Compare Streaming Services
Not sure which streaming services are right for you? We break down the major options by category to help you decide.
On-Demand Streaming
These services offer libraries of movies and TV shows you can watch anytime. Most households subscribe to two or three of these based on their preferences.
| Service | Starting Price | Best For | Notable Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | $6.99/mo (with ads) | Original series, international content | Stranger Things, Squid Game, The Crown |
| Disney+ | $7.99/mo (with ads) | Families, Marvel, Star Wars fans | Marvel series, Pixar films, The Mandalorian |
| Max (HBO) | $9.99/mo (with ads) | Premium dramas, recent theatrical releases | House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, HBO originals |
| Prime Video | $8.99/mo (standalone) | Amazon Prime members, variety | The Boys, Rings of Power, Thursday Night Football |
| Hulu | $7.99/mo (with ads) | Next-day network TV, FX content | The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, network shows |
| Apple TV+ | $9.99/mo | Quality over quantity, Apple users | Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show |
| Peacock | $7.99/mo (with ads) | NBC content, some live sports | The Office, Parks and Rec, Premier League |
Live TV Streaming
These services replace cable with live channels delivered over the internet. Best for sports fans and news watchers who need real-time content.
YouTube TV
$72.99/mo
The most complete live TV replacement. Includes 100+ channels with unlimited cloud DVR storage. Features all major broadcast networks, ESPN, regional sports networks, and news channels.
Hulu + Live TV
$76.99/mo
Combines Hulu's on-demand library with live channels. Good for households that want both live TV and a strong streaming catalog. Now includes Disney+ and ESPN+ in the bundle.
Sling TV
$40/mo
The budget-friendly option. Choose Orange (ESPN, Disney) or Blue (FOX, NBC, NFL Network) packages, or combine both. Smaller channel selection keeps costs down.
Fubo
$79.99/mo
Built for sports fans. Includes more regional sports networks than competitors. Features 4K streaming for select sports events and international sports channels.
Free Streaming Options
These ad-supported services cost nothing and offer a surprising amount of content. Worth checking before paying for additional subscriptions.
Tubi
Largest free streaming library. Thousands of movies and TV shows, including recent titles. Ad-supported but free to use with no account required.
FreePluto TV
Linear channels plus on-demand content. Feels like cable with themed channels for news, sports, movies, and niche interests. Owned by Paramount.
FreeThe Roku Channel
Available on any Roku device or at therokuchannel.com. Mix of live channels and on-demand movies and shows. Includes some premium content for free.
FreeMoney-Saving Bundles
Bundling services together often saves money compared to subscribing separately.
Disney Bundle
Disney+ / Hulu / ESPN+
$14.99/mo
Save ~$10 vs separate
Paramount+ with Showtime
Paramount+ / Showtime combined
$11.99/mo
Save ~$8 vs separate
Amazon Prime
Prime Video / Free shipping / Music / More
$14.99/mo
Best value if you shop Amazon
Our Recommendation
For most cord-cutters, we suggest starting with one on-demand service (based on your taste) plus an antenna for local channels. Add a live TV service only if you need sports or live news. This approach typically costs $15-30 per month versus $150+ for cable.
Remember: you can always add or drop services month to month. There's no need to replicate cable. Start small and add only what you find yourself missing.