Top 10 Best Streaming Apps

Boy, this list was hard to create

Netflix
Netflix
Netflix
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Starting from$6.99/mo
Hulu
Hulu
Hulu
3.8 out of 5 stars
3.75
Starting from$7.99/mo
Disney+
Disney Plus
Disney+
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Starting from$9.99/mo
Max
(HBO) Max logo black
Max
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starting from$9.99/mo
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime Video
3 out of 5 stars
3
Starting from$8.99/mo
Chantel Buchi
Nov 06, 2024
Icon Time To Read10 min read

There are so many streaming apps on the market that it's hard to decide which is best, so we created a top 10 best streaming apps list that are worthy of your attention.

We're not going to lie, it was a bit tough ranking 10 streaming apps as all streaming services have their unique features, content, and Originals. But we made it through. For you. (Yes, you.)

Let's get into the details of these top 10 services so you can have them ready to go for your binge-watching weekend marathon.

Top 10 streaming apps compared
Service
Monthly price
Simultaneous streams
Details
Netflix$6.99-$30.984
Disney Plus$9.99-$159.994
Hulu$7.99-$17.99

2

(HBO) Max logo black$9.99–$15.99

3

Amazon Prime$8.99-$139

3

NBC Peacock logo$0.00-$9.99*3
Paramount+$7.99-$119.993
Apple TV Logo$6.996
Hulu$69.99-$95.992
Discovery plus logo$4.99-$6.99/mo.4
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
* Change plans anytime.

What to look for in a streaming service

The best streaming services have fair pricing in terms of what they offer, excellent content, and enough content that you feel like you wouldn't be able to run out of TV shows and movies to watch.

Streaming services that work best for consumers:

  • Fair pricing
  • Quality of content
  • Quantity of content
  • How often content gets updated
  • Original content you can't find anywhere else

Fair pricing is #1, and most services in the industry are reasonably priced.

For example, Netflix is the priciest on-demand service in the industry, but rightfully so. The pricing is fair because Netflix gives you more content than any other service (besides Amazon Prime Video).

So, in that case, quantity is considered. Quality is also considered because who wants to watch boring Originals or 2-star movies?

Most of the big-name streaming services update their content monthly because they know the people want more.

And they keep making those awesome Originals we all can't stop binge-watching.

Netflix is the most well-rounded streaming service

Netflix logo
pro Three plans to choose from
pro 5,000+ titles
pro Arguably the best when it comes to Originals

It might come as no surprise that the big-time streaming service, Netflix, has come first on this list.

Netflix has an extensive library of TV shows, movies, and Originals in every genre, for every mood, and every personality (and it gets updated often).

You can watch the hilarious Seinfeld one day and the intense Ozark another. And you'll find tons of excellent Original content on Netflix featuring famous actors.

You can watch Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill in You People, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence in Don't Look Up, and Murder Mystery with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston.

Netflix offers three base plans, and the main difference is simultaneous streams and access to downloading titles. So if you have four or more people in the household who might stream at the same time or you want to be able to download your TV shows and movies for your camping trip, you'll want Premium.

(The other difference is you don't get access to Netflix's entire library with the Standard with ads plan.)

How much does Netflix cost per month?
Plan
Monthly price
Simultaneous streams
Extra member slots
Details
Netflix Standard with Ads$6.99/mo.1 Not available
Netflix Standard$15.49/mo.2 1
Netflix Standard w/extra member slots$23.48/mo.2
Netflix Premium$22.99/mo.4 Up to 2
Netflix Premium w/extra member slots$30.98/mo.4
Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Extra members have their own account and password, but their membership is paid for by the person who invited them to share their Netflix account.

Disney+ is best for families

Disney+ logo
pro About 2,600 titles
pro Originals you really don't want to miss
pro Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and National Geographic content

Disney+ is the best streaming service for families because it's full of kid-friendly, nostalgic, and heart-warming content.

Disney+ gives you everything that will put a smile on your face: Disney princesses, Marvel and Pixar movies, Star Wars content, The Simpsons TV shows, and National Geographic stories.

You can also find great Originals like WandaVision, Obi-wan Kenobi, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse.

This beloved streaming service has and will continue to release new movies like Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness, Lightyear, and Hocus Pocus 2 to watch at home with the family on a Saturday night.

You'll have to unlock the movies for a $30 fee, but that's not so bad if you think about how much movie tickets cost. And you might as well get that annual subscription to Disney+ to save $15 because it's inevitable that you'll want it for a year (trust us).

How much does Disney+ cost per month?
Plan
Monthly price
Simultaneous streams
Details
Disney+ Basic$9.99/mo.^4
Disney+ Premium$15.99/mo.^4
Disney+ Annual Subscription$159.99/yr.^4
^ U.S. residents, 18+ only. Access content from each service separately. Location data required to watch certain content. Offer valid for eligible subscribers only.

Hulu is best for cord-cutters

Hulu logo
pro Releases recently-aired TV shows within hours
pro Arguably the second-best when it comes to Originals
pro About half the amount of content than Netflix

One feature that makes Hulu stand out from all of the rest: select recently-aired TV content goes straight to Hulu within hours. So if you don't have cable TV and you need to watch the most recent episode of The Bachelor, Hulu's got you covered.

You'll also find recent episodes of Grown-ish, The Kardashians, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, and The Voice.

Other than Disney+, Hulu is probably Netflix's biggest competitor, especially because of the abundance of TV series.

Netlfix beats Hulu on Originals by a landslide lately, but Hulu does have some outstanding Originals, such as Flamin' Hot, The Bear, and How I Met Your Father.

Another edge for Hulu is that it's a great streaming service for people who want to livestream music concerts, like Lollapalooza 2023.

How much does Hulu cost per month?
Plan
Monthly price
Simultaneous streams
Details
Hulu$7.99/mo.°2
Hulu (no ads)$17.99/mo.**2
° 30 day free trial, then 7.99/mo. includes ads
** Hulu (No Ads) excludes a few shows that play with ads before and after the video.

Max is best for newly-released Warner Bros. movies

(HBO) Max logo black
pro Popular and high-quality Originals
pro Over 2,500 titles

If you're new to Max (formerly HBO Max), this new streaming service has all of HBO Max's content and now has Discovery content.

So you'll still find Game of Thrones, Succession, The Last of Us, and The White Lotus in the vast Original library. And you'll also find titles from TLC and HGTV.

(Honestly, we still don't know why it didn't keep the name "HBO Max" because the new "Max" doesn't look any different.)

Other than the many great Originals, you'll find classic TV shows like Doctor Who, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Big Bang Theory, and Friends.

*Takes a big breath*

On top of all of that, you'll get access to newly released Warner Bros. movies perfect for a Friday night in paired with some popcorn. So why not watch Avatar: The Way of Water or The Secrets of Dumbledore on your comfy couch instead of going to the movie theaters?

How much does Max cost?
Plan
Monthly price
Details
Max™ (With Ads)$9.99/mo.
Max™ (Ad-Free)$16.99/mo.
Max™ (Ad-Free) Annual$169.99/yr.
Max™ (With Ads) Annual$99.99/yr.

Amazon Prime Video gives you the most perks

Prime Video logo, the streaming service by Amazon, offering movies, TV shows, and original content
pro Access to over 21,000 titles
pro Rent and buy movies
pro Amazon Prime shipping included

Amazon Prime Video has some of the most titles in the industry, so you're very unlikely to run out of TV shows and movies to watch.

Like the other streaming services, Prime Video has high-quality Originals shows and movies like Coming 2 America, Without Remorse, Jack Ryan, and Reacher. You just won't find as many as you would with the above streaming services.

But during the week, your kids can watch Peppa Pig while you cook, you can throw on Creed III while you work, and then watch Being the Ricardos over the weekend. Oh, and we would be remiss not to mention that you get to watch Thursday Night Football on Prime. Every NFL fan is going to need this service for that reason only.

But finally, let's highlight the perks you'll get with Amazon Prime:

  • Access to a big on-demand content library
  • Free 2-day Prime shipping
  • Easy integration with Amazon Fire TV
  • Access to Amazon Music
  • A free Kindle book each month
How much does Amazon Prime Video cost?
Plan
Monthly price
Simultaneous streams
Details
Amazon Prime Video$14.99/mo.††3
Amazon Prime Monthly Subscription (With Prime Video)$8.99/mo.‡‡3
Amazon Prime Annual Subscription (With Prime Video)$139/yr.‡‡3
†† Subject to auto-renew. May be subject to sales tax in some states.
‡‡ Requires Amazon Prime subscription. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Peacock is best for classic movie and TV show fans

NBC Peacock logo
pro Watch classics like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and SNL
pro 3 simultaneous streams
pro 80,000 hours of content

Peacock offers two different subscription plans: Premium Monthly and Premium Plus. Both plans give you the same amount of titles. 

You'll get the complete 80,000-hour library filled with classic shows and movies, as well as Peacock Originals with both plans. We recommend upgrading to Premium Plus if you want to view shows and movies without ads and want to be able to download content for offline viewing. You also get live streaming for the news and sports with NBC.

So not only will you be able to watch Saved by the Bell and Modern Family, you'll get to watch NBC Sports live as well as on-demand highlights of Premier League and top sports stories. Then you can watch NBC's daily news.

How much does Peacock cost per month?
Plan
Monthly price
Simultaneous streams
Details
Peacock Premium$7.99/mo.3
Peacock Premium Plus$13.99/mo.^^3
^^ Due to streaming rights, a small amount of programming will still contain ads (Peacock channels, events and a few shows and movies).

Paramount+ is best for CBS and Paramount content

Paramount+ Logo
pro Where you'll find all of your CBS TV shows and Paramount movies
pro Content from MTV, Comedy Central, BET, and more
pro Over 2,500 titles

CBS recently rebranded as Paramount+, and the service is better now than ever.

With Paramount+, you'll find content from CBS, Paramount Pictures, MTV, Comedy Central, The Smithsonian Channel, Nickelodeon, and BET.

Throughout the day, you can watch 60 Minutes, The Amazing Race, The Brady Bunch, SpongeBob SquarePants, Key & Peele, and I Love Lucy.

Paramount+ also has original content you've probably heard of. Some titles include Star Trek: Picard, The Good Fight, and Why Women Kill.

Other than the on-demand content, you also get to stream live TV channels.

So Paramount+ keeps you up-to-date on the news with CBSN, CBS This Morning, and CBS Evening News.

How much does Paramount+ cost per month?
Plan
Monthly price
Simultaneous streams
Details
Essential (without SHOWTIME)$7.99/mo.°°3
Essential (without SHOWTIME) Annual$59.99/yr.3
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME$12.99/mo.°°3
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME Annual$119.99/yr.3
°° Cancel at any time. Free trials are for new subscribers only.

Apple TV+ is best for money-savers who like original content

Apple TV Plus logo
pro Unique, talked-about Originals (prevent that FOMO)
pro Only has original content
con You won't find broadcasted TV shows or movies

Apple TV+ is a streaming service that only features original content. But when you realize this service has tons of must-watch Originals like Severance and the newest season of Ted Lasso, you start to see how $10 per month isn't so bad.

This streaming service might not be well-rounded because you won't find series from TV networks or movies we've seen in theaters, but Apple TV+ is the only place you'll find exclusive Originals that feature Jennifer Aniston, Justin Timberlake, Octavia Spencer, Steve Carell, and Jason Sudeikis.

Just by looking at that list of actors, you know this streaming service has a lot to offer. And Apple TV+ adds new Original series, movies, and documentaries each month.

Apple TV+ is also home to all MLS games, so LA Galaxy and New York City FC fans can watch every game of the 2024 season. 

And we can almost guarantee that you and your kids will love The Snoopy Show.

How much does Apple TV+ cost?
Plan
Monthly price
Simultaneous streams
Details
Apple TV+$9.99/mo.***6
*** Terms apply. Some titles coming later to Apple TV+

Hulu + Live TV is best for live TV and on-demand content

Hulu logo
pro Access to 85+ live TV channels
pro The whole Hulu on-demand library
con Priciest option

When most people think of streaming, they think of on-demand content over live TV streaming. But you can get the best of both worlds with Hulu + Live TV.

Hulu Live has all of the content you'd find on Hulu, the on-demand service, and you can watch 85+ channels, including Disney Channel, ESPN, and HGTV. Live streaming, here you come.

Hulu Live is the best option if you want on-demand content with your live TV, and it also comes bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+ for the ultimate family entertainment.

PS: In comparison to other live TV streaming services, Hulu Live has the biggest on-demand library. But if channels is what you're going for, fuboTV or YouTube TV has a better dollar-to-channel ratio.

How much does Hulu + Live TV cost per month?
Plan
Price
TV channel count
Details
Live TV Only$81.99/mo.75+
Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads)$82.99/mo.†††85+
Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads)$87.99/mo.†††85+
Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads)$95.99/mo.†††75+
Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
††† Access to Disney+ and ESPN+ through our Live TV plans is not available for subscribers who are billed by T-Mobile.

Discovery+ is best for channel-by-channel content

Discovery plus logo
pro Can watch specific on-demand content by choosing your favorite TV channel
pro Channels include Food Network and HGTV
pro Close to 1,500 titles

We were also surprised to know Discovery+ is still a thing despite the Max merger. Apparently, Discovery+ will still continue as a standalone service.

When you hear Discovery+, you might think of Discovery Channel content. But this streaming service gives you on-demand content from networks like Animal, Planet, Food Network, HGTV, and TLC.

On Discovery+'s home page, you'll be able to choose a genre or click on one of your favorite networks to see the library of on-demand content from that specific channel.

So when you click on Investigation Discovery, you'll find your Evil Lives Here and The Murder Tapes. When you choose Travel Channel, you can watch Ghost Adventures and Expedition Unknown.

You can even enjoy 38 seasons of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives if you'd like.

Discovery+ also has exclusive Originals, such as Cakealikes, Mysterious Planet, and Judi Dench's Wild Borneo Adventure.

How much does Discovery+ cost per month?
Plan
Monthly price
Simultaneous streams
Details
Discovery+$4.99/mo.4
Discovery+ (Ad-Free)$8.99/mo.4

Recap: Which streaming service is the best?

  • Netflix: Netflix is the best streaming service in the industry because of its extensive library of TV shows, movies, and Originals in every genre, for every mood and every personality. If you had to get just one streaming service, Netflix would be the optimal choice. (But who can get just one?)
  • Disney+: Disney+ is the best streaming service for families because it's full of kid-friendly, nostalgic, and heart-warming content. With Disney+, you'll get content from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, The Simpsons, and National Geographic. This streaming service is also the only way to stream new movies, such as Eternals and Encanto.
  • Hulu: The strongest feature Hulu has is the quick release of recently-aired TV content from big networks. This makes Hulu the #1 option for cord-cutters or those who don't want a cable or satellite TV service. This streaming service also has original content that gives Netflix a run for their money. (But there's no denying that Max and Apple TV+ are excelling in the Original game too).
  • Max: Max's new streaming service has all HBO Max Original content and Discovery+ content. Max is also a must-have because the Originals are nothing you can pass on. We believe Max is one of the top four services one should own because of this reason.
  • Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime Video gives you the most perks by giving you access to probably the most titles a streaming service offers, access to Apple Music, free 2-day Prime shipping, and a free Kindle book each month.
  • NBCUniversal's Peacock: Peacock is for the classic TV show and movie fans who quote The Office every day, think of Leslie Nope as their spirit animal, and love watching SNL skits. You can choose from two different plans to watch on-demand content and live NBC channels.
  • Paramount+: Not only does this service have CBS and Paramount titles, but you'll also find TV shows and movies from MTV, Comedy Central, The Smithsonian Channel, Nickelodeon, and BET. Paramount+ creates popular on-demand content and gives you the option to stream CBS channels.
  • Apple TV+: Apple TV+ only offers Original content, but great Original content at that. Enjoy Originals starring great actors, and enjoy new Originals each month for the price of a coffee.
  • Hulu + Live TV: If you want on-demand content and live TV channels, Hulu Live is the best option. You'll get access to Disney+, ESPN+, the entire Hulu on-demand library, and 85+ channels.
  • Discovery+: This streaming app gives you channel-by-channel content. On the homepage, you can click on a network (such as Animal, Planet, Food Network, or HGTV), and you'll see a list of on-demand titles aired from that channel. 

If you're still unsure which video streaming app to get, check out our Best Streaming Services 2022 review to compare more options.

Play Video

Methodology

We compare and rank video streaming services based on five key factors:

  1. Price
  2. Quality of content
  3. Quantity of content
  4. Original content
  5. User experience
  6. Did we mention content?

To decide which streaming services should be on your radar, we've put in 3+ years of research of finding these worthy streaming candidates. During these years, we've read dozens of articles, tested out these services (and more) ourselves, and read consumer reviews. With that, we were able to create our own unbiased opinion of each.

We ranked and compared each service on the five aspects above to deliver this list to you so you don't have to do all that grueling research yourself or spend your hard-earned money on underachieving services.

FAQs

There are free streaming services like the Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Vudu, Tubi, and Amazon Freevee.

All five of these services offer a decent on-demand library, and the Roku Channel and Pluto TV also provide live TV channels.

The best free TV and video streaming services are the Roku Channel and Pluto TV.

The Roku Channel has live TV channels, such as USA Today, Newsy, People TV, and Stadium. Roku changes up its on-demand content very often, and right now, you can enjoy Wolf of Wall Street, Rio, and Midsomer Murders.

Pluto TV also has live channels and an on-demand content library.

With Pluto TV, you'll find channels like Comedy Central, Major League Soccer, Paramount+ Picks, CNN, and Bloomberg Television. You can choose from lots of genres to watch on-demand, and some titles include Last Holiday, Flight, and The Truman Show.

Netflix will always be better than Hulu as long as Netflix keeps beating them in the amount of content available in the library as well as making stellar Original content.

The easiest way to watch streaming content is to use a phone or a smart TV like Samsung TV or Google Chromecast which makes it convenient for you to access the streaming apps.

Check out our reviews for mid-range Android phones, cheap iPhones, and Amazon Fire TV (3rd Gen) and non-Roku and non-Fire TV devices.

Chantel Buchi
Written by
Chantel is all about finding the best tv or streaming service to watch as many football games as possible to keep her Fantasy Football team in check. A former TV and Streaming Tech Reporter for Reviews.org, she has also worked for NFL Network and The Alliance of American Football. Before that, she received a B.A. of Communication at the University of Utah and an M.S. in Sports Journalism at USC. Go Utes and Fight On.

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