Pros: On-demand library with lots of networks series, can subscribe to "channels" like Max, discounted bundle with Disney Plus and ESPN+, live TV option
Cons: Harder to share due to two-device limit on basic plan, cheaper plan includes commercials
Hulu offers two main packages that provide on-demand streaming, including a basic option with commercials and a premium plan without ads. The service also offers upgrade packages that add live TV channels.
Hulu arguably boasts the most impressive TV show library of any on-demand streaming service, with a wider range of new and classic shows than Netflix or Amazon. This includes next-day streaming access to broadcast series on networks like ABC, FX, and Fox. You can also find licensed movies like "The Hunger Games" series.
Hulu also offers a solid selection of original shows, like "Only Murders in the Building," "The Handmaid's Tale," and "The Kardashians," but its slate of exclusives isn't quite as notable as some competitors. Likewise, though Hulu does support 4K HDR on some devices, its lineup of compatible titles is limited compared to Netflix, Amazon, and Disney Plus.
Hulu allows only two devices to stream at the same time, but you can remove that limit with a Hulu + Live TV subscription and a $10 add-on for unlimited screens. Hulu also lets subscribers add other services to their membership, like Max, and Starz, for an extra monthly fee.
You can even bundle Hulu with Disney Plus and ESPN+ for up to 50% off the regular combined price of all three. And all of Hulu's live TV plans include the bundle for no extra charge. There's also expected to be a new "one-app experience" option for members of both Hulu and Disney Plus sometime this year, though exact details are still unknown.
Pros: Disney's vault of classic movies and shows, 4K HDR support on all plans, blockbuster Marvel and "Star Wars" titles, supports four devices at a time
Cons: Lack of mature content limits the platform's potential
Disney Plus is the fastest growing streaming service on the market, having amassed more than 160 million subscribers since its launch in November 2019. The platform is the sole subscription streaming home of Disney's classic animated films, as well as franchises like "Star Wars" and "The Simpsons."
With that in mind, its main draw is its wide catalog of Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar content. There are some new original films, series, and concert specials as well, but the lineup isn't as large as what you'll find on Netflix or Amazon. Still, the service has a healthy lineup of upcoming exclusives for members to get excited about, including "Ironheart", "Secret Invasion", "Ahsoka," and season two of "Loki."
It's also important to note that Disney Plus is designed to be family oriented, so even Disney's more mature shows, like "The Mandalorian" "and "She-Hulk," are still typically rated for teen viewers. But, while the movie catalog was originally limited to PG-13 titles, the service does now include a few R-rated movies, like "Deadpool."
Even so, adults who didn't grow up on Disney or "Star Wars" may want to find a second streaming service to fill their palette with more mature shows. On that note, you can bundle Disney Plus with Hulu and ESPN+ for a discounted rate of just $13 a month. A new one-app experience that combines content from Hulu and Disney Plus is also in the works for later this year.
Pros: Huge library of classic TV shows, live CBS with Premium plan, live NFL games, new Paramount films, top-tier plan comes with Showtime
Cons: Less original content than the competition, have to pay extra for live CBS
Paramount Plus is a subscription streaming service from ViacomCBS. The platform gives viewers access to a large collection of on-demand shows and movies, and the premium plan also includes live CBS streaming so you can watch your local CBS network without cable or an antenna.
In addition to CBS series, Paramount Plus draws programming from Viacom cable channels like MTV, BET, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon. Paramount Plus is also home to exclusive content like "Star Trek: Discovery," "Picard," "Tulsa King," and two "Yellowstone" spinoffs, "1883" and "1923."
The streaming service even adds new Paramount movies to its lineup as soon as 45 days after they hit theaters. That said, some titles take longer to arrive, like "Top Gun: Maverick."
Sports fans can also tune into local NFL games broadcast on CBS, as well as UEFA soccer matches and March Madness college basketball matchups when each season is in session.
If you want access to even more movies and shows, you can get Paramount Plus with Showtime. The two services officially merged in June 2023, and Showtime now comes with the top tier of Paramount Plus by default. Once subscribed, you can unlock Showtime movies and shows directly in the existing Paramount Plus app.
Pros: Affordable ad-supported plan, live news and sporting events, access to new Universal releases, live NBC streaming with Premium Plus
Cons: Doesn't offer many exclusives, can no longer sign up for free plan, very limited 4K selection
Peacock is the streaming home of NBCUniversal shows like "30 Rock," "Cheers," and "The Office," as well as some new original titles like "Poker Face." The service also offers a rotating slate of hit movies, including recent Universal titles straight from theaters, like "M3GAN" and "Cocaine Bear."
Peacock previously had an ad-supported free plan, but this is no longer available as a sign-up option. Instead, the current entry-level option is Peacock Premium, which offers ad-supported access to everything on the service for $6 a month. For ad-free access, you need to pay $12 a month for Peacock Premium Plus. The top-tier plan also adds livestreaming access to NBC, so you can watch your local station without an antenna or cable plan.
New Universal movies also hit the service as soon as 45 days after they premiere in theaters. That said, bigger releases can take as long as four months to start streaming. The next big release coming to Peacock is "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" on August 3.
Peacock has some live news and sports broadcasts as well. Most notably, the service is home to WWE events and Sunday Night Football.
Members can stream some titles in 4K, but the catalog is mostly limited to just a few new movies. Compared to other services, Peacock has one of the smallest 4K collections, but it has been adding more 4K titles in 2023.
Pros: Access to tons of live sports, nice library of original docuseries, members can buy exclusive UFC matches
Cons: Limited coverage of NBA, doesn't include ESPN cable channel
When it comes to the best streaming services for sports, fans searching for a dedicated platform to watch live games should look no further than ESPN Plus.
Designed to serve as a streaming complement to the ESPN family of cable networks, ESPN Plus gives members access to tons of live MLB and NHL games during their respective seasons. The service will also stream 12 NFL games during the upcoming 2023-24 season. Various golf, tennis, soccer, and college league matches are featured as well.
ESPN+ is also home to frequent UFC Fight Night events, and the service is the exclusive provider of UFC pay-per-view events in the US. Though subscribers do have to pay extra for these PPV fights, new members can get a discounted bundle with a UFC PPV match and an annual ESPN Pus subscription.
Outside of live sports, ESPN Plus features a nice selection of on-demand docuseries, like "30 for 30," as well as other original programs featuring popular sports personalities, like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Derek Jeter. Members can also access exclusive articles to dive into more sports analysis.
On the downside, ESPN Plus doesn't typically stream live NBA games, so it's not a great option for big basketball fans. And though some coverage is occasionally simulcast across various ESPN properties, ESPN Plus does not actually provide live streaming access to the regular ESPN cable channel. In order to watch the ESPN network, you still need cable, satellite, or a live TV streaming service.
Pros: Affordable price, exclusive shows, movie rental and purchase options, can add streaming channels, 4K HDR support
Cons: Doesn't have as many movies and shows as other services, only has a small back catalog of licensed programs that stream for a limited time
Apple TV Plus is one of the most affordable ad-free streaming services you can subscribe to. The platform costs $7 a month for access to its entire lineup of on-demand movies and shows.
While that's an attractive price, the library is relatively small compared to competing platforms like Netflix and Hulu. Most notably, the service lacks a large back catalog of movies and shows from other networks and studios. That said, there are some standout exclusives like "Ted Lasso," "Severance," and "The Morning Show," as well as award-winning films like "CODA." Live Friday Night Baseball games are also included for subscribers to watch.
Like Prime Video, Apple TV Plus also lets you access a huge library of additional movies and shows that you can pay extra to rent or purchase. Though it would be great to have more programs included as part of your subscription, being able to order more titles within the same app is convenient. You can also add channels to your subscription, like Starz, for an extra fee.
If you're someone who plans to use other Apple services, you should also consider the Apple One bundle. The base package includes Apple TV Plus, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud storage for $17 a month.
Pros: Included with Amazon Prime, offers extra movie rental and purchase options, lots of international titles, can add streaming channels, 4K HDR support is included in base plan
Cons: The library is less impressive than the competition
More than 110 million Amazon Prime members help make Prime Video one of the largest on-demand services in terms of subscribers, even if they're not all streaming video on a regular basis.
Prime Video features a mix of movies and shows that are included with your membership. The selection has exclusives like "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power," "The Boys" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." You can also pay extra to rent or buy just about any film that's available on home video and watch it through the Prime Video app whenever you like. This is a feature that most subscription streaming apps don't offer.
Prime Video has launched several award-winning original shows since 2013 and has successfully imported dozens of series from the BBC, as well as Hindi language films from India. The platform supports three streams at a time and up to 4K playback with HDR on select titles. And, unlike Netflix, it doesn't charge extra to get the best video and audio quality.
Since it comes included with a Prime Membership, Prime Video is a particularly great option for people who are frequent Amazon shoppers and want to get all the perks that come with the retailer's service. That said, you can subscribe to Prime Video on its own for $9 a month if you prefer. You can also sign up for add-on channels to other services, like Max, AMC Plus, Starz, and even Paramount Plus.
Pros: Fantastic library of originals, industry-leading video quality, impressive app support, special interface for kids
Cons: Ad-free plans are more expensive than a lot of the competition, movie selection isn't as good as newer services, new password sharing policy
Netflix has spent the last few years producing a growing collection of original programs, including exclusive movies, ongoing TV series, documentaries, and comedy specials. Though the service isn't as dominant as it once was, its impressive library still cements it as the quintessential streaming service to beat.
The success of exclusives, like "Wednesday," "Bridgerton," "The Witcher," and "Stranger Things," has helped Netflix justify its higher prices, and encouraged competitors to create their own originals. Netflix also has a nice selection of licensed content from other studios and networks, but with more companies starting their own streaming platforms, this catalog isn't as robust as it used to be.
Additionally, Netflix's recent policy changes around password sharing means that the platform may no longer be the best option for bigger households or people with long distance connections. It also recently discontinued its ad-free Basic plan, which means the starting price for ad-free streaming is now $15.49 rather than $10 a month. This makes Netflix one of the more expensive streaming options out there.
Still, the overall library is nicely varied, with plenty for adults and children to watch. There's even a separate interface designed to let kids choose their own shows without running into adult programming, making it a good choice for families in need of all-ages entertainment.
When it comes to app support, Netflix is available on virtually any streaming device you can think of, including computers, smartphones, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, smart TVs, and more. It also offers comprehensive support for all of the latest video and audio formats, including 4K, HDR, and Dolby Atmos — but unlike some of its competitors, it charges extra for those features.
Pros: Included with an HBO cable plan, prestige shows and films, tons of content from Discovery Plus, new Warner Bros. movies
Cons: More expensive than most competitors, some shows and movies are being removed with little warning
The Max streaming service, formerly known as HBO Max, combines critically acclaimed shows and movies from HBO's cable network with new originals, content from Discovery Plus, WarnerMedia films, classic shows like "Friends," and collections from other brands like Studio Ghibli, Adult Swim, TCM, and DC.
HBO shows, like "Succession," "The White Lotus," and "House of the Dragon," continue to define prestige television, and Max has several critically acclaimed originals of its own, like "Our Flag Means Death." The service is also home to brand-new Warner Bros. movies as soon as 45 days after they hit theaters.
Max is also a great option for fans of unscripted television, as it now includes a large selection of programs from the Discovery Plus streaming service, including popular shows from TLC, Food Network, and HGTV. Discovery Plus remains a cheaper option for people who just want those unscripted titles, but Max is a good value for viewers who also crave prestige TV.
With that said, Max has become known for removing titles with little warning. Even some big releases, like "Westworld," have been pulled from the service as part of the studio's cost-cutting measures. This uncertainty surrounding some titles isn't ideal for subscribers.
Pros: A huge library of shows from almost 20 channels, including Food Network, HGTV, TLC, History, and Animal Planet, supports streaming on up to four devices at once
Cons: Certain newly aired shows won't appear on Discovery Plus
Discovery Plus is one of the fastest growing streaming services in the business, delivering a ton of popular series for fans of reality TV, true crime, cooking, and competition shows, like "MILF Manor," "Chopped," "Dirty Jobs," "Extreme Makeover," and "90 Day Fiance."
The service collects titles from cable channels including Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet, Food Network, HGTV, ID, A&E, History, Lifetime, OWN, Travel, and more. Members also get access to a growing selection of original shows, including spinoffs of popular Discovery franchises. It boasts more than 55,000 episodes for on-demand streaming, and includes "channels" to let you watch 24-hour streams of select shows like "House Hunters" and "Chopped."
Though Discovery Plus now offers the ability to download titles for offline viewing, this feature is only for its ad-free tier subscribers. Its library is also lacking when it comes to scripted series, so the service will really only appeal to fans of nonfiction programming.
On May 23, a large selection of Discovery Plus content was added to the Max streaming service. Discovery Plus is still available on its own, however, and remains the better option for people who want to pay less and don't care about HBO programs.
Since the goal is entertainment, choosing the best streaming services for your needs will largely come down to your personal tastes. However, we can judge the different on-demand platforms based on a few common factors, like their library size, selection of critically acclaimed exclusives, video quality, app functionality, and price.
The very best streaming services have an option for 4K video quality, with support for HDR color and contrast on compatible TVs. However, live TV channels rarely broadcast in 4K, so we have lower expectations for live TV streaming services and sporting events, which still use HD resolutions like 1080p or 720p.
Quality can still vary based on the movie or show being streamed, and you'll need a strong, stable internet connection to stream consistently at 4K. Even if you don't have a 4K TV, these services will still deliver the best possible quality for your setup.
We expect app support on iOS, Android, and most home entertainment devices. The best on-demand services also give subscribers an option to save select movies for offline viewing while they travel, though an online check-in is still required occasionally.
When comparing catalogs, we try to consider the range of entertainment offered by each of the best streaming services, how much the platform has invested in exclusive programming, and which age ranges are best suited to watch. While most of the best streaming services will have a rotating list of movies, it's important to pay attention to which series and franchises will remain platform exclusive, like "The Office," "Star Wars," and "Stranger Things."
Disclosure: Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Business Insider's parent company, Axel Springer, is a Netflix board member.
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