Best TV Streaming Services

Kim Suarez

Updated Nov 08, 2018

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Best Overall

Netflix

Best for Original Content

HBO Now

Best for Streaming & Live TV

Hulu

Best for Live TV

Sling TV

The List Of The Best TV Streaming Services Of 2018

10 Streaming Services Considered 10 Top Picks

Intro

At the beginning of streaming services, there were only a few companies to chose from, making the selection process much more manageable. Nowadays, there are tons of different subscription offerings ranging from movie streaming to live TV to documentary-focused options. There are a few things to take into account when shopping for a streaming service, including price, content, and plans offered, among others. It's essential first to write down your priorities to understand what you're looking for in a service, then do some research to see what is out there and for what type of pricing. 

After that, then you can narrow down your selection process depending on what plans are offered with each service to see if you need to try out a few options. In a lot of cases, you'll find that no one service fills every need, so you might need to sign up for a few services if you have the budget. Most of the listed services offer a free introductory trial period so you can determine which is best for you.

Best Overall

Netflix

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Netflix is the most popular streaming service and the original that exploded the category. With massive funding towards original content and deals on exclusive programming from other networks, Netflix is the best streaming service for finding shows and movies you can't see anywhere else. If you are looking for a wide variety of TV shows, and documentaries and want a service that provides recommendations to find new programs, this is a great option. If you are looking for live TV options, Netflix is not the service for you. However, most people tend to subscribe to both Netflix and a live TV option.

Plan Options:

$7.99/month offers the Basic plan with streaming on one device, $10.99/month offers the Standard plan with high definition and two device streaming, $13.99/month offers the Premium plan with ultra-high definition and four device streaming. There is also an experimental Ultra price tier at $16.99/month offering HDR video, HD audio, and four device streaming.

Pros

  • Excellent selection
  • Good recommendations system
  • Great original programming

Cons

  • Expensive compared to other services
  • Limited new content
  • Constant shift of available titles

Best for Original Content

HBO Now

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Most people looking for the best original content seek out HBO and are willing to pay additional fees to service providers to access HBO shows. HBO also offers its streaming service at $14.99/month which gives you access to all of their original shows as well as a vast array of documentaries and movies. However, you might decide it is worth having HBO as an add-on from your service provider due to cost of standalone apps and limited content on the HBO Now app specifically. But, it still might be the fastest and easiest way to watch HBO shows, so it depends on how much you intend to use it and if you desire access to other cable networks. HBO Now does not offer 4K or HDR content, and you cannot watch shows offline.

Plan Options:

There is one plan at $14.99/month that offers full access.

Pros

  • Great original content
  • Good movie selection
  • Quality new programming

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Can be limiting compared to other services
  • Not good for kids programming

Best for Streaming & Live TV

Hulu is the top competitor to Netflix, but they also offer a live TV addition which is an excellent option for those looking for streaming and live TV all in one package. They are building up their original programming as well, with shows such as Castle Rock with Stephen King and J.J. Abrams. What it still lacks is a 4K option, but this will likely be included in a future update. While Hulu is offered at the same price as Netflix at $7.99/month, they have an annoying ad structure, so it's worth upgrading to the Hulu $11.99/month ad-free option.

Plan Options:

$7.99/month gets you access to the Hulu Streaming Library. For an ad-free version of their streaming service, you will pay $11.99/month. For $39.99/month, you get access to the Hulu With Live TV (over 50 channels, streaming on two screens). Add-ons like unlimited screens, enhanced DVR and no commercials also available.

Pros

  • Great selection of current TV shows
  • Inexpensive
  • Good original programming

Cons

  • Commercials
  • The interface is not great
  • Some TV show offerings are outdated

Best for Live TV

Sling TV

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If you are looking for the closest streaming service to traditional cable, you should look at Sling TV. Sling TV offers various packages of live TV programming, starting at $20/month. You should also be sure to take a look at the breakdown of channels to see which of the multiple packages you would be most interested in. Just know that pricing for Sling TV can increase pretty quickly, adding up to $40/month or more for the full range of channel options. Genre-specific packages can be added as well, such as comedy or kid's packages. Another $5/month will get you 50 hours of cloud storage for your favorite shows, and you can watch Sling TV on a variety of devices like Apple TV, Roku and Xbox One.

Plan Options:

For $20/month, you will receive Sling Orange with 25 channels. Sling Blue is available for $25/month, and you receive 40 channels. To get the best of both worlds, you can sign up for both offerings for $40/month. There are additional add-ons for country-specific programming, sports and kids packages, and cloud DVR recording.

Pros

  • Cheaper than cable
  • No contracts
  • Lots of content options

Cons

  • More expensive than other streaming services
  • Limited on-demand offerings

Best for Documentaries

CuriosityStream

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For those looking for a wide range of documentaries for a very inexpensive price, CuriosityStream is the best option. It features ad-free, non-fiction documentaries ranging from technology to science, history and more. It's essentially what the Discovery Channel and History Channels used to be, with documentaries from BBC and TerraNova to name a few, as well as original content. With the low price, you will easily get your money's worth by watching a couple documentaries per month.

Plan Options:

Free for one week, then $2.99/month after that.

Pros

  • Low price
  • Wide range of offerings
  • Great for history and science buffs
  • No commercials

Cons

  • Limited to documentaries only

Best for Unlimited Content Storage

YouTube TV

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YouTube TV is best for those who already use the platform extensively or who are enticed by their unlimited storage offering. With YouTube TV you can stream live TV right to your mobile device or computer, as well as on Google Chromecast. You'll need to confirm that it is available in your area, as this is the current most limiting factor of YouTube TV. You'll have access to over 60 channels including add-on options for things like Showtime or sports packages. While it still has growing to do in both geographical area and program offering, it could be an excellent choice for those looking for a slightly less expensive service than it's competitors, while offering unlimited storage.

Plan Options:

There is one plan available at $40/month, but there are add-ons available such as Showtime for additional fees.

Pros

  • Unlimited storage available
  • More than 50 networks available
  • You can create up to six accounts and stream on up to three devices

Cons

  • Expensive compared to similar services
  • There are ads

Best Free Streaming

Pluto TV

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Most people looking to cut cable do so to save money. But with the streaming services creeping up in price, you should be careful to make sure you are saving money. This is where Pluto TV is a great option. It's free. What it does to provide free content is take all of the content available online and gathers it in one place. This is not an option for those who want to keep up with current shows and watch live TV. But it is excellent for those looking for obscure programming, past shows and episodes, and obscure movies. You can watch Pluto TV on Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast and more devices. The best way to see if Pluto TV is right for you is to download it and try it out. 

Plan Options:

There is one plan, and it is free.

Pros

  • Free
  • There are many favorite TV shows and movies on there
  • It's easy to navigate

Cons

  • No current programming
  • Lots of obscure shows and movies to go through

Best for Non-English Streaming

FuboTV

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One of the better options for non-English programming and sports packages, FuboTV is excellent for those who cut the cable cord but still want sports options with some added extras. The only sports programming missing is ESPN, which can be a deal breaker for some and the reason it is not the best sports streaming service provider. However, they do include all of the other sports channels including NFL Network, CBS, FOX, TNT, NBA.TV, TBS, and NBC. There are also comedy and entertainment channels included, so it's not just for sports. Recording and rewind functions are also available. If live sports are important to you like international soccer then this is a great option. Also, if you are looking for Spanish or Portuguese offerings, this is the best service.

Plan Options:

There are language-specific plans like Fubo Latino for $17.99/month or Fubo Portugues for $19.99/month. The English version, Fubo Premier, is $19.99/month for the first month and then $44.99/month for each month after. Included is 30 hours of storage but 500 hours of storage is available for an extra $9.99/month.

Pros

  • 85 channels offered on the premier plan
  • Ample storage options
  • Good for soccer

Cons

  • Expensive for what you get
  • Not the best for sports other than soccer

Best for Current Gamers

Playstation Vue

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If you have Playstation and are looking to cut the cable cord, PlayStation Vue is the best option for you. They offer a robust selection of live TV channels and additional add-on packages for those looking for sports, movies or other programming. You can DVR most programs as well as stream from multiple devices. However, you can stream from only one PS4 or PS3 at a time. While it's more expensive than Hulu or Netflix, the pricing falls in line with other live TV services. The only downside is that you need to have a PlayStation device to set up this service, but for those who are Playstation owners, it's the perfect solution. 

Plan Options:

For $39.99/month, you get the Access plan with 40 channels included. For $44.99/month you get the Core plan which adds sports. For $54.99/month you get Elite which adds movies. For $74.99/month you get Ultra which includes all of the above plus premium networks like HBO, totaling more than 90 channels.

Pros

  • No contracts
  • Huge sports selection
  • Lots of channels to choose from
  • Good DVR options

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Need to have a PlayStation
  • No Viacom channels

Best for Kids Programming

DirecTV Now

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DirecTV Now is another live TV service provider, but unlike traditional DirecTV, you do not need to install a satellite dish or cables. While you have access to multiple channel packages including premium channels, you will not find DVR services or re-winding included. Instead, you'll find excellent picture quality and a well-interfaced app for mobile viewing. There are add-on options for international viewing, and you can watch DirecTV Now on a variety of devices. For those with AT&T wireless, you can stream DirecTV to your phone without using data, making it a good option for those with AT&T cell plans.

Plan Options:

Live A Little is $40/month and includes over 60 standard channels. Just Right is $55/month and includes over 80 channels. Go Big is $65/month and includes over 100 channels including kids channels and BBC. Gotta Have It is $75/month and includes over 120 channels like Spanish channels and eight Starz channels. You can also include HBO or Showtime for an extra $5/month.

Pros

  • Friendly interface
  • Great for AT&T users
  • No contracts

Cons

  • DVR system doesn't work very well
  • Not enough channels for the price
  • Requires high-speed internet

Buying Guide

Price
Once you determine your priorities in a streaming service, you will be able to narrow down your options to a select few. From there, you can look at the various pricing structures to see which is best for your budget. Since the market is very competitive, most competing services offer the same or similar entry pricing. If you can afford more, some services provide add-ons or more premium channels, which you should take into account when looking at what you need versus what you can afford. For all-access streaming services offering no live TV option, you'll be paying around $7-10/month. If you are looking for live TV streaming included in your service, you will be paying closer to cable prices, about $45-80/month. 

Content
Once you have an idea of what type of service you can afford, whether live TV or not, you can determine what the different content structures are of each service you are looking at. This can range from live TV and streaming to just streaming, and then a wide range of content within each. For example, if you are looking specifically for sports programming, make sure you have sports channels included or access to TV shows or movies about sports. If you are looking for kids channels, you should be searching the content offerings within each service as it relates to kids programming. The comparison here will help determine which primary streaming services are specialized in each category to know where to start looking.

Plans
When you've narrowed down the offerings to a few select streaming services as well as the budget you are looking for, you can then determine which plans to look at within each. This is going to come down to price and what priorities you have already established, so this should be an easy choice at this point. Plans can go up or down in channel offering, storage offered, available premium channels or ad-free programming, just to name a few. Make sure you are sticking within your budget when looking at the plans, as the premium plans can look great on paper, but can quickly add up to a large monthly bill. The nice thing about most of these services is that they usually don't have contracts, so it is easy to adjust your plan or cancel at any time.

About the Author

Kim Suarez

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About the Author

Kim Suarez

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