How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- On-demand services such as Max, Peacock, Paramount+, and Apple TV suit movie and series watchers, while Sling, Fubo, and Philo suit live TV viewers.
- Tubi is the best free starting point, with movies and shows supported by ads and no subscription needed.
- Philo offers the lowest live TV entry price here at $25 per month, but it focuses on entertainment channels rather than major sports networks.
- Apple TV costs $14.99 per month with no ads, which makes it simple to judge against ad-supported rivals.
- Check ads, downloads, simultaneous streams, and sports rights before subscribing, since those details decide value more than catalog size alone.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Max | Prestige series and movies | $10.99 per month | No |
 Peacock | NBC shows, movies, and sports | $12.99 per month | No |
 Paramount+ | CBS, sports, and Showtime titles | $8.99 per month | No |
 Apple TV | Ad-free original series | $14.99 per month | Free trial (7 days) |
 Tubi | Free movies and shows | Free | Yes |
 Sling TV | Flexible live TV | See website | No |
 Fubo | Live sports and TV | See website | Free trial |
 Philo | Low-cost live entertainment TV | $25 per month | Free trial (7 days) |
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The best stream services
Starting price$10.99 per month
Free planNo
Max, home to HBO series and Warner Bros. films, suits viewers who prioritize acclaimed drama, documentaries, and big movies over sheer volume. The entry plan with ads starts at $10.99 per month, with standard and premium tiers adding higher video quality and more streams. For households that watch a few series closely rather than grazing across many catalogs, Max offers depth that is easy to justify for a month or two at a time.
The limits are ads on the cheapest plan and price jumps for ad-free and 4K viewing. Content also rotates, so a film or series available today may leave later, which is true of most services but worth noting for Max given its library value. Max works best as a focused subscription: subscribe for a series you want, watch it, then pause or rotate to another service. That habit keeps the monthly total under control.
What we like- HBO series and Warner Bros. films
- Strong drama and documentary range
- Multiple plan tiers
Watch out for- Ad-supported entry plan
- Higher tiers cost more
- Some content moves between services
Starting price$12.99 per month
Free planNo
Peacock blends NBC and Bravo television, hit movies, originals, and live sports in one service. Premium, at $12.99 per month, covers TV favorites, movies, sports, and originals with ads, while Premium Plus removes most ads and adds downloads and a live local NBC channel. A cheaper Select tier focuses on TV favorites with ads and excludes sports, movies, live programming, and originals, so check which tier matches your viewing before signing up. Students can also get a discounted Premium rate, which the homepage lists at $6.99 per month for eligible students.
Sports coverage is a key reason to choose Peacock, but rights and blackouts vary by event, so confirm the specific league or event you follow. Ads on Premium can also surprise buyers who expect an ad-free experience at that price. Peacock suits viewers who watch NBC shows, Bravo, and live sports regularly, and who are comfortable paying more for Premium Plus if downloads and fewer ads matter.
What we like- NBC and Bravo shows
- Live sports and events
- Lower-cost Select tier for TV favorites
Watch out for- Premium Plus needed for downloads and fewer ads
- Sports rights vary
- Ads on Premium
Starting price$8.99 per month
Free planNo
Paramount+ starts at $8.99 per month for Essential, with ads, and $13.99 per month for Premium, which is largely ad-free except live TV and adds downloads, 4K on select titles, Showtime originals, and a live CBS station. The catalog spans CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Paramount films, plus live sports such as NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, and UFC events. That mix makes it a strong family and sports option at a lower entry price than several rivals.
Essential buyers should note the limits: ads remain, downloads are not included, and some series may not include every episode. Premium solves most of those issues for $5 more per month, which is worth it if you watch offline or want Showtime titles. Paramount+ is a good value pick for households that want CBS, kids programming, and sports without paying for a full live TV bundle.
What we like- Low entry price
- CBS live and sports
- Showtime originals on Premium
Watch out for- Essential plan has ads
- 4K and downloads need Premium
- Some series lack full episodes on Essential
Starting price$14.99 per month
Free planFree trial (7 days)
Apple TV focuses on original series and films rather than a deep back catalog, and it does so without ads. At $14.99 per month after a 7-day trial, it offers dramas, comedies, sci-fi, and films with new releases weekly, plus Friday Night Baseball and, for US viewers, Major League Soccer and Formula 1 coverage. Family sharing lets up to five family members use one subscription, which improves value for households that watch together. The service also works across Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming boxes, consoles, and the web.
Catalog size is the main weakness. If you want thousands of older shows and movies, Apple TV alone will feel thin, and some titles in the Apple TV app still require rental or purchase. It works best as a second service alongside a larger catalog or live TV option, or as a focused subscription for originals. For viewers who dislike ads and value production quality over volume, Apple TV is an easy recommendation.
What we like- No ads
- High-quality originals
- Family sharing for up to five members
Watch out for- Smaller catalog than larger rivals
- No live TV bundle on its own
- Some content needs rental or purchase
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Tubi is the free service every household should try before paying for another subscription. It offers movies, TV shows, and live channels without a monthly fee, supported by ads. The library includes older films, classic shows, documentaries, and kids content, plus live channels for news, sports highlights, and themed programming. For casual viewers, background watching, and family movie nights, Tubi can cover a surprising share of viewing at no cost.
Ads are the trade-off, and new releases usually arrive on paid services first. Content also rotates, so a favorite film may leave without warning. Tubi still earns a high place here because it lowers the total streaming bill: use it for casual viewing, then pay only for the paid services that offer shows you cannot find free. If your budget is tight, start with Tubi and add one paid service at a time.
What we like- Free with no subscription
- Large movie and show library
- Live channels included
Watch out for- Ad-supported
- Newer releases are limited
- Content rotates
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Sling TV is a live TV service built around choice. Viewers pick Orange, Blue, or both, then add extras for sports, news, movies, or international channels. Orange allows one stream at a time, Blue allows up to three, and the combined package allows up to four, so household size should guide the choice. Local ABC, FOX, and NBC availability varies by market, which is a key check before subscribing in a new area. Sling suits cord-cutters who want live channels without paying for a large cable-style bundle.
Pricing changes often, so this guide lists Sling as See website rather than quoting a figure that may soon be outdated. Add-ons can also push the total close to rival live TV services if you add many extras. Compare the exact channels you watch, not the headline channel count, and confirm stream limits for your household. Sling is best for viewers who know their must-have channels and want to build a package around them.
What we like- Flexible channel packages
- Orange and Blue options
- No long contract
Watch out for- Stream limits differ by package
- Local channels vary by market
- Add-ons raise the total
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Fubo targets sports fans who still want general live TV. Its lineup includes ESPN, FOX Sports, NFL Network, and other sports channels alongside major broadcast networks and entertainment channels, depending on area and plan. A free trial lets you test channel availability and stream quality before committing, which matters because local channel lineups vary. Fubo apps work on TVs, phones, tablets, and streaming devices, so watching on the go is straightforward.
Price is the main drawback, since a sports-heavy bundle costs more than entertainment-focused live TV such as Philo. Non-sports viewers may pay for channels they never open. Fubo also lists prices as subject to change, so confirm the current plan page and channel list for your ZIP code. For households where live sports drive the decision, Fubo is the strongest live TV pick here, provided the channels you need are included in your area.
What we like- Strong sports channel lineup
- Live TV plus on-demand
- Apps on many devices
Watch out for- Higher price than entertainment-only live TV
- Channel availability varies by area
- Sports focus may not suit non-fans
Starting price$25 per month
Free planFree trial (7 days)
Philo is the budget live TV option in this guide. Essential costs $25 per month, includes 70+ entertainment channels and a large on-demand library, and offers unlimited DVR storage for a year, three simultaneous streams, and up to ten profiles. A 7-day trial for new Essential users lets you test channels and DVR before paying. A Bundle+ plan at $33 per month adds the full AMC+ library and HBO Max Basic with Ads, which can be a good value if you want those services too.
The limit is sports and news depth. Philo focuses on entertainment channels such as BET, Discovery, HGTV, and Hallmark, rather than ESPN and major sports networks, so sports fans should look at Fubo or Sling instead. Free Channels also exist without a credit card for casual viewing. Philo suits households that want live entertainment TV, DVR, and a low bill, and who do not need live sports as a core feature.
What we like- Low $25 entry price
- 70+ entertainment channels
- Unlimited DVR for a year
Watch out for- No major sports networks on Essential
- Fewer news channels than rivals
- Bundle needed for HBO Max and AMC+
How we chose
We reviewed official service homepages and plan pages, and we opened each homepage to confirm it loads and belongs to the service named. We favored services that operate in the United States today, offer a clear plan structure, and cover distinct needs: prestige originals, broadcast shows, sports, family viewing, free viewing, and live TV. Prices were taken from official pages and recent plan summaries where available, and marked as See website where pricing changes often or could not be confirmed on the homepage. Catalogs and sports rights change, so confirm current titles and channels before subscribing.
How to build a streaming stack without overspending
Start by listing the shows, sports, and channels you actually watch in a normal month, not the ones you might watch someday. Put each must-watch item next to the service that carries it, and you will often find that two services cover most of your viewing. Use free Tubi for casual movies and background shows, then add one on-demand service for series and one live service only if live sports or news are essential. Rotate subscriptions by season when a show ends, rather than keeping every service all year.
Next, check the details that affect daily use. Count simultaneous streams for your household, confirm whether downloads work on your plan, and note whether ads appear on the tier you chose. Check device support for every TV and phone you use, and set a calendar reminder before any trial ends. Finally, review your stack every three months and cancel anything you have not opened in the past month. Streaming value comes from watching, not from owning a long list of logins.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best stream service for most households?
It depends on viewing habits, but a combination of Tubi for free viewing plus one paid on-demand service usually covers most households. Max suits prestige series, Peacock suits NBC and sports, Paramount+ suits CBS and family viewing, and Apple TV suits ad-free originals. Add live TV only if you watch live sports or news weekly.
Which streaming service is cheapest?
Tubi is free with ads, which makes it the cheapest option here. Among paid services, Paramount+ Essential at $8.99 per month and Philo Essential at $25 per month for live TV are the lowest entry prices in this guide. Check whether ads, downloads, and sports coverage match your needs before choosing on price alone.
Can I watch live sports without cable?
Yes, Peacock, Paramount+, Fubo, and Sling TV all offer live sports, but rights vary by league and event. Fubo offers the broadest sports channel lineup here, while Peacock and Paramount+ focus on specific leagues and events. Confirm the exact games you want before subscribing, since blackouts and rights change.
Do streaming services offer free trials?
Some do, including Apple TV with a 7-day trial, Philo with a 7-day Essential trial, and Fubo with a free trial offer. Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Tubi, and Sling TV do not rely on a standard free trial in the same way, though Tubi is free without a trial. Set a reminder before any trial ends to avoid an unwanted charge.
How many streams can I watch at once?
It varies by service and plan. Paramount+ allows three devices at once, Philo allows three streams, Sling Blue allows three while Orange allows one, and Apple TV allows family sharing for up to five members. Check the plan page for the exact service you choose, since simultaneous stream limits affect larger households most.
Should I bundle streaming services?
Bundles can save money if you already want both services, such as Apple TV with Peacock or Philo Bundle+ with AMC+ and HBO Max Basic. Bundles only help when you watch both parts regularly, so compare the bundle price against separate subscriptions for the tiers you actually need. Rotating single services often beats a bundle you barely use.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.max.com
- https://www.peacocktv.com
- https://www.paramountplus.com
- https://tv.apple.com
- https://tubitv.com
- https://www.sling.com
- https://www.fubo.tv
- https://www.philo.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.