- On This Page
- What To Watch
- Streaming Quality
- Platforms
- Cost
- Verdict
Our Experience Using STARZ
From the beginning, the STARZ experience is reminiscent of what you get with Max. You can create a streaming account by using the app (via the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store), or you can log in via the website. We found the service to work especially seamlessly on mobile devices for cord-cutters on the go.
The content is laid out simply but effectively in the STARZ app, but the service prefers to sort them into rows or recommendations. You can browse all titles alphabetically, but it’s not the first option shown.
On mobile, the service uses familiar on-screen controls — tap the screen during a program, and you’ll be able to pause, jump 10 seconds, or seek with a slider.
The service also offers an in-browser web app, which was decent enough, though it lacked a back button on some screens (I had to use my browser’s back button).
On platforms other than mobile devices and computers, however, STARZ is a bit harder to use. On Roku and Fire TV, you have to use STARZ Play (an app that’s also available on Android, for some reason). STARZ Play is a big step down from the regular mobile app, and for some reason, it seems to be missing some of the movies that are available through the flagship app. It also presents its movies in one big list in no apparent order.
For the Prime add-on subscription, the user experience is, of course, the same as Prime — the STARZ content just gets sorted into the Amazon interface. Oddly, your Prime login won’t get you access to the STARZ app, so the two are mutually exclusive options. Check out our review of Amazon Prime Video for more on the Amazon Prime user experience.
What You Can Watch on STARZ
STARZ has an interesting mix of content, but for the most part, it lags sorely behind HBO. Its best-known original series include “Outlander,” “Minx,” and “Heels,” but they aren’t as well known as what you’ll find on Max or even Hulu.
The service also boasts a fair number of movies, but they are a decidedly mixed bag — beloved films such as “Home Alone” and “A Beautiful Mind” share space with forgettable movies like “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” and “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.” Still, I was pretty impressed with the number of quality films in the catalog.
STARZ fans probably already realized this, but I was a little surprised to find that STARZ also includes a solid collection of classic TV shows — programs such as “Gunsmoke” and “The Rifleman” — alongside newer content. It’s nice to know people can rediscover these shows in the context of a modern streaming service with STARZ.
Its current selection of movies and TV shows is decent, but it’s not as varied as it was when it first launched. I was still pretty happy with its original content, and I don’t mind having to wait a bit longer for more content to be released. (It’s a perfect excuse to rewatch my favorites!)
The Streaming Quality of STARZ
When it came to streaming quality, STARZ was pretty impressive and consistent across all of the devices (and apps) that I tried. It was seamless on mobile (I used iOS on Verizon and Android on Wi-Fi) and worked well on Amazon Fire TV and Roku, too.
HD programs were accessible in 1080p resolution, loading times were short, and, all in all, I don’t have much to complain about. Could STARZ offer 4K in the future? Yes. But, for now, its streaming quality and consistency are worth applauding.
The Platforms Supported by STARZ
I touched on this in the User Experience section, but STARZ doesn’t have a unified multiplatform approach. Instead, it has a few different apps for a few different platforms. A “STARZ Streaming” subscription can be started via iOS or Android, and the apps for those platforms are quite good.
On streaming boxes, however, you’ll have to use STARZ Play (which is also available for Android) and log in with your STARZ info. STARZ Play has a less impressive user interface. Finally, STARZ is also available as an add-on for Amazon Prime. That option integrates STARZ content into Prime’s interface (see our Amazon Prime review for more details on that experience).
In streaming quality, at least, all these options ended up being similarly strong. But the user interface differences were notable.
The Cost of a STARZ Subscription
STARZ costs $8.99 per month, which is less than many of its competitors, such as Max ($15.99 per month for the ad-free version). The cost, however, is pretty similar to what stand-alone streaming services such as Hulu and Disney+ usually charge.
The price is the same if you go through Amazon, but that means you’ll use Amazon's apps to access STARZ, not the STARZ apps we focused on here.
Our Verdict on STARZ
STARZ has some solid content, but its OTT offerings are less than stellar. The user experience is pleasant on mobile devices and computers, but it falls flat on streaming boxes. STARZ might make sense as an Amazon add-on for fans of its original series, but it’s probably worth paying more to get HBO’s better original series or Netflix’s industry-leading selection of non-original movies. Even ignoring content, STARZ lags behind its competitors because of user experience issues.
STARZ has a terrible customer service as well as questionable service. First I signed up with Roku but in a middle of watching the show I couldn’t continue. Customer service wasn’t able to help. Then I signed up using my Apple ID to finish the show, which I did. I decided to continue with subscription and paid $8.99 through February 19th. Now every time I try to open the app, it asks me to renew the subscription!? I called customer service and they said they can’t do anything or refund my money! They will escalate this problem, but not sure when it will be resolved. Meanwhile I paid for nothing.
We signed up because we were traveling and it was OK. Now we are back and we want to cancel. We have tried all their instructions and we can’t cancel. On the iTunes site, they say select cancel button, but there is no cancel button. Go to Google Store, no cancel tab. Try calling number, instructions are the same and send you to same sites that have no cancel button. We will have to close our credit card to stop them from taking money each month.
Starz is the worst of all available on satellite or cable. I get it on DirecTV but used to get it on Time Warner. I pay for no commercials but of all of the movie subscriptions Starz advertises during the play within the movie on screen at the bottom in writing about other offerings upcoming and current and also whenever the credits come on which I want to watch for cast (unreadable). The others advertise about other things between the movies as also does Stars in addition to movie interference. I would rather watch the movie whenever possible on anything but Starz. They do have good movies but we are supposed to be commercial free and those are commercials they post in those spots while the movie is going. It would seem those that are in the credits would also complain about this. It is disrupting for some of us and not what we pay for!
Sorry but i got the free trial and i haven’t seen any commercials yet
Why would you bother to show a movie like Lifeforce censored to shreds. Worthless.
Starz has a few good shows/movies…however, their app/service is pure garbage! I say this because out of the several streaming services I pay for, Starz is the ONLY service that is constantly buffering, pausing, and/or crashing. There streamimg will constantly change from HD to sub-standard definition. I have checked with several others that subscribe to Starz and they experience the exact same problems. I have since cancelled my subscription and I will caution not to bother spending your money on Starz.
Like many online signup companies, Starz has, for all practical purposes, no customer service by phone. Last time I waited 50 minutes on hold prior to giving up. Starz has double billed my account for nearly 18 months. Have given up and simply cancelled the subscription. If you leave an online customer service request, you are assured that someone will respond within 16 DAYS! Really could care less if they retain business!
Starzs has been taking my money out of my account but wont let me sign in to it. I’ve tried re-setting the password and calling the 855-247-9175 number and after being on hold for 1 hour and 12 minutes got hung up on. I can’t even cancel my subscription because it wont let me login. But they will be happy to pull money out of my account. Very Poor poor customer service.
I canceled Starz months ago and saw that it still came out of my account this month. I emailed them and they sent me through several people who said they wouldn’t offer a refund because it’s the customer’s responsibility to cancel the subscription. Sure, but I did! I responded as such and they responded that they weren’t willing to help because it had been used since the cancellation. Of course! If the money came out and you’re not willing to refund because it’s my responsibility to refund, then I’m going to use my money to the fullest. The original email I sent just asked for them to ensure that my account was indeed canceled. It had nothing to do with a refund whatsoever. So who knows if it’s actually canceled, I’m sure they are willing to keep taking my money. Their customer service is terrible and apparently it’s really hard to actually cancel because the cancellation on the website of the subscription doesn’t actually cancel it. Don’t fall for it! Don’t use their service. There are plenty of other companies you can stream from out there. Very poor customer service.
I think Starz has a lot to offer but I believe that it would do well if it bundles with another premium channel. It has far too little show that can be seen in a week which makes me not pay another month.
If you have roku and already paid for starz its not worth it since they will try to make you pay for another membership and you wont be able to log in at all with your old account. You can only watch starz on roku if you Pay Again!!!