Streaming Service Comparison
Side-by-side pricing and features for every major streaming platform, updated for 2026
With 13 streaming services on the market, choosing the right ones can feel overwhelming. This comparison breaks down what each service offers, what it costs, and who it's best for — so you can make an informed decision without subscribing to everything.
Quick Price Comparison
| Service | Starting Price | Ads? | Free Trial | Streams | Downloads | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery+ | from $4.99/mo | Yes | 7 days | 4 | Reality TV fans, home improvement enthusiasts, foodies | |
| Hulu | from $7.99/mo | Yes | 30 days | 2 | TV show enthusiasts, cord-cutters | |
| Disney+ | from $7.99/mo | No | 7 days | 4 | Families, Disney fans, Marvel/Star Wars enthusiasts | |
| Paramount+ | from $7.99/mo | Yes | 7 days | 3 | CBS viewers, Star Trek fans, sports enthusiasts | |
| Peacock Premium | from $7.99/mo | Yes | 7 days | 3 | NBC fans, sports viewers, comedy lovers | |
| Amazon Prime Video | from $8.99/mo | Yes | 30 days | 3 | Amazon Prime members, general entertainment | |
| AMC+ | from $8.99/mo | No | 7 days | 2 | Drama enthusiasts, horror fans, AMC show followers | |
| Max (HBO) | from $9.99/mo | No | 7 days | 2 | Adults, prestige TV fans, movie enthusiasts | |
| Apple TV+ | from $9.99/mo | No | 7 days | 6 | Apple users, premium content enthusiasts | |
| ESPN+ | from $10.99/mo | Yes | None | 3 | Sports fans, UFC enthusiasts, college sports followers | |
| Showtime | from $10.99/mo | No | 7 days | 3 | Drama enthusiasts, boxing fans, mature content viewers | |
| Netflix | from $15.49/mo | No | 30 days | 4 | Global audience, families, young adults | |
| YouTube TV | from $82.99/mo | Yes | None | 3 | Cord-cutters who want live TV, sports fans |
Detailed Service Breakdown
Discovery+
from $4.99/moDiscovery+ is the definitive non-fiction, real-life subscription service. It features favorites from HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, Animal Planet, and Discovery Channel, along with exclusive originals.
Available Plans
- Ad-Supported: $4.99/mo
- Ad-Free: $16.99/mo
Pros
- Unbeatable for reality/doc fans
- Very affordable
- Huge back catalog
Cons
- No live feeds
- Content also moving to Max
- Limited 4K content
Hulu
from $7.99/moHulu is a leading premium streaming service offering next-day access to current TV shows from major networks, a library of popular past seasons, and award-winning Hulu Originals. It is a top choice fo...
Available Plans
- With ads: $7.99/mo
- No ads: $17.99/mo
Pros
- Fastest access to current TV
- Great bundle value
- Strong original programming
Cons
- Ads in base plan can be repetitive
- 4K content is limited compared to others
- Offline download only on No Ads plan
Disney+
from $7.99/moDisney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. It is a must-have for families and fans of these iconic franchises, offerin...
Available Plans
- Basic (with ads): $7.99/mo
- Premium (no ads): $13.99/mo
Pros
- Best library for families/kids
- Exclusive franchise content
- IMAX Enhanced support
Cons
- Content mostly limited to owned brands
- Price increases over time
- UI can be clunky on some devices
Paramount+
from $7.99/moParamount+ is the home of CBS, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Pictures. It features a mountain of entertainment including Star Trek essentials, family favorites, and live sports ...
Available Plans
- Essential (with ads): $5.99/mo
- Premium (no ads): $11.99/mo
Pros
- Great for Trekkies
- Good mix of news/sports/entertainment
- Showtime bundle available
Cons
- App performance issues
- Ads can be repetitive
- Interface is basic
Peacock Premium
from $7.99/moPeacock is NBCUniversal's streaming service, offering hits from NBC, Bravo, USA Network, and extensive live sports including Premier League and WWE. It features next-day access to current NBC shows an...
Available Plans
- Premium (with ads): $5.99/mo
- Premium Plus (no ads): $11.99/mo
Pros
- Excellent for sports fans
- Home of The Office & Parks and Rec
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Ads on Premium tier
- Originals still growing
- 4K content limited
Amazon Prime Video
from $8.99/moAmazon Prime Video offers a vast selection of popular movies, TV shows, and award-winning Amazon Originals. Included with an Amazon Prime membership, it also features rent/buy options for new releases...
Available Plans
- Standard: $15.49/mo
Pros
- Great value if you have Prime
- X-Ray is a unique feature
- High bitrate 4K
Cons
- UI can be cluttered with rent/buy
- Ads introduced to base tier
- Content rotation is frequent
AMC+
from $8.99/moAMC+ bundles content from AMC, Shudder, Sundance Now, and IFC Films Unlimited. Known for prestige dramas and horror content, it offers early access to AMC shows, ad-free viewing, and exclusive series ...
Pros
- Early access to AMC premieres
- Excellent horror selection via Shudder
- Ad-free viewing experience
Cons
- Small overall content library
- Niche appeal — drama and horror focused
- Limited original programming
Max (HBO)
from $9.99/moMax (formerly HBO Max) brings together HBO, Warner Bros., DC, Cartoon Network, and Adult Swim, plus a slate of Max Originals. It offers a premium diverse library ranging from prestigious dramas to blo...
Available Plans
- With Ads: $7.99/mo
- Ad-Free: $16.99/mo
- Ultimate Ad-Free: $20.99/mo
Pros
- Highest quality prestige TV
- Day-and-date movie releases (sometimes)
- Deep library of classic films
Cons
- Rebranding confusion
- Removed some content recently
- 4K locked behind highest tier
Apple TV+
from $9.99/moApple TV+ is a premium streaming service featuring exclusive Apple Original shows and movies. Known for high-production values and star-studded casts, it focuses on quality over quantity. It offers a ...
Available Plans
- Standard: $15.49/mo
Pros
- High bitrate 4K streaming quality
- All content is exclusive
- Generous family sharing
Cons
- Smaller library than competitors
- No licensed back catalog
- Android app experience is limited
ESPN+
from $10.99/moESPN+ is the sports-focused streaming service from Disney, offering exclusive live events, original shows, and the full 30 for 30 documentary library. It's essential for UFC fans (exclusive PPV provid...
Pros
- Only way to stream UFC PPV events
- Affordable for sports fans
- Great documentary library
Cons
- No major NFL, NBA, or MLB games
- Not a replacement for cable sports
- Requires separate purchase for PPV events
Showtime
from $10.99/moShowtime is a premium cable and streaming network known for bold, boundary-pushing original series and championship boxing. Now bundled with Paramount+ as part of the Paramount+ with Showtime tier, it...
Pros
- High-quality original dramas
- Exclusive live boxing events
- Strong documentary library
Cons
- Smaller library than HBO/Netflix
- Being merged into Paramount+
- Higher price as standalone
Netflix
from $15.49/moNetflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with a massive library of TV series, documentaries, feature films, and mobile games. It offers a wide variety of award-winning originals ...
Available Plans
- Standard with ads: $7.99/mo
- Standard: $15.49/mo
- Premium: $22.99/mo
Pros
- Best-in-class user interface
- Huge variety of content
- Excellent recommendation engine
Cons
- Most expensive premium tier
- Crackdown on password sharing
- Cancellation of popular shows
YouTube TV
from $82.99/moYouTube TV is a premier live TV streaming service offering 100+ channels including local networks, news, and sports. It features an industry-leading unlimited cloud DVR and shareable accounts, making ...
Pros
- Unlimited DVR is a game changer
- Clean, familiar interface
- Reliable stream quality
Cons
- Price has increased steadily
- Some regional sports networks missing
- 4K is an expensive add-on
Save with Bundles
Bundling streaming services is one of the easiest ways to save 20–40% on your monthly streaming bill. Here are the most popular bundles available:
How to Choose the Right Services
There's no single "best" streaming service — it depends entirely on what you watch. Here's a framework for deciding:
1. List Your Must-Watch Shows
Write down the 10–15 shows you actively follow. Check which services carry them. You'll likely find that 2–3 services cover 80% of your watchlist.
2. Check Premiere Dates
You don't need every service every month. Subscribe when new seasons premiere, binge the content, then cancel until the next batch arrives.
3. Calculate Your Cost Per Show
If you're paying $15/month for a service with 1 show on your list, that's expensive. Thrifty Streamer does this math automatically for all your services.
Get Your Personalized Cost Analysis
Thrifty Streamer calculates exactly what each service costs you based on the shows you watch. It's free and takes about 5 minutes to set up.
Start Your Free Analysis How It Works