Each streaming service has a collection of shows and movies you can’t find elsewhere, so we often end up with multiple subscriptions, causing our wallets to take a big hit. However, the cost of the best streaming services can start to add up. 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. Narrowing down the best streaming services is harder than ever, as there are so many different platforms now available.
The best streaming service for live TV
When she’s not watching TV and movies for work, she’s watching them for fun, seeing live music, writing songs, knitting and gardening. Just as you treat your favorite music to some outstanding headphones, you should be treating your favorite streaming content to the best services available. Instead, to cater to the growing trend of savvy budgeters that pause and cancel their subscriptions depending on what they want to watch, we've updated the order of this list to reflect which services are offering the most value during this month.
Troubleshoot YouTube video errors
When we tested Fubo, we found that its multi-screen view (an Apple TV exclusive) was the biggest differentiator outside of its surplus of international sports. The other knock against Fubo, besides its higher price, is the limited Cloud DVR storage. And its recent addition of regional sports networks sounded great until we found out that Fubo's adding upwards of $13.99 extra in a Regional Sports Fee you'll see at checkout. While we like the Disney Plus apps — they're all snappy, responsive and well-made — we've always wanted more from the service. The most recent Disney Plus price hike has pushed ad-free Disney Plus Premium up to $19, and the $12 ad-supported plan has gone up as well. Keep in mind, however, that the Standard plans do not include all content the higher tiers do.
The Netflix Originals strand means that the service is an enticing draw for movie lovers too. It's also still arguably the most comprehensive, with thousands of shows and movies to choose from and an easy-to-use UI. Perhaps you want a reliable service for movie night, the best anime, or shows like Gen V season 2. Kelly is the managing editor of streaming for Tom’s Guide, so basically, she watches TV for a living. But HBO Max has a massive library and in general, boasts better quality content. While Netflix is pivoting more to original shows and movies with each passing week, it's still constantly adding licensed movies and shows.
Of the 72 new Netflix movies arriving, Jay Kelly, Wake Up Dead Man and Cover-Up are our top picks. With the help of the streaming team, we look to assess each service as a complete offering to help make your subscription hopping decisions easier. If you’re outside the U.S. and want to watch Peacock, our handy guide, how to get Peacock TV will help get you started. Unfortunately, its free tier was removed in 2023, but the good news is that you can save two months of the overall cost on the annual plan. Paramount+ can’t beat the likes of Netflix in terms of content, but it’s known for its strong selection of sci-fi content. There’s a cheaper Latino plan ($32.99 per month) and various add-ons, including STARZ and Paramount+ with Showtime.
Be sure that you are reading all of the details when it comes to sports, especially when it comes to leagues like the NFL, that have multiple deals in place. Now, big leagues in all the major sports both domestically and abroad can be viewed with the right app. Some produce their own news while others create incredible original content that will have you laughing out loud.
There's also no denying that $16.99/month is a little steep. Speaking of, Friends is also streaming on Max exclusively. 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. 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.
If you're a hardcore football fan, YouTube TV delivers all the games that are locally and nationally televised because of their sponsorship of the NFL. The streaming strength is through the roof and if you like to do a split or quarter screen (multiple games at once), it's a righteous platform to do so with. While it's easy to roll your eyes at the price tag for Youtube TV, one does get a lot for the dough with a proper subscription. If you're a Sunday Night Football fan, given NBC's long-standing deal, this might be the service for you. Fans of longstanding must-watch television like SNL and The Office, folks simply can't do without Peacock.
Sling TV — Best Budget Live TV Platform
With more and more streaming services on the market, the details have become, well, more detailed. Outside of the biggest paid-for streaming services listed above – Paramount+, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Apple TV+ and Netflix – there are still plenty of other video on-demand platforms still to consider from. HBO Max is one of the youngest streaming services around, having launched in May 2023 after Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) merged HBO Max (its original streaming service launched in 2020) with Discovery. But there are some changes occurring at the House of the Mouse's streaming services.
We Tried All The Streaming Services. These Are The 6 Best.
- But if you want to watch a wide range of content and value movies just as much as sports, prices can quickly rack up.
- However, Sling TV is not the best option for those who want regional sports networks, as it simply doesn’t carry them.
- The service is known for HBO originals like ‘House of the Dragon’ and has a large content library of around 3,300 shows and movies, according to information from JustWatch.
- The price is a value given what’s provided and the terms and conditions aren’t aggressively deceptive or sneaky.
- “No ads” plans sometimes still display ads on a limited number of series, movies or special events.
As the home to HBO Originals, HBO Max is the best streaming service to catch award-winning shows such as modern hits Game of Thrones, Succession, The White Lotus, The Last of Us, and now iconic series' The Sopranos, The Wire, and Sex and the City. Paramount+ has a growing list of new movies and shows that it's adding each month. Paramount+ has another bumper movie release slate for December, with 110 new movies dropping throughout the month. Save money with the best streaming deals and TV subscription coupons or sign up for a Prime Video free trial to try out the services.
The new Netflix with ads plan is available for a $7.99 entry-point, and the previously available Basic plan has now been discontinued. While it doesn't deliver as many new originals as say Netflix, its quality-to-quantity ratio is better. Read our full Peacock review, and also Peacock TV promo codes to save on monthly costs
But at the time of writing, Sling TV had introduced a pretty hefty price increase that still makes it good value in some respects, but it’s not as easy to recommend to everyone. Sports fans will love what’s on offer here, including live coverage of WWE, Olympics and Premier League soccer games, all live alongside some analysis and replays, too. Although the lower cost Premium tier undercuts many rivals, it comes with limitations, like ads, no offline downloads, and restricted access to some channels. The service operates on a tiered subscription model, offering two main plans, Premium and Premium+.
If you don’t want the antenna, you get your first month at half price. The service also allows for 20 home streams (though it’s just three if you’re on the move) and unlimited DVR time, and it doesn’t charge extra to stream 4K-compatible content. Since DirecTV Stream carries more than 30 RSNs, it may be an ideal choice for fans of live sports, but it’s also good for local channels. What makes Hulu + Live TV stand out from the crowd is that you can get the full Hulu library, Disney+ and ESPN+ for just a dollar more than the live TV-only plan (based on the cheapest plans).
- Save money with these Paramount+ Coupon Codes or sign up for a Paramount+ free trial to try out the service.
- Save money with the best streaming deals and TV subscription coupons or sign up for a Prime Video free trial to try out the services.
- The table below is a glimpse into what popular streaming services offer on a standard monthly basis in the U.S., but it’s not the whole story.
- However, the sea of good content coming in monthly is impressive.
- You can also expand the content available with bolt on services such as the art house movie-focused MUBI plus various anime channels.
- Those who want multiple Apple services (Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, etc.) have the option of the Apple One bundle, with a one-month free trial.
- You can also opt to add on extra services like more sports, kids and entertainment channels, and extra DVR time.
If you value quality, unique content, and thoughtful curation, Mubi is a great choice. That said, Mubi's niche focus and limited library may not appeal to those looking for mainstream blockbusters or a huge amount of choice. Adding to its curated charm, each movie comes with an insightful "Our Take" section, offering thoughtful commentary – a refreshing upgrade from a small synopsis, which most rivals give you. For fans of thoughtful storytelling, arthouse films, and world cinema, Mubi offers a unique viewing experience that stands out in a crowded streaming landscape. Mubi’s commitment to quality over quantity shines through its handpicked daily additions, which mean the felicebet no deposit bonus library is continually refreshed with top-tier titles. Why you can trust TechRadarWe spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best.
How we choose the best streaming services
Well, you're in luck, because Prime Video's streaming sale has discounted over 20 add-on bundles, making it a great time to try out more smaller services. While Apple's streamer hiked its prices dramatically in 2023 and again by 30% in 2025, there's an Apple TV+ free trial for you to test out their stellar content and is ad-free for the price of $12.99 a month. Meanwhile, we are also looking forward to Severance season two and Foundation season three arriving on the streaming service. We'd suggest looking at Prime Video or Hulu if you're after more content like the best anime or best horror movies to browse.
"The entire HBO library, from new movies like Horizon to old TCM classics." Admittedly, the stream can be glitchy and we liked the older version of the app. It's also important to point out that you get a clean mix of material, from animated movies and original content to some old classics and guilty pleasures like Beavis and Butthead. We're here to help you find the right streaming service for you. Some services offer live TV options, which is a big plus if you don't like missing out on television or events that are happening in real time. The best streaming options are multimedia wonders, home to just award-winning series but informative documentaries, hip culinary programs, blockbuster action films, and live sports.
Leave a Reply