In a report from Forbes, it has been reiterated that Netflix has reached 130 million total streaming memberships in September 2018. By the end of the fourth quarter, the company expects 9.4 million net addition to its roster of subscribers.
There is no doubt that Netflix is the king of global streaming. It provides a platform where you can access the latest TV shows, films, and documentaries, among other contents. But, Netflix is not alone. There are tons of other options for streaming, including those with cheaper membership rates, and some are even for free!
What are the best alternatives to Netflix? Keep on reading as we round up five of the top options for streaming!
Before we start, if you are looking for a website that consolidates the best TV shows in the US, check out season episode watch. They have a list of the best shows and they will direct you to a specific streaming service, including those that are briefly mentioned below.
1. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon has gained a reputation as one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world. They have also recently ventured in the field of streaming through a service known as Amazon Prime Video. Once you become an Amazon Prime member, you can stream unlimited content from their website or app without the need for any additional fee.
The annual membership is $99 for a year. Aside from streaming, it also comes with different perks, such as two-day shipping on Amazon orders and unlimited photo storage.
Similar to Netflix, Amazon also streams self-made content through Amazon Originals. Two of their most popular shows to date are The Man in the High Castle and Mozart in the Jungle.
Still undecided on whether to give it a try or not? Sign up for the free 30-day trial. You can cancel anytime if you are unhappy with their streaming service!
2. Hulu
This will make a great pick for a runner-up in the global streaming war. One of the best things about Hulu is that it provides instant streaming of some of the most popular TV shows in the use, especially those that are shown at Fox.
Since the company’s launch in 2008, it has been one of the pioneers in the field of entertainment and technology in the U.S., attracting more than 20 million subscribers. They take pride in being the only streaming service in the country that offers both commercial-free and ad-supported shows.
Similar to Netflix, it also has a diverse selection of award-winning original shows, which include The Handmaid’s Tale, I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman, The Looming Tower, Marvel’s Runaways, and Casual, among others.
Hulu offers two plans. The basic membership provides access only to Hulu’s basic services. The first month is free. Once the free trial expires, the cost is $5.99 per month. The other plan is Hulu with Live TV. It is free for the first seven days and will cost you $39.99 per month thereafter.
3. Crunchyroll
If you love anime, this is the best Netflix alternative that should be on your list. This is a streaming service that specializes in Asian TV favorites. Some of the most popular shows that you can watch at Crunchyroll include Hunter x Hunter, Dragon Ball Super, Attack on Titan, Naruto, and Bleach.
You can access Crunchy roll content on different devices and platforms, including Chromecast, Xbox 360, Android, iOS, Roku Box, Apple TV, PlayStation 4, and Windows, among others.
Anime nerds will also be happy with the affordable memberships that are offered by Crunchyroll. The basic plan costs $6.99, which will allow you to access available content ad-free. Meanwhile, the premium monthly plan costs $11.99. Aside from being able to watch exclusive content, you can also enjoy free shipping on the items bought at the Crunchyroll’s website. Users can also enjoy a free trial period of 14 days before they are asked to choose from a paid subscription.
4. Showtime
Whether you would like to watch a movie, series, or documentary, among others, Showtime offers another great alternative for a streaming service. Owned by CBS, this streaming option offers commercial-free content. In recent years, they have produced a bunch of critically-acclaimed original shows, which include The Affair, Shameless, Masters of Sex, and House of Lies. They also show uncut Hollywood movies and premier sporting events.
Showtime has two membership plans available. The monthly subscription costs $10.99 per month. On the other hand, the cost of the annual plan is $109.99 per year. Regardless of which plan you choose, you can enjoy a free trial for 30 days.
Showtime can be accessed via Apple and Roku devices. Additionally, it can also be purchased as an add-on package once you already have Amazon Prime and Hulu subscriptions.
5. HBO GO
If you love watching movies at HBO, HBO GO will make a great Netflix alternative for you. It is a TV Everywhere service, which means that you can watch your favorite HBO shows anytime and anywhere. The best thing about HBO GO is that technically, it is free as long as you have an HBO subscription. To have the latter, on the other hand, you need to pay for your cable or satellite TV. HBO GO can also be an add-on to your Amazon Prime and Hulu memberships.
Using HBO GO can be quite complicated for some. To begin streaming content in your device of choice, you first need to have an authentication with the provider of your cable or satellite TV.
Some of the best original series that you can watch with an HBO GO membership include The Sopranos, The Wire, Veep, Deadwood, Sex and the City, and of course, Game of Thrones.
In sum, while Netflix seems to be the favorite choice when it comes to streaming, there are other alternatives that can be considered. They are also promising in terms of providing entertaining content that you can access anytime and anywhere! It provides the perfect way to cut the cord!
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