There have never been more choices when it comes to entertainment, and as a result, it can be difficult to choose which streaming service is best for you.
It’s not just about having a great series or movie: you’ll need to consider video quality, interface, library range and more. This last point is important if you share an account with members of your household with different tastes.
All of these factors shaped our selection of the best streaming services this year. These include different tiers and bundles, so you can find the option that suits your wallet. You can also check out our current top picks for streaming services.
Check out all of this year’s Tech Advisor Best of 2024-25 Awards winners.
Best Streaming Service of the Year – Winner: Netflix
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
While there have been some setbacks this year for Netflix, its interface, streaming essentials, and recommendations can’t be beat.
At the time of writing, Netflix has some hugely popular series, from the heartwarming romance series Nobody Wants This to Gangs of London to the latest season of hit reality TV, Love is Blind.
its interface, streaming essentials and recommendations are unbeatable
If none of those appeal to you, the library has plenty of stellar, heartwarming shows to binge, including Breaking Bad, Stranger Things, BoJack Horseman, Sex Education, Squid Game, Bridgerton and more. Different countries also offer exclusive options – for example, Netflix US offers The Great British Baking Show, while Netflix UK offers Friends and Gilmore Girls.
With three tiers to choose from, starting at £4.99/$6.99 per month, the offering is extensive – and all are monthly rolling, so you have flexibility. Plus, if you’re looking for something new, Netflix has a wide range of subcategories based on your viewing history and has a habit of finding your next binge before you do.
Best Streaming Service of the Year – First Runner-Up: Amazon Prime Video
Martyn Casserly
If movies are a higher priority than TV series, then Amazon Prime Video may be your streaming service of choice. The current library includes Oppenheimer, Challengers, Paddington 2, Five Nights at Freddy’s and The Naked Gun.
But there’s also a stellar line-up of originals, including the bloody superhero film The Boys, the whimsical fantasy hit Good Omens, and the realistic video game adaptation, Fallout.
The interface is more cluttered than Netflix’s, with carousels for additional subscriptions rather than simplified options. However, it’s more generously priced than the Big N. You can subscribe to the service standalone for just £5.99/$8.99 per month or get it as part of a broader Prime membership for £8.99/£14.99 per month and get added benefits like free delivery and access to flash sales.
If you don’t want advertising, you’ll have to pay extra – although that’s the case for all three options on this list.
$8.99
Best Streaming Service of the Year – Second Runner-up: Disney+
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
If you think Disney+ is only good for kids and Marvel movies, think again. While yes, it’s home to the greatest animated film of all time – Inside Out 2 – and the MCU’s latest hit – Agatha All Along – there are plenty of acclaimed shows that will keep you hooked every week.
These include (at least in the UK) Shōgun, The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, Rivals and The Old Man. These shows are currently on Hulu in America, but US subscribers can take advantage of the many bundled options available to stream these shows.
Disney+ also began adding to its library of unscripted content this year, with the new season of The Kardashians, the headline-making The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and the fascinating documentary In Vogue: The 90s.
A basic ad-supported subscription starts at £4.99/$9.99 per month, making it a more expensive option than Netflix and Prime Video for US subscribers. If you want ad-free 4K content, you’ll have to pay more, but the same goes for Netflix.
