The Best Streaming Services Worth Paying For
Find out what streaming services are most worth your time, attention, and money.
This article is more than 2 years old
Rewind to approximately ten years ago and the best streaming service (simply because it was the only widespread streaming service) one would have likely heard of at that time is Netflix. Back then, many Americans were still tethered to traditional cable, and even smartphones weren’t as prevalent as they are today. Essentially, just 10 years ago the way those of us in the United States were consuming content looked significantly different from the ways in which the vast majority of us do so today. Today we all live in an interconnected world defined by the services we engage with and the content we consume, and it is important that we carefully curate that content not only to negate overwhelming our brains but also to ensure we are getting value for what we pay for.
With over 75 million subscribers between the US and Canadian populations, Netflix still remains the crowned king of streaming services. However, many more amazing streaming services have since popped up and, in many cases, rival the content that Netflix puts forth. Thus, when we considered what defines a best streaming service, we excluded Netflix from our lineup. Simply because there is a good chance you already subscribe to it. And should you not be subscribed, it was likely a conscious choice made by you to end your subscriber-ship. Hence, we narrowed down the best streaming services sans Netflix designed to deliver quality content worth paying for.
HBO MAX
WHY IT’S THE BEST – HBO has a renowned reputation in the world of traditional cable for creating and hosting some top-notch content. With their streaming service, they have only expanded further upon what was an already well-deserved reputation. On HBO Max, there is very little in the way of filler content, which is something that all-too-often Netflix is guilty of. However, subscribers are still privy to an impressive selection of over 13,000 hours worth of top-tier titles.
In addition to HBO’s own exclusive content, on this best streaming service, you’ll also find titles from DC (check out Titans if you haven’t already), Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, and Studio Ghibli just to name a few. HBO Max also gets many newly released movies (ie. Matt Reeves’ The Batman) after they’ve had 45 days of exclusively being in theaters. Also, unlike many other streaming services, you can add up to 5 individual profiles on one account. Bottom line is that if you are looking for a streaming service that is chock full of some serious cinematic-level content that you don’t have to be afraid to share with your closest friends and family, HBO Max is more than capable of checking off those boxes and then some.
PRICE – Start your HBO Max subscription here for $9.99/month w/ads or $14.99 w/out ads.
APPLE TV+
WHY IT’S THE BEST – Those not already immersed in Apple’s ecosystem might be hesitant to give Apple TV+ a try. Although it’s worth noting that you don’t need an Apple device to subscribe to TV+. The content on that platform is some of the most polished and engaging out there, easily making Apple TV+ deserving of a best streaming service title. CODA, the recent winner of Best Picture, is just one example of the kind of quality content that Apple and the teams who make that content possible are putting out there. Other exceedingly noteworthy titles (movies and TV shows) include See, The Servant, Hala, Ted Lasso, For All Mankind, Home Before Dark, and Truth Be Told. And those mentions aren’t even scratching the service as to all the superior content that exists on Apple TV+.
Moreover, if you do happen to already be a part of Apple’s extensive ecosystem, Apple TV+ can easily be bundled in with other Apple-exclusive subscription services that only further add to its already worthwhile value. For instance, Apple One includes TV+ as well as Fitness+, Apple Arcade, News+, Apple Music, and allotted iCloud storage. Quality content at a superior value is what defines Apple TV+.
PRICE – Start watching Apple TV+ here for only $4.99/month
CRUNCHYROLL
WHY IT’S THE BEST – Calling all anime lovers out there! Crunchyroll is the best streaming service worth paying for if you are a fan of anime (or want to become a fan of anime!). Being owned by Japanese media titan Sony, Crunchyroll has an extensive library of anime content. And that library is about to get a whole lot bigger now that Sony is merging Funimation’s library of content with Crunchyroll’s. That maneuver essentially solidifies Crunchyroll as the premium anime content streaming service. Some popular shows streaming now include One Piece, Attack On Titan, JUJUTSU KAISEN, and Love Of Kill. You’ll also find classics like Gundam, Dragon Ball, and Cowboy Bebop.
With Crunchyroll, you’re not just limited to watching anime. You’ll also find plenty of manga and games to engage with, too. What’s more, is that to begin watching Crunchyroll is completely free. However, there are also tiered premium plans that come with more perks that become more and more worthwhile the more anime/manga/gaming content that you engage with. With the highest tiered plan, for instance, subscribers get significant discounts at the Crunchyroll store, can stream on up to six devices at once, and get an exclusive annual swag bag.
PRICE – Free to start watching here or tiered plans for $7.99/month, $9.99/month, or $14.99/month.
DISNEY+
WHY IT’S THE BEST – If you are a Disney fan, a Star Wars fan, a Marvel fan, or a National Geographic fan then Disney+ is the absolute best streaming service for you. Disney+ is flooded with both classic and new original top-tier content. Feel like watching The Little Mermaid or Beauty & The Beast? It’s there. Want to have yourself a Marvel movie marathon? Disney+ has got you covered. Or perhaps you can’t help but binge-watch every single episode of National Geographic’s Doctor Pol? (Of which I am completely guilty of) Well, you can binge until your heart is content. It’s also the one-stop-shop for all Star Wars titles new and old. All that’s left to say is that Disney+ is the way.
Still not enough content for you? Well, you can bundle in even more should you so choose. Disney offers a bundle package that includes both ESPN+ and Hulu. That kind of viewing power brings most other streaming platforms to their knees and makes Disney+ ever-deserving of the best streaming service designation.
PRICE – Start steaming Disney+ here for $7.99/month or unlock the Disney+ Bundle for $13.99/month.
AMAZON PRME VIDEO
WHY IT’S THE BEST – Amazon Prime Video is another truly best streaming service simply because of the value that you get from a single subscription. Why? Because Amazon Prime Video is automatically bundled in for free with any Amazon Prime subscription.
What’s more though, is that much of the content on Amazon Prime Video is absolutely worth checking out. The Boys, for instance, is a solid show steaming on Prime Video. And at risk of sounding like an infomercial, that’s not all! Prime subscribers also get access to many features of the Kindle Unlimited Service. So in addition to being able to watch tons of free content, users can also download a plethora of free top-notch books for their reading pleasure.
It’s also worth noting that Amazon Prime video is chock full of some lesser-known cult classics. JJ Abrams’ Alias, for instance, is absolutely worth watching if you’ve never seen it before. Alias is a spy-fy that originally aired between 2001 and 2006. However, being a show before its time it holds up exceptionally well today and remains surprisingly relevant. All in all, Amazon Prime Video is worth checking out, especially if you are already a Prime subscriber.
PRICE – Start streaming on Amazon here for $14.99/ month.
THE CONCLUSION
If you are looking to branch out from Netflix and searching for the next best streaming service out there to satisfy all of your content needs then the recommendations above are well-worth considering. Apple TV+ offers quality content at a superior price. Disney+ is meant for Disney fans (and so many others). Amazon Prime is a no-brainer, especially if you are already subscribed. HBO Max is a match made in heaven for any cinephile, and Crunchyroll has got every anime enthusiast covered. Pick your poison and indulge until your heart’s content.
