Smart TVs took over the market, and the number of mobile devices increased. This allows streaming services to go mainstream, with particular subscriber growth during the lockdown days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The best streaming services
Today, when we look back, we see that we have quite a few options for a streaming platform. We have prepared the best ones among these options for you.
- Netflix
- Disney+
- HBO Max
- Hulu
- Amazon Prime Video
- Peacock
- Apple TV+
Netflix
Netflix is the first company that comes to mind regarding streaming services. The platform maintains its leadership with its original content and more than 300 million users. Netflix releases new shows and movies weekly and has released 70 new original films in 2021 alone.
You can download the Netflix app on various devices, including your console and Chromecast. Alongside streaming services like Disney+, the platform is one of the few streaming services that supports both 4K and HDR streaming along with offline downloads. The company offers three different plans to its subscribers.
| Plans and Pricing | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost* (United States Dollar) | $9.99 | $15.49 | $19.99 |
| Number of screens you can watch on at the same time | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Number of phones or tablets you can have downloads on | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Unlimited movies, TV shows and mobile games | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Watch on your laptop, TV, phone and tablet | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HD available | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ultra HD available | ✓ |
Disney+
Since its launch in 2019, Disney+ has become a popular streaming service. Disney+ is the only place you can find Marvel, Star Wars, The Simpsons and Pixar, and different content. For this reason, fans who want to access the mentioned content have no choice but to become platform subscribers.
The service offers an affordable price and HDR and 4K support. Also, features like parental controls make Disney+ a good choice for families. Disney+, which contains unique and popular content, is one of the streaming services that subscribers can prefer.
HBO Max
HBO Max has access to HBO’s extensive catalogue of contents, including Game of Thrones, Westworld, The Sopranos, Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiasm, True Detective, and Succession. The platform also owns the broadcast rights to productions such as Friends, Rick and Morty, South Park, Lord of the Rings movies and DC Universe.
The service has subscription packages with and without ads. The subscription with ads is cheaper, and ads don’t interrupt the content. The platform has a content library suitable for children and a general range. Moreover, parent control options are also vital. It has simultaneous device usage and 4K support as in its competitors. HBO Max is one of the streaming services that can be preferred thanks to its high quality and extensive content library.
Hulu
Hulu offers a solid choice of live TV, unlike its competitors. There are more than 70 news, sports and entertainment channels within this service, which you have for a certain fee. Although it does not have as much original content as other streaming platforms, it has become a preferable service with its live TV option that makes a difference.
The platform also offers multiple device support. HULU makes a difference with its live TV package, the starting price of which is more affordable than other streaming services.
Amazon Prime Video
Among the big e-commerce companies, Amazon is doing very successful business with its streaming service, Prime Video. The company offers users two different subscription services. Amazon Video subscription only provides access to the streaming content library. On the other hand, Amazon Prime subscription gives Prime Video content and many shopping benefits.
In recent years, Amazon has hosted popular content such as Bosch, The Boys, Catastrophe, and Fleabag. The Lord of the Rings series, which will come in the coming periods, seems to make a significant impact with its budget of 416 million dollars. In addition, another advantage of the streaming platform is s broadcasts. On Prime Video, you can also follow live sporting events such as NFL Thursday Night Football, WNBA and MBL games.
Peacock
Launched in 2020, Peacock has an advantage that its competitors do not have. The service provides completely free streaming. In addition to the free version, there are also two paid packages. There is a subscription with fewer ads and another subscription system with no ads.
Live Premier League football matches and WWE events are among the content you can follow. NBC ended its deal with Hulu, and new episodes of its shows will stream exclusively on Peacock, beginning this fall. Peacock, which is in an advantageous position over its competitors in this regard with its free subscription option, is one of the streaming services that can be preferred.
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is a streaming platform that provides premium services at an affordable price. At first, it was only publishing its original content. In other words, there was only Apple TV+ original content within the streaming platform. However, it has recently started releasing a limited selection of external content. For a low subscription fee, it offers 4K HDR support and ad-free use for up to six devices.
We can also say that its library is more limited than its competitors, but it has some popular content. Ted Lasso hosts productions such as Severance and CODA. Apple TV+, which continues to fill its library, is on our list for its affordable price.
