Best streaming services: Netflix comparison guide, Disney Plus and more

When I look at the apps on my Roku TV platform – Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Now, Apple TV Plus, and Crunchyroll, just to name a few – I'm frustrated with the sure streaming service avalanche available to me. Disney Plus is less than a week old, and HBO Max and NBC & # 39; s Peacock are not far behind. The broadcast battles, given the Peak TV era, are fully functional.

No one can watch everything; money and time are valuable resources, after all. To make it easy for you (and your wallet), we here at Polgon break down the entire streaming service – how much, what to watch, and who to subscribe to – from big players like Netflix to Niche collections.

A word of advice: If you're going to take advantage of a free trial to put a show on a particular service you don't care about (which should be free!), Set a reminder on your phone or on a good home device to cancel before the trial ends. Companies rely on you to forget about it.

Netflix vs Amazon vs Hulu vs Disney vs Apple Plus

For a few years now, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu have been on standard streaming channels. Netflix is O.G., Hulu has current shows, and, well, Amazon is Amazon. But while Disney executive Bob Iger has made it clear that Disney Plus will not compete with Netflix in terms of volume, Disney's streaming service is frustrating enough to take it as one of the biggest. Ditto for Apple TV Plus, where Apple threw a huge amount of production after the tentpole series. So let's break down the Big Five.

Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) throws a towel over the back of her shoulder as she sits on the church floor, listening to the service. — *Fleabag*

Amazon Prime Video

In addition to one-day shipping, discounts on Whole Foods, and special offers on Twitch, one of Amazon Prime's biggest perks to access the company's streaming service. Amazon Prime Video offers a large library of free content for subscribers, including early TV shows and movies alongside licensed sites.

Amazon Video is one of the few much-needed platforms for all other streaming settings as an add-on. Through Amazon channels, Prime members can subscribe to services like HBO or Shudder without leaving the Amazon video app. Notably, however, its main competitors – Hulu and Netflix – are not available through Amazon channels … yet.

Call me: $ 119 / year; $ 12,99 / month (30 day free trial)
Who should register: Amazon buyers
What to watch: Fleabag, A disaster, Too Old to Die Young, Good Omens, anime
When to cancel: when the cost of other Prime benefits outweighs the benefits

Register here: Amazon

Young Emily Dickinson (Hailee Steinfeld) wears a red party dress that goes off in a dark, humorous fashion with a promotional image from the Apple TV Plus show, Dickinson — *Dickinson*

Apple TV Plus

Unlike Hulu or Netflix, Apple does not license the third party content of the Apple TV Plus. At least in the introduction, Apple TV Plus is just the center of Apple's original programming. Officially, it's closer to a premium on an extra like HBO Now than a big platform like Amazon. Still, Apple is bringing the Silicon Valley signatory – not to mention the bulk of the money – to its impressive list, which includes big names like Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams, Jennifer Aniston, and Oprah.

Call me: $ 4,99 / month (seven-day free trial; 12-month free trial with purchase of new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV)
Who should register: new iPhone owners (and Peak TV finalists)
What to watch: Dickinson, The Elephant Queen, and finally Good news and Mythic Seeking
When to cancel: if / when the system is not mentally healthy

Register here: an apple

Two star dogs from Disney & # 39; s live action remake of “The Lady and the Tramp” — *The Lady and the Tramp* (2019)

Disney Plus

Disney Plus, which launches on November 12, will offer the first edition as a Star Wars spinoff Counterfeit and High School Music: The Musical: Series, but its big draw on Disney's back catalog. More than anything, Disney Plus is proof that Disney owns the mind-boggling IP collection. The Twitter thread detailing all the movie and TV shows at the Disney Plus library has run over 600 tweets in a long time – and that's just one-day content.

Call me: $ 69.99 / year; $ 6.99 / month (seven-day trial)
Who should register: Disney or Marvel fans or Pstrong or Star Wars either The Simpsons or National Geographic …
What to watch: Counterfeit, Disney animated movies, Disney Channel Classics
When to cancel: when Disney stopped releasing the single content of the zeitgeist (so it probably won't)

Register here: Disney

Aidy Bryant dancing at a Shill pool party. — *Shrill*

Hulu

In major streaming services, Hulu is an excellent choice for cable cutters who want to keep up with current TV shows. NBC, Fox, and other cable networks are dropping episodes on the platform the day after the air raid, which means you don't have to wait all season to be released on Amazon or Netflix before you can find your favorite series. In addition to many original programs, licensed content, and the addition of a premium cable.

(Note: Hulu also offers a live TV option, described in the Live TV section below.)

Call me: $ 5.99 / month supported; $ 11.99 / month ad-free (30 day trial)
Who should register: rediscovering DVR hoarders
What to watch: Shrill, PEN15, You want Alaska, current network shows
Cancellation period: if your network shows to watch don't keep you coming back

Register here: Hulu

Netflix

For Xerox streaming services, Netflix has managed to maintain a high quality dog (or at least one litter of high quality dogs) through a combination of original content releases and purchase of intellectual property rights Friends and Office. Now that a large part of this third-party IP is leaving the platform for various streaming services, Netflix will double its origins, and continue to look overseas for licensing opportunities – external reality shows Great British Baking Show and Terrace House like a rich vein.

Call me: $ 8,99 / month for Basic; $ 12,99 / month for Standard; $ 15,99 / month for Premium (30 day free trial)
Who should register: TV singers
What to watch: Stranger Things, American Vandal, I Think You Should Leave, Grace and Frankie, Aggretsuko, Terrace House, Great British Baking Show, The Witcher
When to cancel: When you tie up everything you can bite or come off like it feels too much

Register here: Netflix

TV channels for streaming services

Native TV networks have had to adapt to the broadcast version to stay active. While almost every TV network has an app where cable subscribers can watch its shows, several are now providing high-quality services with exclusive content and live streaming.

BET Plus

BET's parent company, Viacom, is partnering with Tyler Perry Studios for the BET Plus service, a streaming library full of content from black creators. BET Plus provides ad-free access to similar BET shows To be Mary Jane, Tyler Perry's back catalog, other Viacom shows like VH1 Women's Basketball, and a new original series including a reboot of First Lady's Club departure It's a girls' trip writer Tracy Oliver.

Call me: $ 9.99 / month (7 day free trial)
Who should register: Tyler Perry and / or It's a girls' trip followers
What to watch: First Lady's Club, By Mary Jane, Tyler Perry film
When to cancel: if First Lady's Club doesn't get season 2

Register here: Prime Video channels

Star Trek: Discovery - Sonequa Martin-Green as Michael Burnham's first boss — *Star Trek: Discovery*

CBS All Access

The original content of CBS All Access & # 39; s far reached under the radar, aside from the excellent Star Trek series, Star Trek: Discovery, and the future Picard. The service also offers ad-free CBS shows, as well as live TV broadcasts – including CBS Sports and ET Live for CBS.

Call me: $ 5.99 / month supported; $ 9.99 / month for ads (seven-day free trial)
Who should register: Tracks
What to watch: Star Trek: Discovery, Good Fight
When to cancel: in between Star Trek shows

Register here: CBS | Prime Video channels

Cinemax

While not bragging about the kind of first-time bad-newsed plans some premium cable channels have – including its owner, HBO – Cinemax is home to a huge collection of blockbuster movies.

Call me: $ 9.99 / month (7 day free trial)
Who should register: mid-2000s cinephiles
What to watch: even if your favorite movie was in high school
When to cancel: as soon as you go for a month without using it

Register here: Cinemax | Hulu | Prime Video channels

ESPN Plus

If you watch too much (and I mean a too much

) For sports, ESPN Plus is the right investment. The $ 4,99 monthly subscription offers a live stream of games that seem to be happening, including UFC-based one-on-one battles. There is also a real program available, as well as a full one 30 out of 30 the last and the special correspondence from ESPN reporters.

Call me: $ 49.99 / year; $ 4,99 / month
Who should register: sports fans
What to watch: games live, 30 out of 30 archives
When to cancel: when your cable pack includes live sports

Register here: ESPN

in the Guardian, watchilantes watching Glass (Tim Blake Nelson) and Sister Night (Regina King) enter a crime scene masked by hidden police — *Guards*

HBO Now

If you choose to sign up for one premium cable, it should be this. The unofficial home of Peak TV, HBO almost always produces a show that half your office can't stop talking about. HBO's only streaming service, HBO Now, also provides access to regular movie production on HBO.

HBO's parent company WarnerMedia will launch a new subsidiary, HBO Max, in May 2020. "HBO-based," the stadium will also include other Warner properties. (Notably, Friends left Netflix for HBO Max, and Warner stole exclusive rights to the Studio Ghibli collection, too.) It will cost the same $ 14,99 as HBO Now, and other HBO subscribers will now have free access to the service.

Call me: $ 14,99 / month (seven-day free trial)
Who should register: FOMOOGT (afraid of losing TV handlers)
What to watch: The sequence, Los Espookys, Precious stones, Guards, a new film release
When to cancel: when the HBO Max was introduced

Register here: HBO | Prime Video channels | Hulu

History Vault

Yes, the history channel offers its OTT streaming services, or unfortunately with a very good historical channel show, Knife or Death, is not in History Vault. However, history buffs may be of interest to the impressive library of the docu series.

That costs: $ 4.99 / month (seven-day free trial)
Who should register: history buffs
What to watch: Ice Road Truckers, Rise & Fall, Men Build America
When to cancel: before your father

Register here: History Channel | Prime Video channels

Steve carell as michael in the office uninstall and freaks out

Peacock

NBC's second recap of the broadcast battles (RIP Seeso) will include next-day access to current broadcast shows, classic series collections, and numerous original shows. Although it lets you deal with it, it will remain known as a streaming service forever take them Office away from Netflix.

Peacock is launching April 15 for Comcast Xfinity X1 and Flex subscribers, and will be broadcast to the general public on July 15.

Call me: free ad supported (only "exclusive episodes" of Peacock); $ 4,99 / month ad-supported (for free Comcast and Cox subscribers); $ 9.99 / month ad-free
Who should register: comics, classic TV fans, and those who need it Office to sleep
What to watch: SNL storehouses, Shrek, Saved by the Bell and Punky Brewster restart, MacGruber, The New Zone
When to cancel: you can just sit down and get it free

PBS Passport

Since PBS is a public broadcaster, its streaming service operates differently. Instead of customers paying for the Passport service directly, PBS offers it to paying sponsors. In fact, if you contribute a certain amount of money to PBS (usually $ 60 / year), you get access to the streaming service.

Call me: varies – check your local channel
Who should register: PBS supporters
What to watch: Downton Abbey, Ken Burns & # 39; Country Music, Antique Roadshow
When do you want to cancel: do not cancel – support your local media!

Donate to PBS here: PBS

Show time

Showtime broadcast options are a little confusing. More like HBO, Showtime classifies users based on whether they subscribe to a traditional cable provider. Showtime anytime is a broadcast extension for cable subscribers, while the streaming version alone has been dubbed "the show's streaming service."

Call me: $ 109.90 / year; $ 10,99 / month (14 day trial)
Who should register: Halo fans
What to watch: Being God in Central Florida, Chi, Billions
When do you want to cancel: Wait until the Halo series to subscribe, cancel if the Halo series is incorrect

Register here: Show time | Best channels | Hulu

Starz

The premium cable company Starz is home American gods, a favorite among nerds, too Outlander, a favorite among moms.

Call me: $ 74.99 / year; $ 8.99 / month (seven-day free trial)
Who should register: followers of Neil Gaiman and / or historical romance
What to watch: American Gods, Outlander
When do you want to cancel: Medium American gods periods

Register here: Starz | Best channels | Hulu

Sundance Now

Sundance TV has invested in some early programming over the years – most of the crime and reality series – but the main draw is still the collection of independent films compiled by Robert Redford's Sundance Institute.

Call me: $ 59.99 / year; $ 6.99 / month (7 day free trial)
Who should register: They don't believe in film festival
What to watch: Tangerine, Bill Cunningham New York, old man, Discovery of Witches
When do you want to cancel: after watching all the great movies

Register here: Sunday | Best channels

Small streaming services

Whether you are a delusional, horic aficionado, or comedic comedian, there may be a hyper-specific streaming service out there dedicated to your interests.

Boomerang

Saturday morning cartoon Scooby-Doo and Looney Tunes are available on the Boomerzwas streaming app. Boomerang is available on the la carte, but is also included on the Lots of VRV Premium are listed below.

That costs: $ 39.99 / year; $ 4.99 / month (seven-day free trial)
Who should register: parents and / or children at heart
What to watch: Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, Patience Cowardly Dog
When to cancel: when your children are bound by old cartoons

Register here: Boomerang | Best channels | VRV Premium

BritBox

The largest collection of British TV broadcasts … ever broadcast by British broadcasters BBC and ITV is home to the values across the lake as Mr. Bean, Fry and Laurie Part, and Pride and Prejudice.

Call me: $ 69.99 / year; $ 6.99 / month (7 day free trial)
Who should register: Glasses
What to watch: antique Doctor Who, Midsomer Murders, Down High Down
When do you want to cancel: where your favorite U.K. shows. is coming to Hulu or Netflix

Register here: BritBox | Best channels

Tasting Station

A selection of over 1,000 movies from the Criterion Collection, a film series considered "essential (…) in the jewelry," is available for distribution on the Criterion channel.

Call me: $ 99.99 / year; $ 10,99 / month (14 day free trial)
Who should register: buffs of ancient film
What to watch: domestic and art films, Adventures in Moviening
When do you want to cancel: do a project to watch as many as you can during the year, then cancel

Register here: Writing Collection

Crunchyroll

The largest licensed streaming anime streaming service, Crunchyroll is also focusing on pre-ordering. Some content is available for free, but premium membership eliminates ads, and includes access to pre-made shows as soon as an hour after entering Japan.

Call me: $ 7.99 / month; $ 9.99 / month integrated with VRV
Who should register: anime fans
What to watch: Polar Bear Café, Mob Psycho 100, Yuri !!! Ice, Laid-back Camp
When to cancel: this is the keeper if you're in the anime

Register here: Crunchyroll | VRV Premium

CuriciousStream

This streaming service is dedicated to science, nature and historical documents (or "geekumentaries," according to CuriosityStream.)

Call me: $ 2.99 / month ($ 19.99 / year); $ 9.99 / month ($ 69.99 / year) with 4K (7 day free trial)
Who should register:

science geeks
What to watch: excellent documentation
When to cancel: it's very cheap that if you watch one document a month, it's worth it

Register here: CuriciousStream | Best channels | VRV Premium

It comes from Doom Patrol, a group of the same name. — *Doom Patrol*

DC Universe

DC's streaming (and reading) service integrates all of the DC elements into one platform. In addition to the original series, classic TV shows and movies, DC Universe includes access to a rotation collection of content from DC Comics.

Call me: $ 74.99 / year; $ 7.99 / month (seven-day free trial)
Who should register: DC Comics fans
What to watch: Doom Patrol, Swamp Thing, Titans
When do you want to cancel: after watching Doom Patrol and Into The Swamp – Comixology is a better amount of digital comics, albeit with less choice

Register here: DC Universe

IMDb TV

IMDb streaming service, IMDb TV (formerly Freeive), is free, providing movies and TV shows on the IMDb website or Amazon Fire devices.

Call me: nothing
Who should register: anyone who loves free stuff
What to watch: Apocalypse Now, The Zodiac, Charlie's Angels, Forensic Files
When to cancel: never – it's free!

Register here: IMDb

a young blonde girl with two cymbals in Eight grade — *Eighth grade*

Kanopy

If you have a library card, chances are you already have access to this collection of ancient and indie films. Kanopy partners with schools and libraries to provide free service to students and attendees.

Call me: nothing (check that your library or school is included)
Who should register: anyone has access
What to watch: Lightlight, Lady bird, Grade 8, Rashomon
When do you want to cancel: never!

Check that you have access here: Kanopy

You're bad

Instead of a large collection, Evil offers a selection of just 30 adaptable films each month. It's a fun concept that is perfect for film lovers who are easily overwhelmed with options.

Call me: $ 10,99 / month (seven-day free trial)
Who should register: cinephiles can make decisions
What to watch: whatever is available
When to cancel: when choosing the moon is unpleasant

Register here: You're bad | Best channels

horror noire documentary poster — *Horor Noire*

Trembling

Shudder is a very focused streaming service, with great horror films alongside special releases and original features, such as Horor Noire, an excellent documentary on the history of black and white movies

Call me: $ 56.99 / year; $ 5.99 / month (seven-day free trial)
Who should register: horff buffs
What to watch: Creepshow, Witch of Love, Girl Goes Home Alone at night, Hellraiser, Texas Chainsaw Massacre
When to cancel: after Halloween

Register here: Trembling | Best channels

Sony Crackle

Another free streaming service, the Sony Crackle has an excellent lineup of TVs and movies, from cult shows to Classics itself.

Call me: nothing
Who should register: everyone – it's free!
What to watch: Snatch, Drive, Blob
When to cancel: when Sony starts paying for it, because more good content is available elsewhere

Register here: Sony Crackle

VRV Premium

VRVs combine multiple streaming services (many of which are mentioned above, such as Boomerang, Crunchyroll, and CuriosityStream) into a single platform. There is also a special "VRV Select" series, including shows such as HarmonQuest and My brother, my brother, and me, which was originally billed for NBC's Seva broadcast server. Some content is free, but VRV Premium membership removes ads and unlocks everything on the platform.

Call me: $ 9.99 / month (30 day free trial)
Who should register: anime, comics, and / or science nerds
What to watch: My brother, my brother, and me; JoJo & # 39; s Bizarre Adventure; & # 39; 90s Nickelodeon shows
When do you want to cancel: when it is cheaper to go to la carte

Register here: VRV

(Ed note: Former Polygon employees Griffin McElroy and Justin McElroy have produced and starred in the show My brother, my brother, and me, which is broadcast on VRV.)

Broadcasting TV

Of course, there are options for cable cutters who are still looking for information to watch TV as it airs. Several companies, from telecom giants to streaming startups, have introduced live TV services in recent years. Most of them are the same.

AT&T TV Now

The biggest perk for AT&T TV Now (formerly DirecTV Now) is that it includes HBO at no extra cost. It also offers upgraded packages with a wide range of channels, and sports, international, and premium cable packages are available as add-ons. However, it has a limited number of DVR storage (up to 20 hours) and allows two people to stream at the same time, with the option of adding another screen for an additional $ 5 / month.

Price: $ 50 / month, with upgraded packages available (seven-day free trial)
Features: Viacom channels, HBO
Issues: only 20 hours of DVR cloud storage, and two parallel streams

Register here: AT&T TV Now

Hulu + TV live

If you're already a subscriber to Hulu, it's very easy to add live TV to an extra $ 39 a month. The basic system allows for only two broadcasts simultaneously and 50 hours of DVR cloud storage. However, Hulu offers a host of add-ons, available in a la carte or packaged together, including unlimited screens and DVR, premium cable, and entertainment and Spanish language channel packages. Hulu is also currently the only streaming service available on Nintendo Switch.

Price: $ 44.99 / month supported; $ 50.99 / month ad-free (seven-day free trial)
Features: many customization options, including Hulu's, Nintendo Switch app
Issues: features are limited unless you pay more

Register here: Hulu

FuboTV

Introduced for the first time in soccer games around the world, Fubo is now known as a TV live streaming service. The basic package ($ 54.99 / month) includes 71 game channels, entertainment, and news, up to two streams as well as 30 hours of DVR cloud storage. Upgrade to a family plan ($ 59.99 / month) for an extra screen with 500 hours of storage, or a spring with the Ultra program ($ 79.99 / month), which doubles the number of available channels, including Viacom and Showtime networks.

Price: $ 54.99 / month, with upgraded packages available (seven-day free trial)
Features: tons of live games
Issues: a small selection of channels

Register here: FuboTV

Capture TV

The cheapest option for live TV, Sling is best suited for those on a budget. By separating specific channels into two packages, both starting at $ 25 / month, users can choose to keep that small selection of channels or pair them for $ 40 / month. Sling Orange includes Disney-owned networks ESPN, Disney Channel, and Freeform, while Sling Blue has Fox and NBC. There are also many extras, including local networks, premium cable subscriptions, and OTT streaming services.

Price: Starts at $ 25 / month ($ 15 the first month)
Features: super customizable, cheap option
Issues: wireless interface, can be flipped on one screen at a time (with the Orange plan)

Register here: The sling

YouTube TV

Partners at The Verge called YouTube TV "the best TV streaming experience" for its "transparent and direct" appreciation. And one of the biggest issues, the lack of a Fire TV app, was redesigned with the program The second generation of the Amazon device. However, YouTube TV does not include Viacom channels, meaning there are no Comedy Central, VH1, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, or logo.

Price: $ 49.99 / month
Features: up to three parallel streams, unlimited DVR
Issues: no Viacom channels, no HBO add-ons