You’re definitely not the only one looking for the best video streaming services online. Now that more and more streaming services are being introduced into the market, it can seem daunting to decide which among them is worth your money. Of course, if you’re going to pay for something, you’ve got to make sure that you’re really getting what you paid for!
Thanks to faster Internet speed, it’s now possible for everyone to enjoy his or her favorite shows and movies online, regardless of where they are. There’s no longer a need to rush home from work just so you can catch your favorite TV show. All you need to do is use a video streaming service on your phone or laptop and you can watch as many shows or movies you want!
Best Video Streaming Services
So, what would be the best streaming service to use? To help you with this, we’ve rounded up 15 of the best video streaming services for 2019.
1. Netflix
Of course, everyone is familiar with Netflix. It’s a very popular online streaming platform that hosts a fantastic selection of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and more. They also produce their own movies and shows. This has made them become the most sought-after video streaming service online.
Netflix is really serious about offering high-quality content to its users and is said to have spent around $15 billion on original content this year. These include famous shows like Stranger Things and Orange is the New Black. Given the success of its original content, Netflix wants to grow its library of original movies and series in the coming years.
But a Netflix subscription doesn’t come cheap. In fact, they have recently increased the cost of their subscription plans. From $7.99, it will now cost $8.99 per month to stream all content using one device. Their Standard plan has also increased to $12.99 from $10.99 per month. This plan allows you to simultaneously stream content on two devices. Their most expensive plan is now $15.99, which used to be $13.99 only.
Sure, Netflix might be expensive, but it’s still one of the best video streaming services out there, given the wide range of high-quality movies and TV shows that they offer!
2. Hulu
Hulu is another popular video streaming service, thanks to its wide range of streaming options. Aside from offering an impressive library of Classic movies, Hulu also gives access to live TV with over 60 channels, including sports, entertainment, and news.
Hulu’s pricing is pretty competitive. This is another thing that makes it stand out from the rest. For only $5.99, you can already enjoy its basic streaming plan. But if you don’t want the ads to keep on popping up, you better upgrade to the ad-free option, which will only cost you $11.99 every month.
You can also opt for the Hulu plus Live TV bundle that combines Live TV and ad-supported streaming services. This will cost you $44.99 per month while the ad-free version of this package costs $50.99.
Hulu subscribers will also have the option to include Enhanced Cloud DVR. With this option, your DVR storage will be increased from 50 hours to 200 hours. There’s also the Unlimited Screens Package, which allows unlimited streams of devices in your home.
For this, you just need to pay $14.99 each or only $19.99 if you get both. Not only that, Hulu subscribers can add Showtime and HBO channels to their subscription plans by paying only $8.99 and $14.99 respectively.
3. YouTube TV
YouTube TV is slowly gaining popularity. It offers a wide range of shows, including news channels and live sports telecasts. There are also several entertainment options to choose from. If you subscribe to YouTube TV, you get to watch Travel Channel, HGTV, Food Network, Animal Planet, and more! You also have the option to add more content to your subscription plan by adding other packages, such as NBA League Pass, Showtime, etc.
YouTube TV subscribers will also enjoy unlimited storage for cloud DVR. This will allow you to keep 9 months worth of recordings. You’ll be able to view the content wherever you are in the US. In addition, one membership can support up to 6 accounts, which means you can share it with your family and friends.
The YouTube TV app can work well for a wide variety of platforms. YouTube has also announced recently that they will be supporting Amazon Fire TV devices, which is impressive. Overall, YouTube TV is definitely worth checking out. Just make sure it’s already available in your area before you sign up.
4. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon gives its users two options to access its content – Amazon Video or Amazon Prime. With Amazon Video, you’ll be charged $8.99 each month. This will already give you access to stream any content from their video library.
On the other hand, if you choose the Amazon Prime account, you’ll also get access to exclusive Prime Videos as well as tons of perks when you go shopping from the online store. For Amazon Prime, you’ll have to pay $12.99 monthly or an annual fee of $119.
Over the last few years, Amazon has created its own original shows including Catastrophe, Bosch, Fleabag, The Grand Tour, One Mississippi, Patriot, and many more. A lot of these shows are really great, which makes them one of the best video streaming services. In fact, they are of the same level as Netflix when it comes to producing original content.
In addition, Amazon Prime Video also hosts occasional shows from the top networks, such as HBO at no extra cost. If you want full access to HBO shows, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax, and CBS All Access, then you can simply add Prime Channel to your subscription.
5. FuboTV
FuboTV is definitely one of the best video streaming services for sports fans out there. This streaming service is not only limited to sports-related content. It offers a wide range of entertainment content as well. With FuboTV, you get to watch your favorite NFL teams, catch up on some MLB game episodes, and more.
The basic subscription plan of FuboTV, which they call the Fubo Standard, will only cost you $54.99 per month. It gives you access to more than 90 channels, depending on your location. You get to watch national sports events, such as FOX, CBS, NBC, NBA TV, and NFL Network. There are also international sports events, coming from the Univision and beIN network channels.
Of course, FuboTV is not only about sports. It also provides you with a wide range of entertainment channels, including BBC America, AMC, The Food Network, CNBC, National Geographic, and more.
6. Apple TV+
Apple users are definitely familiar with Apple TV+. This is Apple’s first venture into the video-streaming world, although it’s not yet as competitive with the best on-demand streaming services in the market.
Your subscription will only allow you to watch original Apple movies and shows. This can be a disaster for a streaming service that’s only starting out. By not offering other content to go with its original library, Apple TV+ users will be stuck to whatever they are offering.
Most of the shows on Apple TV+ are pretty average, including the Morning Show and For All Mankind. Nevertheless, Apple promises to launch new shows each month and will release new episodes week after week. Therefore, we still believe it still deserves to be on this list of the best video streaming services.
According to those who have tried using Apple TV+ on the web and through the iPhone app, the streaming service lacks the usability features found on some of the leading video streaming platforms. It doesn’t have a button to skip the intro and you won’t have a way to launch the next episode through the playback screen.
7. Disney+
If you are a big fan of Disney, then Disney+ is definitely the best streaming service for you. As you know, Disney owns several media companies including Marvel, Pixar, National Geographic, Star Wars, and more. You’ll be able to have access to all these shows if you choose Disney+ as your streaming platform.
Some of its most popular shows are the High School Musical and Marvel’s Hero Project. They also have tons of original productions such as the Monsters at Work, Loki, Timmy Failure, and several Marvel titles.
However, it’s worth noting that Disney franchises, including those that they acquired after taking over the 21st Century Fox, are not available in Disney+ yet. This is because of some licensing agreements. Nevertheless, the Disney+ library is expected to grow rapidly over time.
The monthly subscription of Disney+ is pretty reasonable and you can save even more money if you choose the annual plan. They also offer a plan that costs $12.99 per month, which is a bundle of ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu. Verizon customers will enjoy a free one-year subscription to Disney+.
8. Dazn
For MMA and boxing fans, Dazn is the best streaming service for you. It offers good value subscription plans that are ideal for those who don’t want to pay the hefty PPV fees when watching exclusive fights.
If you’re going to sign up for this streaming service, you get to watch exclusive matches from the World Boxing Super Series, Golden Boy Productions, Matchroom Boxing, and more!
Aside from boxing, Dazn also caters to other sports, including fishing, darts, cricket, gymnastics, and more. They also have their own original shows, including the MLB commentary, Change UP, and the Sweet Scientists – a fighter-focused TV show.
All the fights that Dazn is streaming will be available on-demand the moment they air. It allows subscribers to stream simultaneously from two different devices. Although the live streams are only available in 720p, they have a smooth frame rate of 60 FPS.
9. CBS All Access
Although it might seem like it’s not worth paying for a streaming platform that offers only one channel, the CBS All Access still deserves to be on this list of the best video streaming services.
This is because they offer a broad range of TV shows and movies on demand. In addition, this is the only platform where you can get access to the original CBS content that includes Star Trek: Discovery, The Good Fight, and The Twilight Zone Reboot.
The $5.99 Plan of CBS All Access comes with ads, although you can upgrade to the ads-free plan by paying $9.99 monthly. Both plans will allow you to enjoy the expansive library of on-demand CBS shows. It’s a great platform to catch up on old-time favorites such as Twin Peaks and Cheers.
10. PlayStation Vue
Vue is PlayStation’s live streaming service and it’s an excellent choice for those who don’t want to pay hefty bills on cable TV. Of course, it can work well for Sony PlayStation owners. Sony has recently increased the subscription price of Vue to $5, which will apply to both old and new subscribers.
For the standard Core Plan, which costs $4.99 monthly, you get to enjoy a wide range of entertainment and news channels. But this plan doesn’t offer much in terms of sports coverage. You can upgrade to more expensive packages if you want to expand coverage. This is a great option for movie and sports fans.
11. ESPN+
ESPN+ has a great lineup of on-demand and live sports programming shows that will only cost you $4.99 each month. Take note that this streaming service is not a replacement for the regular ESPN channels. Yet, it’s a good option for cord-cutting sports fans.
With this service, you get to watch a great selection of sporting events live every single day. These include NHL, MLB, MLS, and PGA Tour. Unfortunately, the live NBA Coverage and ESPN Monday Night Football are not included in this subscription. You will also get access to the archives of ESPN’s on-demand premiere shows, including 30 for 30. However, it doesn’t include the flagship shows of ESPN, like First Take, Around the Horn, NFL Live, Sports Nation, and Sports Center.
The ESPN+ is available through the web or app, which you can download from Apple Store or Google Play Store. Compared to other streaming service applications, the performance of the app is pretty solid. You won’t have a hard time streaming shows or movies using your mobile phone, tablet, etc. Roku, Fire TV, and Chromecast users can also enjoy ESPN+ and take full advantage of its substantial support of up to five simultaneous streams.
12. Philo
Philo is a great video streaming platform offering a great mix of on-demand and live shows. For only $20 monthly, you get access to 58 channels that include Animal Planet, BBC America, Discovery Channel, Cooking Channel, Comedy Central, Food Network, SCI, Travel Channel, and HGTV. Philo is mainly focused on providing entertainment and lifestyle content.
Philo is one of the best video streaming services for lifestyle and entertainment content. So, if you’re looking for a streaming platform for sports and news, you might as well choose something else! This streaming service has taken a new approach to video streaming.
For instance, they won’t require you to enter a password when you log in to use the service. What it does is send a 6-digit verification code through SMS after you enter your email address and phone number. You will then use the code to login, which is a more secure and convenient way of logging in.
In addition, Philo will allow its users to keep a catalog of available shows for later viewing, except offline viewing. They also let you keep saved episodes for up to 30 days with no limit on storage. The streaming service is also planning to include social features to some of their plans as well as several other future updates.
13. HBO Now
HBO Now offers an impressive range of original content that includes Chernobyl and Westworld, on top of the old-time favorite series like Deadwood, Sex and the City, the Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Game of Thrones and The Wire. Aside from these shows, the HBO Now also offers a great collection of popular moves in different genres including drama, comedy, action, horror, suspense, romance, etc.
HBO Now can work best when used along with other streaming platform services that provide live TV coverage. As a matter of fact, several streaming services are now offering HBO Now as an add-on. This is a great option as it helps users streamline the process of billing and account management.
Although the app looks modern, it’s pretty easy to use. The streaming performance is impressive. It’s available on Chromecast, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox One, and PS4. Perhaps the only downside is the price. It costs more compared to its close competitors.
14. Sling TV
Sling TV is a cost-effective video streaming service for those who wanted to replace their cable. However, it does not perform well in terms of local programming and is not that intuitive compared to its competitors.
Sling TV has divided the channels between the Orange Plan and Sling Blue Plan. The Orange Plan costs $25 per month and supports simultaneous streaming while the Sling Blue offers 3 simultaneous streaming services, which is also at $25 each month. Both plans provide excellent channel selections costing $40 each month and will allow you to simultaneously stream up to 4 devices.
The Sling TV provides channel add-ons at a starting rate of $5 per month. There are also extra add-on bundles for kids that consist of Disney XD, Boomerang, and Nicktoons. For the Comedy Extra package, you will get CMT, MTV, Logo, and TruTV. Sports fanatics can also benefit from the Sports Extra add-on, which gives access to NBA TV, ESPN, PAC 12 Network, and NHL Network. Although such flexibility is great, it’s worth noting that your subscription cost could increase quickly as you keep on adding content.
Fox content has recently vanished from Sling TV and this includes its affiliate channels such as FS2 and FS1. This can be bad news for spans of sports, most especially because Sling doesn’t stream content from CBS affiliates. If you want to enjoy watching your favorite NFL Sunday games, you will now need to attach an antenna. This is also applicable to football games on Thursday nights because Sling TV doesn’t stream games that are broadcasted originally on Fox.
15. AT&T TV Now
Previously called DirecTV Now, the AT&T TV Now provides a decent streaming performance with a generous option for TV channels. However, some of the plans are unreasonably categorized and are a bit too expensive to acquire. Their starting price is at $50 per month and comes with 40 different channels. As for their Ultimate Plan, you’ll get a total of 125 channels that will cost you a whopping $135 per month! It’s ridiculously expensive compared to other streaming services on the list.
You also get to add several extras for your plan, including Cinemax, HBO, Showtime, and Starz, although both the HBO and Cinemax are included in the cheaper plans. In addition, this streaming service also caters to the International market as they also offer packages with Korean, Brazilian, and Vietnamese channels.
The AT&T TV is now offering 20 hours worth of DVR storage for free with the option to keep the recording for 30 days. Furthermore, the service allows simultaneous streaming using two devices with the option to pay $4.99 more each month to allow three devices. You can now access AT&T TV in mobile platforms using the app and web option is also available. However, this streaming service is not available in PlayStation or Xbox One consoles.
Final Thoughts
Given this list of the best video streaming services, which do you think is worth your money? Have you tried using any of the platforms mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below!
