Greatest video streaming providers for films and TV in 2024

Are you overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of video streaming providers? There are such a lot of choices accessible within the US, with completely different pricing plans and choices, it may grow to be complicated attempting to determine which is best for you.

Pocket-lint has made the method simpler by breaking down how every service compares when it comes to value, machine/platform availability, which have free trials or advertisements, and when you can entry stay TV or authentic programming. These are the core elements cord-cutters think about when switching to video streaming providers. By the point you are executed with our information, it is best to know which service to strive.

Have in mind we’re specializing in video streaming providers right here – not stay TV streaming providers. A video streaming service is a cellular, TV, or internet app that permits you to entry films and reveals on demand. A stay TV service allows you to watch stay native channels, stay information, and stay sports activities occasions all on-line. We are going to let if a video streaming service we suggest has a stay TV choice. Listed below are your high choices for video streaming providers (within the US).

Associated

Why it is best to strive Apple TV+ over Netflix

This is what’s so nice about Apple’s rival to Netflix, and whether or not it is best to spring the $9.99 month-to-month for it.

Our high picks: The very best video streaming providers

Netflix

1. Greatest video streaming service general

Netflix is a video streaming service with 1000’s of TV reveals and flicks accessible to look at immediately. They’re streamed over the web to all kinds of units, together with TVs, tablets, telephones, recreation consoles, and set-top containers. It’s also possible to watch Netflix on a pc. It has a month-to-month price, no annual pricing commitments, and you’ll cancel at any time.

Subscription with advertisements

$6.99

Premium Subscription

$15.49 or $22.99 choices

Simultaneous streams

2-4

# of profiles

5

Originals

Sure

Reside TV

No

Free trial

No

Our high choose for the perfect video streaming service is Netflix as a result of it has an intensive content material library that options one thing for everybody within the household. There’s Netflix Originals with sequence like The Crown, Bridgerton, and Stranger Issues, and a various catalog of movies with selection with new authentic releases like Griselda to Extraction 2. Along with Netflix’s catalog of originals, it additionally has probably the greatest libraries of traditional films and reveals. It is rising even bigger now that Warner Bros has bought streaming rights on HBO content material like Insecure, Band of Brothers, True Blood, and extra to Netflix. Whereas Netflix’s value has elevated not too long ago, that may be stated for many of the different contenders for the highest streaming service as properly.

There are three month-to-month subscription tiers: Normal with Advertisements, Normal, and Premium, which value $6.99, $15.49, and $22.99, respectively. The Premium plan means that you can watch on 4 completely different units on the identical time as a substitute of two with the opposite plans. The Premium plan is the one one which means that you can stream in 4K HDR, whereas the Normal plan is 1080p.

Platforms and units

You possibly can see a full help checklist right here, however a number of of the standout supported platforms and units embrace Amazon Hearth TV and Hearth tablets, Roku, Chromecast, iOS, iPadOS, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Xbox and PlayStation consoles, Android-based Sony Good TVs, Chromebooks, Samsung, and LG units.

Disney+

2. Greatest video streaming service for households

Disney+ is Disney’s reply to Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, however with a distinction: It is the unique dwelling to reveals and flicks from the studio and its many manufacturers, together with Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, and Nationwide Geographic. Disney+ is obtainable in lots of international locations and areas, together with each the UK and the US. You possibly can entry it on a number of units. It prices a month-to-month price, however there isn’t a annual dedication, and you’ll cancel every time.

Subscription with advertisements

$7.99

Premium Subscription

$13.99

Simultaneous streams

4

# of profiles

7

Originals

Sure

Reside TV

No

Disney+ is our selection for the perfect household video streaming service.

It options Disney’s big catalog of traditional animated and live-action movies and sequence like The Lion King, Sleeping Magnificence, and Honey, I Shrunk The Children. You possibly can stream virtually every thing from Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel on Disney+. That features the most recent releases from theatres, like Want and The Marvels. There’s additionally all the time authentic content material, like the brand new sequence Percy Jackson and the Olympians, launched on Disney+ weekly.

You possibly can even subscribe to Disney+ and Hulu as a bundle for $9.99 with advertisements or $19.99 with out. That is a reasonably vital deal and worth for households. The worth of a Disney+ subscription with out advertisements and Hulu is $13.99. You possibly can try a full checklist of platforms you’ll be able to bundle with Disney+ right here.

Platforms and units

You possibly can see the total help checklist right here, however a number of of the standout supported platforms and units embrace Amazon Hearth TV and Hearth tablets, Roku, Chromecast, iOS, iPadOS, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Xbox and PlayStation consoles, Android-based Sony Good TVs, Chromebooks, Samsung, and LG units.

Amazon Prime Video

3. Greatest streaming service with probably the most content material

Prime Video is the title of Amazon’s TV present and film streaming app and repair, and it is accessible on a number of units. It contains two components: There are literally thousands of movies and TV to hire or buy digitally, which you pay for on an ad-hoc foundation, or there may be Amazon Prime Video. It presents 1000’s of different TV reveals and flicks to look at for “free” as a part of your Prime membership. Prime content material is clearly marked, so you should not have any bother discovering it.

Value

$8.99 monthly by itself or $14.99 monthly as part of Prime

Advert plans

No

Simultaneous streams

3

# of profiles

6

Originals

Sure

Reside TV

Restricted (some add-on channels supply stay TV)

Free trial

30 days (to Amazon Prime)

Prime Video is one thing it is best to reap the benefits of if you have already got an Amazon Prime Subscription.

The service presents entry to a library of traditional movies and TV reveals, along with Prime Unique hits like Jack Reacher and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Energy. The Prime Video app may also function your hub for streaming every thing, as you’ll be able to hire nearly any title that is not accessible to stream without cost. It has additionally begun providing stay sporting occasions like NFL video games and Premier League soccer.

You possibly can acquire entry to Prime Video by way of an Amazon Prime membership, which additionally contains perks like two-day transport from Amazon. It’s also possible to choose up a Prime Video subscription with out the Prime membership advantages for a barely cheaper value. Within the US, an Amazon Prime membership prices $14.99 monthly or $139 yearly. You possibly can choose up a Prime Video subscription for $8.99. Amazon not too long ago debuted advertisements on Prime Video. Customers will pay an additional $3 monthly to skip advertisements.

A 30-day trial of Amazon Prime is obtainable.

Platforms and units

You possibly can see the total help checklist right here, however a number of of the standout supported units embrace Hearth TV, Hearth pill, iPhone, iPad, Chromecast, Xbox and PlayStation consoles, Good TVs, Blu-ray gamers, Apple TV, Roku, and Xfinity X1.

Apple TV+

4. Greatest status TV streaming service

Apple TV+ is Apple’s personal video streaming service that launched in 2019. It is accessible through the Apple TV app. Since its inception, Apple has spent over $6 billion on authentic content material for its streaming platform – producing movies just like the Greatest Image winner Coda and Emmy-winning sequence like Ted Lasso.

Value

$9.99 monthly

Advert plans

No

Free trial

7 day free trial and three months free when you purchase an Apple machine

Simultaneous streams

6

# of profiles

6

Originals

Sure

Reside TV:

Restricted (There are stay sports activities and a few add-on channels supply stay TV)

Apple TV+ has steadily constructed of a list of TV sequence helmed by big stars and backed by even greater budgets. Reveals like The Morning Present and Shrinking characteristic Hollywood A-listers like Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and Harrison Ford, whereas originals like For All Mankind, See, and Basis have blockbusters’ budgets and manufacturing high quality with ravenously loyal fan bases.

Apple TV+ has efficiently carved a distinct segment within the streaming business by providing a various vary of high-quality content material that includes A-list actors and substantial budgets. Its dedication to delivering top-notch leisure with out the complexity of a number of subscription tiers makes it a sexy selection for shoppers in search of premium streaming content material at an accessible value level. You possibly can stream Apple TV+ for a base value of $9.99 monthly. Apple raised its streaming service value from $6.99 monthly on the finish of 2023.

There are not any ad-based subscription tiers.

Platforms and units

You possibly can see the total help checklist right here, however a number of of the standout supported units embrace Amazon Hearth, Roku, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, iPhone, iPad, iPod contact, PlayStation and Xbox consoles, Macs and PCs, Samsung Good TV, and TiVo.

Max

5. Greatest video streaming service for actuality TV

Max combines all of HBO’s choices with Warner Bros films and Turner TV reveals. It additionally contains originals and programming from Warner Media’s different manufacturers. It is priced the identical because the outdated HBO service, HBO Max. Max launched within the US in Might 2023.

Subscription with advertisements

$9.99 monthly or $100 yearly

Premium Subscription

begins at $15.99 or $150 yearly

Simultaneous streams

3

# of profiles

5

Originals

sure

Reside TV

sure, simply stay sporting occasions

Free trial

No

After HBO Now, HBO Go, and HBO Max, we now merely have Max. This merger of HBO Max and Discovery+ streaming providers, ensuing from the Warner and Discovery merger, is a transparent victory for shoppers. The unique subscription value for Max stays unchanged from what an HBO Max subscription was in Might 2023 when the service was rebranded, however the service has added an ad-free tier for $9.99.

Primarily, it is like getting one other streaming service, Discovery+, at no extra value.

There’s an intensive catalog of titles already accessible on Max, together with iconic DCEU movies, the Harry Potter Universe, in addition to current cinematic gems like Avatar: The Approach of Water and Dune. Moreover, Max presents a wealthy number of authentic sequence, together with Station 11 and Peacemaker. And, after all, the cornerstone of all of it is the flexibility to stream a treasure trove of timeless classics and new sequence from HBO, resembling The Sopranos, Recreation of Thrones, and Home of the Dragon. Let’s not overlook the actually deep catalog of actuality TV sequence accessible now by way of the Discovery+ addition. Max has even added stay sporting occasions that air on TNT, TBS, and TruTV. The B/R Sports activities ad-on prices $9.99 monthly and contains video games from the NBA, MLB, NHL, in addition to NCAA March Insanity and US Nationwide Soccer group video games.

Platforms and units

You possibly can see the total help checklist right here, however a number of of the standout supported units embrace Amazon Hearth, Roku, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, iPhone, iPad, iPod contact, Ps and Xbox consoles, Macs and PCs, Samsung Good TV, Xbox One, and TiVo.

Hulu

6. Greatest video streaming service for TV watchers

Hulu is a video streaming content material service that began as a platform for not too long ago aired TV reveals however has grown right into a service with full films, authentic programming, and content material from well-known manufacturers resembling Disney, Fox, BBC America, Showtime, TLC, CBS, ABC Information, Animal Planet, Advanced, Freeform, FX, and others. There’s a Reside TV bundle you’ll be able to subscribe to in order for you information and sports activities, relying in your location.

Subscription with advertisements

$7.99 monthly or $79.99 yearly

Premium Subscription

$14.99 monthly (will enhance to $17.99 beginning 12 Oct.)

Simultaneous streams

2

# of profiles

7

Originals

Sure

Reside TV

Sure

Hulu began as a spot the place you could possibly catch an episode of TV you missed the evening earlier than, however it has since advanced into a lot extra. It has what is perhaps the perfect catalog of authentic TV sequence from a streaming service, with reveals like The Handmaid’s Story, The Bear, and The Solely Murders within the Constructing. It’s also owned by Disney, which makes Hulu an awesome service for streaming extra adult-oriented content material within the Disney library, just like the Deadpool movies and Household Man.

Better of all, if you wish to get Hulu and Disney+, you are able to do in order part of a bundle – with the ad-supported tier costing $9.99 and the premium tier costing $19.99 monthly. You need to use Hulu from numerous screens, and 5 different individuals can entry your account with their very own profiles. Streaming from Hulu is not free, so you will need to first buy a plan. The most affordable plan has advertisements and prices $7.99 monthly, whereas the ad-free tier prices $14.99. You possibly can try different bundle offers, together with choices that embrace stay TV right here.

Platforms and units

You possibly can see the total help checklist right here, however a number of of the standout supported units embrace Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Echo Present, Hearth Tablets, Hearth TV, iPhones and iPads, LG TV (choose fashions), Nintendo Swap, Mac and PC, PlayStation and Xbox consoles, Roku, Samsung TV (choose fashions), VIZIO SmartCast TV, Xfinity Flex, and X1.

Paramount+

7. Greatest video streaming service for theatrical releases

Paramount (beforehand ViacomCBS) changed CBS All Entry with Paramount+ in 2021. Whereas it began as a rebrand of CBS All Entry. It has since grown into a legitimate Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ competitor in its personal proper. Paramount+ is exclusive as a result of it presents content material from the mixed ViacomCBS community, which incorporates properties resembling CBS, Paramount, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, and the Smithsonian Channel. It additionally featured stay programming – like sports activities and breaking information.

Subscription with advertisements

$5.99

Premium Subscription

$11.99

Simultaneous streams

3

# of profiles

6

Originals

Sure

Reside TV

Sure, however restricted variety of channels

Paramount+ has emerged as a significant participant within the streaming service business, largely as a result of phenomenal success of Yellowstone, regardless that the present itself isn’t accessible for streaming on the platform. Whereas Paramount opted to promote the streaming rights of Yellowstone to Peacock, they strategically introduced in its creator, Taylor Sheridan, to increase and develop a complete universe of reveals centred round Yellowstone and the Dutton household.

Nevertheless, Paramount+ presents far more than simply Yellowstone.

It boasts a powerful library of movies and sequence from Paramount, MTV Movies, and Nickelodeon Studios. Moreover, recent Paramount films grow to be accessible on the platform quickly after their theatrical releases, together with extremely anticipated titles like Prime Gun: Maverick and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

Maybe probably the most interesting side of Paramount+ is its pricing construction.

The ad-supported tier is extremely reasonably priced at simply $5.99, whereas the premium tier, priced at $11.99, presents extra than simply an ad-free expertise. Subscribers to the premium tier acquire entry to your entire content material library of Showtime, which features a huge array of blockbuster movies and hit sequence resembling Outlander, Yellowjackets, and Billions.

Platforms and units

You possibly can see the total help checklist right here, however a number of of the standout supported units embrace Computer systems, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Android TV, Android telephones, tablets, Chromecast, Hearth TV, Portal TV, PlayStation, Xbox gaming consoles, Samsung TV, Vizio TV, LG TV, Roku, Xfinity units, Cox Contour field, and VIDAA TV.

Peacock

8. Greatest streaming service for stay sports activities

NBCUniversal has its personal video streaming service referred to as Peacock. It is designed to supply cord-cutters a slate of big-budget authentic sequence from showrunners who’ve beforehand labored with NBCUniversal, however it additionally carries TV reveals and flicks from the corporate’s Common arm. You possibly can watch 20,000 hours of authentic programming, in addition to dramas, comedies, information, sports activities, unscripted TV, kid-friendly content material, Spanish-language content material, and curated channels. Peacock additionally means that you can stream over 50 channels of stay TV.

Subscription with advertisements

$5.99

Premium Subscription

$11.99

Simultaneous streams

3

# of profiles

6

Originals

Sure

Reside TV

Sure

Free trial

No

Peacock, NBCUniversal’s very personal streaming app, boasts a powerful array of leisure choices that embody top-tier films from Common Studios and an attractive number of tv reveals from the NBC community, in addition to smaller gems hailing from networks like USA and Bravo. The platform has additionally ventured into the realm of authentic content material creation, delivering standout hits resembling Poker Face, Bupkis, and Twisted Steel. What makes Peacock all of the extra interesting is its wallet-friendly subscription value of $5.99, putting it among the many extra reasonably priced streaming choices accessible.

Moreover, Peacock goes past commonplace on-demand content material by delving into the realm of stay TV streaming. Even with its fundamental subscription, you acquire entry to a lineup of stay sporting occasions, together with NFL video games, WWE pay-per-views, PGA Golf tournaments, Premier League soccer matches, and extra, making it an attractive selection for sports activities followers.

Platforms and units

You possibly can see the total help checklist right here, however a number of of the standout supported units embrace Hearth TV, Hearth pill, iPhone, iPad, Chromecast, Xbox, and PlayStation consoles. As well as, Good TVs, Apple TV, Roku, and Xfinity additionally supply help for this platform, making certain accessibility throughout a various array of units.

The underside line: The very best video streaming service is Netflix

• Runner-ups: Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Hulu, Paramount+, and Peacock

Presently, there are round eight main video streaming providers within the US: Netflix, Disney+, AppleTV+, Hulu, Max, Prime Video, Paramount+, and Peacock. There are numerous others, however we have ranked these main gamers as a result of they supply probably the most content material and worth. We in contrast every service’s current library of content material, the standard of newly launched content material or their authentic programming, how typically new content material is launched, and the month-to-month subscription value.

Netflix emerged because the frontrunner, completely aligning with our standards for a well-rounded streaming service.

However you in all probability don’t desire only one streaming service, particularly when you’re seeking to change your cable subscription. That is the perfect a part of cord-cutting: Procuring à la carte for the providers you need and never paying what you do not want. You possibly can actually choose and select and customise your streaming packages to fit your preferences.

How did we select the perfect video streaming providers?

I have been a longtime subscriber of many video streaming providers and at the moment use each single service talked about on this information. Whereas attempting to determine which one deserves the crown, I dug into every of their content material libraries and checked out their new stuff and authentic reveals – , the recent, thrilling stuff that retains us glued to the display screen.

In fact, no one desires a stagnant service, so I additionally checked out how typically they drop new content material. Final however not least, I had to consider the pockets. I imply, let’s be actual, it is acquired to be price it, proper?

How one can discover the suitable video streaming service for you

Most video streaming providers will let you peruse all of the content material they provide earlier than subscribing, so that you first want to think about what you wish to stream. It is a great way to shortly decide whether or not you’d use a selected video streaming service. The opposite deciding elements are your finances and what number of streaming providers you’d wish to subscribe to.

Extra FAQ

Q. What’s a video streaming service?

A video streaming service is a platform that means that you can stream films, TV reveals, and different video content material on-demand over the web, normally for a month-to-month subscription price.

Q. Do video streaming providers have free trials?

Free trials have gotten a lot rarer today, as streaming providers are cracking down on the methods individuals can watch without cost. Nonetheless, some video streaming – like AppleTV and Prime Video – do supply free trials.

Q. Can I watch content material offline on video streaming providers?

Sure, many video streaming providers supply the choice to obtain choose content material for offline viewing, which is beneficial when you’ve restricted or no web entry. Netflix and Disney+, as an example, each allow you to obtain content material to look at later.

Q. Are there any contracts or commitments with video streaming providers?

Most video streaming providers, together with those highlighted on this information, are on a month-to-month subscription mannequin and let you cancel at any time with out long-term contracts or commitments.

Q. Are there some other video streaming providers to strive?

Sure, there are lots of different video streaming providers accessible. And so they’re all price trying out when you think about your self an avid cord-cutter who desires to strive each sort of service not less than as soon as. There are additionally streaming apps that are inclined to give attention to a selected style of content material, as an example, like Shudder for the horror style or HallmarkTV for romantic movies.

Keep in mind, you’ll be able to unsubscribe from these at any time – so it may be enjoyable to have a subscription to a horror video streaming service throughout October earlier than switching it over to HallmarkTV for some romantic Christmas movies within the winter.

Along with these paid video streaming providers, there are additionally fairly a number of free video streaming providers when you do not thoughts watching advertisements. Amazon Freevee, specifically, has an enormous catalog of traditional movies to associate with entry to some Prime authentic sequence. Some free choices, like Tubi, even include a number of stay channels to browse.

Listed below are our picks of the perfect various video streaming providers and what makes them significantly distinctive.

• 

  Shudder

  For horror followers

  Horror followers will simply die for Shudder. The video streaming service contains over 650 films and 40 reveals all from the horror style. It prices $6.99 a month within the US.

• 

  AMC+

  Worldwide content material add on

  AMC+ may look like a cable subscription add-on, however it’s really a streaming service that mixes content material from AMC, IFC, BBC America, and the Sundance Channel. It prices $9.99 a month within the US.

• 

  Starz

  For newly launched blockbusters

  Starz offers you entry to all of the content material from the premium cable channel, together with the most recent movie releases like John Wick 4. It prices 8.99 a month within the US.

• 

  HallmarkTV

  For love lovers

  HallmarkTV options all of the movies and sequence from the Hallmark channel. That alone makes it a must have for the vacation season or romance flick lovers. It prices $5.99 a month within the US.

• 

  Amazon Freevee

  Free Prime content material

  Advert-based free streaming service from Amazon. It additionally contains entry to some Prime originals like Jury Responsibility.

• 

  The Roku Channel

  Free add on for Roku prospects

  Roku’s free streaming video service contains ad-supported entry to an enormous catalogue of movies and originals like Bizarre: The Al Yankovic Story.

• 

  Tubi

  Free entry to tons of flicks

  One of the well-known free video streaming apps, Tubi presents over 47,000 films so that you can select from along with over 200 streaming channels.

• 

  Crackle

  Free from Sony

  Sony-owned Crackle presents a number of among the high Hollywood blockbusters, in addition to authentic sequence like Letterkenny and Shoresey. It is free and ad-based.