While Netflix is often hailed as the king of streaming services, it's also known for frequently raising its prices -- and this year, it even startedcracking down on password sharing. If the streaming conglomerate has finally priced you out as a subscriber, there are plenty of other options out there for watching TV shows and movies.
Also: The best live TV streaming services
Netflix has the most subscribers out of any streaming service at 247.15 million subscribers in Q3 of 2023. But that doesn't mean you have to buy into the hype. Its tiered subscription options have increased anywhere from $3-$5 since 2020, the mostrecent price hike being $2 and $3, respectively, for its basic and premium subscription tiers, effective October 2023.
Combined with the fact that the company is nowcharging its account holders$7.99 for each additional user, customers are looking for alternatives. In addition, you might want to leave Netflix if you've become frustrated with its ever-changing titles and what is added/removed from the platform monthly.
There is more to the streaming world than Netflix: In fact, there are more than 200 streaming services available today. Our top alternative is Hulu, but we've rounded up the best streaming service alternatives that include live TV, unique originals, binge-worthy shows, and more for you to keep on streaming.
The best Netflix alternatives of 2023
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Familiar and popular shows as well as unique content
- Live TV streaming option with unlimited DVR
Cons
- Still has ads (for base plan)
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Hulu features: Access to Disney+ and ESPN+ | Live TV | 3,000+ titles
For more than half of the price of a monthly Netflix subscription, you can watch a wide array of TV shows and movies on Hulu for just $7.99 per month. The platform has original content like The Handmaid's Tale, How I Met Your Father, Dollface, and more, along with classic and popular movies.
Something Hulu has that Netflix doesn't is the option to stream live TV. With the highest tier subscription ($82.99 per month), you can watch live TV and sports and get access to Disney+ and ESPN+ without ads.
However, two out of four of Hulu's subscription tiers still have ads. Also, its base subscription only supports one streamer at a time, so you can't share your account with friends or family as you can with Netflix.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- Already included in your Amazon Prime subscription
- A la carte option so you can buy movies or shows
- No ads
Cons
- Limited original content
- Pay extra to watch certain movie titles
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Amazon Prime Video features: Comes with Amazon Prime subscription | Buy or rent titles | About 26,000 titles
If you're one of the more than 200 million subscribers with Amazon Prime, you already have Amazon Prime Video. Amazon's streaming service also comes as a standalone option if you don't have a Prime membership, at $8.99 per month.
Amazon Prime Video has original series like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Boys, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. What's great about this specific platform is that you can buy/rent movies/TV series a la carte, so if you're looking for something specific, it may be worth it.
While Amazon Prime is a decent Netflix alternative, it lacks the large number of original series and movies that Netflix offers. Also, even with your subscription, you still must buy/rent certain titles, making the overall cost go up.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lots of original content
- Watch recently released movies
Cons
- Have to pay almost as much as a Netflix subscription for a no-ad experience
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Max features: Comes with HBO subscription | More than 2,500 titles | 4K UHD streaming
To watch some of the most buzzworthy shows, you'll need Max (formally known as HBO Max). The streaming service costs $9.99 per month with ads and $15.99 per month for an ad-free experience and streaming in 4K UHD. The good news is that if you already have an HBO subscription, Max comes free.
Max is home to popular series like The Last of Us, Euphoria, Succession, The White Lotus, and more. You can also watch recently released movies from the past six months if you couldn't catch them in theaters.
Its higher tier no-ad subscription will cost you almost as much as Netflix. Also, keep in mind that with the Warner Brothers/Discovery merger, some content like Westworld, Raised by Wolves, and The Nevers,has been removed, and you're likely to see some more fluctuation with the content.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- Award-winning original content
- Inexpensive
- No commercials
Cons
- Episodes only roll out weekly
- Smaller content library than other options
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Apple TV+ features: Compatible with many devices | No ads |One subscription allows you to enjoy 6 simultaneous streams
Apple TV+'s lineup is almost all original shows and movies, so you know you're watching something you can't watch anywhere else. At $6.99 per month, you can stream award-winning shows and films like The Morning Show, Ted Lasso, Severance, Coda, and more. The best part is that there are no commercials.
While you may think Apple TV+ is only compatible with Apple devices, the platform actually works on gaming consoles, streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire TV, Smart TVs, and, of course, on Apple TV and other Apple devices.
However, episodes on Apple TV+ roll out weekly instead of all together, making it hard to binge-watch a really good show. Also, there is currently no Apple TV+ app available for Android devices or PC users.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- Live TV and sports
- Least expensive streaming option
Cons
- Still has ads
- No 4K streaming option
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Peaco*ck features: Free tier | Live TV | More than 80,000 hours of content
NBC's streaming service offers two tiers: a premium subscription at $5.99 that has limited ads but also live sports and events, and a plus tier that is $11.99 and has zero ads and allows you to download and watch select titles offline.
On Peaco*ck, you can watch original series like Bel-Air, Dr. Death, Girls5Eva, and Wolf Like Me, as well as cult classics like The Office, 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation,the Harry Potter collection, and more. There's also live TV and sports you can tune into including WWE and soccer. Peaco*ck also offers exclusive 24-hour coverage of every Olympics, including the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Of course, the downside here is that Peaco*ck still has ads, and it recently got rid of its free tier. Some of the content ispaywalled. Also, there is no 4K streaming option, so the quality could be better.
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What is the best Netflix alternative?
Hulu is the best Netflix alternative based on our analysis of the top streaming services.
Netflix Alternative | Price | # of Titles |
Hulu | Starting at $7.99/month | 3,000 |
Amazon Prime Video | $14.99/month (with Amazon Prime membership) or $8.99/month | About 26,000 |
Max | Starting at $9.99/month | More than 2,500 |
Apple TV+ | $6.99/month | N/A |
Peaco*ck | Starting at $5.99/month | More 80,000 hours of content |
Which Netflix alternative is right for you?
If you really want to leave Netflix to pay less, you can't go wrong with Peaco*ck, since it is the cheapest option. However, if you're more interested in watching popular, original content, Max and Apple TV+ have shows and movies that everyone is always talking about.
As another option, if you are just an occasional watcher but like specific movies or shows, Amazon Prime Video's a la carte setup is a great alternative.
Choose this Netflix alternative... | If you want... |
Hulu | The best overall option. You even have the option of adding live TV to your subscription. |
Amazon Prime Video | A streaming service to watch along with Amazon Prime benefits. It comes free if you're a prime member. |
Max | Access to award-winning and binge-worthy shows. There is also a 4K UHD streaming option. |
Apple TV+ | A streaming service with plenty of original shows and movies. Plus, there are no commercials. |
Peaco*ck | A budget streaming service with familiar titles. You can also watch live sports and events. |
How did we choose these Netflix alternatives?
There are a few important factors to keep in mind when choosing a streaming service to replace Netflix. These are some to consider.
Number of titles: You want a streaming service that will allow you to watch plenty of movies and TV titles. We paid attention to services that provide original content, as well as play host to well-known titles.
Ads: Commercials and ads are annoying, but unfortunately, they are apart of streaming services, especially at the lower-priced subscription tiers. However, we provided services with ad-free options, and Apple TV+ always has zero ads.
Subscription cost: Many streaming services offer multiple tiers of subscription options, so pricing definitely varies. We paid attention to the cheapest subscription cost for each streaming service in order to effectively compare.
Have Netflix subscriptions gone up?
Yes, Netflix subscription prices have increased substantially in recent years. Its standard subscription has increased by $2 in three years (from $13.99 to $15.49), and its premium subscription has increased by a whopping $5 in that same time frame ($17.99 to $22.99).
You can still get a cheaper version of Netflix at $6.99, but it has ads. In addition, there is a basic plan that also just increased in price ($11.99, up from $9.99). Note that the basic plan is no longer available to new subscribers, so this price hike will only affect current customers who already are subscribed to that plan.
Should you cancel Netflix?
If you decide to cancel Netflix, there are plenty of options to replace the platform. And, since its catalog is constantly changing, something on Netflix one day could end up on one of the above streaming platforms the next. The only thing you'd really miss out on is Netflix's original series and movies; the service does offer a good selection of award-winning content.
Are there alternative streaming services worth considering?
Here are a couple of other Netflix alternatives to look into:
Best live TV alternative
Sling TV
Sling TV is reliable when it comes to friendly interface, speed, and customization of channels.
View at Sling
Best family-friendly alternative
Disney+
Disney+ has an excellent library full of family-friendly content that includes content not only from Disney but also Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic.
View at Disney+
Best budget alternative
Discovery+
You can watch shows from networks like HGTV, TLC, Discovery, The History Channel, Travel Channel, and more, all for just $4.99/month.
View at Discovery+
As an enthusiast with in-depth knowledge of the streaming industry, I can confidently affirm that the landscape of streaming services is continuously evolving. My expertise extends to the dynamics of subscription pricing, content offerings, and user experience across various platforms. I have closely followed the trends, including Netflix's pricing strategies and its recent measures to combat password sharing.
Let's delve into the key concepts and alternatives discussed in the article:
Netflix's Pricing and Policies:
- Netflix, the dominant player in the streaming industry, boasts 247.15 million subscribers as of Q3 2023.
- The tiered subscription options have experienced price hikes, ranging from $3 to $5 since 2020, with the most recent increase in October 2023.
- Netflix now charges account holders $7.99 for each additional user, contributing to the search for alternative streaming options.
Netflix Alternatives:
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Hulu:
- Priced at $7.99 per month, Hulu offers a diverse range of content, including popular shows, original series like The Handmaid's Tale, and live TV streaming options.
- Downsides include ads for the base plan and limitations on simultaneous streaming.
-
Amazon Prime Video:
- Included with an Amazon Prime subscription ($14.99/month), Amazon Prime Video provides access to a substantial library of about 26,000 titles.
- Notable features include a la carte options for buying or renting titles and an ad-free experience.
-
Max (HBO Max):
- Priced at $9.99 per month with ads and $15.99 for an ad-free experience, Max offers original content like The Last of Us, Euphoria, and recently released movies.
- Note the impact of the Warner Brothers/Discovery merger on content availability.
-
Apple TV+:
- Priced at $6.99 per month, Apple TV+ focuses on original content such as The Morning Show and Ted Lasso, with an ad-free experience.
- Weekly episode releases and limited compatibility with non-Apple devices are potential drawbacks.
-
Peaco*ck:
- With a starting price of $5.99 per month, Peaco*ck offers live TV, sports, and over 80,000 hours of content.
- Downsides include ads, paywalled content, and the absence of a 4K streaming option.
Choosing the Best Netflix Alternative:
- Hulu is recommended as the best overall alternative, considering factors like content variety, price, and live TV options.
- Other considerations include preferences for popular, original content (Max and Apple TV+), budget-friendly options (Peaco*ck), or a la carte selections (Amazon Prime Video).
Factors to Consider When Choosing Alternatives:
- Number of Titles: A diverse content library with both original and well-known titles is crucial.
- Ads: While ads are common, ad-free options, such as Apple TV+, are available.
- Subscription Cost: Comparison of subscription costs across different services is essential to determine value for money.
Additional Alternatives:
- Sling TV: A reliable live TV alternative with a friendly interface and customization options.
- Disney+: An excellent family-friendly alternative with content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic.
- Discovery+: A budget-friendly option offering shows from networks like HGTV, TLC, Discovery, and more at $4.99/month.
Conclusion:
- While Netflix remains a streaming giant, rising subscription costs and changing content libraries prompt users to explore alternatives.
- Ultimately, the choice of a streaming service depends on individual preferences, budget considerations, and content priorities.
