Best Streaming Service by Category
Best Overall: Netflix ($6.99-$22.99/month)
Netflix remains the most well-rounded option with the largest original content library. It offers strong variety across genres including drama, comedy, true crime, documentaries, reality TV, and international content. The recommendation algorithm is the best in the business at surfacing content you'll enjoy.
Best for: People who watch a variety of genres and want consistent new releases.
Best for Movies & Prestige TV: Max ($9.99-$20.99/month)
Max combines HBO's legendary prestige content (Succession, The Last of Us, White Lotus) with Warner Bros. movies and Discovery content. It has the strongest film library among streaming services, including same-day theatrical releases from Warner Bros.
Best for: Movie buffs and fans of premium drama series.
Best for Families: Disney+ ($7.99-$13.99/month)
Disney+ is essential for families with children under 12. The library includes Disney classics, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. The entire catalog is family-friendly with robust parental controls.
Best for: Families with young kids, Marvel/Star Wars fans.
Best Value: Hulu ($7.99-$17.99/month)
Hulu offers next-day access to current network TV shows plus a solid original lineup. The ad-supported tier at $7.99 provides enormous value—you get access to 80,000+ episodes. Adding live TV ($76.99/month) makes it a cable replacement.
Best for: Cord-cutters who want current network shows and good originals at a fair price.
Best Free Option: Tubi/Pluto TV (Free)
Tubi and Pluto TV offer surprisingly robust libraries supported entirely by ads. You won't find the latest releases, but there's plenty of quality older content. Perfect as a supplement to one paid service.
Best for: Budget-conscious viewers who don't need the newest content.
How to Choose
- Watch current network TV? → Hulu or Peacock
- Have young kids? → Disney+ is nearly essential
- Love movies? → Max has the best library
- Want variety? → Netflix covers the most ground
- Tight budget? → Tubi is free; Hulu with ads is $7.99
- Sports fan? → ESPN+/Peacock for specific leagues
Don't subscribe to everything at once. Rotate services every few months—binge what you want on one service, cancel, then switch to another. Most services let you cancel and resubscribe easily.
The Bottom Line
Most households benefit from 2-3 services. A common winning combination: Netflix or Max for adult content, Disney+ if you have kids, and Hulu for current TV. Total cost around $25-35/month with ad-supported tiers—still far less than cable.