Best On-Demand Streaming Services 2023

So you're looking for the best on-demand streaming service for you.

You want to find one that has the on-demand TV series and movies that will keep you entertained for hours. We hear ya.

We know it isn’t that simple, so we’ve put together our top five best streaming services list, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Max. We'll also tell you why these services might be great or not so great for you and your family.

What’s important to you? Lots of content, newer content, more benefits, family-friendly content, or Original content? Let’s find out.

Netflix’s Originals changed the game for on-demand streaming services. That, plus its user-friendly interface and huge on-demand library, make Netflix the best on-demand streaming service in the industry.

• Netflix has unbeatable Original content, not to mention its vast on-demand library.
• This service also has a great interface and features.

The one-of-a-kind, Original content you get with Netflix includes hilarious comedy specials and TV series and movies with famous actors. So you’re guaranteed an enjoyable watching experience when you need to pass the time.

Need a laugh? Watch a comedy special by Dave Chappelle or Kevin Hart.

Need to escape from reality? Get sucked into the movie Don't Look Up with Leonardo DiCaprio or the series Ozark with Jason Bateman.

Other Originals include the following:

You know we all love the organization of Netflix’s homepage with its vertical rows of suggestions. Netflix sifts through its content for us by putting them in categories of Popular, Trending, New Releases, Top 10 in the US Today, and more.

It even categorizes by genres. So jump straight to documentaries to watch Last Chance U or action movies to watch the Rush Hour movies. But you should expect to sift through 5,000+ titles in total!

An awesome feature Netflix has is strong parental controls. We named it the best streaming service for kids because you can create a kids profile and a PIN. So just tap on your Kids profile on your streaming device, and you won’t have to worry about your little ones accessing mature content.

• Unfortunately, Netflix is the priciest on-demand streaming service.

Netflix has some of the priciest plans in the industry. But you get what you pay for, right?

What are Netflix’s subscription plans?

• Basic Plan with ads ($6.99/mo.): You can access most of Netflix's library on one device at a time in standard definition (HD).
• Basic Plan ($9.99/mo.): You can stream Netflix's entire library add-free on one device at a time in standard definition (HD) and access downloads on one device.
• Standard Plan ($15.49/mo.): You can stream Netflix on two devices at a time in full high definition (full HD) and access downloads on two devices.
• Premium Plan ($19.99/mo.): You can stream Netflix on four devices at a time in HD and Ultra HD and access downloads on four devices.

So if you want to share Netflix with the family or your roommates, the Premium Plan is the way to go.

View Plans | Read Full Netflix Review

Hulu is best for cord-cutters because of its great feature: recently-aired TV episodes will be available on this streaming service by the next day.

• Hulu is best for newly released content.
• This service's lowest-priced plan is affordable.

If you’re all caught up with The Good Doctor and want the new episodes the day after they air, you need Hulu if you want to avoid spoilers on social media.

Hulu is also great for those who want to stop paying for the cable bill because you’ll get access to the following shows after they air on television:

We must warn you that Peacock has acquired all NBC shows, so new episodes of Saturday Night Live and Chicago Fire will no longer be on Hulu.

Hulu recently increased its pricing by $1–$2, making the no-ad plan the same price as Max's no-ad plan and Netflix's Standard plan. (Hulu used to be considered one of the cheap greats.)

The two Hulu subscription plans include:

• Basic ($7.99/mo.): Includes limited ads
• Premium ($14.99/mo.): Ad-free

You just have to decide if it’s worth the extra $7 for uninterrupted streaming (we know we don’t like commercials). But the Basic plan has a price most people can fit into their budget.

• Hulu has a smaller library than Netflix.

The caveat of Hulu providing newer network content is the lack of older classic content.

To compare, Netflix has about 5,000 movies and TV shows while Hulu has over 3,000. So you can imagine all of the great older content that Netflix has such as Cheers, The Andy Griffith Show, and That '70s Show.

But not every streaming service has everything. So why not get Netflix and Hulu to cover all of your bases?

View Plans | Read Full Hulu Review

You get many perks with an Amazon Prime membership, including unlimited streaming on Prime Video and 2-day shipping for all of Amazon's products.

• Amazon has perks you and your family will love.

We’re pretty sure you like getting the most out of your money, especially if it benefits you and your family.

With a subscription to Amazon Prime, you get many perks including:

• On-demand content, including Originals, on Prime Video
• Rent or buy movies and TV shows
• Prime shipping
• Free monthly Kindle book

Prime Video has popular movies such as The Wolf of Wall Street, The Hunger Games, Legally Blonde, and the James Bond movies, just to name a few. Your little ones will also enjoy the kids section with TV shows Kung Fu Panda, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Hotel Transylvania.

Not only do you get lots of on-demand content, but you can also rent and buy movies and TV series on Prime Video.

If you haven’t watched newly released movies Top Gun Maverick, The Black Phone, or Jurassic World Dominion, you’ve just found yourself the service you need.

And last but not least, you get super quick shipping with Prime. Does your daughter need a new toothbrush? Order it in a swipe. Do you need desk organizers? Get it on your doorstep within a few days.

Prime Video is a unique service where you get on-demand content, the choice to rent or buy new movies, and quick next-day Prime shipping.

• Amazon Prime Video has a random mixture of content.

There isn’t a theme with Amazon Prime Video in terms of what type of content you will get on there, but we do have to warn you, Amazon Originals dominate at least half of the on-demand library.

You’ll find some familiar titles, such as Bridesmaids, Suits, and SpongeBob SquarePants. But you'll also get to enjoy Originals such as the following:

• The Peripheral
• The Rings of Power
• The Terminal List with Chris Pratt
• Argentina, 1985
• Samaritan with Sylvester Stallone

Either way, you’ll still have lots of content to entertain you and your family. Luckily everything is categorized like Netflix and Hulu for you to find something to watch in a jiff.

View Plans | Read Full Prime Video Review

Get magical Disney content at your fingertips. And we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that you get galaxy-ridden Star Wars, action-filled Marvel, and lovable Pixar content with this streaming service, as well.

• The content, of course.
• A Disney+ subscription doesn't break the bank (even though the pricing recently increased)

Calling all Disney fans! (Which should be everybody.)

Disney+ has answered our prayers by gifting us all with Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic content in one place. We could be on the couch for hours.

Disney+ includes the following titles:

Having a bad day? Turn on Disney+. Need a break from work? Pull out your phone and tap that Disney+ app. Kids need a distraction while you soak in a bath? Disney+ at your service.

Maybe you miss Disneyland, or perhaps you miss California Adventures.

But for less than one takeout meal, you get Disney in your living room. That’s not a bad deal if we do say so ourselves.

Disney+ recently added a plan with ads for the original price that Disney+ used to be without ads. Now, you have to pay $3 more per month for no interruptions. But, Disney+ is still the cheapest option on this list for its ad-free tier.

We can't put a price on enjoying Up while making some homemade Mickey Mouse-shaped beignets.

• Disney+ is not a standalone service.

Everyone loves Disney, right? But the only reason Disney+ isn’t ranked higher on our list is that Disney+ doesn’t have a variety of TV show and movie genres.

With Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video, each member of the family can find something they want to watch, whether they’re kids, teens, dad, or mom.

View Plans | Read Full Disney+ Review

Max (formerly HBO Max) has all of the beloved Max content we can spend hours watching. Are you addicted to The White Lotus too?

• Max is full of fantastic series and movies.

Max has been great at producing Emmy-winning content. Max is free of fluff, and you’ll only find quality content—other services you have to sift through loads of content you know you'll never watch. 

Max is also home to classic TV shows we all know and love, like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Batman: The Animated Series.

Max's marathon-worthy series include the following:

This streaming service also allows you to sit back and watch fantastic movies, such as DC League of Super-Pets, Elvis, and Halloween Kills.

If you want to learn more about Max and the new Original content that will come with it, check out our full review.

• You could say Max has a scarce amount of content compared to Netflix and Hulu.

As mentioned above, Max is free of fluff. With that, there are fewer titles available on this streaming service in comparison to the others.

Max has more than 2,000 titles, while Netflix (with almost the same monthly price) has about 5,000.

But it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth the money for those 2,000 great titles. We just know we don’t like the feeling of missing out on a series everyone is talking about.

View Plans | View Full Max Review

• Netflix: All streaming services have great Original content, but arguably, Netflix is King. You’ll also get about 5,000 on-demand titles to play in the background while you're working or to watch on a Saturday night with the family.
• Hulu: Hulu gives you your newly-aired TV programming within hours straight to your smartphone, tablet, or smart TV to watch whenever it’s convenient for you. You might even find yourself not needing cable TV and a DVR when you have Hulu. 
• Amazon Prime Video: Enjoy on-demand streaming, movies you can rent or buy, and fast shipping with Prime Video. It's also the only place where you can watch Thursday Night Football. Everyone in the family will thank you when you order this service.
• Disney+: With Disney+, you get access to all Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic movies and series. Geez, force us on the couch for hours at a time, why don'tcha?
• Max: Watch Emmy-winning TV series with this service and enjoy all of Max's new Originals and classic TV shows, along with classics Max picked up like Friends and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.