Imagine this scenario – you come home after a long day and want to relax with a great show or movie. The selection on TV isn’t impressive, but that’s where on-demand services come into play. Now, you just have to pick which one you want to watch something on.
In this guide, we’ll see how Starz and Apple TV+ compare to one another. Check out these crucial considerations before picking your favorite on-demand service!
A quick overview of Starz vs Apple TV+
Starz has a rich history that goes back to 1994. Lions Gate Entertainment owns this brand, primarily famous as a pay television network. If you sign up for Starz, you get access to a rich selection of television channels with premium entertainment content. Additionally, you can access the huge library of originals and other exciting titles.
Apple TV+ is the official streaming service of the famous tech giant Apple. It launched in 2019 and is available in over 100 countries. Original content makes up the majority of the Apple TV+’s library. That’s an important consideration since you won’t find most of their titles anywhere else.
Before we get into details, here’s a quick comparison of Starz and Apple TV+ in different sections!
| Starz | Apple TV+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $8.99/month | $6.99/month |
| Free Trial Length | 7 days | 7 days (terms and conditions apply) or 3 months with an eligible Apple device |
| Popular Content | Spider-Man: No Way Home | |
| Stripped: Las Vegas | ||
| Venom | ||
| Power | Severance | |
| We Crashed | ||
| Ted Lasso | ||
| Foundation | ||
| Original Content | Outlander | |
| Shining Vale | ||
| Power Book IV: Force | Roar | |
| Slow Horses | ||
| The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey | ||
| Home Theater Features | Up to 4K | |
| Dolby Atmos | 4K, Full HD (1080p) | |
| HDR | ||
| Dolby Atmos | ||
| Offline Viewing | Selected titles on mobile | Yes |
| Device Support | Web, iPhone, iPad, Fire TV, Kindle Fire, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, LG, Smart TVs, | Web, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPlay, Playstation, Xbox, Samsung, LG, Vizio, Sony, Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, Android TV |
| Simultaneous Streams | 4 | 6 |
Apple TV+ is cheaper, but both are worth the money
For what it’s worth, both services have similar pricing and are some of the cheapest streaming services on the market.
Starz offers one singular plan that you can pay for monthly or yearly. The streamer doesn’t have add-ons, but it will include its premium channel selection with the package. Check out this Starz pricing guide to learn more.
Starz
Try 7 days free
- On demand content
- Stream on four screens
$8.99/month
Apple TV+ also doesn’t complicate things with pricing. It has one plan, and it costs you less than $10 a month. You can read our article on Apple TV+ pricing to get more information.
AppleTV Plus
Try 7 days free
- On demand content
- No ads
- Stream on six screens
- Offline viewing
$9.99/month
Enjoy 3 months of Apple TV+ free*
*With the purchase of an eligible Apple device. It’s not everyday that you’re buying a brand new phone, but if you do, you’ll get to take advantage of this extensive free trial. Otherwise, Apple TV+ still offers a typical 7-day free trial (terms and conditions apply).
Starz doesn’t offer a free trial directly through its service, but you can get 30 days free when you add it as an add-on service or channel to your Hulu or Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Starz offers a blend of original and licensed content
We’ll pick Starz as the winner in this category. It’s got the edge over Apple TV+ of having more than just originals, with some of the most high profile blockbusters hitting the streamer every month. The platform also offers 17 TV channels with premium content if you prefer that way of enjoying movies and TV shows.
Apple TV+ arguably is one of the most high quality streaming services you can get, in terms of its content. Not only is most of its content library Apple TV+ originals, many of them are beloved by both critics and audiences alike. While having zero licensed content may be a turn off for some, the originals available are more than worth the price of admission.
What to watch on Starz
Starz has a fine selection of titles available in the content library. There are dozens of original TV shows and movies. You’ll also find a premium selection in comedy, horror, kid-friendly, and other genres. Starz is a pay television network, and it has 17 channels in its package. From the premium selection to Westerns, Suspense, and even a channel available in Spanish, you’ll always find something fun there.
Here are some recently added movies and TV shows you should watch on Starz:
- The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
- Minx
- Shining Vale
- Men in Kilts
- Ghostbusters Afterlife
What to watch on Apple+ TV
Apple believed that original content was the way to position itself in the VOD market. That’s why they started by creating movies and shows they believed would appeal to the audience.
Here is what you should check on Apple TV+ if you choose to pick a free trial:
- CODA
- Hijack
- Severance
- Ted Lasso
- Suspicion
It’s worth noting you can also enjoy Major League Baseball live games on Friday and daily coverage.
Watch both streamers in 4K
The truth is both platforms do a great job in this area, but Apple TV+ wins by a small margin. The service has many unique titles available in 4K, and its streaming quality is impressive. Dolby Atmos will ensure optimal sound levels, and the only thing that could be better is faster loading time when starting a movie.
Starz also offers resolutions up to 4K for titles in its library. The sound and streaming qualities are admirable. Also, some third-party content titles are only available in 1080p. While that’ll cover most viewers’ needs, those who are picky might not be happy with that resolution.
Download unlimited titles with both streamers
Not every show or movie can be downloaded on Apple TV+, but you do have unlimited downloads to utilize. The downloading process is simple on Apple devices. The content quantity to download depends on your device’s capacity. You can learn more in our Apple TV+ offline viewing guide.
As you can see in our Starz offline viewing guide, the platform also offers unlimited downloads for its titles. Some shows and movies aren’t available to download, but you’ll still have plenty else to watch on the go.
Watch Starz on a multitude of devices
Starz is the clear winner in this category since it has excellent cross-platform support. It’s compatible with various smart TVs, including LG WebOS, SmartHub Samsung TVs, and Android smart TVs. The app works flawlessly on mobile devices and tablets, as well as on desktop browsers and gaming consoles. If you prefer media players like Roku and Amazon Fire TV, Starz will also meet your expectations. Learn more about Starz device support.
Apple TV+ also has above-average device support. However, the compatibility works best on Apple TVs, iPhones, and other devices using iOS. It could have better performance on other smart TVs, but the platform could enhance in that area in the future. Take a look at the full list of supported devices for the service.
Watch Apple TV+ on 6 devices at once
Apple TV+ is extremely generous and allows up to six devices to stream this service simultaneously. It’ll cover the entire family’s needs and ensures everyone can watch their desired content at any time. Managing the profile is easy, especially if you have experience with Apple service.
Starz is also generous compared to other streaming platforms in the market. You can watch on up to four devices simultaneously. It’s simple to set everything up and ensure multiple users can enjoy the platform.
Our takeaway: STARZ offers a more rounded experience
The ultimate winner in this showdown is Starz. It edges the competitor because it has more titles in the library. You can enjoy over 1,000 movies and TV shows, including a TV channel lineup. The original titles are all high-quality, and fans of different genres will enjoy them.
That doesn’t mean the Apple TV+ is the wrong choice. On the contrary, it offers many high-quality original titles. If you check the lineup and find the unique production gems attractive, you can’t go wrong with this platform. It’s also cheaper than the competitor, so your budget won’t suffer much.
Aneeca Younas • Author
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.
Davan Hamilton • Editor
Davan Hamilton is an editor and writer based in Jacksonville, FL. Holding a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, her writing spans a wide range, from essays on film criticism and analysis to surreal poetry. Now, she works for Flixed as an editor, continuing to ignore the list of passion projects she’s accumulated. When she’s not glued to her computer, you can find her building endless amounts of Lego sets, binge-reading manga, or playing with (fighting) her cat.
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