Millions of people around the world have cut the cord and abandoned cable television in favor of online streaming platforms in the last decade. There are now more than a dozen different subscription channels available, ranging from on-demand channels like Netflix and Disney Plus to live TV providers like YouTubeTV and SlingTV.
Audiences now have more options for watching their favorite shows, but the increasing variety of options makes determining which viewing channel is the right investment challenging. Each video streaming service has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, making it difficult to declare a clear winner.

Netflix

Known for its originals like Stranger Things, The Witcher, Marriage Story, and Tiger King, has helped the service excuse its higher price, which has prompted streaming competitors to place a greater emphasis on producing original content in order to create more demand. Netflix is available on just about any streaming platform you could think of, including smartphones, computers, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, smart TVs, and more,

Netflix Basic – $9 a month for standard definition (SD) streaming.
Netflix Standard – $14 a month for high definition (HD) streaming on up to two devices at the same time.
Netflix Premium – $18 a month for up to 4K HDR streaming with Dolby Atmos on up to four devices at the same time.

Amazon Prime Video

More than 110 million Amazon Prime members help make Prime Video the second largest on-demand service in terms of subscribers. The Boys and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel are among the movies and shows available for free with Prime Video membership. Unlike many streaming platforms, you can rent or purchase almost any movie available for your personal collection and watch it anytime you want with the Prime Video app.

Senior Andrea Nguyen adds that “if you already have an Amazon Prime membership, it (Prime Video) is worth checking out, especially if you like horror movies.”

Amazon Prime with Prime Video – $119 a year or $13 per month with access to the Prime Video library and all of Amazon Prime’s shopping perks.
Prime Video (Standalone) – $9 a month for access to the Prime Video library on its own.

Hulu

Hulu is one of the most competitive subscription options with unrivaled selection, thanks to a combination of programming and affordable plans. Unlike any other on-demand streaming service, has the most extensive TV show library, with a larger selection of current and classic shows than Netflix or Amazon. This includes next day access to select broadcast shows on networks including ABC and Fox. Hulu also has a good range of original shows, such as Pen15 and The Handmaid’s Tale, but its unique content isn’t as impressive as some of its competition.

“Hulu has the widest range of anime and cartoons I’ve seen on any platform so I definitely think a subscription is worth it,” says sophomore Isabella Ramos.

Hulu Basic – $6 per month for ad-supported on-demand streaming.
Hulu Premium – $12 per month for ad-free on-demand streaming.

Disney Plus

Disney Plus is the best streaming choice for families and fans of franchises like Marvel and Pixar. Since its debut in November 2019, Disney Plus has amassed over 73 million subscribers, making it the fastest expanding streaming service on the internet. The platform is the only place where you can watch Disney’s classic animated films, as well as classics like Star Wars and The Simpsons, for a monthly fee. There are few original films and episodes, but the selection is limited in comparison to Netflix and Amazon. It’s also worth noting that Disney Plus is geared toward families, so there are no R-rated films here.

Documentary connoisseur, Mr. Whitcomb, shares that Disney Plus is currently one of his many subscriptions but does not plan on renewing in the following months due to its “limited selection” of shows and movies.

Disney Plus – $7 a month or $70 per year for access to the entire Disney Plus library.