When you read video streaming services or video on demand in this roundup, I am referring to subscription services that provide movies, TV shows, and original content on-demand, with monthly fees. If you are watching more movies or shows, and perhaps ditching the cable package for good, subscription services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu Amazon Prime Hulu are better options for you. If you want to stay up-to-date on the latest TV shows, but you do not want to invest in a cable subscription or HD antenna, Hulu With Live TV is the best streaming service for you. The Hulu+Live TV plan costs $64.99 a month, and it bundles Hulus Live TV service with the ads-supported version of Hulus.
TV+ also offers the ability to add on live TV service with dozens of channels and the ability to record shows on cloud DVR, as well as options to sign up for competing premium services. Hulu offers live TV access from up to 50 providers, including all of the major networks. YouTube TV is also the only live TV streaming service to carry PBS and PBS Kids, and offers 15 premium add-on channels, from HBO Max to FOX Soccer Plus. HBO Max replaces the existing HBO channels, and it is available to stream through HBO Go or HBO Now, as well, shifting its focus back toward original content and rebuilding HBO for the modern age.
HBO Max gave Netflix a run for its money as the best streaming service in our book, and HBO Max is taking the throne (for now). The best streaming service is Netflix in general, but HBO Max has just taken over that title here at Toms Guide, riding an exceptional 2021 wave of big-name film hits. Even during the earliest days of streaming, you could expect to find most of the biggest shows and movies either on one of the three major platforms (Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video) or the digital versions of the major premium cable networks (HBO Now, Showtime). Along with Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Disney+, Netflix is one of the only streaming services to offer both offline downloading and streaming in 4K and HDR (and it is even on Macs now).
The two biggest differences among the streaming services are the fact that access to Amazon Prime Video comes standard with an Amazon Prime membership — meaning access to Amazon Music and premium delivery services. We here at Engadget are going to be looking specifically at Amazons Prime video bundle. Those looking to stick with one streaming platform would be better served by Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, or Prime Video.
We here at Engadget want to simplify things for you, so we put together a list of the best streaming video services that you can sign up to now, with our favorites that cover every type of content and budget. YouTube TVs search functionality is also one of the best when it comes to streaming live TV, thanks to Googles integration.