We’ve taken a magnifying glass to all the plans, content and prices of Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Max and more to discover the best streaming service
There are tons of streaming services to choose from, so it’s understandably confusing to know which is right for you. From giants such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, to more niche platforms such as Mubi. Each offer something unique, and a wide range of TV shows and films to choose from.
We’ve taken a look at eleven different streaming subscriptions across both the UK and the US and ranked them based on the TV and film libraries on offer, the cost of each one and any other pros and cons we could find. You can also take a look at which streaming services offer Dolby Vision here. NetflixPros
Biggest range of content
Worldwide accessibility
Mix of originals and syndicated TV series and films Cons
Cheapest plan doesn’t offer the same benefits as competitors
Pricing becoming less competitive
Sign up for Netflix here
Sure it’s obvious to start with this one, but Netflix is still the big cheese when it comes to streaming services. With over 5,000 films and 2,500 shows, this service has become a household name. It’s the most accessible service worldwide, now available in over 200 countries – though some shows and movies vary depending on the region.
The pricing for the UK and US currently stands at £4.99/$6.99 per month for the Standard with Ads plan (one screen, no ultra-HD and ads), £10.99/$15.49 per month for the Standard plan (two devices for streaming and FHD content), and £17.99/$22.99 per month for Premium which comes with Ultra HD content and the ability to stream on up to four screens.
Netflix originals are also available in huge abundance now. Some of the most well-known include Stranger Things, Wednesday, Squid Game and Queer Eye. These can obviously be hit and miss (there was a lot of money sunk into an average Adam Sandler movie), but there are some real gems that stand up with the likes of HBO content.
Netflix does still rely on syndicated staples to retain viewers. For example, Netflix UK holds the rights to nineties classic, Friends. However, with Disney+ and Max bidding for the rights of some of the most popular content, Netflix may see some of its flagship shows and films eventually fall to rivals. But for now, it still stands on the gold podium for streaming.Amazon Prime VideoPros
Offers other benefits besides video streaming
Amazon originals are much better now
Worldwide accessibility Cons
Original content not quite on par with Netflix
Ad-free viewing costs extra
Sign up for a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime here
Amazon may dominate when it comes to online shopping, but it still can’t quite match Netflix on streaming content just yet – though it is very close. With classic shows like The Office to cinema blockbusters like The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, there’s a mixed bag to keep you streaming.
Amazon Prime Video is $8.99/£5.99 per month, but you can sign up for Amazon Prime for £95 per year/£8.99 per month in the UK and $119 per year/$14.99 per month in the US which also includes extras such as free next day delivery, Amazon Prime Music and free eBooks. Like with Netflix’s standard package, you can stream two devices at once.
Amazon also has some really successful exclusives including The Rings of Power, Good Omens, The Boys, Mr Robot, Vikings, Preacher, The Grand Tour and American Gods, though only a handful can match the Netflix shows for quality or popularity.
The Prime catalogue can be extended even further by signing up to additional Channels. These are essentially streaming services that either feature content made by specific studios like MGM, HBO, and the Discovery channel or genre-specific offerings such as the horror-focused Shudder, anime-hub Viewster, and high-brow/arthouse BFI. However, these extras do come at a hefty price.
Content used to be ad-free, but subscribers now have to pay an extra $2.99/£2.99 per month to get rid of commercials, which could be a dealbreaker for some. Disney+Pros
Some of the biggest blockbuster films and shows
The home of Marvel and Star Wars
Star adds Hulu programming in the UK
Cheaper ad-supported plan available Cons
Not the best service if you don’t like superheroes, animation or sci-fi
More expensive than it used to be
Sign up for Disney+ here
Disney+ has become more and more competitive in recent months. It’s the home of the MCU, Star Wars Universe, the Disney Channel, Pixar, Star and Fox content, and is the streaming home of two of this year’s biggest films: Inside Out 2 and Deadpool and Wolverine. The platform also has the big draw of hero shows like The Simpsons offering weeks of entertainment to enjoy and new Marvel TV releases on a regular basis.
Disney+ costs £4.99/$9.99 per month for ad-supported viewing, and £7.99/$15.99 per month for ad-free (also available for £79.90/$159.99 per year). Note that there’s two ad-free plans on offer in the UK. There’s the standard £8.99 per month plan, which caps content up to 1080p and only offers two concurrent streams.
Alternatively, there’s the Disney+ Premium plan, priced at £12.99 per month/£129.90 per year. This pricing includes up to four devices for watching in ultra-HD, along with support for Dolby Atmos audio. Users in the US don’t have the Standard and Premium options, but they can get the service bundled with Hulu and ESPN+. Disney+ can be accessed on a wide range of media boxes, PCs, smartphones, tablets and consoles.
The platform has expanded over the last few years, but it doesn’t quite have the same worldwide reach as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. The addition of Star has brought more adult programming to the platform, including The X-Files, How I Met Your Mother, Lost, Atlanta, Desperate Housewives and The Bear. However, Star is not available in the US – instead, consumers should opt for one of the Disney+ and Hulu bundles. NowPros
Flexible range of passes to choose from
Sky content without the need for a box or contract
High quality shows from cable and some big blockbusters Cons
Only available in the UK
Pricey if investing in multiple memberships
Have to pay extra for full HD and 4K HDR
Some ads
Sign up for Now’s Cinema Membership here
Sign up for Now’s Entertainment Membership here
Now is the streaming alternative to Sky. It’s only available in the UK, so US viewers should instead take a look at Max as there’s a lot of crossover.
