How to Choose the Best Streaming Services for Your Budget

If you’re not sure which streaming service to go for, consider the following factors:

• Type of content: If it’s just on-demand shows and movies you want, a subscription to a service like Netflix or Hulu will be enough. If you want live content, you’ll need to consider a U.S. live TV streaming service like DirecTV Stream or Sling TV. If you want to stream Netflix while using a VPN, read our guide on how to watch Netflix with a VPN.
• 4K content: Some streaming services charge more for 4K streaming, so check each plan carefully if this is a dealbreaker for you. 
• Regional sport network (RSN) coverage: If you’re a sports fan, be sure to use live TV streaming services’ zip code checkers to make sure your regional sports network is carried. 
• Free trials: Taking advantage of free trials is a great way to decide whether a service is right for you. 

What’s the Average Cost of Streaming Services Per Month? 

Individually, the average major streaming service (such as Netflix) costs between $7 and $10 per month. However, according to a 2024 Deloitte report, the average household spent $61 per month on a total of four streaming services in 2023.¹

List of All Streaming Services and Prices: Comparison 

The table below is a glimpse into what popular streaming services offer on a standard monthly basis in the U.S., but it’s not the whole story. For example, some platforms offer different plans in different countries, some can be bundled with other services and some have student or military discounts. We’ll go into more detail in the individual sections further down.  

The pricing column does not take into account any limited-time offers like half off the first month — just the usual price. 

Popular Paid Streaming Services (On-Demand)

In this section, we’ll take a close look at how much the big streaming services cost and the type of content they host to help you decide which one(s) offers the best value for your needs.

“No ads” plans sometimes still display ads on a limited number of series, movies or special events.

1. Netflix: Best Overall On-Demand Streaming Platform

Netflix is easily one of the best streaming services thanks to its diverse content library featuring originals, movies and TV shows. According to data from Surfshark, Netflix U.S. currently has almost 6,000 titles in its library. It also recommends content you might like, lets you skip intros and is easy to navigate no matter which device you’re using. 

On the other hand, the Standard with ads plan (which is missing some content) is only available in some countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Japan, Canada and a few more. Furthermore, due to the password-sharing crackdown, you have to pay $7.99 per person per month to add extra members who don’t live with you (Standard and Premium plans only). 

There’s no annual plan for Netflix, but those who subscribe to the Standard with ads plan can expect to pay around $84 total per year.

2. Hulu (Without Live TV): Best for Recently Aired Content (U.S. & Japan Only)

Hulu is a streaming service for movies and TV shows that hosts blockbusters, originals and content from networks like ABC, AMC, CBS, Comedy Central and FX. New episodes typically appear on Hulu the day after they air on TV, and there’s a generous 30-day free trial for new subscribers. Hulu has around 2,500 movies and TV shows, according to data from JustWatch.

Hulu is a good choice for those in the U.S. who like to catch next-day content from various networks, but it’s off-limits to those elsewhere. Japan is one exception, but its content library may be more limited than the one in the U.S. If you need to access your Hulu account from outside the U.S., check out our guide on how to watch Hulu with a VPN. 

3. Amazon Prime Video — Best-Value Streaming Platform 

The full Amazon Prime membership is convenient for those who want fast delivery of Amazon products and other benefits like Amazon Music, Prime Channel add-ons (extra fee but no cable required), Prime Gaming and Prime Reading. These extras are the reason we chose Amazon Prime Video as the best-value option, but there’s also a Prime Video-only plan. 

We like that Amazon Prime provides options, but subscribers are sure to have felt frustrated when Prime recently rolled out its ads-by-default model in several countries, which forces you to upgrade to an ad-free version if you want to keep the no-ads experience you had before. 

Moreover, the interface lumps together paid content (for purchase/rent) and content included with Prime, which can be annoying. There’s no annual plan for Prime Video only, but the monthly plan comes to around $108 per year. If you want to watch Amazon Prime while outside of the U.S., be sure to read our roundup which lists the best Amazon Prime Video VPN.

4. Disney+ & Disney Bundle — Best for Disney Fans & Families 

In addition to operating as a standalone service, Disney+ can be bundled with Hulu and ESPN+. This makes it a potential choice for families who like a variety of content suitable for both adults and kids. If you don’t want all three, the plans are flexible enough that you can opt for only Disney+ and Hulu. 

There’s no annual plan for the standalone Basic with ads option, but it works out to around $96 per year, which is more expensive than Netflix’s and Hulu’s cheapest plans (at around $84 and $79.99 annually, respectively). However, the bundles cost less than what you’d spend on Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ individually.

Disney+ is a very popular streaming service, but a Deadline report from early 2024 mentions that the platform has recently removed a bunch of originals. ‘Zeke and Luther’ and ‘Pepper Ann’ were mentioned as two of “more than 120 titles” that were removed. Bookmark our how to watch Disney Plus with a VPN article if you’re planning to travel internationally.

5. Apple TV+ — Best for Original Content

Apple TV+ is Apple’s standalone streaming service, distinct from the Apple TV streaming device. Despite its small content library, Apple TV+ is often praised for the quality of its content. What’s more, those who buy an Apple device get three months of Apple TV Plus for free. 

Those who want multiple Apple services (Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, etc.) have the option of the Apple One bundle, with a one-month free trial. On the downside, the small content library and the higher-than-average monthly subscription price may turn some customers away. If you want to watch Apple TV+ while traveling, check out our best VPN for Apple TV roundup. 

6. Max — Best for HBO Fans

In 2023, HBO Max rebranded to Max. The service rolled out in the U.S. first and has recently landed in other countries in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. The service is known for HBO originals like ‘House of the Dragon’ and has a large content library of around 3,300 shows and movies, according to information from JustWatch. 

The B/R Sports add-on ($9.99 per month and includes MLB and NBA content and more) is currently free as part of a limited-time promotion. At $99.99 per year with ads, Max is more expensive than some competitors, including Netflix, especially if you want to watch in 4K. If you want to use a VPN while watching Max, our roundup of the best Max VPNs shouldn’t be missed.

Sports Streaming Services 

If you like a mix of live and on-demand content like sports-themed series and documentaries, you ESPN+ could be the sports streaming service for you.

7. ESPN+

ESPN+ offers a mix of live sports events and on-demand content (ideal for those interested in sports documentaries and movies), but bear in mind that it does not replace ESPN and it’s not ideal for fans of certain sports. For example, its information page states that “certain” NBA, College Football Playoff and NFL games are not included with ESPN+.

We have a handy guide that will teach you how to watch ESPN Plus from anywhere, even if you don’t have cable via a VPN, like ExpressVPN or NordVPN. 

Live TV Streaming Services 

There are plenty of choices for cable TV subscribers wanting to cut the cord. However, there are so many options that choosing one feels impossible. Let’s break it down. 

8. Hulu + Live TV: Most Well-Rounded Live TV Service

What makes Hulu + Live TV stand out from the crowd is that you can get the full Hulu library, Disney+ and ESPN+ for just a dollar more than the live TV-only plan (based on the cheapest plans). This is ideal for those who want a decent streaming library along with all the live TV action. You also get unlimited DVR on all plans. 

However, Hulu + Live TV isn’t as generous on the regional sports networks (RSN) front, carrying fewer networks than competitors like DirecTV Stream and fubo. It’s also missing AMC, a popular channel that many competitors carry. Though Hulu does have some Spanish-language content, there’s no special plan for Spanish-speaking subscribers — only an add-on. 

9. DirecTV Stream — Best for RSN Coverage

Since DirecTV Stream carries more than 30 RSNs, it may be an ideal choice for fans of live sports, but it’s also good for local channels. On top of staples like ABC and CBS, DirecTV Stream carries PBS — a channel a few competitors are missing.

The service also allows for 20 home streams (though it’s just three if you’re on the move) and unlimited DVR time, and it doesn’t charge extra to stream 4K-compatible content. DirecTV could be a good option if you like sports and having a big channel selection. However, those who don’t care about that might prefer a cheaper service like Sling TV. 

10. Sling TV — Best Budget Live TV Platform

Sling TV is a budget-friendly live TV streaming services in the U.S. Its plans offer different channels — for example, Blue carries local ABC, Fox and NBC channels, while Orange does not — but you can get both for what we’d call a reasonable price. You can also opt to add on extra services like more sports, kids and entertainment channels, and extra DVR time. 

However, Sling TV is not the best option for those who want regional sports networks, as it simply doesn’t carry them. In addition, its local channel selection is limited, but you get a free digital antenna with your subscription to watch local channels. If you don’t want the antenna, you get your first month at half price.

11. fubo — Ideal for Sports Fans

In addition to carrying several regional sports networks (including Bally Sports and NBC Sports in several areas), fubo has a good selection of local channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. Another pro is its unlimited DVR storage hours on all plans and its allowance of 10 simultaneous streams at home plus three on the go.

There’s a cheaper Latino plan ($32.99 per month) and various add-ons, including STARZ and Paramount+ with Showtime. On the other hand, if you’re an A&E, Turner or WarnerMedia channel fan, you won’t get them on fubo. In addition, you have to subscribe to the Elite or Premier plan to get 4K. 

12. YouTube TV — Best Channel Selection

YouTube TV is one of the most popular live TV services for its generous channel selection and reasonable pricing plan. The pricing structure is simple: You can bundle the base plan with the NFL Sunday ticket or other add-ons like Max, STARZ and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. You can also look around the platform for free for 20 minutes before signing up. 

On the flip side, RSN coverage is limited compared to competitors like DirecTV Stream and fubo, with popular RSNs like Bally Sports missing from the lineup. You also have to pay for 4K Plus (pricing varies) if you want to stream limited 4K-supported events in higher quality. 

Network Streaming Services

If you’re into major broadcast networks like CBS and NBC, you might want to look into getting a network streaming service. We describe two of the most popular ones below. 

“No ads” plans sometimes still display ads on a limited number of series, movies or special events.

13. Paramount+ — Ideal for Sci-Fi Fans

Paramount+ is CBS’ streaming service. You can choose from the Essential plan, which comes with the on-demand content library and NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League streams, and the full package, with SHOWTIME and access to local CBS stations. Paramount+ can’t beat the likes of Netflix in terms of content, but it’s known for its strong selection of sci-fi content. 

14. Peacock Premium — Best for NBC Fans 

Peacock’s pricing structure is similar to that of Paramount+. The first tier gets you on-demand movies, TV shows and more than 50 channels, while the Premium Plus tier includes local live NBC channels 24/7. 

Unfortunately, its free tier was removed in 2023, but the good news is that you can save two months of the overall cost on the annual plan. If you’re outside the U.S. and want to watch Peacock, our handy guide, how to get Peacock TV will help get you started.

Best Free Streaming Services 

If you’re on a really tight budget, you might want to consider a free streaming service instead of a paid one. Some of our favorites include: 

• PlutoTV
• Tubi 
• Crackle
• The Roku Channel
• Freevee

Final Thoughts: Cost of Streaming Services

Whether you want live TV, sports channels or on-demand movies and shows, the streaming service market has plenty to offer. However, it’s essential to balance the cost with how much value a streaming service brings to you specifically. We hope our guide has been able to put the options into perspective.

Which streaming service have you decided to go for? Why did you choose it? Will you need to use a VPN? Leave us a comment below, and thanks for reading. 

FAQ: Streaming Services and Prices 

• How Much Do Streaming Services Cost? 

  Most popular on-demand streaming platforms typically cost between $7 and $10 per month (opting for an annual plan may bring down the monthly price), but it can vary.

• What’s the Best Package for Streaming TV?

  We think Hulu + Live TV is the overall best live channel streaming service because of the variety of content, but it doesn’t carry as many RSNs as some competitors.

• Is It Cheaper to Have Cable or Streaming Services?

  As a rule, live TV streaming packages are cheaper than cable.

• Is There a Streaming Service That Has Everything? 

  No, but some streaming services let you bundle or add on extra services as a means of expanding your content selection.

Sources:

1. Consumers Expect Personalized Experiences, Social Engagement and Diverse Content: Can Media Deliver? — Deloitte
2. Q1 2024 Shareholder Letter — Netflix
3. Video Streaming Market Size To Reach $416.84 Billion By 2030 — Grand View Research

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