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