14 Best Video Streaming Services for 2023

If we talk top streaming services, Netflix is usually the first platform that comes to mind. Netflix is by far the most popular online video streaming option nowadays. With over 150 million subscribers, the giant is the leader in the industry. We’re eager to share with you what we found fascinating about the service and why it is one of the best on the market. If you’re looking for cord cutting options, you’ll love what the old DVD rental business has to offer.

Ease of Use

Seamless, clear and easy to navigate through menu. The interface is also consistent throughout all compatible devices. It stands out with some advanced settings. You can turn on notifications for when new movies are uploaded or new TV shows are soon coming out. You can adjust the video quality, the location where downloaded content is stored, language preferences, the list goes on.

Performance

You’ll love the seamless performance, the picture, and sound quality.

The Netflix ISP Speed Index (a custom measure of the optimal prime time performance of the service delivered by ISPs in your location) shows that the best performance of the stream in November 2019 in the US was delivered by C Spire with an average speed of 3.79 Mbps.

The Netflix Open Connect CDN technology makes the streaming work like a charm for end-users across the globe. Internet service providers with large traffic to Netflix (over 100,000 subscribers) are offered to cache Netflix content within their data centers using the Open Connect server appliances. The purpose-build server focus on low power and high storage. The giant’s content delivery network technology has fully replaced physical data centers (last one was closed in August 2016) and is continuously developing. Hence, our viewing experience remains uninterrupted and high quality.

You can also manage bandwidth usage through the Netflix interface – to use less data, you can adjust the video quality to low or medium.

Video & Sound Quality

Netflix has by far the largest list of titles in Ultra HD 4K resolution. So if you own a 4K tv, you’ll be thrilled. For ultimate viewing experience in high resolution, make sure the internet connection speed is at least 5.0 Mbps. The sound quality is adaptive and although dependent on your network and device, you can get up to 768 kbps for Dolby Atmos surround sound. In other words, as immersive as it can get.

No set-top boxes, pure real-time streaming in high-quality resolution.

Library

Impressive library with over 700 titles, numerous TV shows, anime and animated series, documentaries, comedy specials, and more. Netflix is pushing on original content the most. No wonder we see titles like Stranger Things, Black Mirror, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Roma. No wonder Netflix outruns even HBO by nominations in a number of categories. The streaming provider earned 112 Emmy nominations in 2018. Let alone Orange Is the New Black and House of Cards with numerous awards.

Among the best movies on Netflix in 2019 are Irishman and Dolemite is My Name.

Netflix’s database updates monthly with new titles. You might find it a bit frustrating that an old classic, one of your favorites is moved out of the library. This happens mostly with non-original content which can be available for one, two years but eventually, it will go due to licensing matter or moving the content to another streaming service.

It appears that the catalog at your disposal in the US quite differs from the one in other parts of the world. Again, licensing matters.

Great choice of foreign titles. If you’re a fan of Asian directing, you’ll love Netflix. The catalog includes so many new releases and old classics, TV shows, anime, and animated series. It’s mind-blowing.

There’s a lot for the documentaries’ addicts too and the comedy specials are just rocking!

You have to see it for yourself.

Most Popular Netflix Content

The second season of Narcos: Mexico is ready to be binge-watched and certainly will make the month (at least the weekend)!

The other big news of the month is the increasing number of anime classics from Ghibli studio.

The adaptation of the comic-book Locke & Key is tempting as well. Let’s watch!

Device Compatibility

Try it out directly through the web at netflix.com or use the Netflix app which is broadly compatible. You can use it on:

1. Smart TVs
2. Phones and tablets – Android, Apple, Windows
3. Streaming media players – AppleTV, Chromecast
4. Game consoles – PS3, PS4, XboxOne, Xbox360
5. Set-top boxes
6. Blu-ray players

Downloading from the library is available with iOS, Android, and Windows 10 apps.

When it comes to remote control, there’s plenty of options. Most remotes today have a built-in button that brings up the Netflix app directly on your tv. No need to go through the menu to locate it. You can also use your Android and Apple mobile devices as a remote on your TV. Alternatively, you can use the Netflix Remote Controller on Windows 10 or 8.1 and use your home remote control to navigate through the Netflix app. Apple users can control their viewing experience through their mobiles using apps such as Remote for Netflix!.

Simultaneous Connections

Depending on the plan you’ve chosen, you can have up to four concurrent streams.

Free Trials

A generous 30 days of free trial to explore Netflix to its fullest. Go for it!

Pricing & Plans

You can choose between three plans depending on your need for simultaneous streams as this is the main difference between the packs. At $8.99 per month, you get a single stream and standard-definition picture quality. At $12.99, you’ll get to watch in high-definition and on two devices at a time. The Premium plan will cost you $15.99 unlocking 4K resolution and four simultaneous streams.

Oh, yes, they still do the DVD rentals if you must.

Features & Functionalities

Netflix is constantly improving in terms of functionality and features to grant its subscribes an immersive streaming experience. Some of the perks we love:

• ‘Skip Intro’ button
• Download to watch offline
• Whole seasons available for binge-watching

You can also create separate accounts for family members for a personalized experience and set up parental control for the kids.

Customer Service

Great Help Center articles with explicit instructions and examples. Support is available via chat and phone worldwide.

Who is Netflix Best For?

Simply put – cinema addicts looking for binge-viewing experience would appreciate Netflix the most. Sports fans and live TV viewers might have to look elsewhere as Netflix does not plan on focusing on either of the two.

Partnerships

Being the world’s leading video streaming service provided over the internet takes not only great content in top video and sound quality, great performance or nice features, it means exposure to a greater audience. OTTs have figured out how to get there – with key partnerships.

Here’s a list of some of Netflix most notable third-party relations:

• T-Mobile’s ‘Netflix On Us’ partnership providing access to the streaming giant at an additional fee.
• Comcast Xfinity X1 integration with Netflix started in 2016 turned out beyond successful.
• Innopia – Netflix partnership for launching the Hailstorm Hybrid program by Netflix aimed at watching Netflix on Android TV. The initiative is designed to reduce both the time for pay TV operators to integrate with Netflix and the time-to-market for partners looking to add Netflix in their offerings.

Direct Comparison

A clear comparison is always useful. We’ve compared the Netflix streaming services to one of its biggest rivals out there. Competition between Netflix and Amazon Prime Video is truly intense. You’ll find more similarities than you’d expect. But here’s a few features which underline a distinction between the two VOD platforms.

Netflix vs Amazon Prime Video

A big selling point of streaming services is the number of concurrent streams allowed. Netflix allows for 4 simultaneous streams. Amazon Prime Video allows for 3, with the option to unlock unlimited screens for an additional monthly fee.

While you can binge-watch series in 4K quality on both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, Netflix does not integrate with IMDb or Alexa AI for smart searching. Amazon does both of those things.

You can find a more detailed comparison in our case study here.

Best VPN for Netflix

What is the best VPN for Netflix?

There’s plenty of options – some of the best include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Perfect Privacy. Most importantly when choosing a VPN for the purposes of video streaming, do check the following key criteria: which geolocations the virtual private network covers, where you plan on streaming from, how many devices you can use with the service, are there any DNS leaks, bandwidth and speed restrictions, simultaneous connections, etc. ExpressVPN checks all the boxes when it comes to seamless work with Netflix. Consider exploring even more top VPN options for unblocking Netflix.

Verdict

A well-deserved 9/10 rating goes to Netflix.

For its enormous constantly growing catalog – the library is updated weekly with new titles among all genres.  VOD providers are racing to deliver originals to the end-user and Netflix is by far one of the best – high-quality tv shows, movies and documentaries are at your disposal. You don’t have the live tv (news broadcast) or too many sports entertainment on the other hand.

4K HDR picture quality and Dolby Atmos sound make the time spent on Netflix simply joyful.

For its capable and consistent interface, you get the chance to browse with ease through the library on each device you can think of. Choose from countless remote options too.

Ad-free is a highly competitive advantage among video streaming services. No Netflix plan will have you swallow that bit.

You get Netflix globally although, there is some region-locked content.

And last but not least – Netflix still has a decent price tag and generous four concurrent streams.

Hulu is one of the US-favorite live TV streaming services out there – and with a cheaper price tag to boot. Let’s explore its key features and find out if you should consider a subscription from Hulu. Most importantly, let’s find out what’s in it for you, shall we?

Ease of Use

Registration process is super easy and quick. Nothing to scratch your head about. The interface is very intuitive and navigating through it is fun.

Performance

Depending on the content you are looking to stream, Hulu videos are available in a variety of quality options, suitable for different internet speeds. Starting at 1.5 Mbps for Standard Definition (SD) to 16 Mbps for 4K Ultra HD quality videos. The cable and satellite alternative allows to watch live programing at 8 Mbps.

You can find a very informative article about internet speed, system requirements at the Help Center.

Video & Sound Quality

Most of the library and live programming are available at 2.0 stereo audio quality while the originals come with the finer Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. The sound settings highly depend on the device you’re using. So play around with the audio output settings to get the best of it! Video quality also depends on your device, the content itself and the available bandwidth. You’ll get to watch the majority of Hulu’s Originals and select programming at 4K Ultra HD resolution. What’s worth mentioning, Hulu’s 4K lineup is constantly growing and does not require any upgrades.

Library

The online TV service has an impressive streaming library for its viewers. More than 3000 TV shows and movies will be at your fingertips if you subscribe.

You’ll find the Emmy Award-winning original series The Handmaid’s Tale, Catch 22, The Act, Ramy and others.

Changes are already happening with the acquisition of control over Hulu by Disney. In terms of original content, we can expect to see a lot more from Hulu in the near future.

Most Popular Hulu Content

The story of the six teenagers revealing the dark secret of their parents definitely caught the attention of the audience and pumped up the shows ratings – you guessed it, we talk about the Marvel’s Runaways. The second season of Shrill is just around the corner. Annie’s story is about to continue in January. You can keep track of what’s new with Hulu using their calendar featuring Originals Premiere Dates, This Week On and New This Month.

Device Compatibility

Hulu offers two apps to end-users. Both of the classic and the latest Hulu app will grant access to the streaming library. However, all the newest features, some Premiere Add-ons and live television are only available with the latest app. Other than this, you can have Hulu on just about any device you like:

1. Mac, PC
2. iPhone & iPad
3. Android phones and tablets
4. ROKU, Amazon Fire TV & Fire TV Stick
5. Apple TV, Chromecast
6. Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 3* and 4* (with a small exception for the Live TV option)

Simultaneous Connections

Two users can enjoy the Hulu services at the same time using one account. That said, you can download the Hulu app and activate it on as many devices as you want. If you need more than that, you can check the rest of the subscription plans, there’s an add-on for Unlimited Screens which comes at an additional $9.99.

Free Trials

Yes. Depending on the plan you would like to explore, you can get from seven days to one month of free trial.

Plans & Pricing

The most popular plan from Hulu comes at the meagre cost of $5.99. It supports ads, allows access to thousands of titles, two simultaneous connections and an entire month of free trial. You can choose among four general plans and various add-ons. They’ve got you covered! Switching between plans or canceling is also very easy.

As add-ons to each plan available, you can get access to Showtime, HBO, Cinemax.

If you are a Hulu Live TV subscriber ($54.99 per month), you get access to Hulu’s on-demand content, over 60 channels live, 50 hours of cloud DVR storage space which you can expand. Yes, you can record or watch NFL football live broadcasts aired on CBS, NBC, Fox, or ESPN. For the big families with numerous devices and opposing tastes, you can consider the Unlimited Screens add-on.

For the fans of premier streaming services, you can get a nicely packed bundle including Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+. More on this further on our review of the new video-on-demand streaming service from The Walt Disney Company.

Customer Service

Customer support is swift and to the point (not trying to upsell you on extra features). Once you select the topic and post your question, you receive an estimation of how long it would take to get a response. That’s kinda neat!

For some more generic questions and topics, there’s the HuluBot chat option. Of course, you can also ask the community if you prefer feedback from other users.

Who is Hulu Best For?

Stats suggest that more than half of all Hulu users have watched mostly the original series.

However, with the number of optional plans, features, and add-ons offered by the streaming TV, it’s fairly easy to find yourself addicted to it. The average age of a Hulu subscriber is 31, while that of a broadcast viewer is 55. The younger generations are incredibly open to using TV streaming services – which gives them plenty of optimism for the future.

That said, there’s something for everyone. There’s even Walking Dead on Hulu, what more can we say.

Partnerships

Among the notable Hulu partnerships, it’s worth mentioning:

The bundle Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ is something everyone is talking about. The powerful trio gives you access to the basic ad-supported Hulu plan, Disney+ content (movies, shows, short films from Pixar, Marvel, National Geographic, and more) and ESPN+ programming (live and on-demand sports content, games).

Hulu-Sprint relations offering Hulu’s $6.00 ad-supported version to all ‘Sprint Unlimited’ users for free. A massive approach to add more subscribers.

Another streaming partnership provides free access to Spotify users to the basic Hulu ad-supported plan including Hulu’s library.

Direct Comparison

Hulu’s streaming service is a good Netflix alternative.

We made a small direct comparison Hulu vs Netflix and here’s our top pick criteria:

• If you’re a fan of TV shows, you’ll enjoy Hulu better than Netflix.
• You can enjoy Netflix around the globe while Hulu is only available in the US.
• With Hulu Live, you can stream live events. Netflix does not offer live events even as an add-on.
• With Netflix, you can download content and watch it offline while with Hulu you can’t.

Hulu vs Sling

• Cloud DVR storage of 50 hours is included with your Hulu Live TV subscription. With Sling, the same amount is available at $5.00 per month.
• Hulu’s library is way ahead in terms of TV shows (original and non-original), movies and on-demand content than Sling.
• Sling’s base plan offers more sports channels, including ESPN. Hulu offers it as an extra or free, but only in more expensive plans.

Best VPN for Hulu

Being one of the most quality streaming services out there offering original content, live streaming and numerous other options to its users, there’s a clear reason to consider a VPN to stream Hulu with. Our top picks go to ExpressVPN for great streaming speed, CyberGhost is another reliable option with a lower price tag and NordVPN which is a good deal for its value offering good security features and streaming in HD video quality.

Verdict

Hulu streaming services receive our 8/10 rating.

Content-wise Hulu is a winner. Whether you are a movie addict, you like sports, news or you prefer live TV; whether you tolerate ads or not – Hulu has a plan for you. We find Hulu one of the satisfactory streaming TV options out there, providing multiple plans for various tastes and budgets. The low-priced basic plan is very tempting with the live programming and access to the huge Hulu library.

The video and the live streaming quality is up to the latest standards.

Hulu’s aggressive strategy on expanding their network is really impressive. Partnerships with giants like Spotify, Sprint and the mighty Disney+/ESPN+/Hulu offering are massive steps towards adding more subscribers. Cord-cutters are already exploring the hot bundle Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ providing access to end-users to all Disney+ library including movies, shows, and short films, ESPN+ live programming including sports games (based on your location) and the basic Hulu plan covering their streaming library.

The powerful online shopping platform now allows you to watch the latest movies and TV shows on-demand for free with your Amazon Prime subscription. Movie addicts, yes, not only you get the two-days delivery with your Prime Membership and other perks, browse through the movie and television shows content at your fingertips. Let’s check out the details about this deal and explore its peaks and valleys together.

Ease of Use

The interface is pretty straightforward, especially if you are already familiar with Amazon. Once something sparks your interest, the instructions on how to proceed are very clear. You just need to hover over the movie and find out what options you got – to buy or rent it, or watch it for free. While watching, you can choose from an array of features such as audio descriptions, subtitles, alternative tracks or a combination. You can easily adjust viewer restrictions and parental control through the Prime Video app settings or set up a pin to an individual device and restrict its ability to purchase or watch specific content.

Performance

No wonder Amazon Prime Video is the second most popular video streaming platform for original content. With titles such as The Man in the High Castle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Homecoming and estimation to spend $7 billion on original video and music by the end of 2019. The performance of the Prime video app is outstanding and highly depended on the device you’re using and your internet speed. While streaming video in SD quality would require the minimum of 3 Mbps, Prime Video offers a generous 4K (720p, 1080p) resolution titles, so 5 Mbps should do (also for HD) but 25 Mbps would be ideal to enjoy a smooth, uninterrupted viewing experience.

Video & Sound Quality

Content is available at SD and HD quality with a growing number of movies and shows available in High Dynamic Range (HDR) and 4K Ultra HDR. If you are to use a web browser, make sure it’s updated to its latest version so you can enjoy up to HD video and stereo quality. The audio quality is 5.1 Dolby Digital, Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos.

Library

It’s growing! Movies, TV shows, comedy specials, original content, kids’ series and tons more for every taste. You can also browse through the categories and choose among over 100 channels providing just the movie you want.

The most impressive and distinctive feature on the platform is the X-Ray functionality. It’s a brilliant integration with IMDb which provides unique bonus content about the movie you chose. That could be info on the soundtrack, the cast, characters backstories, behind-the-scenes photos, bonus video content and many, many more.

Most Popular Prime Content 

No doubt one of the Prime Video’s best tv shows is The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Season three was a joy again. The other big thing on the platform is the new season of The Expanse – for the sci-fi fans not to miss! The new original series Troop Zero is added to the library so we’ll see how that would turn out but it’s promising. A new standup special from Ilana Grazer as well as six Star Trek movies were also scheduled so this year going to be interesting.

Device Compatibility

In order to stream TV online using your Prime membership, use the Amazon app. The service is available on all kinds of devices. The list is truly massive:

1. Smart TVs and Blu-ray players
2. Amazon devices: Amazon Fire TV Stick, Fire Tablet, Fire Phone
3. Android and iOS devices mobile devices
4. Game consoles: PlayStation 3 and 4, Xbox One and 360
5. Set-top boxes and media players: Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Comcast X1

Of course, you can simply use your web browser on your Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS computer.

If you plan on traveling, there’s a chance some titles may not be available at your location due to licensing issues. Make sure to use a Fire tablet or the Prime Video app for Android or iOS and download all the content to enjoy offline streaming.

Simultaneous Connections

You can stream up to three videos simultaneously using one Amazon subscription. And “only” up to two streams of the same title.

You can download the app on as many devices as you like, but if you have a bigger family, you would need an additional Amazon subscription.

Videos are also available for download to save and watch without Wi-Fi. You can even download titles to two devices simultaneously.

Free Trials

Yep, you have one. You get a 30 days free trial to check out the Prime video streaming services.

Students are the lucky ones – they get a 6-month trial. Not only that – they can also get a Prime membership 50% off upon the trial period.

Pricing & Plans

It actually comes “free” with your Prime membership. For the latter you’ll get charged $12.99 per month or $119 per year. Students are charged $6.49 per month – or $59 per year.

Amazon Prime Video is available as a separate plan at a promotional fee of $2.99 for the first six months. You can also buy or rent a video of your choice. With the weekly Prime member deals, you can rent new releases for $2.99.

If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, adding an external channel such as HBO, STARTZ or SHOWTIME starts at $4.99 per month.

The pay-per-view option allows you to access the purchased title for 24 hours after you started watching. The option is available through a web browser or a compatible device.

The great thing about it is that with a Prime membership, you get that sweet free movie streaming. Old or new releases, original series, or kids shows, just look for the Prime logo sign and enjoy it!

Customer Service

You’ll most likely find the answers you seek or at least a similar topic within the Prime video Help center library. It’s huge and very useful. If you still need to contact someone, you’ll get help quickly.

Who is Amazon Prime Video Best For?

It’s certainly an option to consider if you’re a frequent Amazon customer and you enjoy a good movie or TV show every now and then. You pay for that order delivery anyway, why not cut the cord, get all the benefits, and optimize your budget.

Partnerships

The digital entertainment giant TiVo integrated the Prime Video app for all Linux-based TiVo devices – a step forward to integrating OTT services to set-top boxes distributed by pay-tv providers. The same collaboration is already in place between Prime Video and the Comcast X1 platform.

The free and ad-supported streaming channel IMDb TV is available through the Prime Video app on smart TVs, mobile devices, or Fire tablets among others. With your Prime membership, you get access to a selection of movies and series from the IMDb TV ad-supported video streaming channel.

Direct Comparison

How is Amazon Prime Video performing compared to the biggest OTT (over-the-top) streaming service out there? We reveal and you decide if Prime Video is a worthy Netflix alternative.

Netflix vs Amazon Prime Video

A big selling point of streaming services is the number of concurrent streams allowed. Netflix allows for 4 simultaneous streams. Amazon Prime Video allows for 3, with the option to unlock unlimited screens for an additional monthly fee.

While you can binge-watch series in 4K quality on both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, Netflix does not integrate with IMDb or Alexa AI for smart searching. Amazon does both of those things. Plus you get free access to the IMDb video streaming channel included with your Prime membership.

Best VPN for Amazon Prime Video

Although the subscription VOD is available worldwide, there are still some geo-restrictions you might come across. You still may want to use a virtual private network for an easy access and a seamless streaming experience. We found that NordVPN does a great job. Surfshark unblocks Prime Video too, allows for P2P file sharing and you can access it on an unlimited number of devices.

Verdict

After all is said and done, Amazon Prime Video gets a 7.5/10 rating.

The video streaming services offered by Amazon are still playing second fiddle due to its reputation of a shopping place but times are changing. However, with ever-increasing budget for original productions and the respective great quality content, the increasing number of partnerships and integrations of a Prime membership such as granting access to Prime Music, Twitch Prime, IMDb TV, the international and cross-device accessibility of the OTT service among other reasons, make it so much intuitive decision it comes to cord-cutting.

To top this, with the upcoming release of the five-season show, based on the Lord of the Rings, anything is possible. Amazon Prime Video could turn into the most preferred online TV and one of the leading services out there, overnight.

HBO Now and HBO Go – HBO’s twin streaming services. While there are some minor differences between the two, both platforms allow people to enjoy the best movie streaming service with the same quality and identical library. The deciding factor distinguishing the line between the two comes down to your preferences.  We will focus our review on the latter as one of the market-leading standalone streaming TV packages out there.

Ease of Use

The app’s interface has a clear layout and an easy to navigate through menu. You can choose by genre, category, from your watchlist, or simply browse through (or use the search functionality to find a specific title. If you need to stop watching, the app will save your progress so you can resume exactly where you left off.

The mobile interface looks very modern; however, we find both the navigation and the search functionalities a bit painful. Just a pinch of improvement would make the difference. For viewing on your mobile devices, make sure you get at least a 3G connection.

Performance

Overall consistent and good quality of the stream. You might experience some issues with the app performance such as lagging or buffering when a new airing episode has just been added to the library and everyone’s watching it.

There’s the annoying requirement to enable Flash on your browser if you watch through the web interface. Although, there isn’t a built-in download functionality for offline viewing, you can still watch without a connection using third party solutions such as PlayOn Cloud or the iPhone TV app.

Video & Sound Quality

SD and HD picture quality are still the only supported options. Awaiting for 4K and HDR! The interface is missing manual video adjustment settings.

Library

Clearly, HBO’s by far one of the major players when it comes to original, high-quality content. It might be the second to Netflix in terms of production budgets but if we qualitywise, HBO has another story to tell.

The HBO Now library includes over 500 movies – the best movie streaming service for new releases and old classics, numerous original TV series, collections such as Just-Added Movies or Last Chance: Movies Leaving This Month, kids shows, documentaries, sports and comedy specials. Anime and animated series fans might be disappointed as there are’s none to choose from.

Overall, one of the best libraries out there for movies and TV-series addicts.

Most Popular Content

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Godzilla: King of the Monsters were just a pinch of what was worth watching on HBO Now in 2020. In terms of tv shows, we are expecting The Outsider, The New Pope, and the sci-fi comedy featuring Hugh Laurie – Avenue 5.

Device Compatibility

Wide range of compatible devices to choose from:

1. Android and iOS devices
2. Amazon Fire OS, Amazon Fire TV
3. Android TV
4. PS4, Xbox One,
5. Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast
6. Samsung TVs
7. Via web browsers on hbonow.com

Simultaneous Connections

No limits on the number of devices tied to one account. That said, you might experience a sudden interruption on all simultaneously streaming devices. Due to security reasons, too many video streams are not allowed.

But how many are too many? HBO Now is vague about that. What you can do is log out some of the devices that are being used by checking through the menu option Manage Devices.

Free Trial

Yes, you get a generous 30-days free trial to get a glimpse at the HBO Now’s treasures. The trial is only available for new HBO Now customers only.

Pricing & Plans

It’s a standalone service with a single price tag of $14.99 per month. However, you can enjoy the movie streaming service as an add-on for Amazon Prime Video, AT&T TV Now, and Hulu. Or, if you already have HBO included from your provider, you can still enjoy the HBO Now’s superb content through HBO Go.

Customer Service

There’s a ton of topics covered in the Help center, but if you still need to get someone from support, you can use chat, phone, email, or you can even tweet about your issue. You’ll get a solution quickly.

Who is HBO Now Best For?

Cinema addicts will certainly find their way to HBO’s content – one way or another. Audience that regularly goes back to the old-time classics will appreciate the wide selection of the HBO Now library. People eager to see the airing episodes of hit TV shows would also opt-in for the streaming service of the giant.

With the launch of the direct-to-consumer streaming service (HBO Max) in 2020, current subscribers HBO were entitled to a free upgrade. If you have a subscription through a third-party reseller such as Apple App Store, Roku, or Hulu, you will have to stay tuned for further details on the topic.

Partnerships

The AT&T – HBO partnership allows for AT&T Unlimited Wireless plan users to get free access to the HBO library.

You can get access to HBO Now’s on-demand content as an add-on via competitors such as Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, DirectTV Now.

Direct Comparison

HBO vs Netflix

HBO still holds the lead in terms of quality original content and number of TV series. Netflix focuses on original and non-original movies, anime, and other animated content.

HBO Now does not allow for binge-watching TV series, unlike Netflix.

Netflix’s interface allows creating personal preferences for each viewer, while HBO Now does not.

Best VPN for HBO Now

If you are located out of the US, please read on! The best few virtual private network vendors which work best with HBO Now are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and PrivateVPN. All three unlock HBO, work on multiple devices, and provide multiple simultaneous connections.

Verdict

We give HBO Now 7/10 rating, mostly thanks to its top-notch originals.

Outstanding top-notch original content, no commercials, and easy to use interface – it’s easy to vouch for this service. There’s a consistent quality of the stream and improvement of the picture quality which gives us another reason to consider HBO’s standalone streaming service.

With the upcoming upgrade to HBO Max, we can expect an even wider content library and who knows what perks and new features. Will shall see.

Until then, the least you can do is give the HBO Now’s free trial a go and see for yourself. If you subscribe directly to through the HBO’s website, you’ll be entitled to a free and seamless upgrade to the new service launching in May.

Enjoy!

Next in our grande review of the best streaming services is the over-the-top internet TV – YouTube TV. As most of its rivals, the platform offers live TV, on-demand video, and cloud DVR. Let’s go through our set of criteria and find out how the service stands out? How do cord-cutters perceive it?

Ease of Use

Very intuitive and smooth interface. Lots of customization options at your fingertips.

You also get suggestions on what to watch, a reminder of your top picks, suggestions on what to record – all based on your previous viewing activity.

What’s more, each one of the six personalized accounts included with a single subscription can explore those features separately from the other accounts’ picks. Recordings are organized in a very neat way.

Performance

For a smooth performance of the service in HD quality with multiple devices using the same network, make sure you have a download speed of at least 25 Mbps.

Otherwise, you might get lagging or buffering. If you’re the only one streaming, you’ll still be able to stream HD videos smoothly with a speed under 10 Mbps. If your speed is even less than that, you can still take advantage of standard definition videos. You don’t want to go lower than 3 Mbps. Save yourself that torture.

Video & Sound Quality

Great and consistent picture quality. Depending on your download speed, you get to watch in SD, HD resolution. Unfortunately, 4K HDR is still not available on YouTube TV. You can change the resolution through the settings menu.

If you’re having issues, you’ll find a very useful FAQ section for troubleshooting video streaming issues on a variety of devices.

The standard 2.0 stereo audio is still the only available option.

Overall, YouTube TV delivers better quality than most streaming TV services out there.

Library

Quite a lot to choose from, we must admit – 70+ channels, local and regional programs with complete local network coverage, streaming live and local sports, news, and shows. On-demand movies and shows, as well as more networks such as SHOWTIME, STARZ, Fox Soccer Plus, are available for a few extra bucks.

Most Popular YouTube TV Content

The documentary series Justin Bieber: Seasons is part of the original programming scheduled to air. Curious?!

Device Compatibility

You can have YouTube TV running on virtually anything:

1. Android and iOS mobile devices
2. Chrome web browser
3. Chromecast devices
4. AirPlay for Apple TV
5. Smart TVs
6. Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox One X
7. Roku devices
8. Amazon Fire Stick, Fire Stick 4K, Fire TV Cube

You can find a list of all available devices and requirements in the YouTube TV Help guide. It was a pleasant surprise to find out you get to watch the stream on your iPad (iOS 10+) in both landscape and portrait mode. Pretty neat!

Simultaneous Connections

Each subscription allows up to three simultaneous streams. Furthermore, it can be shared among six individual accounts per household and each will get personalized recommendations.

Free Trials

Before you are charged, you’ll get a seven days free trial to explore the platform and make a decision. All you need to do is enter your credit card details.

A friendly reminder just in case you don’t grow very fond of the service – make sure to disable your payment details before the trial period ends. Otherwise, it’ll charge you automatically.

Pricing & Plans

One plan – plain and simple. No room for confusion. The monthly subscription will cost you $49.99 and you get:

• Live and on-demand videos
• 70+ channels
• Local channel lineup
• Regional sports networks
• Unlimited DVR storage space
• 3 simultaneous streams
• Up to 6 personalized accounts for your family

You can add more networks, such as Starz to your plan, starting at $9.00 per month.

No contracts, no software to install, and no tricky cancellation policies.

Customer Service

You’ll find an extremely helpful Help menu with numerous answered questions, as well as user manuals. From billing matters to how to set up your smart TV – you’ll find it all on the Help page.

If you still need troubleshooting assistance, you can choose between chat and email support. We were extremely satisfied with the received support via YouTube TV’s live chat.

Who is YouTube TV Best For?

Millennials, boomers, gen X, the little ones, virtually everybody. What’s the secret weapon that YouTube TV hides up its sleeve? To name a few outstanding: the better and consistent picture quality than most rivals, the super-intuitive interface, the number of channels (70+), the local network’s coverage.

Partnerships

The YouTube TV – Verizon partnership provides all eligible Verizon customers (Verizon Wireless, Verizon FIOS, and 5G Home Internet Plans) access to the VOD services from YouTube TV for one month of free trial instead of the 5-day period available if you sign up directly with the provider.

The partnership with the television broadcaster PBS grants the over-the-top subscribers with PBS programming and over 100 member stations. YouTube TV users can enjoy local public television, original content, and on-demand content.

Direct Comparison

Netflix vs YouTube TV

The YouTube TV app on your iPad is available in both landscape and portrait modes whereas the Netflix app only supports landscape mode.

YouTube TV offers the best DVR among streaming providers with unlimited space for 90 days; however, Netflix lets you download videos to watch them offline.

With YouTube TV, you can watch live tv, local sports, and news channels while Netflix does not offer live streaming at all.

Best VPN for YouTube TV

With most of its servers located in the US, no bandwidth limitations, and a decent price tag, you want to consider IPVanish or NordVPN if you’re looking to stream from outside states and not sacrifice on the viewing experience.

Verdict

Fully deserved, we give YouTube TV an 8/10 rating.

Features such as the amazing unlimited cloud DVR storage space where all 6 personalized account holders can keep, organize and enjoy the content for up to 9 months; the picture-in-picture and split-screen functionalities and the option to watch in landscape and portrait mode on your iPad confirmed our very positive experience with the cable-free TV option.

The 98% coverage of US households and consistent high-quality picture also give us a good incentive to try the service.

The lack of international coverage is a bit of drawback; however, there are some good virtual private network vendors that can do the job for you.

The original content is yet not highly comparable to OTT rivals such as Netflix or Prime Video but they are getting there.

With over 2 million users, Sling TV is one of the well-established players among the live TV streaming services providers. Hence, we couldn’t hold ourselves to play around with its features, see what’s all the fuss about and give our verdict.

Ease of Use

A decent, traditional, nice-looking interface with a smooth grid guide allowing you to filter what appears on your screen. You can also choose from resuming a video, watch it live or play from the beginning. Lots of categorization for your convenience – sports, lifestyle, most popular movies, new releases and more.

The interface stands out with quick responsiveness.

Performance

Depending on the number of connected devices and internet speed, you might find the service performance varying.

For streaming on tablets and phones, 3 Mbps should be enough. For a single stream on a TV or computer, you should have at least 5 Mbps. Finally, and for simultaneous streams on multiple devices, Sling recommends a constant speed of 25 Mbps to enjoy a smooth streaming performance.

Video & Sound Quality

Picture quality comes in SD and HD mostly depending on your internet speed. To receive a constant and ultimate streaming experience, make sure the download speed is at least 25 Mbps. Otherwise, you risk buffering, jumping video quality back and forth from 420p to 720p resolution, or lagging issues. The video-on-demand content comes with a nice 5.1 surround sound quality.

Library

Live TV, 30+ channels, local channels depending on your location, on-demand content, many sports channels including ESPN, a la carte channels, and lots of add-on choices. All content is available in HD quality.

Device Compatibility

Sling has it all. Probably the widest range of compatibility, so you’ll certainly find your device on the list:

1. Amazon Fire
2. Android and iOS devices
3. Roku devices, Apple TV, Chromebook, Chromecast
4. Android TV
5. LG, Samsung TVs
6. Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox One X
7. Windows 10 computers and devices
8. Web browsers

Plus, Sling has one of the best TV streaming apps in terms of stability.

Simultaneous Connections

Depending on the plan you choose, you can get up to four simultaneous streams with Sling tv. The Sling Orange plan allows a single stream at a time, while Sling Blue will give you up to- three. If you opt-in for the complete Blue & Orange bundle, you’ll get four.

Free Trials

Yes, for seven days after the activation of your account. You can cancel at any time.

Pricing & Plans

One word – multiple. The two base plans Sling Orange and Sling Blue cost $30.00 per month if you decide to go for one or the other, but you can get a discount for both and get either one of the plans at $20.00 for the first month. The regular price of the bundle plan Orange & Blue is $45.00 with a $35.00 price tag for the first month.

The main difference between the plans is the channel lineup. With Orange, you get 30+ channels including ESPN, Disney, TNT, CNN, while with Blue, you get 45+ channels including Discovery, History, Fox, TLC. The complete plan includes 50+ channels to choose from.

Furthermore, there are so many add-on channels and services that you wouldn’t believe it! A la carte channels such as Starz and Showtime starting at $3.00 per month, sports networks are available as an extra at $10.00 per month, while you can get additional kids channels for $5.00, the list goes on. Unlike its TV competitors, Sling offers 50 hours of cloud DVR storage space – also an added feature for $5.00 per month. The good thing about it is that you can keep your recording indefinitely or as long as you’re a Sling user.

You can rent titles.

Finally, international and Spanish-language plans are available starting at $5.00 per month.

On top of all this, you get to choose from various deals and promotions.

Customer Service

Great Help Center is available to answer all kinds of questions and topics – from details on a specific deal offered to step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot your device. You can chat and call support 7 days a week.

Who is Sling TV Best For?

No doubt the sports fans will be thrilled to have ESPN at their fingertips for just $25 a month, along with 30+ additional channels. It’s not just that. Sling TV is one of the preferred alternatives to cable TV thanks to its flexibility and affordable base packages.

With the great choice of extra channels to pick from and based on what channels and networks you care about, you can enjoy one of the top video streaming services on a budget or at least be aware of what you pay for.

Partnerships

Sling TV is the preferred tv partner which will be featured on the new video streaming device from TiVO – the TiVO Stream 4K. The equipment from the DVR pioneer will also include apps for video streaming to some of the biggest players on the market – Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO.

Direct Comparison

Netflix vs Sling TV

No ads on Netflix, while with Sling TV you can only skip them using the DVR functionality available for $5.00 per month.

Sling features sports channel lineup including ESPN in its base plan while Netflix offers limited sports content such as documentaries or some sports events.

Best VPN for Sling TV

To unblock access to Sling TV outside of the US, consider a VPN. Some of the best options out there will do the trick for you. With ExpressVPN, you will get a fast and reliable streaming experience. It does a great job of unblocking most of the top video streaming services. There are more affordable options too. VPNs like CyberHost and NordVPN are more budget-friendly options, yes, they offer fewer features but it will still do the job.

Verdict

We give Sling TV a 6.5/10 for its multiple choice and good prices.

With a number of affordable plans featuring ESPN, multiple add-ons available for a slim additional fee per month, Sling TV is not only a great alternative to traditional pay television. It is now a worthy option to cord-cutters. Furthermore, you can choose from an array of compatible devices including media players such as the Amazon Fire TV, Roku, smart TVs, game consoles, Android TV, Apple TV, and others. The Sling TV app stands out with stability compared to others on the market.

The next streaming service we’re looking into is the most expected launch in the OTT video streaming world – Disney+. Owned by the Walt Disney Company, the service provides on-demand original content of Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Television, original content from Marvel, National Geographic, Pixar, and Star Wars. The family-oriented entertainment provider does not feature R-rates films. After playing around with it, we’re eager to share our experiences with you. Let’s get to it!

Ease of Use

We found the interface pretty simple and straightforward. There’s a clear distinction between categories in the menu (Movies, Series, Originals, Settings). You’ll also find useful the additional categorization such as Recommended For You, Trending, Out of the Vault for classics you can’t find anywhere else. Once you give it a try, you easily get used to it. All in all, the interface is clean and easygoing. We liked that you get to be notified about newly released episodes every week, yes, Disney Plus does not upload the whole series all at once which we really liked about other competitors. There’s no Pause functionality, so you can actually resume your watching where you left but the VOD’s interface is improving. We find it very nice that you can create your own custom avatar and disable background videos!

Performance

The video quality automatically adjusts depending on the available bandwidth. Officially, the recommended download speed for a quality streaming experience is 5 Mbps (HD), for optimal performance, they recommend an internet connection of 25 Mbps for 4K UHD content. This way, you’ll be sure to stay away from potential lagging, frame drops, or buffering. So, check this out with your internet service provider.

Video & Sound Quality

Video and sound streaming experience on Disney Plus is comparable to giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video from launching the service. You get a 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos quality for select titles at no additional cost.

Features & Functionalities

There’s yet a modest set of features, more like functionalities you can enjoy on the platform but it looks promising. Some of these include closed captioning, descriptive video service, audio description, unlimited recording for offline watching.

Library

The library is generous for some and pretty decent for others at the same time. For the Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm diehard fans, the place is like heaven. You can watch Star Wars all you want! Still very slim on originals but judging by The Mandalorian show, we feel Disney+ is on the right track in the OTT race. Some more original titles released include High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Encore!, Marvel’s Hero Project. The Simpsons are here too! Yes!

Disney’s library is family-oriented and you won’t find R-rated films or TV-MA rated programming.

Most Popular Content

For now, we can mostly talk about The Mandalorian – it turned out fairly decent production – entertaining and good looking. Still far away from being a blockbuster but Disney+ did a good job there. The comedy show Diary of a Future President is also worth watching. The Lion King and Aladdin didn’t achieve the expected success, but you can still find them on the platform and watch them if you haven’t already.

Device Compatibility

Happily, the Disney Plus service can be streamed on multiple devices:

1. Game consoles: PS4 and Xbox One
2. Streaming devices: Roku Ultra devices, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Chromebook
3. Apple TV set-top box
4. Smart TVs: LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV
5. iOS and Android mobile devices
6. Web browsers

Simultaneous Connections

Officially, you get four simultaneous streams, which is pretty good, compared to other OTT providers. However, you might find this capability not so reliable at first, stick to it, the errors go away eventually.

Free Trials

You can explore what the platform offers – browse through the content, make some recordings for seven days for free. In order to subscribe, you need to enter credit card details. If you find yourself not so fond of the service, make sure to cancel the trial period before it’s over. Otherwise, you’ll end up paying that $6.99.

Pricing & Plans

It’s worth noting that Disney+ is available without any annual contracts. If you like it – you can just pay for it on a monthly basis. If not – you just cancel future payments. It’s really simple and makes a world of difference for people out there.

There are two main plans – the general $6.99 and the bundle edition Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ for $12.99. The second one grants access to Disney+ library, the basic ad-supported Hulu plan, and shows and live events from ESPN+. Pretty good for the price if you’re a sports fan and your tv shows are on Hulu. Add-ons and standalones are currently not available.

An additional option for you is the Disney+Gift Subscription to surprise a friend with a yearly plan for $69.99.

Customer Service

You will most likely get your question answered at the Help Center. In case you need further assistance, there’s a phone, chat support as well as a Twitter link where you can reach the support team 24/7.

Who is Disney Plus Best For?

Certainly for the Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney productions fans. The VOD provider promises the most recent content available only in theaters to be uploaded to the streaming library too. Your kids will love the platform. Sports and live television fans can find the bundle offer very tempting. Also, people who own more than a couple of TVs can watch at the same time. People who appreciate contracts-free services will find the online TV service from Disney+ pretty appealing too. Multi-view functionality and unlimited download functionality are very powerful perks. It’s a good choice if you are considering cord-cutting options. Try it out!

Partnerships

Still very young, the Walt Disney Company streaming baby is fast to tie some good relations and pack nice offerings to the cord-cutters.

The Disney+ bundle is a very promising partnership with Hulu and ESPN+ which is yet to be evaluated but it’s a promising partnership. Offering Disney’s library exclusively, access to Hulu’s library and sports events from ESPN+ looks like a place for every taste.

Another notable partnership is the Disney Plus – Verizon offer. All eligible Verizon customers (Unlimited and 5G Home Internet Plans) are offered an entire year of Disney+ access which makes the partnership with the telecommunications network a good strategy to add more subscribers in no time.

Direct Comparison

Disney+ journey is at its very beginning but the bar is set high and they have to deal with it. Let’s see how they are doing compared to other over-the-top providers out there.

Disney+ vs Netflix

Content-wise people are ready to argue that Disney+ offers a library worthy of a Netflix rival considering the exclusivity over major studio productions such as Disney, Marvel and Lucas Films; however, if we talk diverse content for audiences of various preferences, the new streaming service is still short of content compared to Netflix

The subscription price is significantly lower than the standard and premium plans from Netflix which empowers many users to give it a try.

The two providers are alike in terms of video and sound quality, both allow for unlimited download for offline viewing and are ad-free.

Best VPN for Disney+

The service is still available in select countries, so if you want to overcome this obstacle, we found that ExpressVPN and CyberHost will do an ideal job. ExpressVPN guarantees consistent fast performance, strong encryption, and VPN protocols to safeguard your privacy. With CyberGhost you will enjoy Disney+ keeping full anonymity as the VPN provider does not collect private data.

Verdict

Disney Plus scores a respectable 6/10 rating.

Although the new streaming provider has still a lot to improve and ultimately prove itself a worthy Netflix alternative, in terms of performance and consistent viewing experience on various devices, features, functionalities, and original content, we are eager to see how the future will unravel for Disney Plus. The unlimited ability to download content for offline viewing and the high resolution and immersive surround sound quality are up to the set standards by giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

The bold move to bundle their content with Hulu and ESPN+ is highly promising and more partnerships with telecommunication companies like Verizon are putting the VOD provider on the right track.

It’s more than the next cord-cutting option mainly due to its unique library. So, it’s worth trying!

DirecTV Stream has one of the most interesting histories of all video streaming services. It went under several name changes and made some large pricing changes in its six years of operating. The current version succeeds AT&T TV and its spin-offs.

Like most similar services, DirecTV Stream now has monthly subscriptions after previously only offering two-year contracts. While its plans are still relatively expensive, this change puts it among the best live cable TV alternatives.

Library

One of the best things about this service is its awesome channel line-up. Its Entertainment plan includes some popular stations such like: 

• the ABC family 
• AMC 
• TNT 
• CNN 
• Disney Channel

More precisely, this plan unlocks 65+ channels and 40,000+ on-demand titles. DirecTV really included something for each family member in its least expensive package.

Plans outside the basic one are ideal for sports fans. You get access to some of the biggest sports broadcasters out there alongside tons of RSNs, NBA TV, and NHL Network.

DirecTV Stream users can also unlock premium channels which include Starz, Epix, Cinemax, and Showtime. In fact, when you get your account, the provider tosses a free subscription to all four channels for three months. To be fair, this is one of the best perks in the entire industry at the moment.

The DVR DirecTV Stream offer is one of the best you can find. You get unlimited hours, which isn’t the case with most other internet TV providers. This function includes 4K resolution and up to five simultaneous recordings. 

Device Compatibility

You can watch DirecTV Stream at home or on your mobile device anywhere in the US territory excluding Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. To do it, you first have to download the DirecTV app from the device’s app store. It works on:

• PC
• Android devices
• Apple devices
• Samsung TVs
• Roku devices
• DirecTV Stream device
• Amazon Fire TVs

In case you move or change your internet provider, you can change your home Wi-Fi network you use for DirecTV four times within 12 months.

Simultaneous Connections

You can enjoy the service on all compatible devices that are connected to your home network and up to three on the go. Only users with contracts that started prior to the rebrand have certain limitations on simultaneous connections.

Free Trial

DirecTV offers a free trial but it’s essentially a money-back guarantee. To unlock the trial period, you have to purchase a plan and you have 14 days to cancel your subscription and get a refund with no questions asked.

Pricing

DirecTV is one of the more expensive streaming TV options on the market. The good news is that you no longer have to sign up for a two-year contract and fees no longer increase over time.

You can choose between four subscriptions in the $70-$150 range. Both the number of channels and on-demand titles increase with more expensive deals.

Verdict

It’s no lie that DirecTV is pricey and it gets even more expensive once the three months of premium channels expire. However, this service really has everything you need.

You can count on it to offer each of your family member’s favorite channels regardless of which plan you opt for. It’s also ideal for sports fans.

One of the more affordable cable-free TV options. Let’s see if you’ll be ready to give Philo a go after we reveal our experience with the service.

Ease of Use

The platform offers a fairly easy to use interface. At the top of the home page in your account, you’ll find the latest content you’ve watched. Next appear your favorites or the saved content, followed by trending live titles, top shows, and new & upcoming videos. It makes perfect sense.

Content can be live, on-demand, or such that is to be aired in the future. Well, if you do a search for a specific show which has some past seasons and soon to be aired episodes, the results will be a bit confusing, but this is a minor issue.

Philo TV also features a decent TV guide with the favorites at the top. You also get unlimited DVR storage to save your favorite shows for up to 30 days.

The activation process requires that you enter an activation code sent to your mobile or email. It takes a minute or two to arrive.

Performance

Smooth performance, quick and responsive menu. For reliable streaming quality, the recommended internet speed is 13 Mbps.

We found that the DVR rewind functionality can be a bit tricky. Instead of rewinding, it started the show we were watching from the beginning.

Video & Sound Quality

Philo streaming services are delivered in high definition (HD) resolution with live TV in 720p and on-demand in 1080p. The audio is 2.0 stereo standard. Both video and sound quality automatically adjust to the available bandwidth. If you’re watching through a web browser though, you can manually set up the picture quality using the settings menu.

Library

Live and over 40,000 titles available to watch on-demand with Philo. You get 59 channel lineup including AMC, A&E, Animal Planet, Discovery and more. No local channels or sports networks are available. No add-ons are supported.

The platform is also running a lot of ads, but you do get the option to skip through the commercials, or at least get back when they’re over. (A timer will appear so you can see how long it would take, neat.)

Device Compatibility

You can use Philo through:

1. Web browser on Mac and Windows
2. iOS or Android phones or tablets
3. Android TV
4. Apple TV
5. Amazon Fire TV
6. Roku devices

Simultaneous Connections

Yes, you get to stream content on up to three devices simultaneously.

You can create multiple in-house accounts for a personalized experience.

Free Trials

You can test the service for seven full days for free. For the first 48 hours of that, you’re not even required to add your credit card details. All you need to do is enter your phone number. After 48 hours, you’ll need to add billing details to unlock the full trial period.

Pricing & Plans

That’s simple with Philo. There’s a single plan offered at this time. You get 58 channels for $20.00 per month and that’s it. No contract required and you can cancel at any time after that.

Customer Service

We were able to get all our questions answered through Philo’s help center, but there’s also regular support via phone, chat, and email at your disposal.

Who is Philo TV Best For?

It’s good if you’re keen on entertainment channels without being big on sports. It is a slim package with good options, such as 3 simultaneous streams, personalized accounts, and unlimited DVR storage. For the right type of watcher, this is a true bargain.

Direct Comparison

Philo vs. AT&T TV Now

Let’s find out where we can draw the line between the two live streaming providers so familiar to the public:

While both of the providers require no annual contracts, nor installation of any equipment, AT&T TV Now offers more packages to its users than Philo. You can choose from multiple add-ons whereas Philo offers a single plan including 59 channel package.

Unlike its rival, Philo is available at the most affordable monthly subscription for a live and on-demand video streaming provider. Plus the 59 channel lineups, you get unlimited DVR storage for 30 days. AT&T TV Now offers you 45+ channels for three times the price you get with Philo and only 20 hours of cloud DVR.

Verdict

We give Philo TV a well-deserved 6/10 rating.

It’s a decent solution if you are thinking of cable TV alternatives. It’s not the top streaming service out there, but certainly a valid option for many. And a really affordable one at that.

FuboTV is a video streaming service that is aimed at sports fans. The site, however, doesn’t have ESPN, which is the biggest sports channel of all time. However, to make it up for this, FuboTV offers some meticulous sports programs. For sports fans who don’t have a cable, this service is definitely the best among the streaming options. But the service doesn’t only provide sport-related content. It comes with non-sports content as well.

Performance and Quality

FuboTV claims to be a front runner of low-latency streaming. It has also streamed some sporting events in 4K. The service’s live channels stream is limited to 720p resolution only. The on-demand content that the service offers is available in 1080p.

Device Compatibility

FuboTV is accessible on a large number of devices. The quality of the stream also depends on the device that you’re using. Here is the list of compatible devices:

• Roku (Premier, Premier +, Ultra)

• Select Android phones

• Apple TV 4K

• Chromecast Ultra

• FireTV Cube

• FireTV 4K

• Samsung Smart TVs

• All Chromecast devices

Library

FuboTV’s channel lineup is huge. It includes almost all of the local networks. It is rather disappointing that the service doesn’t come with Disney-owned networks. So, you’re not going to find ESPN or ABC on it. FuboTV does offer Viacom-owned networks such as Comedy Central, MTV, and Nickelodeon. Keep in mind that this is a paid streaming service, so you don’t get any content for free.

Verdict

FuboTV is a great choice for people who don’t want to have cable television and are sports fans.

Still, the service is a bit pricey. The cost of the streaming services starts from $54.99 per month.

When Apple TV+ was launched, many experts believed that it would be short-lived. But they were pretty wrong. While it has a long way to go to compete with the established streaming giants, it still has increased its visibility among users. Apple TV+ offers a diverse library of movies, shows, and documentaries. There’s something for everyone.

Apple TV+ Performance and Quality 

Apple TV+ offers great quality, no matter the device you use. Apple Originals are available in 4K HDR. Make sure that you have a good internet connection so that you can enjoy the best picture quality of the shows. 

Apple TV+ Device Compatibility 

The Apple TV app is compatible with all Apple devices such as iPad Touch, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K, iPhone, and Mac. It is also available on TVs that come with the app. These devices include Samsung’s Tizen OS and Roku TV. LG said that the feature would be available on its last year models. In February, the TV app was rolled out to UHD TVs, NanoCell TVs, and LG OLEDs. The content can also be viewed offline. With one subscription, the content can be viewed on six simultaneous streams. 

Apple TV+ Library 

At present, Apple TV+ has a small collection of programs – since it is relatively new. Some of these programs include: 

• Dickinson
• See
• For All Mankind
• The Morning Show
• Amazing Stories
• Home Before Dark
• Oprah Talks Covid-19

Apple TV+ Verdict 

At $6.20 per month, Apple TV+ is a good streaming option. It has fewer shows, true, but the list will surely be expanding in the future. Apple TV+ has all the potential to top our list.

Showtime is a popular online streaming service that provides on-demand content. It is launched by a cable channel of the same name. Showtime’s impressive content lineup has made it an instant hit among people. Even though Showtime has a lot to do to compete with streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, it still has done a decent job to capture the market. 

Showtime Performance and Quality 

Showtime’s website is organized. The quality of the video is also good. On the mobile app too, the service performs well. However, there are a few issues with the quality of its downloaded content. The options for the resolution quality of the content available for download are 540p and 720p, which is quite a bummer. 

Showtime Device Compatibility 

Showtime is compatible with many devices. Here is a comprehensive list of devices where you can easily enjoy this streaming service:

• Android devices
• iOS devices
• Windows computers
• Mac 
• A variety of streaming sticks 
• Smart TVs
• The Xbox One
• Oculus Go

Showtime Library 

Showtime has a limited library, but it does have its originals that are quite popular among people. Here are some of the shows and movies that you can find on Showtime: 

• Homeland
• Billions
• Shameless
• Ray Donovan
• Black Monday 
• The Chi 
• Kidding
• Baby Driver
• Remember the Titans
• War House
• Molly’s Game 
• Spotlight

Showtime Verdict 

At $10.99 per month, you can get fairly decent original programming on the site. The service can easily be unblocked on a VPN so there’s that!

Starz is a video streaming service that offers an impressive list of shows. It features the channel’s – Starz’s – past and current programs. It is a good service that has gained decent popularity among people. Participating providers for Starz include big names like Verizon, Amazon Channels, DirecTV, etc.

Performance and Quality 

Starz offers content in HD quality. Its performance largely depends on your device and internet connection. But with a stable connection, you will get high definition enjoyment.

Device Compatibility 

Starz lets you watch shows on a large number of devices. The list includes:

• Airplay 
• Amazon Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Cube
• Android devices
• Android TV 
• Apple TV 
• Google Chromecast
• iOS devices
• NVIDIA Shield
• Smart TVs
• PlayStation
• Nexus Player
• Web browsers 
• Xbox One
• Roku Stick, Roku Express, and Roku Ultra
• Smart TVs

Library 

Shows that are on-air on the channel go live at the same time as they do on cable. Starz has a really impressive library of exclusive movies and shows. It also provides behind-the-scenes coverage. Here are the options this streaming platform has in terms of genre:

• Horror 
• Popular
• Just Added 
• Family favorites 
• Black Cinema 
• Award Winners
• Kids
• Comedy 
• Crime Dramas
• Documentary 

Here is the list of some of the most popular movies you can find on the app:

• Spider-Man: Far From Home
• Men In Black: International
• Pulp Fiction
• Dazed and Confused
• Venom
• Coneheads
• Bloodsport
• Lost in Translation

Verdict 

Starz is a decent video streaming service and it is available for $8.99 per month! It also offers a 7-day free trial to let you evaluate its performance. What’s better than that?

For fans of anime and animation, VRV is the most popular among streaming services. It provides over 20,000 hours of content through its eight channels. There is a free 30-day trial to let you evaluate if you like the content. 

With VRV, anime friends will be streaming their favorite show on their mobile devices with no issues. Like with every other streaming service, VRV also loses channels or shows or movies every now and then. Sometimes, without warning. Still, the service has a lot to offer. 

 VRV Performance and Quality 

The performance and quality of the movies and shows will largely depend on your device’s location and your internet speed. If everything is good, you get high definition. It will also require around 250MB to 1GB to let you stream the content. It also lets you download episodes on your Android or iOS devices, but take a look at the expiration date of the download. 

VRV Device Compatibility 

VRV is compatible with the following devices: 

• Android devices
• iOS devices
• Windows computer
• Mac
• Playstation 4
• Chromecast
• Roku T

VRV Library 

VRV offers 20,000 hours of content. This includes: 

• Hidive – anime and more
• Curiosity Stream – documentaries and more
• Cartoon Hangover – Indie cartoons
• Boomerang – cartoon classics
• Crunchyroll – huge anime collection
• Mondo – extreme animation
• Rooster Teeth – online comedy 
• NickSplat – throwback Nickelodeon shows
• VRV Select – Premium users only

Some of the most popular shows that you can find on the site are: 

• Bruce Lee: Tracking the Dragon
• A Boy and His Dog
• Metallica and the Dawn of Thrash
• Nightbreed – The Director’s Cut 
• Attack of the Crab Monsters

Verdict 

VRV with a vast collection of shows and channels. It is available at a monthly rate of $9.99, which is pretty neat! Offering simultaneous streams, offline downloads, compatibility with different devices, and exclusive content at an affordable price surely sounds like a good mix to make the best streaming service.