Save money with Apple TV+ deals or sign up for an Apple TV+ free trial to try out the service. From back-to-back price hikes (there was a major cost increase in 2025) to its password sharing crackdown, it's mirroring a lot of Netflix's tactics so much so that there are rumors it could soon make big Netflix-style changes to keep you glued to its shows. If it’s original content you’re after, then, Netflix, Prime Video or HBO Max should be your go-to's. After all, the familiar ‘tudum’ greeting and interface we’ve all come to recognize set the standard for streaming homescreens we know today, and has been copied by many of its rivals. If you’re looking to catch hit Netflix Originals like Bridgerton, Cobra Kai, Emily in Paris and The Umbrella Academy, then there's only one service where you'll find these titles.
A live news section is in beta, too, where you can check out programming from CNN and other WBD networks. And you get all of that for $18.49 without ads or $10.99 with ads. "They also have MLB and MLS games."And like most things Apple, the service is slick and ahead of its time. Romano calls this the "most underrated service" around because of their big shows and big stars, like Colin Farrell in Sugar, Vince Vaughn in Bad Monkey, or Cate Blanchett in Disclaimer. For family-friendly streaming, Disney Plus is impossible to beat.

• That hasn’t stopped Netflix from continuing to experiment, with plans to test major changes that’ll make finding new movies and shows so much easier.
• And its recent addition of regional sports networks sounded great until we found out that Fubo’s adding upwards of $13.99 extra in a Regional Sports Fee you’ll see at checkout.
• When we first named Apple TV Plus one of the best streaming services, it entered this list at the very end, in last place.
• We looked at the little things too, from the quality of the commentary during sports games to the app’s ability to suggest promising new or related content.
• “The entire HBO library, from new movies like Horizon to old TCM classics.” Admittedly, the stream can be glitchy and we liked the older version of the app.
• Mubi’s commitment to quality over quantity shines through its handpicked daily additions, which mean the library is continually refreshed with top-tier titles.
• If you’re a Sunday Night Football fan, given NBC’s long-standing deal, this might be the service for you.

Sports

For a more varied mix of shows and movies, look at Netflix, Prime Video and Hulu. While we haven't listed every single one of these here, below you'll find three other services to consider outside of the incumbents. But that hasn't stopped it rolling out two price rises in the space of a year – the first time it raised prices for its ad-free service was in early 2023 followed by another shock subscription increase in June 2024 and another in October 2025.

The best streaming service for a cable TV replacement

• Although there are some great new movies and exclusives on the platform at the time of writing, we think it makes the most sense for fans of live sports, NBC series and older boxsets.
• Still, it offers content without ads with one plan to choose from, so you won’t have to be confused when signing up.
• If you’re a hardcore football fan, YouTube TV delivers all the games that are locally and nationally televised because of their sponsorship of the NFL.
• In late 2023, HBO Max made a multi-year deal with A24 to get the exclusive streaming rights for its theatrical releases for a limited time as well as over 100 of its movies added to its platform, making it a haven for indie film lovers,.
• It’s pretty cheap, too, in comparison to some of its competitors, and there’s a Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN package for $16.99 a month in the US, which sweetens the deal.
• It’s also still arguably the most comprehensive, with thousands of shows and movies to choose from and an easy-to-use UI.

Sling TV is a budget-friendly live TV streaming services in the U.S. If you like a mix of live and on-demand content like sports-themed series and documentaries, you ESPN+ could be the sports streaming service for you. Hulu is a streaming service for movies and TV shows that hosts blockbusters, originals and content from networks like ABC, AMC, CBS, Comedy Central and FX.
Sports also have a place here as non-televised NBC Premier League games are available on Peacock as well as WWE content. But Hulu's main selling point is still that you can watch network TV shortly after it airs, including shows on major networks such as ABC and Fox. That being said, there's no better service if you prefer quality over quantity.
If you want to watch Apple TV+ while traveling, check out our best VPN for Apple TV roundup. What’s more, those who felicebet no deposit bonus buy an Apple device get three months of Apple TV Plus for free. Bookmark our how to watch Disney Plus with a VPN article if you’re planning to travel internationally.
Sling TV’s breadth of content is great, but there are some limitations. This customizable approach means you only pay for what you’re going to watch. You can also add a DVR feature, which allows you to record and watch back later. From there, you can buy add-ons for specific genres, like more sports or entertainment. Sling TV introduced a recent price hike, but plans still start at a fairly affordable price – especially if you’re comparing them to cable packages.

Is Prime Video worth subscribing to?

On the bright side, many services have monthly payment models, meaning you can use one service for a period of time and then switch to another to save money, instead of subscribing to several at once. As a streaming service, though, it's lacking in some regards. Hulu was once the go-to streaming service for those who didn't want to pay for cable.

Age-restricted content

Check out our lists of the best shows on Netflix and the best movies on Netflix. It's continuing to try and make big movies its big thing, too, with recent titles like "The Madness" and "Woman of the Hour." Check out our lists of the best shows on Hulu and the best movies on Hulu. In addition, regular Hulu hosts a number of original shows, a selection of offbeat movies and a surprising amount of classic anime series.

With hundreds of niche services, specializing in arthouse films, documentaries, horror, sports and more, and the rise of the best free streaming services, there’s a lot to choose from. The service is known for HBO originals like ‘House of the Dragon’ and has a large content library of around 3,300 shows and movies, according to information from JustWatch. If you want to find a way around cutting costs while having access to streaming services, our guide on how to save money on online video services. I think Netflix is the best overall on-demand streaming service for the money, thanks to its extensive library of diverse third-party content and impressive originals. Kit Copson is a writer and briefing editor at Cloudwards, with over two years of expertise in streaming services and entertainment. If this method appeals to you, this guide takes a comprehensive look at the cost of popular streaming services to help you decide which one is best for you.

The best streaming service with a ton of content

HBO Max has also added live sports in its Bleacher Report section, such as soccer, hockey and cycling. It has everything from prestige HBO dramas to blockbuster Warner Bros. movies to light reality shows from Discovery. Collectively, you can find hundreds of thousands of hours of movies and TV shows to stream across a variety of genres. That's just the start though, with great movies and television shows currently being made just for the platform.
At $99.99 per year with ads, Max is more expensive than some competitors, including Netflix, especially if you want to watch in 4K. The B/R Sports add-on ($9.99 per month and includes MLB and NBA content and more) is currently free as part of a limited-time promotion. Despite its small content library, Apple TV+ is often praised for the quality of its content. Japan is one exception, but its content library may be more limited than the one in the U.S.
However, it’s essential to balance the cost with how much value a streaming service brings to you specifically. If you’re on a really tight budget, you might want to consider a free streaming service instead of a paid one. The first tier gets you on-demand movies, TV shows and more than 50 channels, while the Premium Plus tier includes local live NBC channels 24/7. If you’re into major broadcast networks like CBS and NBC, you might want to look into getting a network streaming service.
There are other options to sign up to the service though, with it joining Disney+ and Hulu in a bundle. You'll be able to tell it if you're really loving that show or movie thanks to a new feedback system it's rolling out. Save money with these Paramount+ Coupon Codes or sign up for a Paramount+ free trial to try out the service.
Fubo is one of the best streaming services for anyone looking to have access to live sports without an actual cable subscription. These days, though, streaming services are in a state of flux, with price hikes, password-sharing crackdowns and the introduction of ads. The best streaming services have so much content, you could watch daily for hours and still spend what feels like a lifetime vegging out on the sofa. It’s worth mentioning there are regional restrictions on some content, this is the case with all streaming services, but be sure to check what’s available where you live before signing up. It's the streaming service duo that lets you watch the Star Wars movies in order and every Marvel Phase 4 movie and show, with the rest of Marvel's library, as well as Hulu Originals like The Handmaid’s Tale and Only Murders in the Building.
For sports lovers, there’s also the choice of a bundle that has an optional third add-on for ESPN+ where you can watch live games, highlights, and documentaries all focused around sport, making it a well-rounded package. On top of that you get access to all the best Hulu movies and best Hulu shows, which are updated every month with new additions, while other titles are removed. Together, Disney+ and Hulu are a great way for customers to watch every Disney live-action movie remake alongside other modern and old classics from Disney as well as every Pixar movie ranked best to worst.