The best video streaming services that are worth your time and money - Android

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The best video streaming services that are worth your time and money - Android

Check out the best paid and free video streaming services, find out if you need a VPN for streaming, and much more.

Netflix video streaming service



In the last decade, millions of people across the world have cut the cord and said goodbye to cable and satellite television, replacing it with video streaming services. The streaming boom has been so massive that platforms like Netflix are now valued in the billions and regularly produce original high-budget films and series. Others have followed its success. New platforms catering to a variety of different tastes – be it film buffs, TV series addicts, and even anime enthusiasts – are cropping up constantly.

With the growth of new services, cord-cutting has become a lot more complicated. That’s why we’ve created this guide that contains all the info you need on the topic. We’ll take a look at the best streaming services in different categories (originals, movies…) as well as free, new, and small options that are available. We’ll also discuss which are the best streaming devices and whether you need a VPN for Netflix and other services. Let’s dive in.

What is the best video streaming service?

Disney Plus animated movies section stock photo



Every video streaming service has its pros and cons, making it impossible to proclaim one as being the ultimate winner. For example, some are better for those who love TV shows, while others are a better fit for movie buffs. With that in mind, we’ve picked the best streaming service by category, making it easier for you to decide which one to go for depending on your taste. We also included a few alternatives in each category, just to give you more options. You may find the same alternative in multiple categories, since some of them are great at more than one thing.

  • Netflix — originals
  • Hulu — TV shows
  • HBO Max — movies
  • YouTube TV — live TV
  • Disney Plus — family
  • ESPN Plus — sports
  • Amazon Prime Video — value
  • Smithsonian Channel Plus — docs

Editor’s note: We’ll be updating this list of the best streaming services regularly as new ones launch.


Netflix: Best streaming service for originals

What to watch on Netflix



Netflix is the king of original programming. The company has been investing heavily in this area for years with great success. Everyone will be able to find a number of great shows and movies to check out, regardless of the genre they are into.

Some of the more popular Netflix originals include Narcos, which tells the story of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar and the DEA agents who are after him, BoJack Horseman, which is an animated story about a talking horse, and the ground-breaking Black Mirror that deals with technological advances that could affect us in the near future. There are plenty of others available, which you can check out in our post linked below.

Read next: The 20 best Netflix originals you can watch

Despite being best known for its originals, Netflix also has a number of great shows and movies on offer that aren’t exclusive to the service. This makes it one of the best streaming services overall, as you’ll always find something to watch.

Sign up for Netflix
  • Price: $8.99 – $15.99 per month
  • Streaming quality: Up to 4K
  • Simultaneous streams: 1 – 4
  • Free trial: 30 days
  • Also good for: Movies and TV shows


Alternatives to consider

Netflix may be the best option for original programming, but it’s not the only one. Check out the two alternatives we recommend below.

  • Amazon Prime Video: Amazon’s library of original movies and shows isn’t as big as Netflix’s, but the selection is still quite impressive. There’s a lot of award-winning content to choose from including the police show Bosch, the thrilling Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan starring John Krasinski, and the extremely funny The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, just to name a few.
  • HBO Max: HBO’s original programming is one of the best ones out there thanks to hit TV shows like The Sopranos, The Wire, Westworld, and many others. The service also has exclusive rights to the popular sitcom Friends, which was previously only available on Netflix.

Hulu: Best video streaming service for TV shows

Hulu video streaming service



If TV shows are your thing, Hulu is the streaming service for you. You have plenty of great content to choose from including Family Guy, The Good Doctor, and Empire. There are also a ton of older shows available like Seinfeld and How I Met Your Mother, just to name a few. You can check out more Hulu shows in our dedicated post at the link.

The great thing about Hulu is that it has the rights for next-day streaming of new shows from ABC, NBC, Fox, Comcast, and Disney. Netflix, for example, has a completely different strategy, as it usually releases an entire season of a certain show at once.

In addition to a great selection of shows, Hulu has a few great originals available as well, with the best one being The Handmaid’s Tale. The service also offers live TV streaming for those who want it.

Sign up for Hulu
  • Price: $5.99 – $60.99 per month
  • Streaming quality: Up to 4K
  • Simultaneous streams: 2 – unlimited
  • Free trial: 30 days
  • Also good for: Kids’ shows and live TV


Alternatives to consider

A lot of streaming services include TV shows, but some are better than others. If Hulu isn’t what you’re looking for, check out the two alternatives we recommend below.

  • CBS All Access: This streaming service offers CBS programming on-demand, which includes great old and new shows like Twin Peaks, The Good Fight, Star Trek: Picard, Young Sheldon, and many others. The service also gives you access to The Late Night Show with Stephen Cobert, as well as The Late Night Show with James Corden.
  • Showtime: You’ll find a bunch of great shows on Showtime, including one of my favorite ones of all time — Dexter. Other highlights include Billions, Homeland, The Borgias, and the extremely funny Episodes starring Matt LeBlanc. The selection of shows isn’t massive, but a lot of what’s there is of great quality.

HBO Max: Best streaming service for movies

21/08/2020 08:21 PM