Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

• Netflix

  Best for Original Shows

  4.5 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  Netflix is the standard-bearer for streaming video services. It hosts an impressive content selection, with new titles exchanged for older ones every month. And then there's its constantly growing library of premier original programming, which outclasses its rivals. Netflix's impressive catalog includes Altered Carbon, Black Mirror, BoJack Horseman, Dead to Me, Mindhunters, Orange Is the New Black, Russian Doll, Stranger Things, The Umbrella Academy, The Witcher, and even original anime. That's in addition to its original movies, such as El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie and Martin Scorsese's The Irishman. Unfortunately, Netflix has lost some top titles recently, such as Friends (to Max) and The Office (to Peacock).

  Who It's For

  Netflix is a premium service for people willing to pay premium prices. It recently raised the price of its two higher-end subscription plans. The Standard tier, which costs $15.49 per month, unlocks HD content and supports streaming on two devices simultaneously. The top-of-the-line Premium plan costs $22.99 per month. This gives you four concurrent streams and access to 4K content where available. Netflix also offers a cheaper, ad-supported tier for $6.99 per month. Besides lacking premium perks, this budget tier doesn't include every show in Netflix's library.

  You can download Netflix apps on a variety of devices, including your Chromecast, game console, PC, and tablet. And, yes, you can finally disable the obnoxious auto-playing previews. Other new Netflix features include Screen Lock on Android devices, which prevents unintentional screen taps, and more parental control settings that let you better restrict content and profiles. Alongside Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Disney+, Netflix is one of the few streaming services that supports both offline downloads and 4K and HDR streaming (now on Macs, too).

  Netflix's DVD mailing service ended on September 29, 2023. Streaming is clearly the company's primary business.

  • Pros

    • High-quality original programming
    • Excellent apps and features
    • Offline downloads on mobile
    • Free mobile games

  • Cons

    • Ad-based tier doesn't include full library
    • Little to no information about changes to the availability of content
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• Hulu

  Best for Live and On-Demand Content

  4.0 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  Given its diverse streaming options, Hulu is one of the best all-in-one options for cord-cutters. In addition to an extensive library of classic shows and a strong movie selection, Hulu offers a robust live TV option (more than 70 channels of news, sports, and entertainment programming). Still, Hulu trails some top competitors, given its lackluster original content and limited selection of 4K content. Hulu recently added Viacom channels to its lineup, including BET, Comedy Central, MTV, NFL Network, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Network.

  Who It's For

  Hulu is great for anyone seeking streaming convenience without abandoning traditional live TV. Its basic on-demand streaming plan currently costs $7.99 per month, while the ad-free version is $17.99 per month. College students can get Hulu's ad-supported version for $1.99 per month. The Hulu + Live TV plan costs $76.99 per month and combines Hulu's live TV service with the ad-supported streaming plan. In addition, all subscribers now enjoy Enhanced Cloud DVR, increasing the available DVR storage from 50 to 200 hours. You can also add the Unlimited Screens package (it allows an unlimited number of concurrent device streams in your home and up to three outside of it) to your plan for $9.99 per month.

  • Pros

    • Excellent selection of TV series
    • Extensive live TV channel lineup
    • Robust cloud DVR option
    • Available on nearly every media streaming device
    • Appealing bundle deals

  • Cons

    • Base on-demand plan includes ads
    • Offline downloads feature requires premium account
    • Fewer high-quality originals than competitors
    • Missing most SportsNet and all Bally Sports RSNs
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• Peacock

  Best for Affordable TV Shows and Movies

  4.0 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  NBC's Peacock offers two plans: a Premium tier with 20,000 hours, some live sports, and clips-based channels; and a Premium Plus option that builds upon the Premium tier by removing ads when you stream on-demand titles. Although you can't stream some of NBC's biggest hits on-demand (Friends, Seinfeld), you can watch other popular past and current entries from NBC, such as 30 Rock, Cheers, Chicago Fire, Friday Night Lights, The Office, Parks and Recreation, Saturday Night Live, Will and Grace, Law & Order: SVU, Superstore, and This is Us.

  Who It's For

  Who doesn't appreciate affordable quality content? Peacock is also slowly expanding its live sports content, and now lets paid users watch Sunday Night Football games. Other sports programming on Peacock includes Premier League soccer, IndyCar coverage, and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) content. Note, however, Peacock no longer offers a free tier for new subscribers. Existing free subscribers are unaffected for now.

  Peacock doesn't support 4K streams, which is disappointing, but it lets you stream on up to three devices per account. Only Premium Plus users can download shows for offline viewing on mobile devices. You can download the Peacock app on mobile platforms (Android and iOS), media streaming devices (Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku), and gaming consoles (last-and-current-generation PlayStation and Xbox systems).

  • Pros

    • Affordable base tier has no major limitations
    • Popular movies and network shows
    • Flexible plan pricing
    • Live sports
    • Supports multiple account profiles

  • Cons

    • New users can't create a free account
    • Constantly changing movie library
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• Amazon Prime Video

  Best for On-Demand Shows and Movies

  4.0 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  Amazon offers two ways to get Prime Video: a standalone subscription ($8.99 per month) or an Amazon Prime subscription that includes shipping and shopping perks ($14.99 per month or $139 per year). Note that ads are headed to Prime Video in 2024.

  In recent years, Amazon has focused on curating high-quality original shows such as Bosch, The Boys, Catastrophe, Fleabag, Hanna, Hunters, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Patriot, Tales From The Loop, Undone, and Upload. The $416 million Lord of the Rings series is still on track, too. Many of these shows are excellent and on par with Netflix's offerings, though the latter has a much deeper content library. There's one advantage that Prime Video has over Netflix: It broadcasts Thursday Night Football games, select MLB matchups, and most recently, WNBA games.

  Who It's For

  Although it has a subscription option, Prime Video is also for people who want to buy or rent shows or movies a la carte. Amazon's video library also includes tons of popular and classic movies available for streaming at no additional cost. Amazon's purchase of MGM for $8.45 billion should considerably improve the movie selection.

  Prime Video is notable in that it supports 4K and HDR streaming, as well as downloads for offline viewing. Amazon's video service works on a web browser, plus Android and iOS devices, game consoles (PlayStation, Xbox), smart TVs, and media streaming devices (Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, Nvidia Shield, TiVo). With Prime Video, you can stream up to three titles at the same time from the same account, but it limits you to streaming the same title to two devices simultaneously. Prime Video also lets you create multiple viewing profiles per account, a fairly recent addition.

  • Pros

    • Excellent original content
    • 4K and HDR streaming
    • Live Thursday Night Football and WNBA games
    • Supports offline downloads, multiple viewer profiles, and audio descriptions
    • Lets you rent or buy movies and TV shows

  • Cons

    • Continues to lose third-party content to other services
    • Not as many high-quality TV shows as competitors
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• Max

  Best for HBO Shows and Popular Movies

  4.0 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  Max's greatest strength is its catalog of prestige original shows, including Barry, Big Little Lies, Chernobyl, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Sex and the City, Silicon Valley, Six Feet Under, Succession, The Sopranos, The Wire, and Westworld.

  The service acquired the streaming rights to several other popular shows, such as Friends (including a reunion show), Rick and Morty, and South Park. Babylon 5 Remastered is also now available for streaming. In addition, Max includes select content from other sources within the greater Warner Discovery universe, including CNN, Crunchyroll, DC Comics, and Looney Tunes. Read our feature on everything coming to Max this month to find out what you can watch.

  In addition to all those TV shows, Max bundles an impressive collection of popular movies from other Warner properties (Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema ) and other sources (such as The Criterion Collection and Studio Ghibli). Plus, you get all the wonderful reality trash of the Discovery universe, from cooking shows like Chopped to dating nightmares like 90 Day Fiancé.

  Who It's For

  HBO is arguably the biggest name in quality TV, and you can only stream it with Max. If Max's $15.99-per-month plan is too expensive for you, a cheaper, ad-supported version is available for $9.99 per month. This tier does not include access to the aforementioned Warner Bros. same-day releases, nor does it let you stream in 4K or download titles for offline viewing. The ad experience is reasonable, however; Max says the total playtime of ads will not exceed four minutes per hour, and that ads will not play during its own content.

  Max has all the top features found in other video streaming services, including offline downloads on mobile devices, support for multiple viewing profiles (up to five), simultaneous streams (up to three), audio descriptions, and modern apps. However, only a few titles currently support 4K streaming. Check out our Max tips story to get the most from your subscription. The service is available on mobile devices (Android and iOS), TVs (Apple, Android, and Samsung), and current-and-last-gen gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox). It supports Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku media streaming platforms, too.

  • Pros

    • Huge catalog of popular shows and movies from many sources
    • Attractive apps
    • User profiles and parental control tools
    • Ad-free tier lets you download content for offline viewing
    • Live news and sports
    • Ultimate tier includes far more 4K content than HBO Max did

  • Cons

    • Relatively expensive
    • Ad-supported tier doesn't support offline downloads
    • Potentially dramatic library changes
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• Disney+

  Best for Family-Friendly Content

  4.0 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  Disney+ packages a ton of Disney's media properties, including content from Marvel, National Geographic, Pixar, and Star Wars, into a full-featured streaming service. In addition to classic Disney content, you can also watch originals such as Encore!, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Marvel's Hero Project, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Loki, The Mandalorian, The World According to Jeff Goldblum, WandaVision, and What If...? Note that most of the content Disney acquired from its 21st Century Fox takeover is missing from the service, though a lot of those shows are on Hulu.

  Who It's For

  If you have even a passing interest in just one of the many beloved properties under the Disney corporate umbrella, Disney+ is for you. Aside from all the Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars movies already on the service (although not all Marvel movies are available here), Disney continues to debut its latest films here too.

  Disney+'s monthly price is reasonable relative to the rewatch value of its content, but its basic tier now comes with ads. To remove adds and download videos for offline viewing, you must pay for a more expensive tier. You can save money by opting for an annual plan. Disney also offers various plans that bundle Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu.

  Disney+ supports capabilities such as 4K streaming and offline downloads (on mobile). The service's support for four simultaneous streams and seven customizable profiles make it a compelling option for families, though we wish its parental control options allowed for more flexibility. Our Disney+ tips and tricks feature helps you leverage all that the service offers. The streaming channel is available on the web; Android and iOS devices; media streaming platforms such as the Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku; and gaming consoles.

  • Pros

    • A central hub for Disney-owned content
    • Lets you watch Hulu programming within the app
    • 4K streaming
    • Good performance

  • Cons

    • Mostly relies on existing franchises
    • Hulu content costs extra
    • Offline downloads locked to Premium tier
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• YouTube TV

  Best for Replacing Cable

  4.0 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  YouTube TV offers an excellent selection of news channels, live sports (including exclusive Sunday NFL games), and many popular entertainment options. Some top networks available include ABC, AMC, CBS, CNN, ESPN, Fox, FX, and NBC. In addition, it features channels from Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global, plus local PBS channels. So naturally, this channel variety doesn't come cheap; steady price hikes have brought YouTube TV to $72.99 per month.

  Who It's For

  YouTube TV is your best option for replacing cable. If YouTube TV's library still doesn't meet your needs, you can add other packages, such as Acorn TV, CuriosityStream, and NBA League Pass, to your subscription. The Entertainment Plus package bundles Max, Showtime, and Starz for $30 per month. YouTube TV's most recent 4K Plus add-on ($19.99 per month) unlocks 4K streaming, support for unlimited simultaneous streams, and offline viewing of DVR content.

  With YouTube TV, you get unlimited cloud DVR storage. The service will keep your recordings for nine months, and you can stream your content from anywhere in the US. One YouTube TV membership supports up to six accounts, so you can share with family or roommates, though you can only simultaneously stream from three accounts. In addition, YouTube TV's apps look and work great across various platforms, including Fire TV devices and the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X consoles.

  • Pros

    • Excellent lineup of sports, news, and entertainment channels
    • Robust and easy-to-use DVR features
    • Intuitive interface
    • Supports three simultaneous streams per account by default
    • Excellent add-ons
    • Select a la carte channel options

  • Cons

    • Lacks most SportsNet and all Bally Sports RSNs
    • Basic parental control options
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• Tubi

  Best for Free Movies

  4.0 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  Tubi is a free video streaming service that claims a collection of 50,000 movies and TV shows (though we aren't sure if it counts episodes individually as part of that number). Regardless, its catalog includes popular films such as A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Black Hawk Down, Donnie Darko, Legally Blonde, Memento, Minority Report, Rain Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and We Need to Talk About Kevin. Its TV library is less impressive, but some notable entries include 3rd Rock From the Sun (seasons 1-5), Degrassi: The Next Generation (seasons 1-14); Hell's Kitchen (seasons 1-14), Jojo's Bizarre Adventures (seasons 1-4), Naruto (seasons 1-4), and V (seasons 1-2). Note that Tubi's library regularly changes. 

  Who It's For

  Tubi is for people who want a free service that doesn't feel cheap. Tubi's web interface and mobile apps have clean designs and organize everything neatly into descriptive categories. One limitation with Tubi is that the streaming resolution is capped at 720p. That wouldn't be a major problem, except that many movies are only available in 540p. As expected, Tubi does not support offline downloads for mobile devices, either. However, the service keeps track of the content you've watched and lets you manage a watchlist. The parental control tools are a bit limited, but at least they're an option.

  Tubi is available on the web and for mobile devices (Android and iOS). Supported media streaming devices include Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, and TiVo. Tubi also supports gaming consoles (PlayStation and Xbox) and select smart TVs from Samsung, Sony, and Vizio.

  • Pros

    • Free
    • Extensive library of movies and shows
    • Live TV
    • Modern apps and interfaces
    • Supports watchlists
    • Parental control features

  • Cons

    • 720p streaming resolution cap
    • Lacks an ad-free option
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• Fubo

  Best for Sports

  4.0 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  Fubo is a great option for any cord-cutting sports fans. Its base subscription plan, called Fubo Pro, costs $74.99 per month and grants access to about 150 channels, with the exact number depending on your location. For national sports events, there's CBS, FOX, NBA TV, NBC, and NFL Network. For international sports, you get channels from the beIN network and Univision. Fubo has Disney-owned channels (including ESPN), but no longer carries CNN and other WarnerMedia channels. Most recently, Fubo dropped six A&E-owned channels: A&E, History Channel, FYI Channel, Lifetime, Lifetime Movie Network, and Vice TV. However, Fubo also added Bally Sports RSNs.

  If you're ever not in the mood for sports, Fubo offers a wide variety of entertainment channels, such as AMC, The Food Network, FX, National Geographic, SYFY, and USA. After adding Viacom channels a few months back to the Standard plan, Fubo now bundles channels from the Discovery network, such as Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and TLC. You not only get to watch live events and programs from the included channels, but there are also a ton of on-demand shows and movies.

  Who It's For

  Sports fans need customization options to follow precisely which teams and games they want to see. Fortunately, you can supplement the base Fubo plan with add-ons, including the Sports Plus with NFL RedZone ($10.99 per month) and Fubo Extra (7.99 per month) options. The latter adds nearly 60 channels to the lineup.

  To top it off, Fubo offers excellent DVR capabilities. It gives you 250 hours of storage by default, which can be increased to 1,000 hours, and it supports three simultaneous streams (which expands to 10 streams via an add-on). In addition, the Lookback feature lets you watch anything you may have missed up to 72 hours after it first aired, while the Startover capability lets you watch currently airing events from the beginning, no matter when you tuned into the program. Aside from watching Fubo on the web, you can download apps for Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, iOS, Roku devices, and smart TVs. The service is available on Xbox consoles, but not PlayStation boxes.

  • Pros

    • Lots of live sports and on-demand entertainment
    • Reliable streaming
    • Excellent web interface
    • Capable DVR functionality
    • Some 4K content

  • Cons

    • Most live streams limited to 720p
    • Lacks A&E, Turner, and WBD channels
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• Crunchyroll

  Best for Anime

  4.0 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  Crunchyroll is one of the most complete anime streaming services, with more than 1,300 titles in its library. Popular shows on the service include Attack on Titan, Death Note, FLCL, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Hunter X Hunter, One-Punch Man, several Naruto series, and Yuri!!! on Ice. Crunchyroll also has some original series, such as A Place Further Than the Universe, In/Spectre, and The Rising of the Shield Hero. Upcoming titles include Onyx Equinox, which is set in Meso-America, and Meiji Gekken: Sword & Gun, which takes place in Japan during the 1870s. It also maintains a respectable lineup of about 40 simulcast shows. You can even purchase relevant merchandise, manga, and more from the Crunchyroll shop.

  Who It's For

  Crunchyroll gives anime fans a convenient (and legal) way to watch shows that years ago would never have come to the West. Crunchyroll supports HD streams for both free and paid accounts, but you must opt for the premium tier to get rid of ads. We would like to see Crunchyroll clean up some of its interfaces. Most of Crunchyroll's content supports subtitles, but after absorbing Funimation (along with VRV) its dubbed library is also now much stronger.

  You can download the Crunchyroll apps on media streaming devices (Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku), mobile phones (Android and iOS), and several gaming consoles (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X). Crunchyroll supports as many as six simultaneous streams, depending on your price tier, as well as offline downloads.

  • Pros

    • Expansive anime library, including Funimation dubs
    • All tiers support HD streaming
    • Many simulcast shows
    • Some original series
    • Manga and apparel store
    • Offline downloads
    • Free mobile games

  • Cons

    • Some interface clutter
    • Few subtitle options
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• CuriosityStream

  Best for HD & 4K Documentaries

  4.0 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  CuriosityStream offers a massive collection of informational and entertaining documentary features in numerous categories, including History, Kids, Lifestyle, Nature, Science, Society, and Technology. David Attenborough and Sigourney Weaver are among the hosts of the top-notch titles on CuriosityStream. There’s also a kid-specific section on the platform. Make sure to check out our roundup of the best online learning sites if you are interested in expanding your knowledge potential.

  The service offers two pricing tiers that offer the same documentaries. The only difference is that the more expensive plan ($9.99 per month) unlocks 4K streaming. CuriosityStream supports offline downloads on mobile, and doesn’t display ads. You can download the app on mobile devices (Android and iOS), gaming platforms (PlayStation 4, Xbox One), streaming media devices (Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku), and smart TVs.

  Who It's For

  Many streaming services offer the mindless comfort of watching reruns of your favorite shows. That gets tiring, eventually. CuriosityStream is for people who want to learn about a topic whether they're on the couch or on the go.

  • Pros

    • Thousands of titles
    • Impressive exclusive originals
    • Offers apps for most major streaming platforms
    • Very affordable
    • Entries are either in HD or 4K quality
    • Available worldwide

  • Cons

    • Limited language options beyond English
    • Somewhat narrow focus
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• Kanopy

  Best for Educational and Family Content

  4.5 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  This streaming service offers a huge collection of high-quality films and documentaries from distribution giants, such as A24, Bleecker Street, HBO Documentary Films, Paramount, PBS, and Samuel Goldwyn Films. Kanopy also has a dedicated section for kids ages two and older. The one main drawback to Kanopy is that it limits the number of titles you can watch each month. This restriction doesn't apply to the content in the Kanopy Kids section.

  Who It's For

  Kanopy is especially useful for students and library visitors. If you have a library card or a current university email address, you can access Kanopy for free. Kanopy also supports an unlimited number of simultaneous streams per account and does not show ads, but it does not support offline downloads on mobile devices. In a nice touch, Kanopy lets you record content clips for sharing on social platforms. Kanopy is available on the web, mobile platforms (Android, Fire OS, iOS), and media streaming devices (Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku), but not game consoles.

  • Pros

    • Thousands of on-demand films and shows
    • Free with a library card or university email address
    • Lacks ads
    • Unlimited access to Kanopy Kids content
    • Can create and share/embed clips and playlists
    • No limit on simultaneous streaming from a single account

  • Cons

    • You can only stream a handful of Play Credit titles a month
    • Does not support offline downloads on mobile devices
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• PBS Documentaries

  Best for Popular Documentaries

  4.0 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  PBS Documentaries, as its name implies, is an excellent source for documentary film fans. It includes entries from numerous distributors, including American Experience, American Masters, Frontline, Independent Lens, Nature, Nova, POV, and other independent producers. PBS Documentaries is also home to Ken Burn's entire collection of documentaries. Some examples of films you can watch on the service include Stanley Nelson’s The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, Academy Award-Nominated films such as For Sama and Last Days in Vietnam, and nature documentaries, such as Your Inner Fish.  

  Who It's For

  While PBS is for the public, only certain users can access PBS Documentaries. PBS Documentaries is only available as a Prime Video channel, but that's not a huge strike against it, since Prime Video is available on nearly every platform that supports offline downloads on mobile devices. The service features the IMDb-powered X-Ray overlay, too. Despite its low price, it does not show any ads. One drawback of PBS Documentaries is that none of its titles currently support audio descriptions. Still, PBS Documentaries edges out fellow PBS streaming apps PBS Videos and PBS Passport.

  • Pros

    • Impressive selection of popular content
    • No ads
    • Supports offline downloads
    • Inexpensive

  • Cons

    • Only accessible through Amazon Prime Video
    • No Audio Descriptions available for content
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• History Vault

  Best for Military Documentaries

  4.0 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  If you enjoy watching documentaries, particularly those about ancient civilizations or military history, then History Vault may be right up your alley. This affordable, on-demand streaming service boasts popular titles from the History Channel, too, such as American Restoration, Ancient Aliens, Ice Road Truckers, Modern Marvels, and The Universe, plus biopics of famous historical figures. If you already get the History Channel via a cable or live TV subscription, you can also access many of that channel's reality show offerings via the free History app.

  Who It's For

  Either you are a history buff, or you'll grow into one, so you might as well embrace it now with History Vault. However, the service could use a few more modern touches. For example, history Vault does not support 4K streaming (most titles are available in either 720p or 1080p). Unfortunately, History Vault has limited accessibility options. You can get the app on mobile platforms (Android and iOS), media streaming devices (Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku), and on the web, but not on game consoles.

  • Pros

    • Many high-quality historical documentaries
    • Available on many platforms
    • Numerous original series and shows
    • Affordably priced

  • Cons

    • Only available in the US
    • Few accessibility options
    • Lacks parental controls
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• KweliTV

  Best for International Programming

  4.0 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  KweliTV is your destination for films and shows from Africa and beyond. The service features more than 600 total curated entries, including Africa United and Black Enuf, along with other documentaries and titles you might find at an indie film festival. You can check out the full list of KweliTV's award-winning content, even without a subscription. There's also a free, live streaming component (not available on the web) that plays KweliTV content, albeit with some ad breaks. You can rent individual films and shows from the service, too.

  Apart from access to KweliTV's streaming library, a subscription grants you discounts at more than 35 Black-owned brands, plus invites to members-only events. KweliTV also maintains a merchandise store, where you can purchase KweliTV-branded apparel and accessories.

  Who It's For

  KweliTV is for anyone who celebrates the fact that incredible art exists outside their own borders. KweliTV supports streams up to 1080p resolution, though not every entry meets this standard. The service currently lacks any parental control tools, and is inconsistent in terms of subtitle support. However, it lets you download titles for offline viewing on mobile platforms. KweliTV offers apps on all major mobile and media streaming platforms, though console owners can only access it via the web.

  • Pros

    • Well-curated, independent, international library
    • Flexible pricing options
    • Offline downloads on mobile platforms
    • Merchandise shop and discounts for Black-owned businesses

  • Cons

    • Inconsistent subtitles
    • Community still growing
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• Plex

  Best for Media Server Setups

  4.0 Excellent

  Why We Picked It

  Although it may not be what you think of when looking for a video streaming service, Plex now has a decent amount of on-demand streaming content. The catalog includes Crackle’s entire library of movies and TV shows, as well as films from studios, such as MGM and Warner Bros. Much of this content is available to stream in 1080p resolution. Although you can’t claim this content for your own media server, you don’t need to allocate space for it either. Plex features preprogrammed live TV channels too, with channels from AMC, IFC, and Tastemade, among others.

  Who It's For

  While on-demand movies and shows are appreciated, media server management remains a core Plex feature for good reason. The software makes it easy to set up a server, offers intuitive playback apps on many platforms, and wraps everything into an intuitive interface. It's the only service on this list for users seeking that kind of functionality. Plex isn't as customizable as Kodi, and no longer fully supports home theater PCs (HTPCs), but it is one of the best solutions for accessing your local media library from anywhere.

  • Pros

    • Capable free version
    • Intuitive apps on many platforms
    • Easy setup
    • Growing library of on-demand and preprogrammed video streaming content

  • Cons

    • HTPC support only through forums
    • Limited interface themes
    • Removed features like gaming and podcasts
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