Top 8 streaming application for you in 2021
We live in an age ruled by technology. Over the years the technology industry has become so competitive that tech companies need to be innovating at a rapid pace to stay relevant and attract consumers. One of the popular tech industries is streaming services.
As of now, there are numerous streaming platforms and it seems like every major network and Media Company has launched a new streaming service.
We have the largest spectrum of television available to us than ever before, the challenge is the dilemma that arises when selecting a subscription service.
There are various options available and your selection relies on which original shows and movies you want if you prefer older content, want something kids orientated, and most importantly your monthly budget.
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There are a few services in this article that are more budget-friendly while others offer a wider selection of shows and movies.
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We have reviewed all these streaming platforms and rated them according to user experience, features, and overall cost.
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The ultimate decision is based upon each individual’s personal preference hence your favorite streaming service may differ.
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1. Netflix
Netflix is by far the best streaming service yet. Its increasing popularity is well earned due to its versatility when it comes to content.
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This streaming platform had a humble start as DVD-by-mail rentals in 1998 and since then has evolved into one of the best streaming services in 2021.
The platform has released multiple award-winning original shows such as Schitt’s Creek and The Queen’s Gambit.
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The originals are what attract the majority to prefer this service over others.
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Additionally, Netflix offers a wide range of familiar network shows and original content this includes films, series, documentaries, and specials that most of its competitors do not offer.
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The streaming platform introduces a new stream of movies and series each month hence you will always have something to watch.
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According to recent reports around 70 new original movies are to be released this year alone.
Netflix is one of the affordable streaming options available, with subscriptions starting at just $9 a month.
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One of the major perks you get with this service is that you do not get ads whatsoever.
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Disney Plus is the newest sensation in the streaming services market and one of the biggest competitors to Netflix.
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The service was launched just 16 months ago and has already gotten more than 100 million subscribers.
This streaming service is geared towards the younger age but there is content available for adults as well.
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Its most appealing factor is that it is one of the only places where you can stream the vast majority of the Disney and Pixar libraries, along with every Star Wars movie, Marvel films and new original TV shows, National Geographic content, and 31 seasons of The Simpsons.
Disney Plus upped their price since their release to $8 a month but it is still a great value. Plus this is one of the ad-free services out there.
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3. Hulu
Hulu is the perfect counterpart and alternative to Netflix. It has hundreds of well-known shows from ABC, Fox, and NBC that you easily watch after they have aired something not available on Netflix.
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The streaming service has multiple critically acclaimed originals as well including The Handmaid’s Tale and PEN15.
It is one of the most affordable services out there, starting at $6 per month; however, you get the ads with this subscription plan.
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To get rid of the ads you can simply upgrade to an ads-free plan for $12 a month.
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You even have the option to add on love TV streaming for $65 a month for a full cable replacement.
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4. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video provides you with tons of ad-free, high-quality original shows and movies, a remarkable back catalog of older favorites.
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It is worth noting that it does not have the cataloging of Netflix and Hulu or the star-studded appeal of Disney.
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Personally, I found the menus a bit harder to navigate since the paid and free content is mixed at times.
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If you want to view some of its originals such as The Expanse or the much-awaited Lord of the Rings prequel then this is a service to opt for.
This would especially appeal to millions of Prime subscribers since Prime Video is already included at no extra cost.
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If you don’t have Amazon Prime and want to access the large selection of movies then you just have to pay $9 a month.
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5. HBO Max
HBO Max is an intuitively designed app full of well-known series and movies.
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With this service, you gain access to HBO’s entire catalog which includes Friends, Rick and Morty, Sesame Street, the Lord of the Rings movies, and almost every Studio Ghibli film.
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This is also the only streaming service that releases movies on the platform on the same day as the theaters at no extra cost.
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Moreover, there is a collection that is more children orientated as well.
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However, it does not have many originals at the moment. The only downside with this service is the hefty price tag.
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It starts at $15 a month but you can always opt for the ads plan to make the cost within your budget.
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6. Peacock
Peacock is NBC’s Universal streaming service. One of the biggest advantages this service has over its competitors is that it offers a free, ad-supported tier with about 13,000 hours of shows, movies, news, and live sports.
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The only criticism with Peacock is that it does not support Amazon Fire TV, user profile, mobile downloads for its non-premium plus tiers, and 4K HDR streaming, all of which most of its competitors offer.
If you want to opt for the premium plan and unlock more content, you have two options; the $5 a month plan with ads or the $10 a month plan without ads which also unlocks unlock more content, including every season of fan favorites like The Office and Parks and Recreation, originals like Brave New World, popular series like Yellowstone as well as live Premier League soccer matches and WWE events.
Paramount Plus was previously known as CBS All Access. This streaming service combines live news sports and on-demand shows and movies, including originals, leaning on parent company ViacomCBS’ brands like CBS, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Network, plus its Paramount Pictures movie studio.
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One of the biggest perks of this service is the access to the Star Trek catalog and new originals like Star Trek: Discovery and Picard, and the series The Good Fight.
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The real appealing factor is nostalgia, this is perhaps the only platform you can watch those iconic older shows such as Spongebob Squarepants.
You can access about 30,000 episodes of TV and 2,500 movies, plus 36 original series arriving this year, for either $6 a month with ads or upgrade for $10 a month ad-free.
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8. Apple TV Plus
Apple TV Plus is the least costly premium streaming service available.
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It is an ad-free streaming service available, with high-end features like 4K resolution, HDR, and mobile downloads.
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It is worth mentioning that this may be perhaps the only streaming service that has no backlog of old series or movies and just offers original content.
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It has about 50 original shows and movies but only a selected few have appealed to the mass public.
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It has the smallest selection to choose from and the app is quite difficult to navigate.
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One of the biggest advantages of this service is that there are plenty of ways you can get this for free such as purchasing an Apple device or getting the Apple One bundle.
This particular subscription service is for $5 a month hence not that costly.
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Conclusion
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Which one should you opt for?
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As mentioned at the beginning of the article whatever streaming service you end up choosing is based on your personal preference and what you want to watch.Â
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If you want a variety of content then Netflix is the best option for you since it offers the largest collection of series and movies but if you are looking for a more nostalgic feel then Paramount Plus is for you.
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When deciding which streaming platform you should opt for be sure to check out their subscription plans, content, and features along with overall user experience to make sure you get the most enjoyable streaming experience
About our guest author:
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Zainab is a content creator & a passionate blogger. She is a professional tech blogger & an avid reader by soul. She loves to explore topics related to news / technology, particularly data transfer. In her free time, she enjoys penning down her thoughts with a cup of coffee.
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