Video on demand channels like Netflix and Hulu are called "over-the-top" (OTT) media services because they bypass traditional platforms like cable. What's overwhelming is the sheer number of options. The best streaming services deliver the content you want at your preferred price, with the added bonus of sharing with friends and family. New arrivals like Disney+ and HBO Max make choosing more difficult and expensive. Stand-alone services like HBO Now, HBO Go, Showtime, Epix Now, and Starz add to the confusion. Top streaming services and OTT services co-produce original content and offer extensive video on demand libraries. Many popular TV series come from streaming channels. With so many great options, there's something for every budget and taste. We've compiled a list of the biggest and best streaming services, including their history, cost, and device limits. Vote for the channels that offer the most value for their price.
About this list
- 1

Launched: September 7, 2006
It combines a huge library with its own original content.Amazon Prime Video offers its own originals.Amazon Prime Video competes hard with other streaming giants. It has nearly as many pilots and series in development as it has original series. The easy-to-browse film and series catalog makes Amazon Video unique. Amazon Web Services provides some of the smoothest streaming.
Cost per month: $119A year as part of the subscription.
Amazon Video originalsinclude:The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Jack Ryan, Carnival Row, The Boys, The Expanse
How many people can you share it with: Up to three screens stream at once. Up to two screens can watch the same video. This lets you binge with friends and family far away.
Free trial period:30 days for Amazon Video only.
98 - 2

Launched: August 29, 1997. Streaming started in 2007.
Netflix is the first streaming service many people mention. It is the oldest, so it has more time to make its name about streaming. Netflix may have the most extensive selection of original series, both in genre and quantity.Netflix offers the most complete selection of original series.It has both genre range and sheer quantity.
Cost per month: $8.99 for the basic plan, $12.99 for the high definition standard plan, and $15.99 for the ultra HD premium plan.
Netflix originalsinclude:Orange Is The New Black, Stranger Things, Grace & Frankie, Bojack Horseman
How many people can you share it with: You can build up to five profiles on an account, but your screens are limited. The basic plan lets one screen at a time. The standard plan allows two screens. The premium plan allows four. If all screens are busy, you see a popup showing what everyone is watching. This way, your binge might be there for your family.do see a popup that says what everyone is watching, so know your binge might be there for all your family to see.
Free trial period:30 days.
79 - 3

Launched: October 29, 2007
Now part of the Disney empire with Marvel series coming. Hulu's appeal comes from a large library of recent favorite network shows and easy bingeing. The Live TV plan acts like cable but better. This channel builds a catalog more than making original series. Hulu picked up shows like The Orville or Veronica Mars, are smart picks that target what their audience wants.
Cost per month: $5.99 for the basic plan, $44.99 for Hulu plus Live TV
Hulu originalsinclude:The Handmaid's Tale, Shrill, Into the Dark, Marvel's Runaways
How many people can you share it with: Regular Hulu streams on one screen. The Live TV subscription allows two screens and adds an unlimited screens option.
Free trial period:30 days.
74 - 4

Launching:May 27, 2020.
WarnerMedia and HBO merged to form this new OTT channel. It promises 10,000 hours of content, combining HBO, like Game of Thrones, and The Sopranos.WarnerMedia and HBO merged to form this new OTT channel. It promises 10,000 hours of content, combining HBO, like Game of Thrones, and The Sopranos.The channel also includes The Sopranos.WarnerMedia and HBO merged to form this new OTT channel. It promises 10,000 hours of content, combining HBO, like Game of Thrones, and The Sopranos.The channel includes top series from TBS, TNT, CNN, truTV, and Cartoon Network. HBO Max becomes a streaming giant with this mix. Warner Bros. and Turner Classic movies appear, plus select BBC shows. The entire Sesame Street library joins the service.The entire Sesame Street library joins the service.The entire Sesame Street library joins the service.
The monthly cost is.$14.99 a month.The cost is the same as HBO Now.
HBO Max originals feature...: Dune: Sisterhood, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai.The untitledGossip Girl sequel.The sequel is also the Friends reunion special.The sequel is also the Friends reunion special.The sequel is also the Friends reunion special.
You can share it with:HBO Max lets three devices stream at once. Share with family and friends.
The free trial period is:Seven days.
49 - 5

Launched: November 12, 2019
Disney+ offers much from Star Wars to the MCU and Disney media.Long-time favorites from their vaults become available.Disney+ offers multiple new series.Multiple new series are in development, including Marvel and Star Wars content. New Muppet series and a Jeff Goldblum docuseries appear, plus the third season of Lizzy McGuire.Disney+ offers multiple new series are in development, including Marvel and Star Wars content. New Muppet series and a Jeff Goldblum docuseries appear, plus the third season of Lizzy McGuire.Disney+ offers multiple new series are in development, including Marvel and Star Wars content. New Muppet series and a Jeff Goldblum docuseries appear, plus the third season of Lizzy McGuire.Disney+ plans content through 2021. Subscribers keep value past the free trial.
The monthly cost is.$6.99 monthly or $69.99 yearly.
Disney+ originals feature:The offerings include:The Mandalorian, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Diary of a Female President.It also includesLove, Simon..
You can share it with:Up to seven people can create separate profiles on a Disney+ account. Each profile gets its own watchlists.
The free trial period is:Seven days.
46 - 9

Peacock launches.Apple TV+ launched April 15, 2020, on Xfinity, X1, and Flex video platforms. The national launch is July 15, 2020.
NBC is slow to announce a streaming channel, but its content breadth makes it a player.Peacock includes Parks and Recreation.Peacock also includes The Office.The Office.Peacock offers access to The Good Place.The Good Place., NBC has a history of binge-able shows. Reboots and revivals of shows like Peacock features Saved by the Bell.Peacock also features Saved by the Bell.Peacock includes Battlestar Galactica.Peacock adds old favorites and new originals.
Cost per month: [Value missing from input, keeping original structure] Three tiers exist: a free, ad-supported option with fewer shows, and Peacock premium; the free option costs $5 with ads, and the $10 tier has no ads.
Peacock offers originals.Peacock includes Brave New World, Dr. Death, and Angelyne.Brave New World, Dr. Death, Angelyne.
You can share this with as many people as you like.The number of screens and accounts your monthly payment covers is set by the new OTT channel.
1 - 10

Launched:March 4, 2021.
Paramount+ launched: It features content from Paramount Pictures, CBS, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV, the Smithsonian Channel, and more. The service streams live entertainment, including the Grammy Awards and Super Bowl. Paramount+ streams all NFL games to mobile devices under a special agreement.
The monthly cost is.$5.99 a month or $59.99 a year with limited commercials. Ad-free costs $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year.
Paramount+ originals include:The catalog features the Indiana Jones franchise, Mission: Impossible franchise, Star Trek: Picard, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Twilight Zone, Why Women Kill, The Good Fight, Spongebob Squarepants, and more.The catalog features the Indiana Jones franchise, Mission: Impossible franchise, Star Trek: Picard, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Twilight Zone, Why Women Kill, The Good Fight, Spongebob Squarepants, and more.
Available on Amazon Channel:$5.99 monthly after a one-month free trial.
You can share it with:Paramount+ limits streaming to two devices total. You can share your login, but prepare to lose access if all screens are busy.
The free trial period is:One month.
-2 - 11

BritBox launched.BritBox launched in March 2017.
A collab between BBC Studios and ITV, this channel offers classic British TV without commercials. It features shows like Absolutely Fabulous and Emmerdale. When it launched, BritBox also released a remake of the BritBox features Doctor Who. story "The Wheel in Space" using existing episodes.
Cost per month: [Value missing from input, keeping original structure]$6.99 a month or $69.99 a year.
BritBox is available as an Amazon Channel.$6.99 month after a 7-day free trial.BritBox originals include: The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco.The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco.
You can share this with as many people as you like.BritBox is unclear on this. The FAQ answers the question Check their FAQ for sharing details. as if it addresses streaming devices, not how many screens stream at once.
The free trial period is available.The free trial lasts 7 days.
-5 - 12

Crunchyroll launched.May 14, 2006.
Crunchyroll is a combo archive and simulcast channel. It co-produced over 50 Japanese anime productions and partnered with Ellation Studios to make original content.
Cost per month: [Value missing from input, keeping original structure]Available free with commercials. Crunchyroll Premium costs $7.99 a month or $79.99 for a year ad-free.
Crunchyroll originals include: High Guardian Spice. High Guardian Spice.
You can share this with within the same household.There is no device limit. However, forums state account sharing should only occur "Within the same household."
The free trial period is available.The free trial lasts 14 days.
-9 - 13

Launched:November 1, 2019.
Apple TV+ announced in March 2019. Many were surprised, but excitement followed as the projected show slate appeared.Apple TV+ announced in March 2019. Many were surprised, but excitement followed as the projected show slate.Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Jason Momoa join Apple TV+.
Cost per month: $4.99 for Apple TV+ originals.$4.99
Apple TV+ offers originals like Amazing Stories, The Morning Show, See, For All Mankind, and Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet.Apple TV+ includes these shows.Amazing Stories, The Morning Show, See, For All Mankind, Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet.
You can share this with as many people as you like.Apple's family sharing services let up to five other people access a subscription.
The free trial period is available.Unknown.
-16 - 14

Shudder launched.Shudder launched in October 2016.
Shudder offers a solid library of horror films in specific categories. Exclusivity deals bring new release VOD versions to subscribers early, creating a strong fandom.
Cost per month: [Value missing from input, keeping original structure]Shudder operates as a free, scheduled channel. You access their video on demand options by paying $5.99 a month or $56.99 for a year.$5.99 monthly.or$56.99 yearly..
Get it on Amazon Channel:$4.99 monthly after a 7-day free trial..Shudder originals feature: Creepshow, The Last Drive-In With Joe Bob Briggs, Critters: A New Binge.
You can share with:Only one screen use is allowed.
Free trial lasts:7 days.
-18 - 15

Launched:2013
Acorn TV has RLJ Entertainment as its parent company. This gives Acorn TV unique access to Agatha Christie works. This focus on mystery content shapes the selection. It has exclusive rights for the US premiere of series likeFoyle's War, the channel also createsoriginal content.
Cost per month:$5.99
Get it on Amazon Channel:$4.99 monthly after 7-day free trial.Acorn originals include:Agatha Raisin, Queens of Mystery, The Level.
You can share with:Acorn TV does not state how many devices can stream at one time.
Free trial lasts:7 days.
-22 - 16

Launched:2014
CW Seed has original content. It also lets you catch up on CW series, watch DC Comics shows (including some from DC Universe), and find shows from sister channels like Pop'sSchitt's Creek. New shows on The CW includeTwo Sentence Horror Stories.CW Seed started these shows before moving to the main channel.
Cost per month:FREE! You do not need a cable provider login.
CW Seed originals include:I Ship It, Prom Queen.and Arrowverse series such asConstantine: City of Demons.
You can share with:Share with as many people as you want. Since it is a free channel, everyone can binge fully.
Free trial lasts:Since the service is free, you can try it out for any length of time.
-40 - 17

Launched:April 12, 2018
ESPN Plus content overflows from the main ESPN channel. ESPN+ is the only spot for UFC pay-per-view events. It also offers out-of-market NHL and MLB games and hosts most of ESPN's original documentaries. It also produces original series.
Cost per month:$4.99 monthly.or$49.99 yearly..
ESPN+ originals include:Peyton's Places, I'll Take That Bet, Detail.
You can share with:Up to five streams can access at a time. Up to three devices watch the same thing—a flexibility for sports fans.
Free trial lasts:30 days.
-44 - 18

Launched:The channel existed since 2007. Hallmark Movies Now rebranded it in 2017.
Hallmark Movies Now holds a selection of Hallmark Channel content. Some shows and films get edits for family viewing. The catalog also containsHallmark Hall of Fame Moviesand premiered the first channel series in late August 2019.
Cost per month:$5.99 monthly or $59.99 yearly.
Get it on Amazon Channel:$5.99 monthly after 7-day free trial.Hallmark Movies Now originals feature:One original series exists now.When Hope Calls.this is a spinoff ofWhen Calls the Heart.Hallmark never shies away from making original content for its channels.
You can share it with how many people?Subscribers stream two movies at once on the website or app.
The free trial period lasts for:Seven days.
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