Find the right streaming service for your viewing style and budget

Compare the best streaming services

Streaming movies and shows is easier than ever before. You can pick from live TV streaming services that bring cable channels to your TV through your internet connection or video streaming services like Netflix to play entirely on-demand content. Prices can range from $4.99/mo. up to $80/mo., depending on factors like streaming without commercials, including live channels, original programming and more. Here are the top services available nationwide. 

Our top 3 streaming picks 

• Best for live TV: YouTube TV 
• Best for on demand streaming: Netflix
• Best cheap streaming option: Sling TV

How we chose the best streaming services

We looked at affordability, value, channel count, contract length and original content in order to determine which streaming services were the best options available.

We looked at affordability, value, channel count, contract length and original content in order to determine which streaming services were the best options available. We broke down this analysis into several categories so that all shoppers are able to find the best TV service based on their needs. For that reason, we differentiated between the best live TV streaming service, the best on demand streaming service and the best cheap streaming service option.

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Popular streaming packages

• Starting at $7.99/mo.

  Our overall score: 8.7/10

  “Netflix is the best video streaming service overall. It has the best mix of original and licensed content around, and its technology is in a class of its own.”

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• Starting at $89.99/mo.*

  Our overall score: 8.5/10

  “While DIRECTV is more expensive than other live TV streaming services, you’ll get the best channel lineup in streaming and a simple-to-use, all-in-one device.”

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• Starting at $82.99/mo.

  Our overall score: 8.8/10

  “Other live TV streaming services have slightly better channel lineups, but YouTube TV closes the gap with its outstanding user experience.”

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• Starting at $84.99/mo.

  Our overall score: 8.4/10

  “fuboTV isn’t a good option for fans of American sports, but it has one of the best overall channel selections of any live TV streaming service.”

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• Starting at $33.00/mo.

  Our overall score: 6.8/10

  “Philo is the only skinny bundle to include DVR storage, but other live TV streaming services have better channel lineups for cheaper.”

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• Starting at $11.99/mo.

  Our overall score: 7.6/10

  “With plenty of news, sports and family channels in addition to its on-demand service, Hulu + Live TV provides a solid experience overall.”

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• Starting at $45.99/mo.

  Our overall score: 6.8/10

  “Sling is one of the cheaper options around for live TV streaming, but you won’t get popular channels like ABC, CBS or most regional sports networks.”

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Compare top streaming packages

If you’re having trouble deciding which services to add, our experts have done the research on details like channel lineups, content offerings, simultaneous streams and more. Compare some popular options below.

*According to data from JustWatch.com

YouTube TV is $82.99/mo. with no long-term contracts or equipment fees. You get 100+ live TV channels. We like YouTube TV because they have the best channel lineup for news, sports, comedies, dramas and more. They are also the exclusive carrier of the NFL Sunday Ticket.

Netflix plans range from $7.99 to $24.99/mo. with no extra costs and no contracts. Netflix offers movies, documentaries, TV shows, anime and original content. Netflix is known for its nearly flawless interface.

Sling TV has three packages ranging from $45.99 to $60.99/mo. The channel count is 30 to 50. It’s cheaper than other options but has fewer channels than cable, satellite and some other live TV streaming services.

Best free streaming services

Before paying to rent your next movie, check if it’s available on a free, legal streaming service. If you don’t mind a few ads (about five minutes per hour), these platforms offer thousands of movies and TV shows at no cost.

• Tubi (Best overall): The largest free library, with 40,000+ movies and TV shows. Great for comedy, action, horror, anime and family content
• Kanopy (Best movie selection): Free with a participating library card. Excellent for Oscar winners, indie films, documentaries and educational content
• Pluto TV (Best for live TV): More than 250 live channels spanning news, sports, classics and entertainment, plus on-demand movies
• The Roku Channel (Best for Roku users): Strong selection of classic thrillers, action movies and older Hollywood favorites
• Crackle (Best for hidden gems): A solid source for hidden gems, cult classics, horror franchises and niche titles
• Fandango at Home (Vudu): Best for family-friendly movies, with thousands of free titles alongside its rental catalog
• YouTube: A smaller free catalog, but worth checking for classic films and documentaries

Live streaming vs. video-on-demand streaming

The major difference between live streaming and on-demand streaming is timing. You can watch a live event as it is happening or a debut of a new show as it is being viewed worldwide with a live service, or watch a replay of the event, or a favorite show or movie, with an on-demand service. The best providers will have a mix of the two or at least an option to add on live streaming. 

Get more of your TV questions answered at the Allconnect FAQs hub.

Make sure your internet can keep up

Here are some expert tips for choosing the right internet plan for streaming:

• Most streaming services require 3–10 Mbps per device for standard, HD or 4K viewing
• The more people streaming in your home, the more speed you’ll need
• Households with multiple people streaming at the same time benefit from 300 Mbps or more to help avoid buffering

Streaming service FAQs

What streaming service is best all around?

Hulu has the vote of US News and PC Magazine as the best all-around streaming service, for price and channel line-up.

What is the most popular streaming service?

By subscriber numbers, Netflix is the most popular, with Amazon and Disney Plus rounding out the top 3.

What is the best streaming service for my money?

Sling TV and Hulu have solid channel lineup and have middle-of-the-road prices.

Written by

Lisa Iscrupe

Lead Writer, Broadband & Data Content

Lisa Iscrupe is a senior writer and broadband expert specializing in internet and connectivity solut… View profile

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Edited by

Robin Layton

Senior Editor, Broadband Content

Robin Layton is a Senior Editor for Allconnect, dedicated to helping consumers navigate the often-co… View profile

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