You surely know Apple for its high-quality phones, iPads, and other products. The tech giant also started the Apple TV+ streaming service in 2019. It contains a decent library of original content since the platform primarily focuses on delivering unique titles. It’s available at an affordable price of $4.99 per month, and there’s a 7-day trial.
Apple TV+ offers superb titles like Wecrashed, Severance, and Slow Horses. If you have already tried this platform and found it’s not the best fit for you, you might be looking for an alternative. Our experts gathered top choices in 2022. Check out the list below and find your favorite!
HBO Max
HBO Max is an on-demand platform launched in 2020. The company behind it is Warner Bros, ensuring access to a variety of exclusive titles produced by this franchise. According to statistics, the basic HBO and HBO Max have over 76.8 million subscribers worldwide.
The company has over 13,000 hours of different content. That includes TV shows and movies from DC, HBO, Cartoon Network, TCM, and other titles. Some exclusive releases include:
- The Wire
- Game of Thrones
- Deadwood
- Sex and the City
- Westworld
HBO Max Pricing
HBO Max has two different pricing plans for the US market. The basic package comes with advertisements, and it’s available at $9.99 monthly. You get access to the entire content library, including the biggest Warner Bros hits. The package supports personalized streaming for up to five profiles. The only downside includes occasional commercial breaks.
The more expensive plan is the Ad-Free option. It costs $14.99 monthly and ensures there isn’t a single advertisement while you enjoy top-quality titles. This plan also supports 4K UHD for selected content. You also have the option to download up to 30 titles and watch them offline. You can read HBO Max plans and pricing guide to learn more about these deals.
Disney Plus
Disney Plus is an on-demand streaming platform established in 2019. The company keeps expanding to new countries, and it had 129.8 million subscribers worldwide in January 2022. Walt Disney created a special division that owns and operates this streaming service.
The platform contains premium titles from Disney, making this a child-friendly option. However, the huge library ensures all generations can find attractive content on Disney Plus. You can enjoy premium Marvel movies featuring superheroes, the famous Star Wars franchise, and award-winning animated movies from Pixar.Â
If you enjoy educational content, you can access many titles produced by National Geographic. The estimation is there are over 500 films and 7,000 TV episodes in the Disney Plus library. The exclusive programming includes The Mandalorian, High School Musical, Encore, etc.
Disney Plus Pricing
| Disney+ Bundle $13.99/ Year | ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+. Bundle and save 25%. Amazing value for the whole family. | SIGN UP |
| Disney+ Standalone $7.99/ month | 7,000+ TV episodes 500+ films Disney+ Originals 4 simultaneous streams | SIGN UP |
The basic Disney Plus plan costs $7.99 per month. You can save with the yearly subscription that costs $79.99. You get access to the entire library and the highest resolutions for each title. That includes 4K streaming for premium titles, and you also get support for four simultaneous streams.
Disney Plus has another option, and that’s a special bundle. For as low as $13.99 monthly, you get this service but also content from ESPN+ and Hulu. All these services are owned by Disney, and that allows the company to offer this Bundle deal. Check out this guide to learn more about the pricing.
Hulu On-Demand
Hulu streaming platform has a long tradition since it has been on the market since 2007. Disney is behind this service, but NBCUniversal also offers a minority stake. Thanks to that, Hulu offers a rich content selection.
While the exact titles available depend on the location, this service has an impressive library. The current number stands at around 1,650 shows and over 2,500 movies. That includes original programming, such as Helstrom, The Dropout, The Handmaid’s Tale, etc. From crime and teen dramas to horrors and supernatural, everyone will find something that suits their preference.
Hulu On-Demand Pricing
| Hulu + Live TV No Hassle TV $69.99/ month | 65+ Channels 2 simultaneous streams Disney+ and ESPN+ Included | SIGN UP |
The basic Hulu package costs $6.99 monthly. It’s a cheap price tag to access the entire library, but there’s a twist. You should be ready for advertisements to pause shows and movies occasionally. If you want to remove commercials, it’s necessary to pay the premium package. It costs $12.99 monthly. If you are paying that much, you can add a dollar and get the Disney bundle. The special deal gets you Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN for $13.99.
Paramount+
Paramount+ is the streaming platform launched by CBS. The network didn’t have much success with its streaming services until this platform. Paramount+ started well and attracted subscribers quickly. The platform launched in 2021 and offers primarily on-demand content topped up with some live channels.
If you are in the US, certain locations allow watching the local CBS station. You can also enjoy UEFA Champions League and NFL games, making this platform attractive for sports fans. The estimation is you get over 2,500 movies and 30,000 TV shows in the content library.
Paramount+ Pricing
The Essential Paramount+ pricing plan is available for only $4.99 per month. That puts its price tag at the same level as Apple TV+. You get much more content since you can access many exclusive CBS titles and over 30,000 hours of content. The trick is that commercial breaks are a part of this deal. If you want to remove commercials, that will require the Premium package. That deal costs $9.99 per month.
You can add the Showtime channel package to each subscription. It increases the price but can be valuable if you enjoy premium entertainment. Check out our Paramount+ pricing guide for more information.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video entered the streaming service market in 2006. It’s available worldwide and has over 175 million subscribers. Its biggest advantage is original content and unique titles you can watch. The selection includes Reacher, Being the Richards, and we’ll soon see the Lord of the Rings show, too.
Apart from a rich on-demand library, Amazon Prime Video has about 50 live channels. The list includes Wipeout Xtra, Buzzr, and many movie channels. Some packages are available as add-ons, such as Showtime and Starz. The platform supports simultaneous streaming on up to three devices and can be used on streaming media players, smart TVs, and portable gadgets.
Amazon Prime Video Pricing
| Amazon Prime Video 30-Day Free Trial $8.99 / month | 24,000+ titles Award-winning content 2 simultaneous stream | SIGN UP |
The default Amazon Prime Video subscription costs $8.99 monthly. You get access to the entire content library without limitations. It’s as simple as it gets, but there is another option. If you use the entire Amazon network, you might decide to get a general Prime subscription. Amazon Prime costs $12.99, and it includes APV. Apart from getting access to the on-demand library, you can also read books and stream music on Amazon.
Starz
Starz has a long history since it began as a pay television network in 1994. Today, the platform has an on-demand streaming service with a limited selection of original content. It includes titles like The White Queen, Hightown, and Run the World.
The total number of titles in the Starz library is around 1,400. That covers different genres, and if you prefer live TV, there are 17 channels available. The selection includes Starz Comedy, MoviePlex, and more.
Starz Pricing
| STARZ On-Demand 7-Day Free Trial $8.99 / month | 1,200+ titles Hit movies and series 4 simultaneous streams | SIGN UP |
Starz is available for $8.99 per month, but you can save a few bucks with a three-month subscription. The platform offers offline viewing for selected titles and supports a wide range of devices. You can watch up to four simultaneous streams, ensuring a single account can be enough for the entire household.
Netflix
Netflix is a crucial player in the on-demand streaming service market. It started in 1997 as a company that rents DVDs but moved to this niche quickly. The platform offers a huge content library with classics and award-winning movies and TV shows.Â
You can also find documentaries, reality shows, and top-quality original programming. Netflix production includes titles like Stranger Things, Money Heist, and Squid Game. With one of the most impressive libraries, this is an on-demand platform you should consider.
Netflix Pricing
Netflix doesn’t have a free trial, and its pricing packages aren’t cheap. The Basic option costs $9.99, but it doesn’t secure watching content in HD or 4K resolutions. You have two other options – Standard for $14.99 and Premium for $19.99 if you want to unlock all extra features offered by Netflix. Learn more in our Netflix pricing guide.
Conclusion
Apple TV+ is an affordable streaming service, but not one that has a generous content library. While they offer high-quality titles, including original programming, the quantity still isn’t at an admirable level. If your desire is to find the most comprehensive content library, you should go with Netflix, HBO Max, or Hulu. Amazon Prime Video is another good candidate that offers a mixture of live channels and on-demand content.
Paramount+ is in a similar price range to Apple TV+. It unlocks access to thousands of hours of CBS-produced content. Starz and Disney Plus are also viable options, and the latter has Marvel and other high-quality movies and shows. Ultimately, it all comes down to your decision, but we hope our guide helped you discover some suitable alternatives to Apple’s streaming service.
