25+ Best Alternatives to Netflix

Learn everything you need to know about the best alternatives to Netflix. From premium channels to free streaming options, there is a good alternative for everyone and every budget.

Collage of streaming service screenshots.

I’ve been a Netflix subscriber for a really long time… since back before streaming was even a thing and DVDs were delivered to my door. I loved that I could get everything from cult classics to my favorite TV series, and it has only gotten better since streaming came online!

Over the years, Netflix has truly become the streaming giant and for good reason. They have the most original programming and the most history. However, there are more and more alternatives to Netflix coming out in recent years. As much as my family loves the original content that Netflix puts out, we also have other favorite streaming services.

If you’re looking for a new streaming platform to try or want to ditch cable TV, I put together a list of the best online streaming services available today. While I personally prefer premium subscriptions that don’t have ads, I’ll also share the best free Netflix alternatives with you in care you’re simply looking an option to cut costs in your monthly budget.

And no matter which device you prefer to watch from, most streaming services these days have a great user interface that can be accessed from a web browser, most mobile phones and many gaming systems. Check the Google Play Store for Android devices, the Apple store for iOS devices and your TV or gaming system’s app store to see if there is an app for your device.

Best Premium Netflix Alternatives (Ad-Free Options)

Whether you prefer to stream on Smart TVs or mobile devices, here are the best places to watch on demand content like popular movies as well as your favorite shows and news channels in the United States.

1. Hulu

Hulu is probably the most popular and viable alternative to Netflix. They’ve really come a long way in recent years with their originals like Handmaid’s Tale. One of my favorite things about Hulu is they have a wide variety of shows from major networks that are available to watch the day after they air on cable TV.

They also have Live TV channels available so you can always watch new TV shows, including all of your favorites from Animal Planet. There is an upgrade cost to watch Live TV.

  • Cost? $6.99 for ad-supported plan; $12.99 for ad-free plan; most expensive plan is $75.99 for Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN+.
  • Free Trial? Yes, 30 days.

2. STARZ

The show that STARZ is most known for is, of course, Outlander. There are 2 seasons on STARZ that Netflix doesn’t have access to yet! They do have some other original shows that are really great like The Spanish Princess and Becoming Elizabeth as well as tons of great movies like the new Ghostbusters.

If you want to watch all of the Marvel movies in order like my family did, STARZ is currently home to some of the Spiderman movies. Now is a great time to subscribe and catch up on the Marvel universe!

  • Cost? $8.99 per month or $74.99 per year.
  • Current Special? $5 per month for 3 months.
  • Free Trial? No.

3. Paramount+

Formerly known as CBS All Access, this streaming service has been rebranded to Paramount+. They have so much content compared to what I expected! Some of the main channels their content comes from includes CBS, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV and the Smithsonian Channel.

If you don’t have cable, they have shows that are broadcasted live from these TV channels. They also have Star Trek both as a Paramount+ original series as well as the classic series if you have any Trekkers in your house. And since they’re the home to MTV and BET, you can be sure to also find some good music videos from some of their more popular series like MTV Unplugged and Yo MTV Raps.

Every time I open the app, I find more of my favorite movies to watch with my kids, like The Lost City, Secret Headquarters, Sonic the Hedgehog, Last Holiday and The In Between. There are movies for more mature audiences as well like Honor Society, World War Z, Baywatch and Scream.

  • Cost? $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year for the Essential Plan (ad supported) or $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year for the Premium Plan.
  • Current Special? For $3 more per month, you can bundle Paramount+ with Showtime!
  • Free Trial? Yes, 7 days.

4. Disney Plus

If you have kids in the house, you probably already have Disney Plus. We’ve had it since the very beginning and it only gets better with time. Their mobile app is easy to use and like most streaming services these days, they offer parental controls.

Disney+ isn’t just for kids though. They also have most of the Marvel movies and all of the Star Wars movies, including a few rated R movies like Logan, so it’s for everyone in the family.

A great option is bundling Disney+ with Hulu to save a bit of money each month.

  • Cost? $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
  • Free Trial? No

5. HBO Max

HBO Max launched in May 2020 as a replacement for HBO Now and HBO Go. In addition to their well-known originals like Game of Thrones, they have shows from some of the most popular networks and franchises, including DC, Studio Ghibli, Cartoon Network, Sesame Workshop, Adult Swim, Looney Tunes, Cartoonito and Turner Classic Movies.

In addition, a huge benefit of this great alternative to Netflix is that you can watch 2022 Warner Bros. movies like Matrix Revolutions, The Batman and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore on HBO Max 45 days after their theatrical release. The 45-day window will likely change for 2023 releases.

In addition, if you’ve been wondering where The Vampire Diaries will land after it leaves Netflix, you’ll be able to find it on HBO Max.

  • Cost? $9.99 per month or $69.99 per year for ad-supported or $14.99 per month or $104.99 per year for ad-free.
  • Current Special? Annual plans are currently discounted 40% as listed.
  • Free Trial? No.

6. Amazon Prime Video

The best thing about Prime Video is that it’s included with your Amazon Prime Membership. So if you’re looking to save money and get more entertainment, you’re in luck if you’re a Prime member.

Some of my favorite shows on Prime Video include the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Downton Abbey and High Castle. You have to be a little careful when looking through their user interface though as not everything they have listed is included with your membership. They also have a large variety of paid for on demand movies.

  • Cost? Full Prime Membership is $14.99 per month or $139 per year. Prime Video membership (without other Prime benefits) is $8.99 per month.
  • Free Trial? Yes, 30 days.

7. Curiosity Stream

While Curiosity Stream isn’t a full replacement for Netflix, you can watch tons of great content on this documentary streaming service. I love that they have an app for mobile phones so when kids want to watch something when you’re out and about, it can be something educational.

They have so much educational content you can’t find anywhere else. Learn more by reading my full Curiosity Stream Review. And if you didn’t know, Scribd members get free access to Curiosity Stream, so if you’re already a subscriber, grab that perk. If not, Scribd is $11.99 per month with a free 30-day trial.

  • Cost? $2.99 per month or $19.99 per year for the Standard (HD) Plan; $9.99 per month or $69.99 per year for the Premium (4K) Plan.
  • Free Trial? No.

8. Peacock

Peacock has one of the most unique setups out of all of the streaming services I’ve used. You can sign up for a free account to access 10,000+ hours of their available programming.

However, there is a lot of content that isn’t available to watch on the free tier, so you have to be careful browsing through their content catalog with a free account. Some of their original programming allows you to watch the first few episodes free, but you have to upgrade to continue watching.

The next level up is the basic plan that allows you to access all of their content, but with ads. Then there’s a premium ad-free plan as well. When I first signed up, there wasn’t a lot I wanted to watch, but the catalog is really starting to grow for the paid subscriptions.

Unlike a lot of the other services, since you can sign up for a free account, you can browse the entire catalog and decide if the service is right for you without even giving them your credit card number.

  • Cost? $4.99 per month for the basic plan and $9.99 per month for the premium plan.
  • Current Special? Basic plan on sale for $1.99 per month for 12 months.
  • Free Trial? No.

9. Apple TV+

While Apple TV+ is one of the few streaming services I don’t have a subscription to, if you’re an Apple user, you’re probably familiar with it. One thing that really sets Apple TV+ apart from other streaming services is that they only offer original content… you won’t find any of their content on any other service!

So that makes this service an ideal choice for anyone who feels they’ve already seen everything Netflix has to offer. Plus, it’s more affordable than most of the other services, so it’s a great choice if you’re on a budget.

  • Cost? $4.99 per month.
  • Free Trial? Yes, 7 days.

10. Noggin

If you’re wanting to switch to something that is focused primarily on kids, Noggin was created by the experts at Nick Jr. It’s specifically designed to be a smart and fun tool for kids ages 2-6 (and up).

Noggin subscribers get access to not only great shows like Paw Patrol and Bubble Guppies, but also a library of educational games, eBooks and activities. It’s a great Netflix alternative to consider if your kids like Educational Shows or Sing Along Shows.

  • Price? $7.99 per month.
  • Current Special? Save 25% when you pre-pay for a year.
  • Free Trial? Yes, 30 days.

11. Vidgo

Vidgo is a newer streaming service that primarily features Live Sports, News and Local Shows from all of the main channels that you’d get with cable TV, but for a smaller price. They are one of the only live TV streaming services that also offers content in Spanish.

  • Price? $59.95 to $79.95 for English packages or $29.95 for the Spanish package.
  • Free Trial? No.

12. Sling TV

Owned by Dish Network, Sling TV is another affordable alternative to cable TV. They have 3 plans, depending on which cable channels you like most. Sling has a specific focus on football as well, so if you have sports enthusiasts in the house, this may be a good streaming service to check out.

  • Cost? $35 to $50 per month
  • Current Special? Get ½ off your first month with no coupon code required.
  • Free Trial? No.

13. Shudder

This streaming service is exactly what it sounds like it might be… a service for horror, thriller and supernatural content. Shudder has everything from cult classics and Hollywood favorites to new releases you can’t watch anywhere else. They even add new titles each week so you’ll always have a movie to watch that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.

  • Price? $5.99 per month or $56.99 per year.
  • Free Trial? Yes, 7 days.

14. Acorn TV

Acorn TV is a bit different than most streaming services. Their main programming includes world-class mysteries, dramas and comedies from Britain, Ireland, Australia and other English speaking countries. Since it’s a paid service, there are no ads or commercials, so that’s a bonus.

  • Cost? $6.99 per month.
  • Free Trial? Yes, 7 days.

15. Fandor

Fandor considers themselves to be the home for cinephiles. They have a lot of films I’ve never seen, including lots of older classics alongside modern independent films. The Wall Street Journal actually called them “The Netflix for Indie Film.” So if you’re an obscure indie movie lover, Fandor may be a great option for you!

  • Price? $9.99/month or $89.99 per year.
  • Free Trial? Yes, 14 days.
Collage of screenshots of alternatives to the Netflix streaming service, including HBO Max, Paramount Plus, Peacock, Hulu, Disney Plus and more.

Best Free Netflix Alternatives (Ad-Supported)

If you’re looking for a free streaming service to use as an alternatives to Netflix, there are definitely some options. Most of the free alternative services do have ads built in, so keep that in mind when going this route.

Most major networks also have their own free app for their more popular shows. Of course, those also come with the stipulation that you have to watch ads. So there is a trade-off when choosing a free Netflix alternative.

1. Amazon Freevee

Even if you don’t have an Amazon Prime membership, there is still some content you can watch for free on Amazon Freevee. Formerly branded IMDB TV, Amazon Freevee allows you to watch lots of great content with plenty of ads in each movie or episode.

2. Roku Channel

If you have a Roku device (we have a couple), then you’re probably familiar with this free TV service. The Roku Channel has a wide selection of movies and TV shows (ad supported). They’ve even been coming out with originals, such as Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas, the movie spin-off from one of my favorite TV shows.

 One of the coolest features they have is a section called, “Not on Netflix.” That way you know you’re not watching something you can watch commercial-free somewhere else. If you don’t have a Roku device, no worries – you can stream from your browser as well.

3. Pluto TV

This free streaming service allows you to watch Live TV and On-Demand movies with no cost and no need to create an account. From looking around Pluto TV, it seems like the average 2 hour movie will have about 20 minutes of commercials.

4. Tubi

Tubi is a free and legal online streaming platform that has thousands of movies and TV shows you can watch. If you’re looking for something new to watch, one of the most popular TV shows you can watch on Tubi is Midsomer Murders.

5. Crackle

Formerly known as Sony Crackle before Chicken Soup for the Soul took a majority stake in the service, this free video streaming service features classic movies and TV shows you can’t find a lot of other places. While it is ad-supported, Crackle can be a nice alternative Netflix.

6. Popcornflix

You may have noticed the Popcornflix app on your TV and wondered what it was. This ad-supported movie and TV streaming service features classic movies and shows. While there are ads, they claim there are fewer than you’d get on cable TV.

7. Plex

Another free service, Plex lets you choose from more than 50,000 on-demand titles plus 250+ instant Live TV channels. While all content is free, if you want to be able to download content, you can get a premium account for $4.99 a month that gives you extra features.

8. Hoopla

Hoopla is a service that provides not only movies and TV shows to watch, but also audiobooks, eBooks, comics, magazines and music. While free, your local library must be participating in Hoopla’s library program. Check your eligibility with your personal library card number and pin.

9. Kanopy

Like Hoopla, Kanopy partners with public libraries to offer ad-free films and series that you can watch for free if your local library participates in the program. However, they also partner with universities, so if there is a college student in the house, see if their university participates for free access. If you’re heard of Libby or Sora for libraries, Kanopy is owned by the same company, Overdrive.

I hope you learned everything you need to know to choose the best video streaming service for your family. Whether you’re interested in free movies or the latest releases, you’re sure to discover new content to love on these Netflix alternatives.

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