Ava AbbottFounded in 1997, Netflix capitalized on emerging technologies and transitioned from a DVD-by-mail service to the global leader in streaming services.
It is a unicorn, disruptor, and has revolutionized the entertainment industry more than anyone could ever imagine. Currently, Netflix is available in more than 190 countries, but its offerings vary by geographic area.
The streaming giant recently upped its prices for all three tiers of subscriptions.
- The Basic plan costs $9 per month and allows subscribers to watch on one screen at a time in standard definition.
- Netflix HD Standard plan costs $14 per month allows users to watch on two screens simultaneously.
- The Premium plan is available for $18 per month and supports up to four screens at a time in full HD or ultra-HD (4K).
Over time, Netflix has expanded not only its streaming platform, content, and services but also its list of competitors.
Here are the top Netflix competitors and alternatives:
1. Disney Plus
Disney Plus is the top Netflix competitor for many reasons. It offers the widest variety of content ranging from animated masterpieces, documentaries, the Star Wars, Marvel cinematic franchises, and the Disney Channel’s expansive library of movies that go back to the 1950s.
Disney’s acquisition of Fox in 2019 has expanded its back catalog of content to include popular shows like The Simpsons.
Netflix cannot recreate the nostalgia of watching Disney’s animated classics. Other resources under the Disney brand like theme parks also give the streaming service an advantage.
Disney Plus costs only $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year, which is cheaper than Netflix.
2. HBO (Home Box Office)
With over 40 years of experience, HBO has a wide variety of original premium content and the expertise to create more. The company simplified its services and migrated all subscribers from HBO Go to HBO Max on July 31, 2020, with its HBO Now simply known as HBO.
Compared to Netflix, HBO Max has more all-time favorite shows like Game of Thrones, Friends, and Doctor Who. It also offers a variety of shows for kids.
HBO Max’s subscribers get everything on HBO for $14.99 per month.
3. CBS All Access
With all the content created throughout CBS’s history, CBS All Access has a lot to offer and is truly one of the top Netflix Competitors and Alternatives. The streaming service offers a decent selection of eye-catching originals and spinoffs of popular franchises like The Twilight Zone, as well as football matches and awards show, such as the Grammys.
Looking to the future, the CBS-Viacom merger was recently completed and will increase the content on CBS All Access to over 30,000 episodes.
Subscribers can access all content for only $5.99 per month with ads or pay $9.99 per month for ad-free.
4. Hulu
Hulu is attracting consumers by providing access to shows on most major networks and cable TV after they air. It also hosts its originals like The Handmaid’s Tale and has exclusive rights to stream most of FX’s original series, which gives it an edge over Netflix.
Hulu subscribers can pay $5.99 per month for the Basic plan or $11.99 per month for the Premium plan. Users can upgrade their Basic plan for $54.99 per month to access live TV or pay $60.99 per month on top of the Premium plan to get all the content on the platform.
5. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon’s immense financial resources and global network increase the platform’s competitive advantage. This unique streaming service offers a decent selection of movies from award-winning directors.
The service also offers content for kids like Sponge Bob Square Pants. Subscribers can download videos to watch offline, which gives it an upper hand in emerging economies with poor internet connectivity.
Amazon Prime Video it costs only $99 per year.
6. Peacock
Peacock was founded by NBC to deliver the enormous NBC Universal back catalog to consumers. The streaming service has tons of popular comedy, drama, and mystery shows like Murder She Wrote. Some NBC shows on Netflix like the Office will be switched to Peacock in 2021 and can migrate with some viewers.
The service is offered in three separate tiers, which include a completely free tier and Peacock Premium for $5 per month but users have to upgrade to an ad-free version for $10 per month or $100 annually.
7. Apple TV Plus
Since it was launched in 2019, Apple TV Plus has focused on creating a strong lineup of star-studded shows. It signed some of the best directors, writers, and actors in Hollywood to create new TV shows, including Jennifer Aniston who hosts Aniston’s The Morning Show.
The streaming service has a major competitive edge due to its integration with the Apple brand. Consumers and millennials who are ‘all-in’ on the Apple brand are adding Apple TV to their long list of services. It costs only $4.99 per month and can be shared by up to six family members.
8. YouTube TV
In 2019, YouTube dominated 70% of the total time people spent watching the top five platforms on their phones. The streaming service also dominates 75% of Android phone usage worldwide. Netflix should be worried.
In 2020, YouTube TV increased its content and now offers more channels than any other competitor and also offers unlimited storage. But, YouTube TV also raised its monthly fee in June 2020 to $64.99, which can push some users to Netflix.
9. Sling TV
Sling TV offers two packages for $30 per month each, which cheaper than YouTube TV, Hulu Plus, and most other streaming services. Sports fans can subscribe to Sling TV Orange to access ESPN, Disney, and many other channels.
On the other hand, Sling TV Blue offers the best news channels like Fox, NBC, and more. Users can personalize content to enhance their experience at a lower price, which makes it one of Netflix key competitors.
10. FuboTV
With the second widest selection of channels behind YouTube, FuboTV has a lot to offer. Its wide selection of sports channels includes the NFL Network and RedZone, which makes it the go-to streaming service for soccer and football fans.
In August 2020, FuboTV added several channels on the platform, including ESPN and Disney channels. These channels increase their competitive edge over Netflix but they also dropped TNT and TBS, which offer NBA and MLB. Charging $59.99 without the two channels can discourage avid sports lovers.
11. Sony Crackle
The Sony-owned Crackle is not only one of the best free streaming services but can also compete for Netflix’s market share. The streaming service offers cheesy action movies like Total Recall that can take the viewer back in time.
Streaming movies, TV shows, and some original content for free is enough for Crackle to entice a section of Netflix users.
12. SHOWTIME
SHOWTIME is a streaming service that offers access to a selection of original series for $10.99 per month. Some of its shows are also available on Netflix, such as Dexter. The streaming service is easily accessible via cable and satellite for free at home or on the go using the SHOWTIME Anytime app.
13. Crunchyroll
With over 3 million subscribers and 90 million registered users, Crunchyroll has set itself as the best service for hardcore anime fans. Subscribers can access its expansive library for $7 or $11 per month. In December 2020, Sony completed the acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T for $1.175 billion, which increases its competitive advantage.
14. Showmax
Known as the Netflix of Africa, Showmax is a South African-based streaming service with a strong presence in about 36 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. The service costs about $4 per month and has a broad category of content that is mostly geared towards the African Continent.
Netflix’s entry into the African market makes Showmax one of its competitors.
15. Curiosity Stream
Curiosity Stream is a streaming service that gives users access to educational material and content offered by popular cable channels like The Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, and Animal Planet.
Subscribers can access all kinds of documentaries at a standard monthly price of $6 and a premium price of $11. When it comes to nature documentaries, Curiosity Stream is the top Netflix competitor.
References & more information
- Cohen, J. (2020, June 12). These Countries Have the Best Netflix Catalogs. PC Magazine
- Alexander, J. (2020, Oct 29). Netflix is raising the price of its most popular plan to $14 today, premium tier increasing to $18. The Verge
- Leger, H. (2020, March 25). Disney Plus vs. Netflix: who will win? Tech Radar
- Katzmaier, D. (2020, June 10). HBO Max vs. Netflix: How to choose when you can’t afford both. CNET
- Callaham, J. (2020, December 1). CBS All Access shows: All current and future exclusive series. Android Authority
- Frank, A. (2020, Jul 24). The best and worst of the biggest streaming services. Vox
- Bisset, J. (2020, Dec. 10). The 18 best movies to see on Amazon Prime Video. CNET
- Solsman, J. (2020, Nov. 13). Peacock: Everything about NBCUniversal’s (partially) free app. CNET
- Tambini, O. (2020, Jan 07). Apple TV Plus vs Netflix: will Apple eclipse its biggest rival? Tech Radar
- Alexander, J. (2020, Feb 13). YouTube is the frontrunner in the mobile streaming wars. The Verge
- Pendlebury, T. (2020, Dec 6). Best TV streaming service for cord-cutters. CNET
- Haslam, A. (2020, July 16). fuboTV Review and Prices. US News
- Moore, B. (2020, March 31). Crackle Review. PC Magazine
- Strayer, M. (2020, Aug 20). Showtime vs. Showtime Anytime. Cable TV
- Peters, J. (2020, Dec 9). Sony is buying anime streaming service Crunchyroll from AT&T for $1.175 billion. The Verge.
- Okwii, D. (2020, May 27). Netflix vs. Showmax Showdown. Dignified
- Futurism Creative (2020, Dec 8). Curiosity Stream Is a Streaming Service Tailor-Made for People Who Love to Learn. Futurism
- Featured Image by Tumisu
Kevin Johnson
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