Streaming services have become one of the biggest, most profitable businesses out there. With it, there are several tantalizing streaming services available for avid TV viewers. But with prices averaging around $9.00/ month, having access to more than one platform can be pricey. If you have a limited budget, you can probably only afford one at a time. Here are some of the pros and cons of each platform to help you decide.
Netflix
Cost: $8.99/ month for the cheapest plan
Netflix has been around for a while and was the first successful streaming service. The content is quite expansive, from an impressive library of originals to classic movies to staple TV shows like The Office. Netflix has been making original content for the longest, so you are more likely to have a Netflix show you are dedicated to than a show from another platform. Overall, Netflix has the reputation of producing high-quality original content, including iconic shows like Stranger Things and The Crown. They produce a wide berth of genres and have something for everyone.
Almost everyone has a Netflix original show that they are loyal to, which helps keep it in the game. However, there is always the option of signing on for a month, binge-watching the new season of your favorite show when it comes out, and then canceling again if you don’t have the money to keep up. Unfortunately for Netflix, it is losing some of its classic content. All Disney content goes to Disney+, and Friends, which is the only reason some people even keep Netflix, is leaving in 2020. If you’re the type of person to have a Netflix subscription for only a few movies or shows, then make sure your favorite content isn’t leaving.
Amazon Prime Video
Cost: $8.99/month on its own, Amazon Prime for students is $6.49/ month
Amazon Prime has been building up an impressive library of originals this year, including award-winning shows like The Marvelous Ms. Maisel and Fleabag. One thing that makes Amazon content stand out is that it has an extremely high budget. Being a multi-billion dollar company, they can afford it.
Shows like Carnival Row boast both a high-profile cast and fantastic effects. Recently, I watched their miniseries Good Omens, which had both excellent acting and cinematography. Their Lord of the Rings spinoff show, scheduled to run in 2021, is sure to attract hordes of Tolkien loyalists. It also is expected to be the most expensive TV show in history. Although Amazon Prime Video doesn’t have as expansive a library as Netflix yet, the content they have so far is promising. If you are a student, this is the cheapest option as well.
Disney+
Cost: $6.99/ month
This is the newest one on the market and has garnered a lot of attention. Its library contains all Disney movies ever made, including Pixar and Marvel. These movies alone make a good deal of revenue, and other streaming services will suffer from losing them. As far as original content goes, it’s pretty skimpy. The Mandalorian has received some positive media attention and reviews, and Kristen Bell’s Encore looks promising. With time, their original content will probably grow, but now it seems as if they are banking on their classics. The main advantage of this service is that it is the easiest place to access Disney classics. If you’re a nostalgic type of viewer who reaches for the same movies every time, or if you’re a die-hard Disney fan, this is the one for you.
The number of options available to stream now can be overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to pick only one. Hopefully, this guide will help you sort through what you’re really looking for in a streaming service and commit to the right one.
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