Streaming Showdown: Comparing Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and Netflix’s Original Series

Newer services like Paramount Plus, Peacock, Discovery Plus, and HBO Max have launched to compete with industry giants like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and Disney Plus in the streaming market.

Studios are creating more original content to fill streaming libraries, and viewers now have access to more places than ever before to watch their favorite movies and shows. However, these new options come at a cost, and signing up for every streaming service will quickly drain your bank account.

Your budget, your favorite exclusive programs, the number of screens you want to watch on, and other factors will all play a role in determining which subscriptions are best for you.

We compiled a list of the best streaming services for 2023 and explained what makes each service stand out to help you choose which one to join. On-demand subscription platforms make up the majority of our choices, but we also included sections for live TV and specialty streaming channels.

Over the past few years, Netflix has produced a growing number of original programming options, such as original movies, ongoing TV series, documentaries, and comedy specials.

The streaming service has been able to justify its higher prices thanks to the popularity of Netflix exclusives like “Wednesday,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Stranger Things.” This has also encouraged streaming competitors to prioritize making their own original titles. Netflix also has a nice selection of licensed content from other networks and studios, but this catalog isn’t as extensive as it used to be because more companies are starting their own streaming platforms.

Nevertheless, the library as a whole offers a wide range of programming for both adults and children. It’s a good option for families looking for all-ages entertainment because it has a separate interface that lets kids choose their own shows without adult content.

Netflix is compatible with virtually all streaming devices, including computers, smartphones, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and smart TVs, in terms of app support. In addition, it supports all the most recent video and audio formats, such as 4K, HDR, and Dolby Atmos; however, in contrast to some of its rivals, it charges extra for those features.

On-demand streaming is available through Hulu in two main packages: a basic plan with commercials and a premium plan without them. Additionally, the service offers live TV channel upgrade packages.

Compared to Netflix and Amazon, Hulu arguably has the most impressive TV show library of any on-demand streaming service, featuring a wider selection of new and classic shows. This includes access to broadcast series on ABC, FX, and Fox that are available for streaming the following day.

Hulu also has a good selection of original shows like “Only Murders in the Building” and “The Handmaid’s Tale,” but its exclusives aren’t as well known as some of its rivals’. Similar to Netflix, Amazon, and Disney Plus, Hulu’s selection of compatible titles is limited, despite the fact that it supports 4K HDR on some devices.

With a Hulu + Live TV subscription and a $10 add-on for unlimited screens, Hulu lets you stream on up to two devices simultaneously. For an additional monthly fee, Hulu subscribers can also add HBO, Showtime, and Starz to their membership.

You can even save up to 50% when you bundle Hulu with ESPN+ and Disney Plus for the same price. Additionally, the bundle is included for free on all Hulu live TV plans.

Your membership to Prime Video entitles you to unlimited access to a variety of films and television shows. There are exclusive titles in the selection, such as “The Lord of the Rings: The Boys, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and “The Rings of Power” You can also pay extra to rent or buy almost any movie on home video and watch it whenever you want using the Prime Video app. The majority of subscription streaming apps do not provide this feature.

Since 2013, Prime Video has launched a number of award-winning original shows and successfully imported dozens of BBC series and Indian Hindi-language films. The platform can play up to three streams at once and HDR on some titles up to 4K. In addition, unlike Netflix, it does not charge extra for the highest quality audio and video.