Cable television is yesterday’s news as streaming services took over the market. High-speed internet connections made VOD streaming platforms possible. Users can pick from on-demand services offering thousands of titles in different genres, including original production.
It’s time for our next comparison, and this time we focus on Starz and Netflix. The analysis covers all aspects, from the content library to free trial, offline viewing and device support. Keep reading to learn everything about these services and their features!
A quick overview of Starz vs Netflix
The history of Starz began in 1994. While it started as a pay television network, it was only natural for the company to adapt to new trends. The platform kept TV channels but expanded to offer an on-demand streaming service.
It might be a surprise to hear that Netflix’s history also goes back to the 1990s. The company originated as a service that rents and sells DVDs by mail. It launched a streaming platform with VOD services in 2007. Since then, the company has gone a long way. Today, it has an ever-growing content library with many original titles.
You can find a detailed comparison below, but here is a quick Starz and Netflix overview first!
| Starz | Netflix | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $8.99/month | Standard with ads: $6.99/month |
| Standard: $15.49/month | ||
| Premium: $19.99/month | ||
| Free Trial Length | 7 days | No trial |
| Popular Content | Snow White and the Huntsman | |
| Dawn of the Dead | ||
| SWAT. | ||
| Legion | Ozark | |
| Peaky Blinders | ||
| The Witcher | ||
| Raising Dion | ||
| Original Content | _Gaslit | |
| Power Book I – IV | ||
| Blindspotting_ | _Bridgerton | |
| Squid Game | ||
| Stranger Things_ | ||
| Home Theater Features | Up to 4K | |
| Dolby Atmos | Ultra HD | |
| Dolby Atmos | ||
| Offline Viewing | Only 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, Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, Smart TVs, Xbox, PlayStation, Set-Top Boxes, Android TV, iOS |
| Simultaneous Streams | 4 | 2-4 |
Starz is cheaper with a great range of features
If we look from solely the pricing perspective, Starz is a better option. It only has a single package that ensures access to everything the company offers. The monthly cost is relatively cheap, although you can save several bucks with quarterly payments.
Starz
Try 7 days free
- On demand content
- Stream on four screens
$8.99/month
Things are different and more complicated with Netflix. The streamer offers three plans: Standard with ads, Standard, and Premium. Each come with different features and download capabilities. Although you get a lot in return, that’s far from a cheap option compared to similar services.
Netflix Standard with Ads
- Stream on two screens
- On demand content
- HD video quality
- Downloads on up to two devices
$6.99/month
Netflix Standard
- No ads
- Stream on two screens
- HD video quality
- Downloads on up to two devices
$15.49/month
Netflix Premium
- No ads
- Stream on four screens
- HD and 4K video quality
- Downloads on up to six devices
$22.99/month
Starz offers a free trial; Netflix doesn’t
Starz comes out as the winner here because it actually has a free trial. The company grants you seven days after you enter basic payment information. You need to cancel the subscription before the trial expires, or the system will charge you for the first month automatically.
As for Netflix, they used to offer a free trial. Unfortunately, that’s not the case anymore. It remains to be seen whether the company will change this policy or lower prices for new customers. At this point, you need to sign up and pay for a monthly subscription to access the content.
Netflix content library is huge
Netflix is a clear and dominating winner in this category. If it’s any consolation for the competitor, Netflix will come out on top against almost any other VOD streaming service. That’s because the platform offers over 40,000 hours of content and thousands of titles. The actual library depends on the location, but you’ll find a massive mixture of originals and third-party content.
Starz library has about 1,000 titles, including original TV shows and movies. The platform has 17 channels, including Starz Cinema, IndiePlex, and other topic-based channels.
What to watch on Starz
Starz has well-balanced content in its library. It’s growing steadily, and you can find over 1,000 titles in it. Starz has a range of TV channels offering movies and TV shows covering specific genres, such as westerns or comedy. You can even find a couple of channels in Spanish.
As for the content library, Starz has a decent range of third-party premium titles as well as original shows. Here are some you shouldn’t miss:
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes
- The Duchess
- Gaslit
- Blindspotting
- Pan’s Labyrinth
- Gangs of New York
- Babe
- Amistad
- Rachel Getting Married
What to watch on Netflix
If you start viewing content on Netflix now, it will take you years of non-stop watching to finish. The estimation is the platform has over 40,000 hours of content in movies, TV shows, and other categories.
Most fans consider Netflix originals to be the biggest platform’s advantage. You can find some truly memorable titles, such as:
- Squid Game
- Bridgertone
- The Witcher
- Stranger Things
- The Haunting of the Hill House
- The Crown
- Ozark
Netflix offers the best home theater features
Netflix has some fantastic features, making this service the winner in this category. You’ll get 4K UHD support for most titles, including all Netflix Originals. Dolby Atmos surround sound support contributes to the overall viewing experience, too. On the other hand, the problem is you need at least the Standard package to access titles in HD and Premium for ultra HD resolution.
Starz has an important advantage since it has 4K support in its single package. The support covers the entire original programming and selected third-party titles. You can’t choose the resolution yourself, but the platform adjusts it automatically based on the detected connection speed.
Download unlimited titles with Netflix and Starz
You can download the majority of Netflix’s library to your mobile apps. It’s possible to adjust the settings to automatically download the next episode of the show while you are watching the previous, which is convenient.
There a few limitations. You can only download titles onto 2 devices with the Standard plan, and 4 with the Premium plan. Downloads are not offered for the Standard with ads plan.
Starz offers a simpler approach since you get unlimited downloads for select titles on your mobile apps. The offline viewing supports original titles and chosen third-party content from the library.
Netflix has an edge, but both services offer great device support
It’s another category where Netflix takes the win. The platform has impressive device support for smart TVs, mobile devices, streaming media players, gaming consoles, etc. You’ll find everything works flawlessly regardless of the device you select for streaming. Learn more about Netflix device support in our dedicated guide.
Starz isn’t much behind when it comes to supporting different streaming methods. However, the trick is it doesn’t have official support for Chromecast. The good news is you can watch using internet browsers, smart TVs, mobile phones, tablets, and other devices. Check out this Starz device support guide to see if your desired gadget is among the supported ones.
Starz offers more streams a a lower cost
Starz is the winner in this category since it’s simple to remember. Once you sign up, you can watch the desired content on four different devices simultaneously. You won’t face any limitations, even if you are all watching the same movie.
Netflix also offers support for up to four devices, but only with the Premium package. If you choose Standard or Standard with ads, that number decreases to two. Here’s a detailed simultaneous streaming on Netflix guide for more information.
Netflix takes the overall crown, but Starz is still a great choice
The overall winner is Netflix because it all comes down to content. Netflix doesn’t just have over 40,000 hours of content but also offers a huge original programming library. The platform’s produced many fantastic TV shows and movies and also secured numerous fantastic third-party titles for its service. Although it’s a bit more expensive, especially since pricier plans unlock additional features, Netflix is still worth every penny.
Starz also provides excellent value for money. It has 1,000+ titles and counting in the library with an impressive selection. Apart from superhero movies, great comedies and thrillers, you can also find entertaining original programming. Starz also has a selection of TV channels and offers a free trial to try the service.
Finally, it all depends on your preference. Starz and Netflix both have plenty to offer, so choose the platform that fits your expectations better!
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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