Netflix is a major player in the on-demand streaming market. The platform has over 220 million subscribers worldwide, and that’s a figure we need to respect. However, Netflix has had its struggles recently. They aren’t getting new subscribers at the desired rate, and some argue that the original programming quality is lower than before.
Those might be the reasons why you’d look for a Netflix alternative. But what’s the best option instead of a platform with thousands of hours of content, including gems like Squid Game and Money Heist? Our experts searched the market, and these are the top-rated alternatives!
HBO Max
WarnerMedia launched HBO Max as a VOD streaming service in 2020. It has become a major competitor of Netflix and gained 76.8 million subscribers worldwide. That’s in combination with the HBO service, but it’s still worth noting.
HBO Max has excellent device support since you can enjoy it across smart TVs, mobile phones, and other devices. The video quality is impressive, and most content is available in at least 1080p. It’s worth noting it supports streaming on three devices simultaneously. It’s more than Netflix since that platform requires paying more to unlock additional streams. Check out this page for a detailed comparison of the two services.
HBO Max content overview
HBO Max has an excellent selection of original programming. HBO mainly focuses on TV shows, and they’ve produced gems like The Wire, Game of Thrones, and Veep. Thanks to WarnerMedia, you can watch WB movies shortly after they hit the cinemas.
As for third-party content, the estimation is HBO Max has around 10,000 hours of it in its library. It’s still about three times less than Netflix in most locations. However, HBO Max does try to focus on quality to ensure excellent value for money.
HBO Max pricing
You’ll need to pay $9.99 monthly to get HBO Max. That’s a plan that includes advertisements. If you want to get rid of commercial breaks, the cost increases to $15 monthly. The good news is you can save with yearly plans.
Netflix also grants access to the entire library for $9.99. The difference is you need to pay more for additional simultaneous streams and better video quality. The most expensive Netflix plan is $19.99 monthly, which is more expensive than HBO Max.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video has a rich history that goes back over 15 years. It took a while, but it established itself as one of the premium VOD streaming platforms worldwide. The device support is impressive, and the app works flawlessly across different devices.
Streaming quality is at the highest level, although the maximum resolution depends on the title. Finally, our guide on APV simultaneous streams indicates you can watch this platform on three devices at the same time.
Amazon Prime Video content overview
Amazon Prime Video has over 20,000 hours of content, depending on the location. As a reputable VOD service, they have high-quality original production. Their acclaimed shows include The Grand Tour, Good Omens, Transparent, etc. And it’s worth noting they invested huge money in the Lord of the Rings TV show project.
The third-party content does make up most of the library. APV works with HBO, Starz, and other providers to secure some shows they produce. You can enjoy a wide selection of modern movies and classics like The Silence of the Lambs.
Amazon Prime Video pricing
| Amazon Prime Video 30-Day Free Trial $8.99 / month | 100+ Channels Award-winning content 2 simultaneous stream | SIGN UP |
Amazon Prime Video is more affordable than Netflix. It does have less content, but there are enough titles to not get bored for a long time. Amazon Prime Video has a huge advantage of being a part of this company.
If you get the Amazon Prime subscription, you’ll get APV for free. The cost is $12.99 per month and includes access to Amazon Music, Photos, Kindle Unlimited, and other services. It’s a valuable deal for all-around entertainment fans.
Paramount+
Paramount+ has about 30,000 hours of content in its library. The majority includes CBS shows from the previous several decades. That’s understandable since this company launched the streaming platform. Although it started in 2021, Paramount+ has already passed 32 million subscribers. The service offers excellent device support and three simultaneous streams.
Paramount+ content overview
Crime shows like CSI: Miami, gems like The Twilight Zone, and animation programming like The Rugrats are all available on Paramount+. Apart from over 25,000 TV show episodes, you can enjoy more than 2,500 movies.
Paramount+ also has live TV channels. They have a selection that airs specific shows, such as Nostalgic Hits, Crime and Justice, etc. If you are a sports fan, you can enjoy UEFA Champions League and NFL. In the United States, some locations will unlock access to local CBS stations, but only with the Premium subscription.
Paramount+ pricing
There’s no doubt Paramount+ is more affordable. The basic package comes with ads, but still unlocks access to the entire VOD library. You can remove ads and enjoy live programming with the Premium package.
Essential - With Commercials
7-Day Free Trial
$4.99/ month
TRY FREE
Paramount+ Bundle
7-Day Free Trial
$11.99/ month
TRY FREE
Paramount+ offers Showtime as an additional option to their programming. You can learn more about the platform’s pricing in our detailed guide.
Disney+ and Disney Bundle
It took a while for Disney to migrate to the VOD streaming market. The company took its time and prepared well for the launch of Disney+ in 2019. They decided to stop renewing contracts with Netflix and other platforms showing their titles. Instead, they launched a family-friendly streaming service.
Disney+ does put primary focus on kid-friendly content. That’s why they created the Disney bundle. It includes Hulu, which focuses on adult movies and TV shows, and ESPN+, which secures sports content.
Disney+ content overview
Most people aren’t aware of how many studios are under Disney’s helm. We all love Pixar animated movies, such as Toy Story. They are actually Disney’s creations, just like The Little Mermaid, Dumbo, and other cartoons.
The list expands with Marvel Studios, allowing you to watch your favorite superheroes on Disney+. Lucasfilm secured Star Wars, and National Geographic has educational content that all ages will love. Finally, you can enjoy a curated selection of movies from 21st Century Fox and other studios. The estimation is this platform has over 7,500 TV episodes and 500 movies in the library. It’s not as impressive as Netflix, but you can find high-quality titles, especially for children.
Disney+ pricing
| Disney+ Bundle $13.99/ Year | ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+. Bundle and save 25%. Amazing value for the whole family. 3 simultaneous streams | SIGN UP |
| Disney+ Standalone $7.99/ month | 7,000+ TV episodes 500+ films Disney+ Originals 3 simultaneous streams | SIGN UP |
| Disney+ Bundle (No Ads) $19.90/ month | Watch ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+. Bundle and save 25%. Amazing value for the whole family. 3 simultaneous streams | SIGN UP |
Disney+ is pretty affordable. however, it’s going to increase in price by $2 in December of 2022 for the ad-free plan, and a new ad-supported plan will replace the current base plan. Aside from access to the entire library, you can stream on up to four devices simultaneously.
You can also bundle Disney+ with Hulu and ESPN+ with the Disney Bundle and get some significant savings .Thiss secures you access to two VOD streaming services and a specialized platform for sports fans.
Apple TV+
The rumors about Apple starting its streaming platform began in 2015. It took four years for the Apple TV+ to finally launch. The idea was clear – the platform would focus only on exclusive content. Unfortunately, that hasn’t proven the best approach so far. Although you can find many gems, the VOD service is far behind similar platforms. The odds are Apple will change this trend soon, so we can look forward to third-party titles being available.
Apple TV+ content overview
What if we tell you that CODA is an exclusive title you can find in the Apple TV+ library? That’s right; the movie that won the best picture Oscar is Apple’s original production. It should tell you enough about the quality that this platform strives to maintain.
You can find gems like Severance and For All Mankind in its library, too. Even some sports content, such as MLB baseball, is available on the platform. The problem is that the total content amount isn’t impressive. The limited library is still a big problem for Apple TV+, but it’s still worth checking many titles.
Apple TV+ pricing
The basic package is $4.99 monthly, but you can save with a yearly plan. It’s worth noting that you also get a free trial. It’s even possible to get the platform for free for three months, but you need to buy a suitable Apple device first. You can read our detailed Apple TV+ and Netflix comparison to see which service is a better fit.
What’s the Best Netflix alternative in 2022?
Despite all its flaws, Netflix is a major player in the streaming market. The sheer volume of content, including original titles, makes this VOD service tempting. That’s why the best alternatives are other giant on-demand platforms. HBO Max offers a huge library with original programming, just like Amazon Prime Video.
If you’d like a friendly service focused on kids and family-friendly content, Disney+ is the best choice. CBS launched Paramount+ and secured a decent offer at a low price. Apple TV+ is famous for its original programming and can also be a fun alternative. We hope our guide helped to pick your favorite. Don’t hesitate to give multiple platforms a shot until you find the one that suits you best!
Aneeca Younas is a graduated journalist with years of experience writing in different niches based in Oakland, CA. She is a huge movie fan that also enjoys watching sports. That's why she spends hours daily using various streaming services. Over the years, Aneeca profiled herself as an expert in cable-free and VOD platforms.
Eric Liston is a content writer based in Columbus, Ohio. Since 2015, he’s been writing about technology, cord-cutting, and helping everyday people save money. He also has expertise writing about medicine, dentistry, insurance, and a variety of other industries. No matter what he’s writing, his focus is always on simplifying complex concepts and making them approachable for everyone. When he’s not slamming away on his keyboard at his home office, you’ll find Eric reading sci-fi novels, improving his disc golf game (he just hit his first 400-foot drive) and playing video games on his gaming PC.
