Peacock: Premium movie and TV streaming service with a free tier
Not all of these platforms are equally available around the world. Want to get your hands on Hulu or make sure you get access to the full HBO Max library? With a VPN, you can bypass geographical restrictions and stream any content from anywhere in the world. We recommend NordVPN. It has rapid-fire connection and streaming speeds and runs in the background without any issues!
We tested 30+ streaming services to give you personal recommendations! Scroll down for our in depth reviews!
Netflix is one of the best streaming platforms in the world. Or, is it? The streaming service frequently raises its subscription prices, may remove your favorite shows at any point, and has come under fire for its crackdown on password sharing.
If you’re looking for a Netflix alternative, take a look at our list of recommendations below. We’ve compiled an overview of the best alternatives for Netflix you can subscribe to today.
Want to make sure you always have access to the biggest possible selection of movies and TV shows on any platform? Use a VPN to stream content from anywhere in the world.
The 12 Best Netflix Alternatives (Tried and Tested!)
There are so many streaming platforms that it can be a challenge to figure out which ones to subscribe to. After all, you want to make sure you get value for your money.
To make things easier, we’ve created a quick overview of the 12 best Netflix alternatives. Compare features and see what each service has to offer.
Streaming Service
Price
Number of Titles
Live TV
Offline Streaming
Free Trial
Amazon Prime Video
From $8.99/month
28,000+
✖
✔
✔
Hulu
From $7.99/month
2,500+
✔ (select plans)
✔
✔
Max (HBO Max)
From $9.99/month
3,500+
✖
✔
✔
AppleTV+
From $6.99/month
180+
✖
✔
✔
Disney+
From $7.99/month
7,000+
✖
✔
✖
Paramount+
From $5.99/month
36,000+
✔
✔
✔
Discovery+
From $4.99/month
4,000+
✖
✔
✔
SHOWTIME
From $11.99/month
600+
✔
✔
✔
Sling TV
From $40.00/month
31 – 48 TV channels
✔
✖
✔
Crunchyroll
From $7.99/month
1,000+
✖
✔
✔
Shudder
From $5.99/month
650+
✖
✔
✔
Peacock
From $4.99/month
1,200+
✔
✔
✔
Ready to take a deep dive? Scroll down for our in-depth reviews!
1. Amazon Prime Video: Our #1 Netflix alternative — more titles, extra benefits
What We Like
Huge streaming library: 28,000+ titles
No advertisements
Extra Amazon benefits
What We Don't Like
Browser app doesn’t always run smoothly
Not all titles are free
Limited original content
Plans:
Amazon Prime Video: $8.99/month
Amazon Prime (including Prime benefits and Prime Video): $14.99/month or $139/year
Pro Tip:
If you’re a student, you can get an Amazon Prime membership (including Prime Video) for $7.49/month or $69/year.
The sheer size of the Amazon Prime Video library is enough to keep you occupied for years to come! With 28,000+ titles, this streaming service leaves Netflix in the dust. You also have the option to rent or buy movies that are not available for free in your region. The other week, I decided to rent Pacific Rim, which I had access to for 48 hours.
Of course, plenty of content is available for free. Amazon Prime Video has more than 200 original shows and movies, including The Wheel of Time and Citadel. The platform also offers plenty of award-winning shows and movies. You can stream in 4K and save movies and TV shows to watch online. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you also enjoy extra benefits, including same-day shipping, grocery delivery, and access to a reward program.
Prime Video might not look as flashy as other streaming services, but you can search for any movie or show, and — more importantly — the content is free from advertisements. Sometimes, you’ll be shown a trailer for an upcoming show, but that just gets you in the mood to stream more!
Though this service is available in most countries, each library is different. But don’t let that deter you. You can still unblock Amazon Prime’s extensive catalog with a VPN.
Make use of Amazon Prime Video’s 30-day free trial to get started right away.
2. Hulu: Versatile streaming service with popular content, live TV options
What We Like
Offers live TV streaming
Excellent content
Access to Disney+ and ESPN+
What We Don't Like
No offline streaming on the base plan
Lowest-tier plan only supports one streamer at a time
Exclusive in US and Japan (unless you use a VPN!)
Plans:
Hulu Streaming (ads): $7.99/month (or $79.99/year)
Hulu Streaming (no ads): $14.99/month
Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN+ (no ads): $82.99/month
Pro Tip:
If you’re a student, you can get the regular ad-supported Hulu plan for just $1.99/month.
Hulu is one of our favorite streaming services and is a big-time rival to our #1 Netflix alternative. This streaming service comes with a ton of add-on options, including the option to stream Live TV, and get access to ESPN+ and Disney+ via a package deal.
But don’t worry. The low-tier option has plenty to offer, too! For less money than you’d spend on Netflix, you can watch some of the most popular shows of the moment, including Atlanta, The Bear, Tiny Beautiful Things, and — one of my personal favorites — The Dropout.
In terms of usability, Hulu is at the top of the game. Users can add up to six different profiles, and it’s possible to stream in 4K. The interface is easy to use. If you’re paying for the ad-free experience, you can also download content to stream offline, which is great when you’re traveling a lot.
One of the downsides to Hulu is that it’s only available in the United States and Japan. However, with a VPN, this is no issue at all! You can change your virtual location to any place in the world (in this case, the US or Japan) and access Hulu content from anywhere!
You can try Hulu out risk-free for 30 days if you make use of their free trial!
There are plenty of shows you don’t want to miss. Here are some of our favorites:
Normal People
The Handmaid’s Tale
Reservation Dogs
What We Do in the Shadows
Only Murders in the Building
3. HBO Max: Top streaming service for originals, new releases
What We Like
Recently released blockbuster movies
Feature-rich streaming service
Easy to use
What We Don't Like
Content subject to change after merger
Relatively expensive
Free trial only seven days
Plans:
Max (ads): $9.99/month (or $99.99/year)
Max (no ads): $15.99/month (or $14.99/year)
Max Ultimate (no ads): $19.99/month (or $199.99/year)
HBO Max (now Max in the US and soon to be rebranded around the world) is a premium streaming service that falls on the more expensive side. However, it’s got great things to offer: Max stands out in terms of hit TV shows and blockbuster movies that are available on the service! In light of the Warner Bros merger, you’ll even get movie releases on the same day as their theater release.
With the WarnerMedia/Discovery merger, the Max content library has changed and some of our favorite shows (Westworld, for example) have, regrettably, been removed. But Max still offers some of the most popular content, including Succession, The House of the Dragon, and The Last of Us.
On the ad-free plans, you can get online streaming. On Max Ultimate, you can also stream in 4K and stream on 4 devices at once. The HBO Max app is easy to use and works well on all sorts of devices. You can also use a VPN to access Max from anywhere.
Check out the seven-day free trial to see if this streaming service is for you!
The list of great content on HBO Max is never-ending. Here are some of our favorite shows:
Euphoria
Succession
Game of Thrones
The White Lotus
Harry Potter (including the new series that’s currently in the making!)
4. Apple TV+: Cheap alternative to Netflix with great originals
What We Like
Cheap subscription plans
Fantastic original content
Available in 100+ countries
What We Don't Like
Doesn't work well for non-Apple devices
Episodes released weekly; not ideal for binge-watching
Plans:
Apple TV+: $6.99/month
Apple One: bundle Apple TV+ with other Apple services (various prices)
If you’re looking for a more affordable Netflix alternative with excellent original content, Apple TV+ is certainly for you! You can get a monthly subscription at only $6.99 per month. If you want to get more out of your Apple experience, you can bundle up to six Apple subscriptions, such as iCloud+ and Apple Music, under Apple One.
This is also the downside of Apple TV+: it’s great for Apple users, but requires you to have an Apple device. While the Apple TV website is available for other devices, too, it isn’t user-friendly and doesn’t work very well on them. You can, however, also use Apple TV+ on an Amazon Fire TV or smart TVs. Some of our favorite Apple content includes the award-winning Ted Lasso and the eerie workplace thriller Severance.
Unfortunately, you can’t stream Live TV. But you can download movies and films to stream offline, and you won’t have to deal with any advertisements. Moreover, Apple TV+ is available in over 100 countries worldwide.
Got an iOS device? You can get a seven-day free trial for Apple TV or a one-month free trial for Apple One. If you don’t have an iPhone or iPad yet, you’ll get the first three months of Apple TV+ for free with any new device.
The Apple TV+ library is not as big as the Netflix one, but has some gems:
Ted Lasso
Dickinson
Pachinko
The Morning Show
Shrinking
5. Disney+: Streaming giant for big studio content
What We Like
Access to the best of Disney, Pixar, and Marvel
Entirely ad-free
Supports parental controls
What We Don't Like
Doesn’t have much original content
More prone to buffering than other services
Plans:
Disney Plus: $10.99/month (or $109.99/year)
If you’re a fan of blockbuster movies, animated content, and major studios like Marvel and Lucasfilm, Disney+ is the Netflix alternative for you. It’s got a lot of benefits, including 4K streaming and the possibility to stream content on up to four screens simultaneously. You can also use the Groupwatch feature to organize viewing parties with your friends!
In terms of content, Disney+ doesn’t disappoint. From Star Wars movies to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you’ve got your hands on some of the most binge-worthy series and franchises. Download content for offline viewing at any point.
Disney+ is also most suited to children and younger viewers! You can enjoy classic Disney movies like Lady and the Tramp and — my personal favorite — The Lion King, but also watch newer releases like Raya and the Last Dragon and Encanto.
We love that parents can create dedicated profiles for children and set parental controls on them. This makes Disney+ a streaming favorite for the entire family! With the right VPN, you can also stream Disney+ in geo-restricted countries.
With Disney+, there is plenty of great streaming content at your fingertips, including these favorites:
The Mandalorian
Wall-E
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
6. Paramount+: Affordable service with great add-ons
What We Like
Great catalogue (including Star Trek content)
Live sports
Offers bundle with SHOWTIME
What We Don't Like
Commercial interruptions on regular plan
Doesn’t have much original content
Not available worldwide (unless you use a VPN!)
Plans:
Paramount+: $5.99/month (or $59.99/year)
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME: $11.99/month (or $119.99/year)
Paramount+ has a great library of movies and TV shows that’s on its way to compete with giants like Netflix and Hulu. It’s your go-to place for Star Trek content, including movies, the TV series, and the new originals. You can also stream live sports, such as the NFL!
It’s an affordable service, especially if you get the SHOWTIME bundle. The streams are mostly ad-free, but you will get commercials when watching live TV. You can browse channels such as CBS, CBS News and ET Live. If you’re a soccer fan, Paramount+ is also the place where you can find the Champions League and Europa League.
Note:
On Paramount+, you can’t pause live TV or forward it.
In terms of shows, you can enjoy great crime content such as NCIS and CSI. If you’re a fan of reality TV, Paramount+ offers you RuPaul’s Drag Race and Teen Moon. But Paramount+ also has big titles such as The Wolf of Wall Street and Interstellar as part of its catalog.
Want to get your hands on this service? Get the 30-day free trial!
Here are some of our recommendations for Paramount+ listed:
Live sports (NFL, Champions League, PGA golf, and more)
Arrival
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Criminal Minds
Survivor
7. Discovery+: Stream content from major cable TV channels
What We Like
Very versatile library
Cheap subscription plans
Stream 4K content
What We Don't Like
Content available elsewhere (Max)
No live TV
Lacks audio description support
Plans:
Discovery+ (ads): $4.99/month
Discovery+ (no ads): $6.99/month
Discovery+ does a great job of trying to meet its audience’s needs! This streaming platform will only cost you a few dollars a month and offers a wide variety of shows, including shows from cable channels such as the Food Network, Animal Planet and HGTV. It’s also great for documentary fans!
Enjoy the BBC’s Planet Earth collection with The Blue Planet and Planet Earth, as well as the sequels. If you’re more into HGTV, enjoy House Hunters International and Love It or List It. Discovery+ also has original content. In fact, about half of their library is original.
Finally, it’s worth noting that Discovery+ is one of the cheapest streaming services on this list. But while the on-demand content is fantastic, Discovery+ doesn’t actually offer live TV streaming.
Still want to try out Discovery+ for yourself? New subscribers can enjoy a seven-day free trial.
Want to watch some good shows on Discovery+? Here are our recommendations:
Animal Planet: Crikey! It’s the Irwins
The Diana Investigations
MythBusters
Science Channel: How the Universe Works
Magnolia Network: Extraordinary Stories Behind Everyday Things
8. SHOWTIME: Stream excellent indie content and art Films
What We Like
Many add-on options
Acclaimed movies and indie TV shows
Watch live boxing and MMA
What We Don't Like
Relatively small library
Interface doesn’t work well on all devices
Not much content for kids
Plans:
SHOWTIME: $10.99/month
SHOWTIME/Paramount (ads): $11.99/month
SHOWTIME/Paramount (no ads): $14.99/month
SHOWTIME has some of the most exclusive and original content, including the hit series Yellowjacketsand Dexter. You can find a great mix of art house movies, blockbusters, classics, and live sports events, especially boxing and MMA streams.
With SHOWTIME, you get access to two live channels. Most of the time, content will air simultaneously live (on the cable channels) as well as on-demand, but if not, on-demand content will be online approximately 24 hours later.
In terms of original content, SHOWTIME doesn’t offer as much as other streaming services like Prime Video or HBO Max. However, you will find a great collection of less widely available movies, including Django Unchained and Ex Machina. Parents will be happy to know that you can set viewing restrictions for your account (parental controls) or on a per-profile basis.
Since SHOWTIME is primarily available in the United States, you can use a VPN to access it. It offers a seven-day free trial for all new users. Or you can bundle it with Paramount Plus to try it free for 30 days.
9. Sling TV: On-demand content and access to live TV channels
What We Like
A great alternative to cable
Works on plenty of devices
Ad-supported “Freestream” service available
What We Don't Like
Expensive in comparison
Not a traditional streaming service
Interface doesn’t always work well
Plans:
Sling Orange (31 channels, including Disney and ESPN): $40.00/month
Sling Blue (42 channels, including NBC and ABC): $40.00/month
Sling Orange and Sling Blue (48 channels): $55.00/month
Sling TV is a US-based service that combines the best of traditional cable subscription and modern streaming services. Depending on your plan, you get access to various popular TV channels, including CNN, Disney, ESPN, NFL Network, FOX, ABC, and NBC, as well as on-demand content. It’s even possible to get international channels, making it a great choice for expats!
Of course, it’s not cheap. Comparatively, the high price is definitely a downside to Sling TV. However, in comparison to regular cable subscriptions and even the Hulu + Live TV bundle, you get a good deal! We experienced some lagging issues with the interface, but apart from that it’s a user-friendly service.
What’s more, is that Sling TV offers a Freestream version that won’t cost you any money at all. While you will get advertisements, you still get access to plenty of live TV channels and on-demand content!
Sling TV gives you access to some of the best live TV channels. Here are our favorites:
ESPN (as well as ESPN 2 and ESPN 3)
Disney Channel
Comedy Central
BBC America
National Geographic
10. Crunchyroll: A Netflix alternative for anime fans
What We Like
Recent anime releases
Relatively affordable
Great variety in terms of content
What We Don't Like
No live TV
Free plan doesn’t offer any new releases
Plans:
Crunchyroll Fan: $7.99/month
Crunchyroll Mega Fan: $9.99/month
Crunchyroll Ultimate Fan: $14.99/month
There’s not much anime content on Netflix, so if you’re looking for a platform that delivers just that, check out Crunchyroll. It has a huge library that features some of the most recent anime releases from Japan. Usually, they’re on Crunchyroll within an hour of airing! Fans agree that their US library is the largest, so connect to a US server to get the most out of Crunchyroll’s catalog.
With the Mega Fan plan, you’ll get access to events and the opportunity to enter in lotteries. The Ultimate Fan subscription gives you a quarterly discount of $25.00 in the Crunchyroll store.
Crunchyroll also offers a free plan. Though it’s limited in content, it will give you a great idea of what the platform might have to offer you! For the newest releases, though, you need a paid plan. It’s possible to share your account with other people, an advantage over Netflix.
Ready to dive deep into the anime catalog? Check out Crunchyroll below!
We recommend checking out the following shows on Crunchyroll:
Hell’s Paradise
Vinland Saga
Naruto
Nichijou – My Ordinary Life
A Place Further Than The Universe
11. Shudder: Netflix alternative for horror titles
What We Like
Curated selection of horror titles
Affordable
No advertisements
What We Don't Like
No live TV
Very niche content
No offline viewing on mobile devices
Plans:
Shudder: $5.99/month (or $56.99/year)
Shudder is a niche streaming provider that rivals Netflix in one particular category: horror. The library features 600+ titles that are selected by horror experts. All content is ad-free and on-demand.
A subscription to Shudder is very affordable at only $5.99 per month. This gives you access to some of the scariest films and series in the genre including, Night of the Living Dead and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Shudder also has some original content, which elevates the genre and gives you multiple gems that you might not have found otherwise. Have a look at Host, a horror movie filmed completely on Zoom. We also love Shudder’s attention to diversity in horror with “Queer Horror,” “Hispanic Heritage,” and “Horror Noire.”
What you can find on Shudder, you can’t easily find anywhere else, including Netflix. Fortunately, Shudder works seamlessly with a VPN, allowing you to watch all the chills, thrills, and spills from anywhere. Make use of the seven-day free trial to see what’s out there, hiding in the dark.
Here are some of our personal, scary favorites on Shudder:
Tigers Are Not Afraid
The Invitation
Skinamarink
A Banquet
La Llorona
12. Peacock: Premium movie and TV streaming service with a free tier
What We Like
Free plan available
Live TV and sports
Offline viewing available
What We Don't Like
Advertisements on lowest paid tier
No 4K quality
Some content is behind a paywall
Plans:
Free (ads): $0.00
Premium (ads): $4.99/month
Plus (no ads): $9.99/month
Peacock has a great library with classics like The Office and Parks and Recreation, one of our personal favorites! The free library has over 13,000 hours of content, but the premium library is even bigger. On top of that, you can watch live sports, including NFL Sunday Night Football, the entire Tour de France and complete coverage of the Olympics. A Peacock premium plan also includes full access to WWE main events and other content.
Peacock works great with a VPN for worldwide streaming. And for parents, there’s an option to create parameters for the viewing experience of your kids with parental controls. There’s also dedicated kids’ content, though it doesn’t compare with the likes of Disney+.
One of the downsides is that the lower two Peacock subscriptions still have advertisements. Content can also be pay-walled. This means you’re better off with the Plus plan. Since they gave up their free trial a few years back, you can try out some content on their free tier first.
Best Free Netflix Alternatives: Stop Paying for Subscriptions
There are also some great free Netflix alternatives to take a look at. If you don’t want to pay at all for your subscriptions, these services offer a well of free movies and TV shows!
PlutoTV: Free Netflix alternative with great content
Pluto TV is a free, ad-based streaming platform owned by Paramount. It features various live TV channels and on-demand movies to enjoy.
Features:
Live TV channels: MTV Teen, VH1 Reality, and more.
Get access to Star Trek content.
No registration needed.
Service runs within your browser.
Newest releases are not available.
You can check out PlutoTV by clicking the orange button below. You’ll need a VPN connected to the US or Latin America, though, to unblock Pluto TV.
Kanopy: Watch indie and art house content with your library card
Kanopy lets you watch acclaimed independent movies and classic content for free. Do note that you need to use your library card. This makes Kanopy primarily suited for users in the United States.
Features:
Award-winning and critically acclaimed movies, such as Moonlight and Eighth Grade
Library card needed
Kanopy Kids section with tons of content for kids, including Sesame Street and Anne of Green Gables
Tubi: Best free Netflix alternative for family content
Tubi is a free alternative to Netflix that has lots of movies and TV shows, as well as a special Tubi Kids version that filters out content suited for families.
Features:
You won’t find any new releases, but there are many movies available, including Ender’s Game, Memento, Donnie Darko, and Kill Bill. For TV series, you can catch Luther, Hell on Wheels, or Hell’s Kitchen, just to name a few.
To give you the best recommendations for Netflix alternatives, we looked at the following criteria:
Accessibility: One of the perks of Netflix is that it’s so widely available. The best Netflix alternatives are offered in many countries around the world and are, ideally, as affordable as Netflix or even cheaper.
Library size (including original content): What TV shows and movies are available on the streaming platform? Are they new releases? Does the service have any good original content? How many titles are in the library and are they easy to watch elsewhere?
Bundles: If you can get a good deal on multiple streaming services at once, that’s definitely a plus in our books! Just look at Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ bundles, or Paramount Plus and SHOWTIME.
Streaming features: Can you watch content offline? Is it possible to stream in 4K? Does the service have parental controls? All these features may set apart a good service from a great service.
Overall usability: We’ve put all these services through extensive testing to assess the ease of use. You don’t want to have to deal with any buffering or a confusing interface.
Finally, streaming is subjective — not everyone likes the same things. The recommended Netflix alternatives in this article each have unique selling points, and something to offer everyone!
Why Look For a Netflix Alternative?
One of the downsides to a Netflix subscription is that the library constantly changes. On top of that, the streaming giant doesn’t shy away from raising subscription prices, making it more costly to keep your account.
If you’re looking for a Netflix alternative, chances are you’ve heard about Netflix’s crackdown on password sharing. As of now, Netflix is charging $7.99 for each additional account user who’s not part of your household.
After testing out its new policy in Canada and a few other countries, the ban has come to the United States and expanded into 100 different countries.
Use NordVPN to bypass password sharing policy
At the moment, users with existing accounts can use a VPN to get around the password-sharing policy. The key is a feature called Meshnet, included with a NordVPN subscription.
Peacock: Premium movie and TV streaming service with a free tier
Of course, we also recommend checking out some of the best free Netflix alternatives, such as Tubi and Pluto TV.
Don’t forget! A VPN will unblock any streaming platform anywhere for you and get you around geographical restrictions. NordVPN is our #1 streaming VPN with ultra-fast speeds and the capacity to bypass geo-blocks easily. Its Meshnet feature will also let you bypass Netflix’s password-sharing ban!
What new shows are you excited to watch? Let us know in the comments below!
Best Netflix Alternatives: Frequently Asked Questions
Do you want to know more about the best Netflix alternatives? Have a look at our FAQ below for some quick answers!
Is there a good alternative to netflix?
The best Netflix alternative is Amazon Prime Video. This streaming service is affordable, has 28,000+ titles in its library, and comes with extra perks if you’re an Amazon Prime member. The #2 alternative for Netflix is Hulu, which offers great add-on deals for Disney+ and ESPN+, but is more expensive.
Which platform is better than Netflix?
These streaming services make for a great Netflix alternative:
Amazon Prime Video: thousands of titles and very affordable.
Hulu: Excellent streaming service for popular titles!
Max: Offers great titles and add-on options for more streaming.
AppleTV+: Great original content and very cheap.
Disney+: All-round family streaming service with major studio content.
Is there are free alternative to Netflix?
The best free alternative to Netflix is Pluto TV. This streaming service has on-demand content as well as live TV! Another great alternative is the free version of Peacock TV, though you’ll get more out of a premium plan with Peacock.
What is the downside of Netflix?
Netflix has been known to raise its subscription prices frequently, removes popular titles from the catalog at will, and has recently cracked down on password sharing, making it much more expensive. On top of that, lots of Netflix is blocked by geographical restrictions. You’ll need a VPN to unblock the full Netflix library.
Lauren is an internal censorship and security-focused journalist with an eye for how technology affects society. With a background in International Relations and North American Studies, Lauren has a passion for helping understand the importance of privacy, freedom, and internet safety.