Video subscription services have transformed how we watch TV shows, movies, and live sports with a button click. Here's our review of the best streaming services with the details you need to pick which service is best for you. Whether you like Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu, we've got you covered.
1. Netflix
Netflix is undeniably the Number one best video subscription service of 2022. The popular video streaming service debuted in 1998 as a DVD rental and sale service. Netflix has become a cue word among households regarding family movie night or catching up on the latest episodes of a popular TV series. Popular Netflix titles include "Bridgerton," "Unbelievable," "Ozark," and "Stranger Things."
Netflix subscriptions start at $9.99 per month and increase to $19.99 per month to stream up to four devices simultaneously in HD and Ultra-HD. All of Netflix's plans don't have ads. It's a feature that makes them different from other streaming services. But Netflix doesn't offer plans that are bundled with other services, unlike Disney+ and Hulu.
2. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon's Prime Video has a collection of ad-free, quality original shows and movies, an impressive catalog of older titles, and live sports events. Sadly, it lacks the catalogs of Netflix and Hulu and the star power of Disney's streaming platform.
Prime Video's new redesign aims to avoid confusion with labeling and menu updates to widen its reach for a global customer base. The Prime Video channel is included at no extra cost for millions of Prime subscribers. If you're interested in checking out any originals such as "The Rings of Power." it may even be worth paying the stand-alone $ 9-a-month TV service fee.
3. Disney+
Disney Plus is one of Netflix's toughest counterparts, offering a suite of family-friendly and franchise hits. It's the only service where you can watch most of the Disney and Pixar titles along with Star Wars movies, Marvel films and new original TV shows, National Geographic content, and more than 30 seasons of The Simpsons.
At the current price of $8 monthly, Disney+ is still one of the most affordable ad-free streaming services and a great value. If you have small kids, Disney+ is the right video streaming today.
4. HBO Max
HBO Max is an app with a vault of popular TV shows and movies. It has HBO's entire collections, DC Universe titles, old-time favorites such as "Friends," the "Lord of the Rings" movies, and many more.
At $10 monthly, it is next to Netflix at the higher end of the streaming spectrum. If you want the ad-free version, the cost jumps to $15 per month. HBO Max is generally ramping up its new originals, and we expect that to increase over time.
5. Hulu
Hulu was one of the original providers in the television streaming platform. The service was founded in 2007 as a joint venture between NBC Universal and News Corporation. Comcast and The Walt Disney Company are among the companies that later joined in, and in 2019, Disney took operational control of Hulu. This has continued to be one of the most popular video services, with more than 32 million subscribers. For only $7 a month (with ads), Hulu is a close competitor of Netflix.
6. Funimation
Owned by Sony Pictures, Funimation is a long-standing name in anime. Its line-up focuses solely on anime content and includes the option to buy tickets to in-theater shows. Top shows available on Funimation include "Dragon Ball Z," "My Hero Academia," and "Attack on Titan."
Its premium plus plan costs $7.99 and offers five simultaneous streams. Funimation offers simultaneous broadcasts that allow fans to watch anime episodes while they're aired in Japan. There's also the option to watch the English-dubbed version of the new anime shortly after its release. In addition, you can use your Funimation subscription to find some inspiration for an animated video content marketing project.
7. Peacock
NBCUniversal's streaming service Peacock has one significant advantage over its competitors: It has a free, ad-supported feature with about 13,000 hours of shows, movies, news, and even live sports. If you upgrade to premium for $5 a month (with ads) or premium plus for $10 a month (with no ads) to discover more content, including new seasons of the TV series you love.
8. Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is an anime streaming platform that has been around since 2006 and includes a free version. It also offers three paid plans that fans can choose from. The Fan subscription costs $7.99 monthly and streams on one device simultaneously. The Mega Fan costs $9.99 monthly and allows streams on four devices simultaneously. The Ultimate Fan costs $14.99 per month and expands simultaneous streaming to six devices while including other extras, like an annual swag bag.
Check out Crunchyroll for episodes of "My Hero Academia," "Naruto," "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood," and "The Perfect Insider."
9. Paramount+
Paramount Plus brings live news and sports with on-demand shows and movies. You can watch shows like “The Twilight Zone” reboot, “NCIS,” and “Young Sheldon.” The service has lots of content, including 30,000 episodes of TV and over 2000 movies, dozens of original series for either $5 a month (with ads) or $10 a month (ad-free).
10. Apple TV+
Apple TV Plus is the most affordable among the ad-free video streaming services. But it's the only service on this compilation. It includes original content and no back catalog of shows or movies to watch. While it has more than 50 exclusive, big-budget original shows and films, only a few have attracted viewers' attention like "Ted" Lasso and "Severance."
Conclusion
You'll need a stable internet connection, a compatible device, and a valid username and password to access these video subscription services.You can always try a streaming service you want depending on price, content, and want movie or series your household watch. But if you're looking for ways to cut down costs, use free services or ones that provide the most value for $10 or less. Well, you can always have several subscriptions and cancel a service whenever content already feels boring.
