Narrowing down the best streaming services is harder than ever, as there are so many different platforms now available. In the old days most people would likely choose Netflix, but now Disney Plus, HBO Max, and Prime Video all offer huge libraries, with the smaller streamers offering new avenues for entertainment as well.
They all have their own movie release dates, new TV shows, and exclusives, as well as downsides like price hikes and ads. That's why we've put together this page to help simplify your selection. Whatever criteria you're looking for, whether it be access to your favorite shows, the price, or if the best Netflix movies are still the obvious winners, we've outlined the options to help you make an informed choice.
Netflix
Available: Worldwide
Price: $17.99/month (Standard plan) / £12.99/month (Standard plan)
Netflix is the elder statesman of streamers, having launched in 2007 (though the company itself stretches all the way to the late '90s, having started as a mail order DVD rental service). It's also still arguably the most comprehensive, with thousands of shows and movies to choose from and an easy-to-use UI.
It has its share of issues, of course – namely a recent price increase and a tendency for content to come and go from the service, due to licensing. It's no longer home to Friends and The Office, for example. That said, the catalog of shows that it does have is enviable. Squid Game, Bridgerton, You, Cobra Kai, and Black Mirror are among the biggest shows on the planet, and Stranger Things season 5 is sure to be event viewing, and there's some stunning Netflix anime series. The Netflix Originals strand means that the service is an enticing draw for movie lovers too. If you're only going to sub to one streamer then Netflix is probably the one for you.
Read more: Already signed up? Why not check out the best shows on Netflix?
Disney Plus
Available: Worldwide
Price: $9.99/month (Standard plan) / £8.99/month (Standard plan)
If you love Marvel, Star Wars, or Disney movies then a Disney Plus subscription is a no-brainer. With over 600 movies and TV shows at launch, the House of Mouse's streaming service is jam-packed with childhood classics as well as new shows and movies. Disney Plus is where you'll find all the upcoming Marvel movies and shows, including the likes of Marvel Zombies. It's the only place where you can see new Star Wars shows, too, including the critical smash that is Andor season 2. Then, of course, there's Disney itself – arguably the biggest entertainment brand in the world thanks to classics like The Lion King, Frozen, and The Little Mermaid, all of which are available here.
It's pretty cheap, too, in comparison to some of its competitors, and there's a Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN package for $16.99 a month in the US, which sweetens the deal. There are also Disney Plus downloads that allow you to download content for offline viewing. Our Disney Plus bundles page has the best options for countries around the world.
Read more: Find the best movies on Disney Plus.
Prime Video
Available: Worldwide
Price: $8.99/month ($139/year) / £8.99/month (£95/year)
As you might expect coming from Amazon, one of the biggest companies in the world, Prime Video is absolutely stacked with movies and shows. OK, so it might not have the same level of big name show recognition as some of the content on Netflix or Disney Plus, but there's still some of the best TV shows here including The Boys (and its spin-off Gen V), Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and The Marvelous Ms. Maisel to name just a few.
It's good value, too. If you have an Amazon Prime membership then you'll get Prime Video bundled in alongside loads of other extras. You can also expand the content available with bolt on services such as the art house movie-focused MUBI plus various anime channels. Region-locking is a bit of a pain, but it's hard to argue with Prime's combination of eye-catching shows (The Boys season 5 for one...) and value for money.
Read more: Check out the best shows on Amazon Prime and the best movies on Amazon Prime.
HBO Max
Available: US, Europe, Japan, Latin America
Price: $16.99/month (ad-free) / $9.99 (with ads)
HBO Max is where you'll find Warner Bros. Discovery's latest and greatest. Upcoming projects to look out for include a Green Lantern TV show in the works, House of the Dragon season 3, and the Harry Potter TV show. But not everything has to be shiny and new to be worthwhile.
You're also getting complete access to HBO's incredible library, which means if you've missed out on The Sopranos, The Leftovers, Deadwood, or The Wire, you can rest easy knowing they'll be there for you. Speaking of, Friends is also streaming on Max exclusively. Sadly, Max isn't in the UK yet. There's also no denying that $16.99/month is a little steep. Still, you're getting loads of viewing material here, especially when you factor in content from Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Warner, and Crunchyroll. Plus, the entire Studio Ghibli collection.
Read more: For a deeper dive into the service, look at our list of the best movies on HBO Max and the best shows on HBO Max.
Apple TV Plus
Available: US, UK, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Russia, Africa, Turkey, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Central Asia
Price: $9.99/month / £8.99/month
Apple TV Plus focuses on high-quality shows with household names instead of the scattershot approach of some of its rivals. You'll find plenty of limited series starring A-listers and a small collection of original films. Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show), Aaron Paul (Truth Be Told), and Hailee Steinfeld (Dickinson) formed part of Apple TV Plus' opening salvo, with visionaries such as JJ Abrams and M. Night Shyamalan two of the many directors who preferred Apple's approach.
But compared to its contemporaries, Apple TV Plus struggles to draw attention. In a crowded marketplace, it’s destined to get lost in the background as far more eye-catching services stake their claim. That being said, there's no better service if you prefer quality over quantity. Severance season 2 was a huge hit, and the streamer just debuted the hotly-anticipated Your Friends & Neighbors. Another good mark for Apple TV is that it's one of the services that still offers free trials, and many new Apple products also come with several months free.
Read more: Find out about the Apple TV Plus prices and read our list of the best Apple TV Plus shows.
Hulu
Available: US
Price: $9.99/month (Basic) / $18.99/month (Premium)
Hulu was once the go-to streaming service for those who didn't want to pay for cable. It still operates effectively in that regard, though now has the additional benefit of a handful of top-quality original shows, such as The Handmaid's Tale, that make the small outlay even more worthwhile. But Hulu's main selling point is still that you can watch network TV shortly after it airs, including shows on major networks such as ABC and Fox.
As a substitute for paying for a cable provider, there's no better. As a streaming service, though, it's lacking in some regards. The animation on offer is great (Family Guy, Rick and Morty, Bob's Burgers), though there's no more than one or two killer must-watch shows, and the Basic package includes ads. It's not currently available on its own in the UK – so Brits will have to head to Disney Plus to access the shows and movies on offer. If you're in the US though, you’re in luck.
Read more: See our extensive rundown of the latest Hulu prices and bundle deals.
Peacock
Available: US, Europe, Africa, India
Price: $7.99/month (ad-free)
Comedy is a big draw to NBC's streaming service. It houses sitcom royalty like The Office, Parks & Recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The collection of movies and shows is mixed. Many will lap up Shrek, Hell's Kitchen, and the Bourne movies, but mileage may vary. NBC is looking to make waves elsewhere, too, with original and live content.
A new season of Rian Johnson's ace whodunnit Poker Face has just landed on the streamer, and a spin-off of The Office is in development. Whether the latter comes to pass is up in the air, but it's proof that NBC wants to compete in the arena of big original productions. Sports also have a place here as non-televised NBC Premier League games are available on Peacock as well as WWE content. With so many services on offer, Peacock might be best playing second fiddle to another larger one. Alongside Netflix or Amazon Prime, this could be well worth the outlay. It used to have a free option, but it's no longer available to new customers.
Read more: For more information on signing up, check out the latest Peacock TV costs.
Now TV
Available: UK
Price: £9.99/month (Entertainment) / £9.99/month (Sky Cinema) / £34.99/six months (Sports)
For those looking to watch HBO Max in the UK, Now TV presents a fairly cheap, straightforward way of accessing some of your favorite box sets and movies without having to pay for a Sky or Virgin Media subscription.
There are no exclusives of its own to speak of, but Now TV regularly gives viewers the latest and greatest TV shows immediately after airing. Shows like House of the Dragon are available on the same day as Sky Atlantic through the Entertainment Pass. However, the negatives can outweigh the positives. Some heavy hitters (such as The Walking Dead and South Park) were removed in 2020. And wanting everything costs a pretty penny, which may see you scrambling for an all-in-one television package instead of the myriad of passes.
Read more: For more information on signing up, read how you can use Now TV to watch HBO Max in the UK.
For new streaming picks, check out our lists of all the new TV shows this year!
