Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.

Internet TV: Streaming Video On Demand (SVOD) Comparison

Jeremy Cabral

Updated Sep 29, 2020

Fact checked

What's in this guide?

What is Internet TV and streaming exactly?
Which devices can I use to stream?
Understanding your streaming options
Frequently asked questions
Research and compare on-demand internet streaming media services available in Switzerland.

Why should you compare streaming providers? For a long time, you’ve probably been paying through the nose for your news, sport and entertainment.

In fact now the streaming market is stacked. With new players on the block like Apple TV+ and Disney+, joining the likes of now veteran services Netflix and Amazon Prime Video accessing premium entertainment is easier and more affordable than ever. Comparing what each service offers and how much it costs could save you a fortune in the long run.

What do I need to compare?

The price of the service
The content on offer
The streaming quality supplied
The devices that are supported

There are many things you need to consider before signing up with a streaming provider but it essentially boils down a few comparable factors: price, content, quality and compatible devices.

That’s just the start. Which services offer a free trial? Which services have a lock-in contract?

We’ve done the hard yards for you and answered all those questions for you.

If you’d like to dig a little deeper we answer some commonly asked questions and explain why streaming is taking over further down the page.

What is Internet TV and streaming exactly?

Internet Television is televised content that is delivered to all sorts of connected devices, from personal computers to smartphones to video game consoles.

Also referred to as “IPTV’ or “streaming”, this technology enables viewers to watch television shows, movies, news and sport in real time over the Internet.

The streamed content is viewed through a website or native application that gives the viewer access to a live stream or library of television shows and movies.

With a steady Internet connection and compatible device, there is little difference from what traditional broadcast options offer.

Which devices can I use to stream?

This is a common deterrent for people looking to make the switch to streaming but don’t worry, there are plenty of devices you can use to stream your entertianment. In fact, you’ve probably got one or two in your home already.

Computer
If you’ve got a PC or Mac desktop or laptop computer, you’re already halfway to streaming most major streaming services. Almost every streaming service can be accessed by the web browser you use every single day.
Smartphone and tablet
One of the more popular devices to stream video on, smartphones and tablets allow you to binge TV shows, movies and news on the go. Most major streaming services are compatible with iOS, Android and Windows phones and even offer offline viewing options so you don’t chew through your data.
Game consoles
Why fork out for a new television when you probably own a streaming-enabled device already? Game consoles like PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have native apps for Netflix, Prime Video and more. The 4K-ready PS4 Pro and Xbox One X also allow you to stream 4K/UHD content (when connected to a 4K TV).
Streaming media devices
If you’re not looking to fork out for a Smart TV, there is a huge selection of affordable streaming hardware options, like Google Chromecast, Apple TV and Fire TV that will essentially transform your standard television into a Smart TV.

There’s a whole suite of devices and gadgets you can stream on but device compatibility varies from service to service.

Understanding your streaming options

Why is streaming taking over? Convenience. While you can live stream TV shows and movies as they happen, the main draw of streaming television is the thousands and thousands of classic movies and recent blockbusters available with the press of a button.

The wide selection of compatible devices also means you don’t have to wait until you’re home on the couch to catch up on the latest news and premium TV shows. Streaming and Internet TV can be accessed from your office computer, from your smartphone on the commute home and when you get home, you can continue what you were watching on your Smart TV without missing a beat.

Streaming is also relatively cheap. Netflix is super affordable at its lowest tier and offers quality original content and options for HD and 4K (Ultra High Definition) streaming at its higher tiers.

Compare the differences in content, pricing and packages before you decide on one.

What are my options for streaming?

There are various ways you can view content over the Internet. Some are convenient but take a toll on your data while others take longer but allow offline viewing. Let us break down the differences.

These are providers that charge you on a monthly basis for their services. You get access to a range of TV shows and movies and there are different package options to select from. In most cases you’ll need a reliable Internet connection with plenty of data to stream the content.
While these services don’t offer live television, news or sport, there are dedicated streaming options to suit just about every need.

Frequently asked questions

How is the content delivered to my device?

This is all well and good but how exactly did Daenerys and her dragons end up on my smartphone? While it’s not breathing fire or raising the dead, it’s still quite magical. Let us show you how it’s done.

Streamed videos do not need to be downloaded by the viewer, instead, they are watched as the file is delivered to their device via the Internet. This allows for instant access but requires a stable Internet connection.
Different providers use proprietary technology to deliver the smoothest stream possible without any prior download required. With this method, movies, TV shows, music and video games can be accessed instantly without waiting for a download to finish. It’s this ease-of-access that has made services like Netflix the content delivery option of choice.
While streaming has taken the world by storm, downloading content still has its benefits. Firstly, once the TV show, movie or album is downloaded, it’s yours to access at any time whether you have an Internet connection or not. Effectively, you own the digital file, whereas streaming services allow you to access their library for as long as you pay for a subscription. Even then, content is regularly removed from streaming services so you are never guaranteed your monthly subscription will give you access to a particular TV show or movie.
People also like to take their entertainment on the road or abroad. Streaming can be expensive or simply not an option for those travelling so downloading before departing is their only option.
It’s worth noting that services like Netflix allow select titles on their services to be downloaded for offline viewing.

More FAQs

More questions? You’re not the only one. See what other people are asking.

Research and compare on-demand internet streaming media services available in Switzerland.

Content Type

Service

Service	Content	Pricing (USD)	Contract Type	More info
Streaming	TV, movies	SD – $7.99, HD – $8.99, UHD – $11.99	No lock-in	More info
Streaming	TV, movies	Prime – $99, Rentals – starting at $0.99 for 24 hours	Annual subscription fee	More info
Streaming	TV, movies, sports, and news	Starts at $6.99 per month	No lock-in	7-day free trial
Streaming	TV, movies	Hulu – Free, Hulu Plus – $7.99	No lock-in	More info
Streaming	TV, movies	No subscription fee, rentals range from $0.99 to $5.99	No lock-in	More info
Downloading	TV, music, movies	TV – From $1.99 per episode, Movies – $14.99 to buy and $3.99 to rent	No lock-in	More info

Devices

Hardware

Hardware	Mobile Phone	Consoles	Devices	Streams
Tablet, mobile, desktop, Chromecast, Apple TV	Yes	Yes	Any device.	4
iPod, iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire, Android phone and tablets, Smart TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and more	Yes	Yes	2	2
PC, Mac, iPad, Android Tablets, iPhones, Android Smartphones, Sony Smart TV, Hisense TV, Samsung Bluray Players, Roku, Amazon Fire and Sony Smart TV.	Yes	No	1	1
Smart TV, desktop, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Nexus Player, Nook, TiVo Premiere, Amazon Fire TV	Yes	Yes	Any device.	1
Smart TV, Chromecast, Blu-ray, Roku, TiVo, Tablets and Home Theatre	Yes	Yes	12	2
Apple TV, Mac, iPhone, iPod, iPad	Yes	No	1	1

Content

Closed Captions

Closed Captions	Quality	Content	Affiliates	Most Popular
Yes	SD, HD and 4K	~100,000 movies and TV shows	Starz, Paramount Pictures, Lions Gate Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Marvel Television, Sony Pictures, The Weinstein Company, Open Road Films	Black Mirror, Orange is the New Black, You, Stranger Things
Yes	SD, HD and 4K	40,000 titles	Lovefilm, Epix. HBO, Amazon Studios	The Good Wife, Under the Dome, Downton Abbey, Catastrophe, Extant, Suits, Girls
Yes	SD and 720p HD	~1,650 hrs of TV and 2,500 hrs of movies	NBCUniversal Television Group, Fox, Disney, ABC, The CW, BBC	Deadbeat, The Awesomes, Quickdraw, The Mindy Project, Selfie, Party Down, The Hotwives of Orlando
Yes	SD and HD	20,000 titles	Warner Bros, Sony Pictures, NBC Universal, Disney, Lionsgate, HBO, BBC Worldwide	Mr Robot, Zoo, Shark Week, Scream, Game of Thrones, Pretty Little Liars, Community, True Detective
Yes	SD and HD	Data not available	Data not available	Data not available

Broadband

Streaming Quality

Data Usage	Pros	Cons
SD – 1GB/hr, HD – 3GB/hr, Ultra HD – 7GB/hr	30 day free trial, the biggest content library, Netflix exclusives!	Not much.
SD – 1GB/hr, HD – 1.5GB/hr, Ultra HD – 7GB/hr	30 day free trial, great content from Comedy Central and Nickelodeon	Only offers annual subscriptions
HD – 650MB per hour	30 day free trial, streams shows that are currently airing.	Commercials for paid customers? What were they thinking?
Streaming N/A, SD episodes – 894.25 MB, HD episodes – 1.96 GB	Good range of TV shows and movies.	Pay per episode, no free trial, limited accessibility.
Data not available	Compatible with all Apple deices	Most expensive

Thank you for your feedback!

Jeremy Cabral

Jeremy is finder's Global Head of Publishing & Editorial. Jeremy has been with finder since the very beginning and is part of the founding team working closely with Fred and Frank to build finder.com into the comparison network it is today.

Ask an Expert

Click here to cancel reply.

Display Name

Your Email (will not be published)

Your Question

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

Internet TV: Streaming Video On Demand (SVOD) Comparison

Internet TV

Disney+

What's in this guide?

What do I need to compare?

What is Internet TV and streaming exactly?

Which devices can I use to stream?

Computer

Smartphone and tablet

Game consoles

Streaming media devices

Understanding your streaming options

What are my options for streaming?

Subscription

Catch-up services or Cable channels

Digital movie store

Frequently asked questions

How is the content delivered to my device?

Streaming video on-demand (SVOD)

Downloading

Internet Protocol TV (IPTV)

Time-shifted programming

More FAQs

What is a geoblock?

What are broadcasting rights?

Does Internet TV affect my download quota?

Research and compare on-demand internet streaming media services available in Switzerland.

Jeremy Cabral

Read more on this topic

Ask an Expert

Advertiser Disclosure