With dozens of streaming services, varying subscription models, trial periods and add-ons, today’s array of streamers makes choosing one anything but simple.
What is the best streaming service?
The best streaming service is the one that provides the content you enjoy and fits within your budget. But which one is that?
Assessing your content consumption is a good place to start. Are you primarily a movie watcher? Do you enjoy bingeing the latest TV series? Or maybe you turn to sports first.
Here are a couple ideas for which streaming service may be best for you, based on your preferred content.
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For a high quantity of films and shows: Amazon’s streaming service, Prime Video, boasts “a vast library of content,” according to CableTV.com.
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For kid- and family-friendly content: Disney+ has plenty of options, from Pixar to Star Wars.
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For high-quality content, based on awards: The content on Netflix and HBO Max has been among the top Emmy winners in recent years.
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For sports coverage: Look into a Hulu + Live TV bundle.
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How much do streaming services cost?
Read about the overall cost of each major streaming service, and click through for more-detailed pricing and programming notes. Some of these services may offer a free trial.
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$7.99/month (Standard, with ads)
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$17.99/month (Standard, no ads)
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$24.99/month (Premium, no ads)
Note that Netflix customers on eligible plans can purchase an extra member slot at $6.99 per month with ads or $8.99 per month without ads to share their account with someone not living in their household.
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$11.99/month (with ads)
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$18.99/month (no ads)
Hulu also offers live TV options ranging from $89.99 to $99.99 per month, depending on channel options and ads. It also offers several add-on options. If you have an eligible Hulu plan, you can add on options such as HBO Max, Cinemax, and Paramount+ with Showtime, among others.
Hulu users can also add extra members, starting at $6.99 per monthly for the basic plan that includes ads.
Disney+ offers users different package deals to bundle services, such as combining Disney+ with ESPN and Hulu.
Bundled options start at $12.99 per month.
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$10.99/month or $109.99/year (Basic, with ads)
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$18.49/month or $184.99/year (Standard, no ads)
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$22.99/month or $229.99/year (Premium, no ads)
For an extra cost, HBO Max can also be bundled with Disney+ and Hulu.The streaming service also offers several plans under Apple One that bundle access to Apple TV+ with other Apple services, such as Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness and Apple News. Apple One plans range in price from $19.95 to $37.95.
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$7.99/month or $79.99/year (Select, with ads)
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$10.99/month or $109.99/year (Premium, with ads)
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$16.99/month 169.99/year (Premium Plus, no ads)
Access to live sports, such as Sunday Night Football on NBC, requires at least a Peacock Premium plan.
Prime video costs, if you’re not an Amazon Prime member
If you already have an Amazon Prime subscription for $14.99 per month or $139 per year, you have access to the streaming options on Prime Video.
Note that the content Prime members can access includes ads, and they must pay an additional $2.99 a month to watch ad free.
As you research the best streaming service for you, consider looking beyond the major players. See our cost breakdowns of:
How do streaming services fit into your budget?
While personal preferences, quantity and quality of content all factor into the decision-making process, so does your budget. Which streaming service can you afford, and how does it fit your budget?
One helpful strategy is to examine your budget using the 50/30/20 rule. This means that 50% of your take-home pay goes toward things you need, like housing and food, 30% for wants and 20% for savings and debt paydown. Streaming services make up part of the 30% category.
How much is left for you to spend on entertainment after factoring in other wants, like eating out, traveling and shopping? Analyzing your priorities in the wants category will help you decide which streaming services fit your budget.
You can also look for ways to cut back on wants by tracking spending, setting savings goals and seeing if there are any current offers for streaming services that might benefit you.
If you are already a credit card user, you may be able to earn cash back or bonus points on streaming services. While it may not be worth opening a credit card just for this benefit, it can be a nice addition to current budget strategies.
