Our Top Picks for the Best Streaming Service
Streaming
Overall Best Value
Extensive on-demand library at an affordable price
Streaming
Diverse Watching Library
Over 26,300 movies and 2,700 TV shows library
Streaming
Ideal to access HBO Discovery content Includes theatrical releases and access to Adult Swim, Studio Ghibli, and DC
Sports Streaming
HD sports on multiple devices
Access preseason and postseason games to catch up on your favorite teams
Live TV
Top live sports, news, and
TV shows
Houses a solid library of classic and new movies
Streaming
Tons of Features
100+ TV channels including live and local sports and tons of features
The Shift to Online Streaming
Did you know that 85% of American households have at least one video streaming subscription?
On-demand streaming is convenient, hassle-free, and lets you control your entertainment regime at any time, on any device, and from anywhere in the world.
Things We Like:
- Wide variety of content
- Convenience to watch movies and TV Shows
- Relatively affordable
- No contracts
- Up to 4K playback
- Parental Controls
- Easy to access new content
Things to Consider:
- Requires an internet connection
- Some content is region-dependent
- Data overages may occur
- Subscriptions to multiple streaming platforms can be expensive
Compare the Most Popular Streaming Services
Service | Movie Count | TV Show Count | Starting Monthly Price | Max Simultaneous Streams |
Netflix | 3,714 | 1,941 | $7 | 4 |
Prime Video | 66,021 | 10,853 | $9 | 3 |
Max | 2,047 | 613 | $10 | 4 |
Hulu | 1,172 | 1,254 | $8 | 2 |
Disney Plus | 953 | 325 | $8 | 4 |
Peacock | 900 | 300 | $6 | 3 |
The ultimate choice for the best streaming service depends on your preference. Although each service offers similar functionalities, the differences lie in the fine print.
Hulu is the best overall budget pick because of its affordability and choice of content. Hulu’s Watch Party feature lets you stream with your friends and family in real time, regardless of where you are.
Netflix has a larger library than Hulu with more originals, but the content is region-dependent, which can feel limiting to some users. One prime benefit of Netflix is that it lets you stream content on four devices, simultaneously.
If you want a ton of popular and original content, Prime Video is the one to have. With a diverse watching library of 60,000+ movies and 10,000+ TV shows including a ton of original content, it’s a real treat for TV enthusiasts.
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Best Live TV Services
Service | Channel Count | Ads | Starting Monthly Price | Simultaneous Streams | 4k |
Hulu + Live TV | 90+ | Selective | $77 | 2 | No |
YouTube TV | 100+ | Yes | $73 | 3 | Selective |
Fubo TV | 264 | Yes | $75 | 10 | Selective |
Sling TV | 46 | Yes | $40 | 1 (orange), 3 (Blue), 4 (Orange + Blue) | No |
DirecTV Stream | 140+ | Yes | $69.99 | Unlimited at home (3 while away) | No |
Hulu + Live TV is our overall top pick for live TV, and for good reason. While YouTube TV may have slightly more channels, Hulu + Live TV makes up for it by enhancing your TV experience with its premium channels like Disney+ and ESPN+. What’s more, you get access to the extensive on-demand library, which is something no other live TV service offers.
YouTube TV offers many value-added features like picture-in-picture mode, parental controls, offline viewing, etc. You can also opt for 4K quality with YouTube TV for an additional $20 per month.
For those who don’t want to spend around $80 per month, Sling TV is worth checking out. The channel count is not as impressive as what its contemporaries offer, but it comes with the lowest starting price.
That said, before subscribing to any live streaming service, make sure to look at its channel lineup so you don’t miss a network that’s a frequent watch for you.
Live TV, On-Demand, and Cable at a Glance
Feature | Live streaming | On-demand streaming | Traditional TV services |
No cable required | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
Watch anywhere you are | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
Affordable pricing | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
Internet connection required | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
Parental controls | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Accessibility features | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
Live TV streaming | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ |
Download and watch offline | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
Live sports | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Peacock has a free streaming option. Similarly, Hulu’s ad-supported plan is cheaper.
To stream video content in 4K, we recommend 100 Mbps per device so you don’t suffer through any inconsistencies or lag.
Streaming services usually work on subscription basis and do not require any contract signing.
Yes. You can stream video content on a PC, tablet, smartphone, gaming console like a PlayStation or an Xbox, Chromecast, or any Smart TV.
Streaming services usually offer on-demand content, with some offering an option to watch Live TV at extra cost.
Typically, yes. However, cable gives you access to more TV channels in one place.
Hulu + Live TV is the best overall choice because of its extensive channel lineup including some premium channels and complete Hulu on-demand library.
Netflix is the most popular streaming service with around 78% of households subscribed to it, according to Statista.