Once upon a time, Netflix ruled the roost when it came to streaming TV and movies, offering content both old and new for all kinds of genres. However, the last few years have brought some new rivals to the table.
We’ve taken a look at ten 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.
Netflix
- Biggest range of content
- Competitive pricing
- Worldwide accessibility
- Mix of originals and syndicated work
Cons
- Cheapest plan doesn’t offer the same benefits as competitors
- Will eventually lose content to rivals
Sure it’s obvious to start with this one, but Netflix is still the big cheese when it comes to streaming services. With over 4,000 films and 1,500 shows, this service has carved out a niche for itself as becoming 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 £5.99/$9 per month for its most basic plan (one screen and no ultra-HD), £8.99/$13 per month for the standard plan (two devices for streaming and HD content), and £11.99/$16 per month for premium which comes with HD, Ultra HD 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, Orange Is The New Black, Narcos 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’s some real gems that stand up with the likes of HBO content.
Originals however aren’t the most popular thing on the platform. It may come as no surprise to know that Friends holds that top spot, and other syndicated content is not far behind. However, with Disney Plus and HBO 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
- Offers other benefits besides video streaming
- Amazon Originals are much better now
- Worldwide accessibility
Cons
- Original content not quite on par with Netflix
- May also lose out on future content
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 Wonder Woman, there’s a mixed bag to keep you streaming.
Amazon Prime Video is £5.99/$8.99 per month, but you can sign up for Amazon Prime for £79 per year (or pay £7.99 per month) in the UK and $119 or $12.99 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 Good Omens, The Boys, Mr Robot, Vikings, Preacher, The Grand Tour and American Gods, though few can match the Netflix shows for quality or popularity. Some of the shows in the catalogue are on borrowed time - Fleabag for example will eventually move to BritBox once the contract with Amazon is up.
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.
Disney+
- Some of the biggest blockbuster films and shows
- Accessible pricing
- Big shows scheduled for future
Cons
- No 15+/R-rated content
- Some flagship shows only available later in the year
Disney+ may be the new kid on the block when it comes to streaming, but it’s come in with a bang. Not only does it have a whole library of MCU, Disney Channel, Pixar and Fox content - but its original Star Wars show The Mandalorian had one of the biggest debuts of any show on a streaming platform. Once that has ended, the platform will still have a big draw with hero shows like The Simpsons offering weeks worth of entertainment to enjoy.
Disney+ costs £5.99/$6.99 per month, and £59.99/$69.99 for a year. This pricing includes up to four devices for watching in ultra-HD, and the service can be accessed on a wide range of media boxes, PCs, smartphones, tablets and consoles.
The platform is also not yet available in markets like Asia and Latin America, and lots of future flagship shows like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier won’t be available until the end of 2020 anyway - so it may be worth waiting until later in the year if these shows are what you're waiting for.
As it’s Disney, the content has to have the ‘family-friendly’ approval, so don’t expect to be able to watch the likes of Deadpool on here. If you’re wanting to watch more mature films and TV, then this may not be the right subscription to invest in.
Now TV
- 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 passes
- Have to pay extra for full HD, no 4K or HDR at all
Now TV is the streaming alternative to Sky. It’s only available in the UK, so US viewers should instead take a look at HBO Now as they’re a lot of crossover. There are four separate passes to choose from with Now TV: Entertainment, Sky Cinema, Kids, and Sky Sports. Entertainment is predominantly TV, including the best output from Sky's channels such as The Wire, True Detective and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
Prices for the passes vary: the Entertainment pass is £8.99 a month, while Sky Cinema is a steep £11.99 per month, but you'll get a very decent selection of recent film and TV, and there are usually some introductory discounts. It's also worth noting that by default the quality is capped at 720p and you'll have to pay an extra £3.99 per month for Now TV Boost to get HD (along with Dolby 5.1 surround sound and support for 50fps on some Sky Sports content). There's still no 4K or HDR support at all.
Now TV is also one of the easiest streaming sites to watch - it's available online, through iOS and Android, on the PS4 and Xbox One, Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, and most smart TVs. You can add up to six devices to your account, but can only watch on two devices at the same time.
As the passes for Now TV are quite expensive, we would recommend investing in a bundle first, and then sticking with your favourite pass for your content. Of course bear in mind that this will mean choosing between TV and film - so if you'd like both on the cheap, this isn't the right pass to pick.
Mubi
- Films that you wouldn’t see on any bigger platform
- Offers a changing variety for viewers
Cons
- Some stuff may be just too niche
- Time limit on watching content may feel pressuring
- Now out-priced by other rivals
Mubi is a bit of a rogue choice in the streaming wars, but if your tastes are high brow then it may be the perfect option for you. It offers a big vintage film collection and a few select contemporary modern art house titles, and all the movies are critically acclaimed.
Deliberately, Mubi has a fast-moving library, with films only being kept on the platform for 30 days at a time, with one film being swapped out every single day, though it now also offers a Library section that preserves some of its back catalogue to watch whenever you'd like.
On the one hand, this system means that you’ll always have something new to watch, and can check out curated collections from certain directors or genres.
On the other hand, sometimes it's nice to have a watch list for the future, and the month-long deadline may turn your relaxing streaming into something a bit more high-pressure. It’s also not the platform if you want something nice and fluffy or mind-numbing. You should only check out Mubi if you’re looking to expand your film knowledge or challenge your familiar tastes.
Mubi is available on most devices and boxes in both the UK and US. It costs £7.99/$8.99 per month (cheaper if you pay for a full year) and there's a seven day free trial. This puts it in the middle of the pricing bracket, which may be a bit baffling considering that they don’t have big titles to fall back on. However, the eclectic library can be found nowhere else.
HBO Max
- HBO content without the need to sign-up for cable
- Impressive exclusives
- Extensive Warner Bros. film and TV library
Cons
- Only available in the US
- Expensive
HBO Max is the company's answer to Disney+. Taking advantage of its own back catalogue, parent company Warner Bros. massive film & TV library, and some impressive exclusives, it promises a library of content that few rivals can match.
HBO exclusives like Game of Thrones, Westworld, Veep, and The Wire form the heart of the service, but classic Warner Bros. movies and shows like Looney Tunes and Friends make up the numbers. Upcoming exclusives include a Friends reunion special, various live action DC Comics shows, and even the elusive Snyder cut of Justice League.
Not to be confused with HBO Go - the streaming service for existing HBO users to access content on the move - HBO Max offers premium HBO content on a monthly subscription basis. For this reason, you’re looking at $15 a month to stream to a few devices at one time. In comparison to others on this list, that’s not great. However, if you’re looking for an HBO exclusive, it may be your only option.
The other big downside is that HBO Max is currently only available in the US. While it will eventually roll out internationally that will take years, not months, and in the meantime viewers in the UK and elsewhere may have no way to watch some exclusives at all. It is possible to watch HBO Max using a VPN - though otherwise Now TV includes many of the most popular HBO shows and films.
Hulu
- Watch the most recent US content
- Lots of attractive original series
- The choice for anyone who wants more mature Fox content not on Disney+
Cons
- Only available in the US
- Big difference between basic and premium plans
- Lots of other content on other streaming platforms
The basic plan for Hulu is one of the cheapest on here - $6 a month. However, don’t be swayed just yet as this includes annoying ad breaks when watching brand new shows. You can omit most of these by going for the premium package, but that doubles the price to $12 a month, and doesn’t really offer any additional content.
To do that, you’d have to pay for extra add-ons which consist of $15 for HBO, $10 for Cinemax and $9 for Showtime. Add all these together, and you’re looking at the same price for your electricity, probably.
Top original series on Hulu include The Handmaid’s Tale, an increasingly relevant thriller based on a classic novel alongside the likes of Castle Rock, Shrill and Ramy. Though of course there’s no arguing that some of these shows are available on the likes of Amazon Prime.
This platform may also be a good option option for those who wants to watch the mature content that comes from the 21st Century Fox merger that’s not available on Disney Plus. As stated above, you can also invest in the bundle that offers both (plus ESPN+, if that’s your thing) for $12.99 - an attractive deal which still undercuts some standalone services on this list. Hulu is a US exclusive service, but UK viewers can try our workaround to access it abroad.
Quibi
- Exclusive shows made specifically for mobile
- Can watch in either portrait or landscape
- New episodes daily
- 90-day free trial
Cons
- Episodes all very short
- No way to watch from your TV or computer
- Quality is mixed
Quibi is another streaming service that offers something a little different. For one thing, it's mobile-only, which means you can only get it on a phone or tablet. There are no apps for games consoles or smart TVs, no way to watch through a web browser on your laptop, and right now not even a direct way to cast it to your TV to watch shows on the big screen.
That's on purpose though. All of Quibi's original content - ranging from news to reality shows to scripted comedy, drama, and horror series - is designed to be watched on mobile. That comes right down to the fact that you can flip your phone from landscape to portrait and the show will carry on seamlessly, adjusting the frame to suit the new orientation and even adjusting the location of title cards and subtitles to fit, so that it looks just right no matter how you watch.
The big question is always content, and Quibi has a lot, but it remains to be seen how much is good. Big names like Sam Raimi and Christoph Waltz have gotten involved on the scripted side, while reality options include a Punk'd reboot starring Chance the Rapper. Episodes are always shorter than ten minutes - so very commute-friendly - and some shows drop new instalments every day. There's no must-watch series yet, but given time it might get there.
The final wrinkle is price then. Quibi costs £7.99/$7.99 per month, which is pretty steep for something you're only going to watch on your phone - though the US also gets a cheaper $4.99 ad-supported plan. We'd love to see a price drop to be able to really recommend Quibi to everyone, but for anyone who watches on their phone a lot it's well worth at least trying.
BritBox
- Offering British classics - something a little different
- Five channels worth of content in 2020
- Great for US viewers
Cons
- Why would UK viewers pay for catch-up content?
BritBox achieved mass success in the US, with audiences finally being able to access British classics from years gone past. Now the service is in the UK, with five channels worth of content going into 2020. Some of the classics on the service include Doctor Who, Downton Abbey and Blackadder.
BritBox costs just £5.99/$6.99 per month - a price which includes multiple screens, devices and HD content - so it’s quite a bargain on that front. If you're not quite ready to shelve out nearly six quid per month, then no worries. BritBox offers a full 30 day free trial - certainly more generous than some other competitors which mainly offer seven day free trials.
Though this service went down a storm in the States, it’s a little confusing for people in the UK. Any TV licence holder can currently access older content on online catch-up services like iPlayer, and of course the ITV Hub. So at this stage it’s a bit puzzling as to why UK-based customers would subscribe at all when they can access most of BritBox’s library for free.
This may change in the future, when BritBox eventually gets first bid at brand new UK channel content like Bodyguard and Fleabag over other rivals. Otherwise, we suggest checking online to see if you can catch up on classic series for free before making the BritBox plunge.
Apple TV+
- Cheapest subscription on the list
- New Apple customers get the subscription free for one year
Cons
- Barely any content compared to rivals
- No syndicated shows or movies to draw in fans
Fans of Apple will be pleased to know that the company has now entered the streaming wars. However, their current lineup leaves a lot to be desired. Price wise they’re the cheapest on the list at £4.99/$4.99 for multiple devices and ultra-HD content. This is even sweeter when you take into consideration that any new customers of Apple get a whole year for free.
However, even that can’t save what is a sparse list of content. When other rivals are boasting over ten times the amount of shows and films, just a few quid off per month doesn’t seem quite enough. Maybe Apple has other deals planned for the future, and will be building up its content over the year. But right now? It’s bottom of the pile.
If you are planning on investing, then some of the most popular Apple TV+ shows include See, a fantasy series starring Jason Momoa, and The Morning Show, a contemporary drama with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.
What Should I Look For In A Streaming Service?
First and foremost: the best range of content to suit your tastes. Having the biggest library may not mean anything if you’re looking to watch a specific show, or aren’t interested in a platform that doesn’t allow content above a 12A rating (hello Disney+). We recommend checking out each of the libraries for these services before discounting any completely, as there may be a hidden gem that sparks your TV taste buds.
The price of course is also a big factor. Investing in a streaming service is fortunately quite a flexible way to get your content, meaning that if one platform isn’t doing it for you, and can easily switch to another without losing out on a lot of money. The majority of these services also offer free trials to get a taste of what’s on offer. These are mostly seven days, but Britbox offers a month and Quibi has 90 days, so it’s absolutely worth shopping around.
Consider the number of devices that an account boasts. You can save a lot of money if you split a streaming service subscription with a family member or friend, but this is only useful if you can all watch the platform at the same time on various devices. Some platforms like Netflix offer a tiered payment system which is influenced by this, so investigate to see what’s right for you.
The level of accessibility is another thing to keep in mind. We’ve included a range of services - some of which are exclusive to either the UK or US. Whilst many of these are still accessible using a VPN, it may end up making your streaming a lot more convoluted than what it needs to be.
Finally, some subscriptions offer extras or bundles that may be a draw. Amazon has its Prime benefits, Disney+ can be bought with two other channels for a reasonable bundle, and Apple TV+ can be accessed for free with any new Apple product purchase.
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