Netflix is one of the biggest streaming platforms, but it's certainly not the only one. There are plenty of Netflix alternatives out there, both free and paid, and some are arguably even better than Netflix.

In this article, we take at look at some of the best Netflix alternatives available today. These are companies similar to Netflix, but which offer streaming services with different features and content.

1. Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is one of the largest competitors to Netflix and it's well worth your time. The original movies and TV shows that Amazon produce (like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) are worth the price of admission alone.

You can either subscribe to Prime Video on its own, or pay an additional $4/month to get all of the benefits of Amazon Prime.

• A wide variety of critically acclaimed original content you can't find elsewhere
• You can easily rent or buy other content that isn't included in the subscription
• Prime Video is included as part of a full Amazon Prime subscription

Watch: Amazon Prime Video ($8.99/month)

2. Disney+

Disney+ had a lot of hype surrounding its launch in 2019 as it was the House of Mouse's big serve against Netflix. If you're a Disney fan, it's well worth subscribing to Disney+.

Since the company seemingly owns everything, it's packed with works from the likes of Marvel, Pixar, and National Geographic. Of course, it also boasts all the classic and latest Disney films, along with original content like The Mandalorian (the Star Wars TV spin-off).

• Perfect for kids, thanks to the deep Disney archives of classic animations
• Plenty of mature content available outside the US (due to the Star brand)
• Impressive exclusive content, though skews towards blockbuster brands like Marvel and Star Wars

Watch: Disney+ ($7.99/month)

3. Apple TV+

Apple was comparatively late to the streaming game, but it hit the ground running with shows starring actors such as Jennifer Aniston, Oprah Winfrey, and Jason Momoa. It's a great Netflix alternative that offers a free trial.

However, Apple TV+ doesn't have much licensed content, so the breadth is extremely limited compared to Netflix. Nevertheless, it does have decent shows like Ted Lasso, Mythic Quest, and Dickinson, with more always on the way.

• Some good original content from top-tier talent
• There isn't much to watch due to the lack of licensed content
• You get three months free when buying a new Apple product; very affordable otherwise

Watch: Apple TV+ ($4.99/month)

4. Hulu

Hulu has a great selection of movies and TV shows, both licensed and original. Its licensed catalog is huge, spanning many broadcast networks and with something to suit every age, ensuring you will have enough shows to binge to last you a lifetime.

The biggest problem is that the cheaper price plan has ads. You can pay double the cost to remove them, but some shows will still have ads due to licensing issues.

• Great for its huge back catalog of old and modern TV shows
• Offers a cheap entry point for basic membership
• Commercials on TV and movies

Watch: Hulu ($6.99/month)

5. HBO Max

As you might expect given its name, HBO Max offers the amazing material that HBO produces. This includes shows like Westworld, Game of Thrones, and Succession. The network is known for its high-quality creations, though whether it deserves the expensive price tag is up to you.

HBO Max also offers original content and a decent selection of movies from WarnerMedia.

• The greatest selection of HBO's original shows through the years
• Expensive compared to its competitors
• The cheaper plan includes ads—it costs an additional $5/month to remove them

Watch: HBO Max ($9.99/month)

6. Acorn TV

Most streaming services focus on American content, so it's great to have Acorn TV which offers shows from places like Australia, the UK, and France. While there obviously won't be anything new for those native to those countries, if you haven't seen shows like Midsomer Murders and Inspector George Gently then you're in for a treat.

Acorn TV is similar to another streaming service called BritBox. Check out our comparison of BritBox versus Acorn TV for more information.

• A great range of content from countries outside of America
• Reasonable price and cheaper if you sign up for a year
• Available on a range of devices like iPhone, Android, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV

Watch: Acorn TV ($6.99/month)

7. Paramount+

Paramount+ is the only way to watch great shows like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Halo, and 1883, though the original programming is limited compared to Netflix.

There is also a large selection of shows and movies from brands like CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, and Nickelodeon to keep you busy.

• Paramount has produced some great shows and movies which are available here
• Only the higher price plan of $9.99/month is free from commercials
• You can save on the monthly price if you sign up for a year

Watch: Paramount+ ($4.99/month)

8. MUBI

MUBI is the perfect service for those who enjoy their films a little less mainstream, showcasing works from film festivals and highlighting independent creators. Each day it introduces a new film, often only available for 30 days, though some get added to the rotating catalog.

It's unlikely you will have seen many of the films here unless you're an ultimate cinephile.

• A rotating selection of movies from around the globe
• Though the quality may arguably be higher than Netflix, the quantity is not
• Expensive considering the limited amount of content

Watch: MUBI ($10.99/month)

9. Peacock

Peacock is NBCUniversal's streaming service that streams its subsidiary creations (like movies from Universal Pictures) alongside news, sport, and third-party content. Surprisingly for a major service, it offers a free membership tier, which lets you watch seasons of shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation.

Of course, you'll need to pay to see the newer and exclusive content (though some episodes are free to hook you), but the ad-supported plan is reasonably priced.

• You can sign up and enjoy a selection of content at no cost
• Offline downloads and mostly ad-free streaming costs $9.99/month
• Supports up to six profiles, including kid-friendly profiles

Watch: Peacock ($4.99/month)

10. Tubi

Tubi has thousands of movies and TV shows available for free, all supported by adverts. While obviously a lot of the content is older or lesser known stuff, there's so much of it that you are bound to find something you like.

It's all sorted into handy categories, including a dedicated kids section to keep your little ones entertained.

• A huge number of movies and TV shows from studios like Lionsgate and Paramount
• Available on all popular devices like streaming sticks and games consoles
• Collections like "Highly Rated" and "Award Winners" help you find the good stuff

Watch: Tubi (Free)

11. Vudu

Vudu has been around since 2004, but owned by Fandango Media since 2020. While it does have a wide selection of movies available to rent, there's also a sizeable collection of free movies and TV shows to watch that are supported by ads.

It even streams in high definition video and audio, which is a great bonus.

• Offers a decent selection of free ad-supported movies and TV shows
• Streams in high quality
• Boasts a clean and easy-to-navigate interface

Watch: Vudu (Free)

12. Plex

Plex offers 200 free live TV channels and over 50,000 titles on demand, from studios like Legendary, MGM, and Lionsgate, so you're unlikely to run out of viewing material.

Plex also lets you create your own catalog from your videos, which is what the service originally started as, though you can simply use the free streaming service if you wish.

• Integrates into the existing Plex service, giving you access to free movies
• Lots of niche and older movies to choose from
• A stylish and quick interface

Watch: Plex (Free)

13. Pluto TV

Pluto TV is a free ad-supported streaming service owned by Paramount. It offers on-demand movies and shows, plus what it calls "live TV". The latter is a mixture of real channels and rolling streams of the on-demand content (dedicated to genres, themes, or specific shows).

Pluto TV is available in countries like the US, UK, and Canada, though you can watch Pluto TV anywhere with a VPN.

• TV channels are perfect for a more traditional viewing experience
• Likely available on whatever device you own
• No account needed to watch

Watch: Pluto TV (Free)

14. Crackle

Crackle is a free service which features movies and TV shows, including some original programming. Naturally, there's a lot of junk to wade through, but there are some diamonds in the rough.

Crackle is good, but the number of ads you'll see on a full-length film is tiresome.

• A fair selection of movies and TV shows from across the decades
• Supports a wide range of playback devices
• Longer content has a large number of ads

Watch: Crackle (Free)

There's an Endless Supply of Streaming Content

All of these Netflix alternatives offer something a little different. With so many streaming services available, you may have to rotate between all of them to have access to the widest range of content.

While these services offer pre-recorded movies and TV shows, you might also want to watch some live TV. If so, there are plenty of free internet TV channels you can watch.