Streaming has taken over modern TV: by mid-2025 about 83% of US adults said they use a streaming service. Gone are the days of just a couple of apps – now services specialize (family-friendly, sports, originals, live TV, etc.), and the right choice depends on what you like and what you’re willing to pay. Below we list the top streaming services of 2026, with a snapshot of what each is best known for, plus pricing and the pros and cons. Think of it as a menu – you only need a few, depending on your tastes.
Our picks for the best streaming services (with what they’re best for):
- Netflix (best for vast back catalog & originals)
- Disney Plus (best for families, Marvel & Star Wars)
- Hulu (best for current ABC/Fox content and live TV bundle)
- Amazon Prime Video (best for online shoppers and broad library)
- HBO Max (Max) (best for premium, acclaimed originals)
- Apple TV+ (best for high-quality originals, budget ad-free)
- Peacock (best for NBC content, some free tier, sports/news)
- Paramount Plus (best for CBS/Viacom shows, NFL/CBS sports)
- Sling TV (best for cord-cutters who want live channels)
- ESPN+ (best for sports fans)
- Crunchyroll (best for anime)
Each service is detailed below with its pricing, features, and a pros vs cons table. All pricing is up-to-date for early 2026. Where relevant, we note the different plans or bundles available.
Netflix
Netflix remains the biggest streamer worldwide, with over 300 million subscribers by late 2025. It offers a huge library of TV shows and movies (both originals and licensed), available in nearly every country. In 2026 Netflix has three main plans: an ad-supported version at about $7.99/month, a standard plan (no ads) around $17.99, and a premium 4K tier at $24.99. (The premium plan lets you stream on up to 4 devices and watch in ultra-HD.) Netflix has cracked down on password sharing in recent years, which lets them tighten revenue.
Overall Netflix’s strength is content quantity and quality. It has popular originals like Stranger Things and Bridgerton alongside a vast back catalog of movies and licensed shows. The interface is polished with sophisticated recommendations. The main drawbacks in 2026 are cost and competition: Netflix’s top tiers are now among the priciest plans in streaming, and it faces more competition for popular shows as other services bid for rights.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – One of the largest libraries of content, including hundreds of award-winning originals. | – Becoming expensive, especially the Premium 4K tier. |
| – Globally available (in 190+ countries) with multiple languages and local content. | – Ad crackdown and password policies have frustrated some users. |
| – Reliable apps, offline downloads, and simultaneous streams (2–4 screens). | – Doesn’t carry live sports or local channels; content varies by region. |
Disney Plus
Disney Plus is the home of all things Disney: Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and kids’ programming. It’s family-friendly by design, though it also added adult-oriented content by bundling with Hulu and ESPN. In 2026 Disney officially plans to fold Hulu into the Disney+ app, so new subscribers will see a combined service. Currently (as of early 2026) Disney+ on its own costs about $7.99/month with ads or $10.99 without ads, while a bundle with Hulu (with ads) is $12.99/month or about $19.99 for the no-ads bundle. You can also add ESPN+ for sports (more on ESPN later).
Disney+ has some of the biggest blockbusters and franchises. It’s the streaming home for Marvel and Star Wars content, as well as classic Disney animated films and series like The Simpsons and Daredevil: Born Again. Recent hits like Andor and Deadpool 3 help keep the library fresh. For families with kids or fans of those franchises, Disney+ is a clear winner. However, outside its brands it has less general content. Its catalog is narrower than Netflix’s, and prices have risen (making it less of a budget option).
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Huge collection of Disney-owned titles (Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, classic cartoons). | – Appeal is limited if you’re not into Disney/Marvel/sci-fi genres. |
| – Relatively affordable, especially in bundles (e.g. Disney+ + Hulu ad-supported for $12.99). | – Price hikes have made it more expensive than it used to be. |
| – Offers new family-friendly originals and theatrical releases (e.g. Inside Out 2, Andor). | – Does not carry much third-party content; reliance on its franchises. |
Hulu
Hulu (now part of the Disney family) is geared towards mainstream TV fans. It offers a mix of current-season TV from ABC, Fox, NBC (and Disney-owned cable channels like FX) alongside movies and original series. Hulu has two main on-demand plans: about $7.99/month with ads or roughly $17.99/month ad-free. You can save by bundling with Disney+ (as mentioned above). There’s also Hulu + Live TV (around $90/month) which gives live cable channels (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, plus many cable networks and sports) – a popular choice for cord-cutters replacing cable or satellite.
Hulu’s strength is its variety. It carries current hits like Abbott Elementary or The Bear soon after they air on TV, plus acclaimed originals (Only Murders in the Building, The Handmaid’s Tale). The Live TV option effectively gives you a basic cable lineup month-to-month. On the downside, Hulu’s cheaper plan has ads, and the no-ads tier is pricey. (Also, some day-and-date live channels come with commercials anyway.) The service is US-only, so it may not matter if you’re abroad.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Offers next-day streaming of many hit broadcast shows (ABC, Fox, NBC) plus originals. | – Ads on the cheaper plan; the ad-free plan is relatively expensive. |
| – Includes Disney+ and ESPN when bought in bundles (e.g. Disney bundle). | – Without the Live TV package, you miss local channels (unless with Live TV). |
| – Hulu + Live TV option brings ~75–100 live channels (plus Disney+ and ESPN) for ~ $90. | – User interface can be cluttered; some devices only stream Live TV in 720p/1080p (no 4K). |
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video comes bundled with Amazon Prime (shopping) membership ($14.99/month or $139/year in the US). You can also subscribe to Prime Video standalone for $8.99/month (with ads) or pay an extra $3 ($11.99) to remove ads. In practice, most people get Prime, which includes free shipping, music, and other perks along with Prime Video.
Prime Video has a large library of movies and shows, though much is second-run content or licensed titles. It also produces well-regarded originals, like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Reacher, The Boys and The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power. Some blockbusters (e.g. Barbie, Oppenheimer) hit Prime after theatrical release. The main draw is value: if you already shop with Amazon, Prime Video is essentially free. As with Netflix, Prime Video allows offline downloads and multiple streams. Its interface isn’t quite as sleek as Netflix’s, and many titles require extra (via “Prime Video Channels” add-ons). Otherwise, it’s a solid all-rounder, especially for Amazon shoppers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Comes free with Amazon Prime ($14.99/mo) – great value. | – Extra add-ons and rentals muddy the interface. |
| – Vast catalog plus strong Amazon originals (e.g. The Boys). | – Library content (movies/TV) can be hit-or-miss quality. |
| – Good family features (profiles, kids’ content) and 4K included. | – Ads still on top titles if you don’t pay extra ($11.99). |
HBO Max (Max)
HBO Max (now just called “Max” as of 2023) is Warner Bros. Discovery’s flagship streamer. It’s aimed at quality: think prestige HBO shows and big Warner Bros. movies. Max carries Game of Thrones, Succession, The Last of Us and huge DC properties (Dune, Barbie, Joker). It also includes new releases like The Flash or Studio Ghibli films. The service typically runs $11/month with ads or $23/month ad-free (it was recently $18.49 without ads, but prices rose again).
If you prize high-quality series and blockbuster films, Max is a winner. Its originals often win awards, and you get new movies faster than other services (often the same day as theatrical). The interface is fairly polished, and Max includes content from brands like Cartoon Network and TCM. The cons are mainly cost and scope: for price parity with Netflix’s top tier, you get fewer total titles. There’s also no live content at all. In short, Max is “boutique” – great if you want premium content, but you might still need another service (or two) to fill in gaps.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Top-tier content from HBO/Warner: critically acclaimed series (HBO) and new blockbuster films. | – One of the more expensive subscription plans (especially ad-free). |
| – Includes content from Cartoon Network, DC, Studio Ghibli, and local news/movie channels (Cartoon, TCM). | – Smaller library size; no cable news/sports/live TV at all. |
| – High streaming quality (many titles in 4K/HDR) and strong originals. | – Has dropped some major titles to competitors due to licensing. |
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is a relatively new service that focuses entirely on original content. It’s notable for high production values on a smaller library. Popular series include Ted Lasso, Severance, Foundation and films like Napoleon (2023). Apple TV+ used to be $9.99, but after a late-2025 hike the ad-free plan is now $12.99/month. (Apple does not currently have a cheaper ad-supported tier in the US – you just pay for no ads.) An upside is that you can stream on up to six devices simultaneously on the $12.99 plan. Apple TV+ also often throws in deals: it was free for a year with many Apple device purchases, for example.
Apple TV+’s pros are its quality and affordability relative to other prestige services. If you love auteur-driven shows or “water-cooler” hits (like Ted Lasso), it punches above its weight for the money. On the downside, Apple TV+ has a much smaller library than any other major streamer. It has no licensed content – only its own originals. If you’ve already watched the few dozen Apple exclusives you care about, there’s not much left. But for devoted fans of Apple’s style of storytelling, or those looking for a cheaper way into premium TV, it’s a good pick.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Very high-quality originals and movies (e.g. Severance, Ted Lasso). | – Very limited content library – only Apple originals. |
| – Low price for an ad-free plan at $12.99, with 6 streams. | – No sports, news or third-party shows – you’ll need others for variety. |
| – Allows up to 6 simultaneous viewers (more than most). | – Not included in most bundles or cable alternatives (except Apple devices). |
Peacock
Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streamer. It has a mix of legacy content (old and current NBC shows), Universal movies, sports, news, and originals. Unusually, Peacock offers a (limited) free tier with ads – though as of 2024 they stopped allowing new sign-ups on free, focusing on paid plans. The paid plans in 2026 are: Peacock Premium (with ads) at $10.99/month or $109.99/year, Peacock Premium Plus (no ads) at $16.99/month or $169.99/year, and a new Peacock Select ($7.99/month limited content, for existing users only).
Peacock’s appeal is affordability and niche content. It’s the exclusive streaming home of NBC hits like The Office, 30 Rock, Yellowstone (since Season 2), and reality franchises (Bravo’s Real Housewives, Top Chef, etc.). It also streams sports: NFL (Sunday Night Football), Olympics, NHL games, NASCAR, and WWE. Peacock has NBC news shows and late-night as well. The downsides: its library is smaller than Netflix/Disney, and many popular titles (e.g. newer Warner movies) aren’t here. Even the top ad-free plan is still cheaper than some rivals – but be aware the base Premium (ads) plan still has commercials on many shows.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Has hit NBC shows (e.g. The Office, Parks & Rec) and Bravo content; sports (Olympics, NFL) and news. | – Smaller content library; many big movies/shows live elsewhere. |
| – Low starting price (Peacock Premium $10.99/mo) compared to other full libraries. | – Ads on most plans; only the $17 plan is ad-free (and still fewer titles than bigger streamers). |
| – Offers some free content (Peacock Premium had a free version, though limited). | – 4K/HDR content is very limited; live NBC streaming needs top tier. |
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is ViacomCBS’s streaming service, combining CBS network content, Showtime movies, and other Viacom brands (MTV, Nickelodeon, etc.). It comes in two tiers: Paramount+ Essential (ad-supported) at $8.99/month, and Paramount+ Premium (no ads and includes Showtime) at $13.99/month (both plans allow offline downloads; the premium plan also unlocks a live local CBS channel). In January 2026, Paramount+ raised its prices by $1 for new subscribers (hence the $8.99 and $13.99 rates).
Paramount+ has a lot of oldies and network shows: Star Trek series, CSI, NCIS, CBS news, and kids’ cartoons (Nickelodeon). It also airs sports like UEFA Champions League and NFL games on CBS. The Premium plan includes the entire Showtime vault (HBO-style series like Dexter, Billions). Its pros are lower cost and lots of legacy content, especially if you were a CBS viewer. The cons: many titles are older or niche, and it doesn’t have the prestige original content of Netflix or HBO. It’s a good value if you want CBS dramas or Nickelodeon for kids, but less essential otherwise.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Includes live and on-demand CBS (news, NCIS, Star Trek), plus Showtime series on premium tier. | – Limited new hits; mostly older network series and reruns. |
| – Cheaper than most – $8.99 or $13.99 with Showtime. | – Ads on lower tier; interface and search features have been criticized. |
| – Bundles kids’ content (Nickelodeon), and CBS sports (NFL) content. | – Less 4K support; smaller library than Netflix/Disney. |
Sling TV
Sling TV is a live-TV-internet package (a cable-replacement). It offers “skinny” channel bundles instead of on-demand library. Sling has two core packages: Orange and Blue. As of early 2026, Sling Orange costs about $45.99/month, Sling Blue $49.99, or a combined Orange+Blue $64.99/month. There’s also a new Sling Select smaller package at $20. Each base plan includes 30–50+ channels: Orange focuses on sports and Disney channels, Blue has more news and variety networks. You can add sports extras (like NFL RedZone) or regional sports, and Sling offers a basic cloud DVR.
Sling’s selling point is flexibility and price: it’s much cheaper than most live-TV alternatives (cough, Comcast cable). It covers most essentials (local CBS on certain plans/areas, sports like ESPN/NFL, etc.). Also, Sling is a no-contract service – you can pause or cancel anytime. Downsides: there are still ads on live channels, and coverage of local channels (NBC/ABC) depends on your location. The interface and DVR aren’t as robust as bigger packages (e.g. YouTube TV). In short, Sling is “live TV light” – good for basic channels and sports if you want a cable-like experience.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – More affordable than cable or other live-TV services; no long-term contract. | – Base plans have only 35–50 channels; some locals only in certain areas. |
| – Allows adding sports/news extras; DVR and multi-streaming included. | – Sling Blue + Orange combined is still ~$65 (for all major channels). |
| – Great for basic cable channels (Disney, ESPN, CNN, Fox News). | – Ads on live channels; no CBS local in many markets; 4K is rare. |
ESPN+
ESPN+ is Disney’s dedicated sports streaming service. It’s aimed at sports fans who want live sports and ESPN original shows on-demand. In late 2025, Disney rebranded ESPN+ into two tiers: ESPN Select at $12.99/month and ESPN Unlimited at $29.99/month. (The “Unlimited” plan includes all leagues and advanced stats; Select is more limited in offerings.) You can also bundle ESPN+ with Disney+ (and Hulu) for savings. Note: ESPN’s live cable channels (ESPN1/2/other) are not on ESPN+; you need Hulu Live or Sling for those.
ESPN+ streams include NHL, MLB, college sports, MLS soccer, cricket, and many ESPN+ originals (documentaries, studio shows). It also has the UFC library and some exclusive fights. It’s best for hardcore fans who want more games than are on cable or who enjoy shows like Peyton’s Places or 30 for 30. The main con is value: if you watch only a few games, the subscription adds up. $12.99 is reasonable for moderate fans, but $29.99 is a big jump – you’d only pay it if you want all ESPN content ad-free.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Extensive live sports not on cable (NHL, Top Rank boxing, some soccer) and ESPN+ originals. | – Does not include live ESPN TV channels (you still need cable or another service for ESPN networks). |
| – Lower base price ($12.99) than most cable sports packages; UFC and 30 for 30 docs included. | – Can get expensive if you go for the $29.99 tier; content overlap if you have linear ESPN anyway. |
| – Bundles with Disney+/Hulu for added value. | – Some fans see limited value if they only watch a game or two per month. |
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is the premier anime streaming service outside of Japan. As of 2026, Crunchyroll no longer has a free, ad-supported tier – all viewing requires a paid plan. It offers three paid plans: Fan ($7.99/month) allows 1 device, Mega Fan ($11.99) allows 4 devices and downloads, and Ultimate Fan ($15.99) allows 6 devices and extra perks. (You can also subscribe through Amazon Prime at similar rates.)
If you’re an anime fan, Crunchyroll is a must-have. It has one of the largest libraries of anime and manga, including simulcasts (episodes shortly after Japanese TV). You’ll find everything from Dragon Ball and Naruto to cult hits like Chainsaw Man. The advantages: no commercials in paid plans, new episodes often same day as Japan, and community features (forums, news). The downsides: outside of anime, it has nothing (no live action, no Western TV). Also, while the free tier is gone for new users, Crunchyroll’s plans are still cheaper than many entertainment bundles.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Largest dedicated anime library; episodes often simulcast with Japan. | – Extremely niche – only anime/manga content (no Western TV). |
| – Quality features: no ads (in paid plans), offline downloads, 4K anime (select shows). | – Free streaming was discontinued in 2026 – you must subscribe now. |
| – Reasonable pricing for fans: Fan $7.99, Mega $11.99, Ultimate $15.99. | – Some viewers may find dub/sub availability varies; exclusive rights shifting between services. |
Your Couch, Your Rules
At the end of the day, the “best” streaming service really comes down to your vibe. Are you here for prestige dramas, trashy reality TV, live sports, comfort sitcom rewatches, or that one show everyone keeps spoiling on social media? The good news is, in 2026, there’s truly something for every mood, every household, and every level of “I just want background noise while I scroll.”
The smart move? Mix and match. Rotate subscriptions, split plans with family, binge what you love, cancel what you don’t. Loyalty is great in friendships… less necessary with streaming apps.
