
If live sports are a priority, fuboTV is a strong contender. It offers 124 channels and over 130 events in 4K. The starter plan, priced at $65 per month, allows for streaming on up to three screens and provides 250 hours of cloud storage. Add-ons offer non-sports channels.
The fuboTV family plan provides excellent screen-sharing capabilities and live TV offerings. The elite plan, priced at $80, offers 178 channels, including entertainment-focused options, and 1,000 hours of cloud storage.
Kanopy, a free service accessible with a library or university login, offers thousands of high-quality films, particularly independent films. It features critical darlings, documentaries, and archived classics. However, access may be limited for some users.
Amazon Prime subscribers have access to Prime Video, which offers a wide selection of free movies, series, and originals. Apple TV+ is free for a year for new Apple product buyers, and Disney+ is free for a year for Verizon users. CuriosityStream is free for Optimum customers.
Vudu’s free-to-watch movie selections and IMDb TV are ad-supported options with a variety of films, series, and originals.
The Criterion Channel is the go-to streaming service for classic and contemporary filmmaking. After a free trial, the service costs $11 per month or $100 per year. It is constantly updated with art-house, independent, and international selections.
CuriosityStream offers quality documentaries and nature content. The standard plan costs $20 per year, and the premium plan, which includes UHD and 4K viewing, costs $70 annually.
YouTube provides countless free documentary resources.
Remember that pricing and channel lists are subject to change over time.
