The best streaming services to subscribe to right now

For some people, paying for only what you want to watch will work out cheaper than rivals. Also, while Sling TV starts out at a competitive price, the customizable approach can quickly rack up big costs. Local channels, including ABC, NBC, and Fox, are only available in some regions, which could be a drawback for viewers who rely on them for news and sports.
Outside of the professional realm, he is a digital nomad with a passion for traveling, having lived in many countries across four continents. He also leads the video production team and helps craft e-courses on online technology topics. All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox For new streaming picks, check out our lists of all the new TV shows this year!
However, Hulu + Live TV isn’t as generous on the regional sports networks (RSN) front, carrying fewer networks than competitors like DirecTV Stream and fubo. We have a handy guide that will teach you how to watch ESPN Plus from anywhere, even if you don’t have cable via a VPN, like NordVPN or Surfshark. If you want to use a VPN while watching Max, our roundup of the best Max VPNs shouldn’t be missed. The service rolled out in the U.S. first and has recently landed in other countries in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Restart the YouTube app or reboot your device

If you want a live TV service with more channels (such as CBS), we say consider Fubo TV, unless you need TNT. Sling is especially handy for sports fans, as it offers a variety of ESPN channels — and this alone is worth the price for some. Plus, Peacock streams live sports, including Premier League soccer and the NFL. The bad news, though, is that Peacock previously joined its streaming rivals with a price hike. Check out our guide to the best HBO Max shows and the best HBO Max movies to see what it's offering.

Popular Paid Streaming Services (On-Demand)

Hulu has around 2,500 movies and TV shows, according to data from JustWatch. Furthermore, due to the password-sharing crackdown, you have to pay $7.99 per person per month to add extra members who don’t felicebet no deposit bonus live with you (Standard and Premium plans only). On the other hand, the Standard with ads plan (which is missing some content) is only available in some countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Japan, Canada and a few more. The pricing column does not take into account any limited-time offers like half off the first month — just the usual price. For example, some platforms offer different plans in different countries, some can be bundled with other services and some have student or military discounts.

Apple TV+ — Best for Original Content

While Netflix has a diverse array of content, it's not appealing to any specific audience — which means it's probably a service that most people have. It's all about picking the number of services that's right for your budget. Check out our list of the best Prime Video movies for more recommendations. Paramount Plus is rife with tons of content, whether you're looking for a movie to settle in with or a new series to binge. Still, it offers content without ads with one plan to choose from, so you won't have to be confused when signing up. Our guides to the best Disney Plus movies and the best Disney Plus shows can help.

• However, Hulu + Live TV isn’t as generous on the regional sports networks (RSN) front, carrying fewer networks than competitors like DirecTV Stream and fubo.
• NBC is looking to make waves elsewhere, too, with original and live content.
• Hulu is a good choice for those in the U.S. who like to catch next-day content from various networks, but it’s off-limits to those elsewhere.
• Unlike the above on-demand services that outrank it, Sling TV is a streaming service to replace cable, offering many of the most popular live TV channels.
• 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.
• 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.

Also, keep in mind that with one of the best VPNs, you can bypass geoblocks to watch content from other parts of the world. They’re cheaper than movie theater tickets and let you watch what you want, when you want, free of scheduling restrictions. With so many services on offer, Peacock might be best playing second fiddle to another larger one. NBC is looking to make waves elsewhere, too, with original and live content. Many will lap up Shrek, Hell's Kitchen, and the Bourne movies, but mileage may vary. It's not currently available on its own in the UK – so Brits will have to head to Disney Plus to access the shows and movies on offer.

Is Prime Video worth subscribing to?

You'll also have to pay an additional $2.99 monthly for ad-free viewing, even if you're already a Prime member. Now, Prime Video costs $8.99 a month on top of your Prime membership, so be ready to pony up if you want to see what's on offer at Prime Video. Its only big sports flaw is the lack of TNT and TBS, which are musts for US sports playoffs for the NBA and MLB. In addition, the lineup includes popular networks like NBC, Fox, AMC, Food Network, MTV and Syfy, as well as a ton of niche sports channels. While Fubo’s channel lineup is the largest among the higher-priced streamers, they just got a major pair of gaps filled, including ABC and ESPN. Those features work really well together, though, as we got to watch races and futbol simultaneously.

The best streaming service for movies

YouTube TV is one of the most popular live TV services for its generous channel selection and reasonable pricing plan. You can also opt to add on extra services like more sports, kids and entertainment channels, and extra DVR time. This is ideal for those who want a decent streaming library along with all the live TV action. 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.
Netflix is easily one of the best streaming services thanks to its diverse content library featuring originals, movies and TV shows. Despite Prime Video introducing ads unless you pay an extra $2.99 a month to get rid of them, it still remains as one of the most popular streaming services due to its sheer range of content. Apple TV+ remains one of the best streaming services due to its original and high-quality content, which you can check out in our best Apple TV+ shows and best Apple TV+ movies. Whether you want live TV, sports channels or on-demand movies and shows, the streaming service market has plenty to offer. Your complete guide to the best streaming services for TV and movies right now

• Perhaps you want a reliable service for movie night, the best anime, or shows like Gen V season 2.
• I evaluate each service monthly to help you decide whether to keep or switch, and have also included a shortlist of alternative streaming services for added variety outside the major players.
• If it’s original content you’re after, then, Netflix, Prime Video or HBO Max should be your go-to’s.
• 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 best sreaming services don’t mind giving you at least a week to try out their offerings, because they know that that’s their best way to show off why they are superior to the rest.
• 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.

In November, we've got the return of Stranger Things, alongside the streaming debut of Frankenstein and Train Dreams. If you get an error message while watching a video, you can try these possible solutions.
"Men's Health readers love Taylor Sheridan's work, and his shows, outside of the main Yellowstone series, live here" says Romano. The stream is generally strong no matter how much traffic there is in the household or what device you're watching from. You get live tv — a plus with the NFL season here — and the app is even bundled with Showtime, affording access to a even more worthwhile stuff. The price is a value given what's provided and the terms and conditions aren't aggressively deceptive or sneaky. The app features CBS content, which means access to some of the great sporting events, from Champions League soccer to the Super Bowl. But why just go with the flow when you can get set up with a service that exposes you to new favorite shows, iconic films, and the best sporting events?

Reasons to join this month

Netflix is the elder statesman of streamers, having launched in 2007 (though the company itself stretches all the way to the late '90s, having started as a mail order DVD rental service). HBO Max arrived with the WarnerMedia library (plus Friends), including all of HBO's prestige dramas and comedies. We also keep a strong eye on the new channels coming to each service, with articles such as our Sling Orange vs Blue face-off. And to that matter, all depends on the content you want to consume. Aside from having to pay separately for the service, another thing we don't love about Prime Video is how its apps vary greatly across platforms. But unlike Netflix, Prime Video's new shows are seemingly few and far between, as its output rates don't quite stack up to the big red streaming machine, or HBO Max.
Apple TV+ is Apple’s standalone streaming service, distinct from the Apple TV streaming device. Disney+ is a very popular streaming service, but a Deadline report from early 2024 mentions that the platform has recently removed a bunch of originals. “No ads” plans sometimes still display ads on a limited number of series, movies or special events. Additionally, I picked Hulu + Live TV as the best overall live TV service because it blends live TV with plenty of on-demand content via Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+.
Racing onto Apple TV in December 2025 is the long-awaited streaming debut of F1 The Movie, along with two feel-good holiday watches – The Jim Henson Company's The First Snow of Fraggle Rock and nature docuseries Born To Be Wild. Save money with Hulu deals and ESPN+ promo codes or sign up for a Disney+ free trial or Hulu free trial to try out the services. That hasn’t stopped Netflix from continuing to experiment, with plans to test major changes that’ll make finding new movies and shows so much easier. Granted, its studios don’t have a seamless track record, with some seeing terrible reviews from critics, but many of its titles have been surefire hits, winning countless awards for shows like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black and movies like Roma and The Power of the Dog. The shed tons of best Netflix movies and best Netflix shows that it has in its catalog, which also happens to be second largest compared to rivals.
This way, you get the benefits of both streaming services, which includes different genres, channels and titles, to offer more variety than simply signing up for one. Despite raising subscription prices several times over the past decade, introducing more ads by removing its Basic tier and clamping down on password-sharing, Netflix remains the most popular streaming service in the world. On the downside, the small content library and the higher-than-average monthly subscription price may turn some customers away. Individually, the average major streaming service (such as Netflix) costs between $7 and $10 per month. You can also expand the content available with bolt on services such as the art house movie-focused MUBI plus various anime channels.
This makes it a potential choice for families who like a variety of content suitable for both adults and kids. In addition to operating as a standalone service, Disney+ can be bundled with Hulu and ESPN+. There’s no annual plan for Prime Video only, but the monthly plan comes to around $108 per year. Moreover, the interface lumps together paid content (for purchase/rent) and content included with Prime, which can be annoying. If you need to access your Hulu account from outside the U.S., check out our guide on how to watch Hulu with a VPN. Hulu is a good choice for those in the U.S. who like to catch next-day content from various networks, but it’s off-limits to those elsewhere.