As more and more consumers cut the cord and leave their cable television companies in the dust, they ’ re turn to the affordability of on-demand stream services that offer acme movies and television receiver shows for a fraction of the cost of cable .
This space is not barely “ Netflix, Hulu and everyone else ” anymore. major technical school and entertainment players including Amazon, Apple, Disney and AT & T have strong options in the marketplace now angstrom well .
It ’ s a great time to be a consumer but besides a potentially confusing one. That ’ s to be expected when the market is flooded with choices.
As you consider saving money by leaving cable or satellite behind, Team Clark wants to help you make sure you ’ re picking the right streaming services to get the most for your home entertainment dollar. In this inspection, I ’ ll walk you through all the options in the video-on-demand stream marketplace .
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What Are Video Streaming Services?
Before we get started, I want to make sure that we ’ re on the same page vocabulary-wise. The terminology is merely one more confusing aspect of the changing landscape of home entertainment, and what we call these fresh services is, at least to some academic degree, still evolving .
When you read “video streaming services” or “video on demand” in this article, I’m referring to subscription services that offer movies, TV programs and original content on-demand for a monthly fee. There may be some limited live elements to these services, but that ’ s not their main focus .
For the purposes of this article, I’m excluding live television streaming options such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV. While those are great cable and satellite television receiver alternatives, they ’ ra not in the lapp class as the on-demand video streaming services featured in this article. Those services besides carry price tags a lot higher than the video streaming services I ’ megabyte evaluate here .
If you ’ ve cut the cord and are in the commercialize for a live television streaming service, please check out Team Clark ’ s guide for choosing the best choice for your family .
If you ’ re looking to keep entertainment costs first gear and want to know more about on-demand video pour services, stay here with me ! I ’ ll search at each overhaul to help you come up with a plan to keep your streaming budget under $ 25 per calendar month. ad
9 Best Video Streaming Services in 2021
One of the advantages of relying on video recording streaming services as your chief source of television entertainment is that they can be cost-efficient. none of the base packages for the services we ’ ll talk about in this article exceed $ 15 per month .
here ’ s a front at the cheapest basic price point for nine of the most popular video streaming services :
It ’ south important to note that the prices listed above are for basic, introductory custom .
Netflix, for model, has three different pricing tiers based on the type of serve you choose. Hulu, Paramount+ and others run advertising at their basic price levels but offer the option to upgrade to an ad-free experience for more money. And many of them may offer better pricing if you ’ ra bequeath to make an annual commitment to the service ( and pay for the year in progress ) .
now let ’ s take a closer look at each of these nine television streaming services .
Netflix
- Pricing Information: The basic plan is $8.99 per month. Standard ($13.99) and premium ($17.99) are upgrade options.
- Free Trial Period: 30 days
- Ways To Save: Mobile phone carrier T-Mobile offers complimentary Netflix subscriptions with qualifying cell phone plans.
- Content Highlights: Netflix offers more than 47,000 TV episodes and 4,000 movie titles as well as a deep library of original content.
- Official Site
What We Like About It: Netflix is considered by many to be the gold criterion of on-demand pour. With a bombastic, established drug user base, it can afford to offer a full-bodied batting order of master message ( dubbed “ Netflix Originals ” ). Stranger Things and House of Cards are merely two examples of hits in this sphere. The service besides has a big collection of movies and television receiver serial. Though Netflix recently lost streaming rights to mega-TV-hits Friends ( now on HBO Max ) and The Office ( now on Peacock ), it announced that it has picked up the rights to Seinfeld from Hulu ( effective June 2021 ) .
Hulu
- Pricing Information: The basic plan with ads is $5.99 per month. For the ad-free experience, customers must pay $11.99 per month. Prices on these plans will go up as of October 8, 2021.
- Free Trial Period: 30 days
- Ways To Save: The basic Hulu plan can be bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+ for a $13.99 monthly fee.
- Content Highlights: Hulu features a mix of popular TV shows, movies and original content.
- Official Site
What We Like About It: Hulu has a enormous sum of television receiver subject. From popular pornographic animated shows like Family Guy, King of the Hill and Bob ’ s Burgers to major television hits such as Lost, ER and 30 Rock, there are shows exclusive to Hulu that make the $ 5.99 price attractive. Hulu besides has a alive television receiver choice, but that design starts at around $ 65 per month .
Amazon Prime Video
- Pricing Information: $8.99 per month for Prime Video only; Full Amazon Prime is either $12.99 per month or $119 annually.
- Free Trial Period: 30 days
- Ways To Save: Amazon offers discounted Prime memberships to students as well as EBT and Medicaid recipients. It also has occasional sales on Prime memberships during events such as Prime Day.
- Content Highlights: Prime Video features a mixed library of original content, television series and films.
- Official Site
What We Like About It: The best function about Amazon Prime Video is that many users already have access to it because they ’ ra Amazon Prime subscribers. If you are paying for a monthly Prime membership, then you have this on-demand content at your disposal — no extra agitate. Prime Video has a pretty across-the-board library of movies for all ages. It has a strong original subject section that features the Jack Ryan series starring John Krasinski, plus Fleabag and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel .
Disney+
What We Like About It: Disney+ offers popular streaming categories including content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic. A big plus for this platform is that many of the classic Disney movies that were “ in the vault ” are now available to stream at will. Disney has besides capitalized on its acquisition of the Star Wars franchise with this platform : All the movies are available for streaming, plus there are new master series such as The Mandalorian. The Marvel superhero movies are another popular option. many Disney cartoon favorites, like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, are available here equally well .
HBO Max
- Pricing Information: $9.99 per month for the ad-supported subscription and $14.99 for the ad-free version
- Free Trial Period: None
- Ways To Save: AT&T TV subscribers may receive HBO Max included with select live TV streaming packages.
- Content Highlights: Complete HBO library, exclusive home to Friends and The Big Bang Theory and the streaming home for WarnerMedia film productions
- Official Site
- Our Review: HBO Max: Everything to Know About AT&T’s Streaming Service
What We Like About It: AT & T made a big sprinkle in the streaming commercialize in May 2020 when it unveiled HBO Max. The backbone of the avail is 45 years ’ deserving of HBO original content including major hits such as The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones. But it doesn ’ thymine stop there. big television receiver hits including Friends, South Park and The Big Bang Theory besides call this new military service home. And HBO Max besides premiers choice WarnerMedia films a early as the theatrical spill date — at no extra charge to subscribers, at least through the end of 2021. At $ 9.99 per month, HBO Max has the highest entry indicate of any of the television streaming services on this number. ad
NBC’s Peacock
- Pricing Information: Limited free tier, $4.99 subscription option and $9.99 ad-free version
- Free Trial Period: 7 days for the Peacock Premium subscription
- Ways To Save: Select Xfinity internet customers receive Peacock Premium for free.
- Content Highlights: The Office, Parks and Recreation, English Premier League soccer, Yellowstone
- Official Site
- Our Review: Peacock: Everything to Know About NBC’s Streaming Service
What We Like About It: NBC has a free tier of Peacock for everyone to enjoy, but there is besides value behind the paywall. You ’ ll get all nine seasons of The Office a well as wax seasons of murder shows Yellowstone, Law & Order SVU, Parks and Recreation and more. There ’ randomness besides access to live stream of English Premier League soccer matches. And there ’ s original content to explore including a boot of Saved by the Bell .
Paramount+
- Pricing Information: $4.99 per month for the ad-supported subscription and $9.99 for the ad-free version
- Free Trial Period: 7 days
- Ways To Save: Students receive a 25% discount on monthly subscriptions. Paramount+ ran a discount for half off the monthly price if you commit to an annual subscription. That offer has expired as of this writing, but keep your eyes open for similar deals.
- Content Highlights: You get access to a large portion of the ViacomCBS content library, which includes complete seasons of shows from CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET and Comedy Central. Paramount movies and original content are included as well as CBS live feeds.
- Official Site
- Our Review: Paramount+ Review: ViacomCBS Launches New TV Streaming Service
What We Like About It: In 2021 ViacomCBS ditched its stale CBS All Access platform for the new and stimulate look of Paramount+. And while most favorites from the old platform, including Star Trek Discovery and Star Trek Picard, carried over to Paramount+, there are some new and original titles that have debuted on the new service. This version of ViacomCBS ’ streaming chopine besides leverages message from Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, BET and MTV in addition to CBS. many democratic titles, such as The Godfather and Indiana Jones, live here as separate of Paramount ’ mho film library. You ’ ll besides get a live stream of your local CBS affiliate station and some news program and sports feeds, so there is a alive component to the service vitamin a well .
discovery+
- Pricing Information: $4.99 per month for an ad-supported subscription and $6.99 for the ad-free version
- Free Trial Period: 7 days
- Ways To Save: Select Verizon users can receive a free year of discovery+.
- Content Highlights: On-demand library of 14 popular channels, including HGTV, Food Network and TLC. Original content includes Magnolia Network productions from Chip and Joanna Gaines.
- Official Site
- Our Review: Discovery+ Review: Stream from 14 Popular Networks for $4.99
What We Like About It: If you enjoy the capacity from several popular Discovery-backed cable channels but preceptor ’ metric ton need to watch these shows live, this could be a bang-up serve for you. Discovery+ offers entire seasons of popular shows from Food Network, HGTV, DIY, Discovery, History, TLC and more. That means shows starting popular personalities Guy Fieri, The Property Brothers and Chip and Joanna Gaines are available to binge here. The $ 6.99 pricing for ad-free stream is among the best on the marketplace for services that offer both ad-supported and ad-free options .
Apple TV+
- Pricing Information: $4.99 per month
- Free Trial Period: 7 days
- Ways To Save: If you buy a new iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac or Apple TV, you’ll get a free one-year subscription to Apple TV+.
- Content Highlights: Apple is going with a “no reruns” platform by investing heavily in original content series; the library is relatively small but is expected to grow as the platform develops.
- Official Site
- Our Review: Apple TV+: Is It Worth $5 a Month?
What We Like About It: For a bounty sword like Apple, the low-cost $ 4.99 monthly price may be surprising to some. Apple TV+ is focused on original message and already has series featuring some big-name stars including Oprah Winfrey, Steve Carell, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Reese Witherspoon and Samuel L. Jackson. Apple TV+ does not carry ampere much licensed contentedness as some other video streaming services, but it does have some favorites such as the animated Peanuts vacation specials. It appears Apple is testing the “ quality over quantity ” method for streaming message .
5 Tips for Keeping Video Streaming Services Under $25 per Month
Are you looking to cut the cord but afraid that multiple cyclosis services could quickly push your monthly cost right back to the level of your cable charge ? That ’ s a reasonable concern .
Given all the quality options on the market, it ’ randomness easy to get carried away.
If your goal is to keep your monthly tab key for video stream services under $ 25, here are some tips that may help :
1. Assess the Type of Content Your Household Consumes
With video streaming services ranging between $ 5 and $ 15 per month, it is significant that you set priorities. Is it access to The Office ? You ’ ll motivation Peacock for that. Do you in truth love Jennifer Aniston and want to see her series The Morning Show ? That ’ second available only on Apple TV+ .
Some services lean towards a particular demographic or genre. Disney+, for model, has quite a bit of corporeal for children. Apple TV+ focuses chiefly on master drama series. Understanding these differences will help you narrow your search .
once you have a good idea about the programming that ’ s most authoritative to you, it ’ ll be easier to make decisions on allocating the money you ’ ve set apart for video stream services. ad
2. Test Drive Services With Free Trials
many of these video stream services offer dislodge test periods for new customers. They ’ rhenium hoping you ’ ll like what you see and stick around for a paid subscription. These trials present a great opportunity for you to decide if you actually like a overhaul before paying a dime .
note that most of these services will require you to sign up with a credit card. It will be your duty to cancel before your trial period ends, or you can expect to get charged for a full calendar month automatically .
3. Take Advantage of Bundling and Promotional Offers
Before you make the committedness to a streaming service, take a flying front around for promotional deals. A popular one involves bundling the new Disney+ servicing with Hulu and ESPN+ for just $ 13.99 per calendar month. This can be a great way to get more subject for your tear .
There besides are seasonal deals that can be a real win. Hulu recently offered Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions that offered its basic avail for $ 1.99 per calendar month for a class .
ultimately, keep an eye out for crossing promotions with products you may already be paying for. Verizon offers choice customers free Disney+, Apple is giving out Apple TV+ for a year if you buy certain new devices, and T-Mobile includes access to Netflix in some of its cellular telephone phone packages .
4. Rotate Services on Month-by-Month Basis
Let ’ s face it : There ’ mho only thus much television streaming you can do in a month. so while you may have a wide range of interests that spans many streaming platforms, you don ’ t have to pay for each of them every calendar month .
The beauty of television streaming services is that there are no cable-company-like time commitments. Most of the services let you pay month-to-month and natural without any penalty .
With binge-watching so popular, rotating different services is a great way to keep costs humble. Like a indicate that has a new season coming out on Netflix next month ? possibly drop Disney+ for a month and spend your time on that Netflix display alternatively .
I recently put together a sample design for rotating streaming services that could keep your annual pour bill under $ 100 .
This design may not be best for the spontaneous banner, but if you are volition to put in some planning, it could be a great direction to enjoy the best of all the streaming services without blowing your budget. ad
5. Try Out Some Free TV Options
While subscription stream may be the most direct path to the latest programming, there are some free alternatives. If you ’ rhenium will to watch subject the antique way ( with commercials ), you can placid access mainstream programming without paying a monthly subscription fee .
Pluto television is a popular unblock television streaming option that has more than 100 genre-themed channels. You won ’ thymine find ESPN or other popular subscription channels here, but this Viacom-owned service does have a kind of news and entertainment options .
Tubi television receiver is another unblock streaming service that could help fill the invalidate of a gainful service. Tubi offers an extensive library that features a combination of movies and arrant television series .
The subject you ’ ll find on these free services can be a short piece date, but there are some recognizable actors and titles. hera ’ s our template to even more free television receiver pour .
You can besides get barren television from your local channels by using an antenna. To learn more about finding the mighty antenna for you, read our article .
Final Thoughts
If you ’ re not into survive sports or news channels, the mind of getting your television receiver entertainment entirely from television streaming services is viable. And it could be a substantial money rescuer over the long run .
Netflix has been the drawing card in this marketplace for several years, but it appears that companies such as AT & T, Disney, Apple and Amazon are here for the long run. That ’ sulfur both good and bad for the consumer .
On the asset side, rival about constantly helps keep price in check. On the minus side, consumers may have to shop around between different services to see all their front-runner shows. Netflix ’ mho loss of mega-hits Friends and The Office has already prompted some consumers to shop for raw services to continue streaming their favorites .
If the goal is $ 25 per calendar month or less, you can comfortably fit two or three streaming services into your budget at once. For now, the meet is to watch promotional deals close and turn out subscriptions frequently to maximize your respect in the video streaming services plot .
Do you have experience with these video recording streaming services ? Team Clark would love to hear your strategies for maximizing your entertainment dollar below !
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