As recently as a few years ago, Netflix was the undisputed king of online video streaming, with an extensive library of both classic and contemporary works across several genres. There have been several new competitors on the market in recent years.
We compared eleven UK and US streaming services, weighing each one’s TV and film libraries, price, and other features to determine how they stack up against one another.
Netflix
Although it may seem apparent to begin with Netflix, the service is far and away the most popular of its kind. This service is quickly becoming a household brand thanks to its extensive library of approximately 4,000 films and 1,500 episodes. It’s the most widely available service, with availability in over 200 countries at this point (though some series and movies may differ by area).
Plans range from £6.99/$9.99 per month for the most basic option (one screen, no ultra-HD) to £10.99/$15.49 per month for the standard option (two screens, HD content), and £15.99/$19.99 per month for the premium option (HD, Ultra HD, and streaming on up to four displays).
All subscription tiers had price increases at the beginning of 2022. Rising prices over the past four years have been significantly undercut by newer services like Disney+. Bear in mind that the UK no longer has access to Netflix’s free trial.
Prime Video by Amazon
Amazon may rule the roost when it comes to online shopping, but Netflix has the streaming video market by a wide margin. There’s a wide variety of episodes and movies to keep you watching, from old favorites like The Office to recent hits like Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.
Amazon Prime Video is £5.99/$8.99 per month, but if you join up for Amazon Prime, you also get free two-day shipping, Amazon Prime Music, and Kindle eBooks when you spend £95/$119 annually/monthly, respectively. Similar to Netflix’s standard plan, you can watch on two screens at once.
Even though few Amazon originals can match the quality or popularity of Netflix originals, Amazon has had some really successful exclusives, such as The Rings of Power, Good Omens, The Boys, Mr. Robot, Vikings, Preacher, The Grand Tour, and American Gods. Some of the cataloged shows are running out of time.
Disney+
In recent weeks, Disney+ has faced increasing competition from other streaming services. The Mandalorian, an original Star Wars series, had one of the biggest debuts of any program on a streaming platform, and the service boasts a library of MCU, Disney Channel, Pixar, Star, and Fox content. In its wake came Wandavision, another smash blockbuster from Marvel. The platform’s hero series, like The Simpsons, is a major appeal because they can provide weeks’ worth of content.
Disney+ is available monthly for £7.99/$7.99 or annually for £79.90/$79.99. The service is compatible with many different kinds of media players, computers, cellphones, tablets, and game consoles, and the price covers access for up to four of them to stream in ultra-high definition. With this new low price, the service has successfully competed with others in the industry.
Now
Sky’s streaming video rival is now. However, HBO Now, which is available in the United States, has a lot of crossovers and is therefore recommended for viewers in the United Kingdom. You can choose from Now’s Entertainment, Cinema, Kids, Hayu, and Sports memberships. The Wire, True Detective, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver are just a few of the excellent shows broadcast on Sky networks that provide entertainment.
Although the monthly cost of £9.99 may seem steep, both the Entertainment and Cinema memberships provide access to a wide variety of current and recent TV shows and movies, and new members can often take advantage of promotional pricing. Also, it’s important to know that the default resolution is capped at 720p and that you’ll need to pay an extra £3.99 each month for Now Boost in order to obtain HD (along with Dolby 5.1 surround sound, support for 50fps on some Sky Sports content and no ads). Not even HDR or 4K resolutions are supported at this time.
