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Our Top Streaming Service Picks


*Last updated 3/18/24

Finding the right streaming service can be overwhelming, especially when certain content is exclusive to one platform. If you’re wondering where you might fit a streaming subscription into your budget and want a quality entertainment experience in return, we’re here to provide guidance. We’ve reviewed every major and minor streaming platform available and picked the top streaming platforms below to help you decide which one is the best choice for you.

Best for Bundled Services
Hulu

Hulu

  • Price Range: $7.99 - $82.99 per month
  • Channels: 85+
  • Free Trial: 30 days
Image of Hulu screen

Pros

  • Access to on-demand content
  • Disney Plus and ESPN Plus included with bundle
  • Huge library of licensed and original content and anime from Crunchyroll
  • Hulu Originals

Cons

  • Cheapest plan includes ads
  • Only two simultaneous streams


Hulu is the best all-around service because it includes all of Hulu’s original and licensed content, as well as access to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus. That means you can watch live sports, Marvel series from Disney Plus, and select Crunchyroll anime titles all with one subscription. While the price can seem like a lot compared to other streamers, Hulu does provide enough content to be worth the price of admission.

Editor’s Note:

Don’t confuse Hulu for its live TV service, though! We’re only covering on-demand streaming services here.

Read our Hulu review.

Best for Premium Content

Apple TV Plus

  • Price Range: $9.99 per month
  • Free Trial: 7 days
Image of Apple TV plus screen
Pros

  • Share one subscription with five people
  • 3 months free with Apple device purchase
  • 4K HDR and spatial audio included
  • Access to premium TV shows and MLS

Cons

  • Smaller on-demand library
  • Only one plan available

Apple TV Plus is one of the newer entrants into the crowded streaming space, but it’s already made a name for itself with series like “For All Mankind” and “Severance.” An Apple TV Plus subscription is perfect for the passionate soccer fan, as it provides a significant discount on the MLS Season Pass, which is only available to stream from the Apple TV app. With support for premium features such as Ultra HD and spatial audio, Apple TV Plus is for those who like to enjoy content in as high a resolution as possible. 

Read our Apple TV Plus review.

Best On-Demand Library

Netflix

  • Price Range: $6.99 - $19.99 per month
  • Channels: N/A
  • Free Trial: None
Image of Netflix - in-browser app
Pros

  • Largest on-demand library
  • Smart recommendation feature
  • Ultra HD (4K) support
  • Offline viewing

Cons

  • Constant price hikes
  • No password sharing

While Netflix isn’t as invested in creating premium original content as before, there are still plenty of reasons to subscribe to the streaming giant. Netflix has been stockpiling its content reserves with licensed content, making it possible to enjoy shows and movies other than Netflix originals. Despite the streamer raising prices and cracking down on password sharing, you can’t deny that Netflix’s sheer variety of content will keep you from getting bored. 

Read our Netflix review.

Best for Network TV and Live Sports

Peacock

  • Price Range: $0.00 - $9.99 per month
  • Channels: N/A
  • Free Trial: 7 days
Image of peacock
Pros

  • Access to NBC and Bravo shows
  • 50 always-on channels
  • Watch Premier League live or on-demand
  • Growing list of original and licensed content 

Cons

  • On-demand titles come and go
  • Meager selection of 4K content 

Peacock is more niche than the other entries above since most content is pulled from NBC archives. That said, it’s a strong archive. The ability to watch “The Office,” “Parks & Rec,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” and “Superstore” is worth the subscription. Whether you’re a fan of these classic sitcoms or not, Peacock’s original content is still growing. Series such as “Poker Face,” “Killing It,” and “Bupkis” are entertaining enough for those looking for something new. It’s also the best place to watch Premier League games. 

Read our Peacock review.

Best for Newly Released Movies

Paramount Plus

  • Price Range: $4.99 - $99.99 per month
  • Channels: N/A
  • Free Trial: 7 days
Image of paramount-plus-movies
Pros

  • Latest theatrical releases
  • Full UEFA Champions League coverage
  • Offline viewing
  • Premium plan includes SHOWTIME

Cons

  • Cheapest plan includes ads
  • Lack of original content 

Although every “Star Trek” series and film is available on Paramount Plus, that’s not the only reason to subscribe to this streamer. Paramount Plus is one of the best places to watch soccer, with access to the greatest soccer competition on Earth besides the World Cup: the UEFA Champions League. It’s also one of the few streamers to get first dibs on theatrical releases. Another reason is Taylor Sheridan’s deal with Paramount Plus, a partnership that’s brought series like “Tulsa King,” “1883,” “1923,” and “Special Ops: Lioness” to fruition.

Read our Paramount Plus review.

Best for Exclusive Content

Amazon Prime Video

  • Price Range: $8.99 - $139 per month
  • Channels: N/A
  • Free Trial: None
Pros

  • Included with Amazon Prime subscription
  • Live Thursday Night Football games
  • Premium original content
  • Rent or purchase movies and TV shows

Cons

  • Ad-free is an additional $2.99 per month 
  • On-demand library is middling 

Most people forget they have Amazon Prime Video because it’s included as part of their Prime subscription. While it’s not home to the greatest selection of content, original or otherwise, it’s decently stocked with series like “The Boys,” “Invincible,” “Fleabag,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “Gen V,” “The Wheel of Time,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” and others. For fans of the NFL, Amazon Prime Video is the only place to watch Thursday Night Football.

Read our Amazon Prime Video review.

Best for Warner Bros. Properties

Max

  • Price Range: $9.99 - $14.99 per month
  • Channels: N/A
  • Free Trial: Some providers
Image of Max homepage
Pros

  • Ultra HD (4K) support with top plan
  • Offline viewing 
  • Premium selection of licensed and original content
  • DC and Studio Ghibli films 

Cons

  • Curated content has gone by the wayside 
  • Troubling pattern of removing original content 

Now just Max (rebranded from HBO Max), this streamer has gone through it in the last few years. Despite shedding some original series, Max has a sizable library of films, series, and animated content. For fans of DC, there’s no better place to catch up on live-action and animated projects starring DC’s wide cast of characters and villains. While Max is still behind other streamers in regards to live sports, sports fans can add B/R Sports at an extra cost to watch NBA, NHL, NCAA March Madness, and MLB games.

Read our Max review.

Best for Watching New and Classic Films

SHOWTIME

  • Price Range: $10.99 per month
  • Channels: N/A
  • Free Trial: 30 days
Image of Showtime series
Pros

  • Award-winning shows and movies
  • Ultra HD (4K) support 
  • Newly released movies
  • Offline viewing via Paramount Plus plan

Cons

  • Smaller on-demand library
  • Pricer than other streamers

From newly released films to premium TV series like “Yellowjackets” and “The Curse,” SHOWTIME has something captivating to watch for everyone. For those who want to beef up their current subscription to Hulu or Apple TV Plus, selecting SHOWTIME as an add-on is a great way to do just that. For those interested in what Paramount Plus has to offer, it’s possible to access SHOWTIME with a premium subscription for $11.99 per month.

Read our SHOWTIME review.

Editor’s Note:

Stand-alone SHOWTIME subscriptions will be discontinued on April 30, 2024.

Best for National and Regional Sports

ESPN Plus

  • Price Range: $6.99 - $13.99 per month
  • Channels: N/A
  • Free Trial: None
Image of Screenshot of ESPN’s in-browser app
Pros

  • Live and on-demand access to most domestic major sports leagues
  • Affordable when bundled with Hulu and Disney Plus
  • Access to international soccer leagues
  • Only place to watch Formula 1 without an F1 TV subscription

Cons

  • Some live sports require a live TV subscription 
  • Limited and inconsistent Ultra HD (4K) support

While more streamers are adding live sports options to their catalog, ESPN Plus is still a hub for all things sports. When bundled with Hulu and Disney Plus, the cost of ESPN Plus is affordable, making it easier than ever to catch up on everything from college football to Formula 1. Besides live and on-demand sports coverage, ESPN Plus has a library of sports documentaries and series that will keep sports fans entertained even when there’s no game to watch. 

Read our ESPN Plus review.

Best for Free Movies

Tubi

  • Price Range: $0 per month
  • Channels: N/A
  • Free Trial: N/A
Image of Tubi TV interface
Pros

  • Free
  • Varied selection of TV shows and movies
  • Available to stream from most devices 
  • Live TV

Cons

  • No option to remove ads 
  • Content can be hit-or-miss

Tubi is free. You sign up and it remains free no matter how often you use it. The catch is there are nonremovable ads — they have to make money somehow. But, according to Tubi, there are fewer ads on the streamer than on cable TV. Surprisingly, Tubi has a decent selection of TV shows and movies. You might have to look deeper to find something that you like, but it’s worth it. Remember, it’s completely free!

Read our Tubi review.

Streaming Service Comparison

For a bird’s-eye-view of the best streaming services, take a look at the chart below.

Service Price range Simultaneous streams Ad-supported plans Free trial
Hulu $7.99 – $24.99 per month 2 Yes 30 days
Apple TV Plus $9.99 per month 6 No 7 days
Netflix $6.99 – $22.99 per month 2 – 4 Yes None
Peacock $5.99 – $11.99 per month 3 Yes None
Paramount Plus $5.99 – $11.99 per month 3 Yes 7 days
Amazon Prime Video $8.99 – $14.99 per month 3 Yes 30 days
Max $9.99 – $19.99 per month 2 – 4 Yes None
SHOWTIME $10.99 – $11.99 per month 3 No 7 days
ESPN Plus $10.99 – $14.99 per month 3 No None
Tubi $0.00 per month N/A Yes N/A

*Last updated 3/18/24

Streaming Service Honorable Mentions

While we couldn’t include every streaming service on our list, there are a few that deserve an honorable mention, like the ones below:

  • Crunchyroll: This is the best streaming platform for anime fans, with the biggest selection of anime in the U.S.
  • F1 TV: Motorsport fans can watch live Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3 events, with access to a huge archive of races that goes back decades. 
  • Disney Plus: For fans of Marvel, “Star Wars,” and Disney characters, Disney Plus is the top choice. 
  • The Criterion Channel: This streamer is a go-to for film buffs, with a rotating selection of classic and independent films that are hard to find elsewhere. 
  • PBS: This is for the history fans out there — all the Ken Burns documentaries are available to stream. 

Our Review Process

At CordCutting.com, we’ve spent more than 100 hours reviewing every streaming platform available. Across the team, we’ve also watched thousands of on-demand content across different streamers to determine which provides the most value for your money. The top 10 streamers above are based on the selection of content, price, features, and availability.

You can also watch our videos for hands-on reviews of the streaming services mentioned.

Frequently Asked Questions About Streaming Services

How do I choose which streaming service is best for me?

It depends on the type of content you’re interested in and what your budget is. If you want a large library of content, Netflix and Max — both of which offer affordable ad-supported plans — are two great options. However, if you want to also watch live TV and sports, Peacock might be a better pick. 

What’s the difference between streaming services and live TV streaming?

A streaming service offers a library of original and licensed content that’s available to watch on-demand. A live TV streaming service is similar to traditional cable, as it offers access to various live channels, which may sometimes be available on-demand. Peacock is one service that includes both. 

What’s the cheapest streaming service?

Tubi is the cheapest streaming service because it’s free to watch. As for affordable options, Netflix, Max, Hulu, Peacock, and Paramount Plus all offer ad-supported plans. 

What device do I need to watch streaming services?

Most streaming services, even Apple TV Plus, are available on most streaming devices, phones, tablets, and TVs. If you don’t have a smart TV, a streaming device such as an Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, or Roku can provide access to streaming platforms. 

What’s the best streaming service if I travel frequently? 

If you travel often and don’t always have access to high-speed internet to stream, then services such as Netflix, Max, and Paramount Plus are good options because they allow users to download content for offline viewing. Keep in mind that offline viewing is typically offered as part of more premium plans, which cost more.