Best streaming services: We compare Netflix, Hulu, Max, Disney+, and more

Disney+ is meant to be a one-stop shop for all things Disney, of course, but that goes far beyond just kids' movies and princesses. Alongside all the vault classics and Pixar films, the platform also features content from other Disney properties, including National Geographic and all of the Marvel and Star Wars films. Disney+ subscribers are treated to four concurrent streams at a time, and can download movies and series for offline viewing, too.

Max (formerly known as HBO Max) includes an extensive catalog of must-see content, including legacy HBO programming and current TV shows — like The White Lotus, The Last of Us, and Succession — plus every DC superhero movie you could want, an array of Studio Ghibli films, and other hit blockbusters from yesterday and today. Not only does it house all of the content that you'd find with a traditional cable signup for this premium channel, but it also has a growing number of exclusive Max Originals you won't find anyplace else.

Max is right up there with Netflix for exclusive content, so if you like to keep up with the series everyone will be talking about, you should definitely add it to your rotation. A subscription nets you up to four simultaneous streams (depending on the tier you choose), and the ultimate ad-free plan allows you to stream movies in 4K as well as download content to watch offline.

Hulu is the one-and-only home to buzzed-about originals like Nine Perfect Strangers and the award-winning The Handmaid's Tale, and FX on Hulu exclusives including American Horror Stories and Mrs. America. Plus, they have all seasons of favorite series, such as Rick and Morty, and next-day streams of current hits like Grey's Anatomy. 

But, if all of that epicness doesn't do it for you on its own, you can opt for the Hulu + Live TV package to also get access to 75+ live and on-demand channels — including local channels, CNN, ESPN, and more — where you can enjoy live sports, breaking news, and TV shows as they air. It'll also allow you to record up to 50 hours of live TV to watch later (and fast-forward through commercials), but you can increase your DVR storage with an add-on if that’s not enough.

Whichever Hulu plan you choose, you'll be able to watch on two screens simultaneously and have the option to sign up for premium channels like HBO Max and Showtime, too. Or, opt for the Disney bundle to maximize your entertainment value.

Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access) is a clutch streaming service to have if you really like current hits such as The Good Doctor and Criminal Minds since you can catch them streaming the next day. You can also watch live sports like NFL on CBS and Champions League soccer, and have access to 24/7 news on CBSN. But, let's be real, most people have been paying for this streamer specifically for its abundance of Star Trek movies and shows — both classic and new — like the Paramount exclusive series Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Lower Decks.

That said, this service is no longer just about CBS, and gives subscribers access to shows from other ViacomCBS properties like Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, and Nickelodeon, and a wide selection of movies from Paramount, Miramax, and MGM. It boasts over 10,000 episodes of classic shows and binge-worthy Paramount Originals like Evil, The Good Fight, new seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, and more.

SlingTV has been a huge player in the cord cutting game as it boasts one of the more affordable monthly options out there for watching live sports, news, and loads of other entertainment that you used to only be able to access with a cable box and an expensive contract. But don’t be fooled — the low price range doesn't mean the channel lineup sucks. Even a basic Sling TV plan offers your favorite channels, including HGTV, Comedy Central, ESPN, CNN, Disney, and BBCAmerica (and the ability to record up to 50 hours of live TV for no additional fee).

However, our favorite part about Sling is how you can tweak channel options. Aside from the main plans, Sling lets users pick and choose extra channels to add on for a nominal fee without having to upgrade to the next level. And, depending on your plan, you can stream on up to four devices at once.

At this point, Netflix is synonymous with the word "streaming service." After all, it's the platform that made streaming services as popular as they are, and its ever-growing catalog of top acquisitions and their own originals is just as strong today as it's ever been. Their exclusive movies and shows have gone on to score nominations (and wins!) at the Emmys, Golden Globes, and Academy Awards.

You can catch hit scripted shows like Stranger Things, The Umbrella Academy, Ozark, Dead to Me, The Crown, Cobra Kai, Black Mirror, and You, plus endless true crime docuseries like Making a Murderer and Wild Wild Country. Basically, if everyone's talking about a binge-worthy series, it's probably on Netflix. And depending on your plan, it can all be watched on up to four different devices at a time.

YouTube TV is arguably the best premium live TV streaming service out there. They boast 85+ live channels — including your local broadcast networks and favorites like ESPN, AMC, and HGTV — plus the option to add on more as you see fit (for a fee, of course).

For the same price as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV nets you about ten more live channels (including AMC and MLB Network), though you don't get all the exclusive and on-demand content that you'd get with Hulu. So that's a choice for you to consider based on your viewing preferences.

That said, the service requires no annual contract, has zero hidden fees, can hold up to six accounts and three concurrent streams, and includes unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra cost (unlike Hulu). So to us, YouTube TV is the closest thing to a good cable-like experience without the astronomical prices and ridiculous contracts. Plus, you can get it at a discounted rate for your first three months.

If your movie nights consist of renting the most recent releases that probably won't come to Netflix or Hulu for at least a few months, then you already know about Amazon Prime Video. But while you have to shell out a few bucks (at least) to rent the latest blockbusters, the price of a Prime Video subscription already includes plenty of movies at no extra cost. It's also home to every episode of a growing number of beloved television series — like Downton Abbey and How I Met Your Mother — as well as their own binge-worthy Amazon Originals, including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, The Boys, and Fleabag.

It's more than enough content to keep you satisfied, but you can also add premium channels like Showtime and AMC+ for an additional price. Plus, you can stream content on as many as three devices at a time, and you'll get a 30-day free trial whether you choose to subscribe to just Prime Video or a full-fledged Amazon Prime membership with extra perks like fast, free shipping.

CuriosityStream — or as we’ve called it before, "the Netflix of non-fiction" — is a unique streaming service that helps viewers explore their universe through non-fiction documentaries that wouldn't be found via more popular channels. 

The streamer offers over 1,500 science, history, and technology documentaries for your brain-boosting edu-tainment, with topics including famous assassinations, nature, evolution, and a whole lot of space stuff. It's like your own personal museum, but you don't have to blow all your money on a bunch of different tickets. Or, you know, even leave your couch, for that matter.

If the usual ESPN isn't doing it for you, Fubo TV is your ticket to a constant drip-feed of live sports from around the world, even when you didn't know there was a game on. You'll get access to both popular and obscure sports channels that you don't see often, including The Big Ten Network, beIN Sports, the Olympics channel, and Fox Sports. Looking for European soccer? Sure. NBA? Yup. Motorcycle racing? You got it. There's no NHL channel, but the majority of hockey games are broadcast on NBC and NBCSN anyway, so you should still be covered there thanks to Fubo TV delivering your local channels as well. 

Overall, you'll be treated to a three-digit channel lineup that goes beyond just sports — including MSNBC, HGTV, The Hallmark Channel, SYFY, and National Geographic — so everyone in the house can find something to watch. And that's particularly great because Fubo TV allows for three concurrent streams and up to 250 hours of cloud DVR storage to record your favorites. You can pay to upgrade both of those, however, and opt for premium add-ons like Showtime and EPIX as well.

Need we do more than point out that Philo provides 60+ channels and unlimited DVR storage for all subscribers? We've yet to find a streaming service that offers that much for such a low price. 

The caveat is that the channel lineup isn’t news- or sports-oriented, so you'll want to look elsewhere if those are non-negotiables. But if you don't care about that content, the variety is pretty legit: AMC, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Paramount, Discovery, Food Network, TLC, and loads more. Plus, you can stream content on as many as three devices at once, and you can choose to add EPIX or STARZ for additional fees. There's a seven-day free trial that you can give a spin, but there's no contract so you can cancel or restart your subscription at any time.

NBCUniversal's streaming service became the exclusive home to everyone’s favorite workplace comedy, The Office, in 2021 — sorry, Netflix. That’s arguably Peacock’s biggest selling point, but on the off-chance that "Dinner Party" and "Fun Run" ever get old, your membership also includes tons of other NBC series (see: 30 Rock, Law & Order, and Dick Wolf’s full “One Chicago” lineup) along with late-night talk shows, live sports, news broadcasts, Peacock Originals, and the hit Kevin Costner drama Yellowstone. (It’s also home to a bunch of hit movies.)

(Check out Mashable's official Peacock guide for more info.)

In a nutshell, Crunchyroll is like Netflix for anime — and it's seriously awesome. With a premium account, you'll get access to over 900 anime shows! You’ll find old favorites like One Piece and new releases straight from Japan, as well as a wide selection of manga and even a number of live-action J-dramas. If you're an anime newbie, check out Mashable's full rundown on Crunchyroll and our resident anime expert's suggestions on the best shows to watch. 

Depending on your plan, you can stream on up to six devices at once and download your favorite anime to watch on-the-go, even when there’s no WiFi. Best of all, you can give it a spin with a two-week free trial.

While it may not have a ton of content to its name, Apple TV+ definitely makes up for it with undeniable star power. In a true show of quality over quantity, the streaming service is home to a growing list of exclusive Apple Originals, including (but definitely not limited to) Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, and Severance.

It certainly won't help you cut the cord with your cable company, but it's definitely a nice supplement, even if just for a month or so at a time. Plus, you get a seven-day free trial, and you can stream in stellar 4K quality on as many as six streaming devices at once.

Combining all of your favorite content from the likes of HGTV, TLC, Food Network, Animal Planet, Lifetime, and more, Discovery+ is a great choice for the do-it-yourself lifestyle set. While you won't have access to live content on these channels (such as with Philo, for example), you will be treated to more than 55,000 on-demand episodes from top series like Property Brothers, 90-Day Fiance, and Chopped, as well as exclusive originals, including Magnolia Table and Fixer Upper: Welcome Home from Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Network.

Subscribers can stream on up to four streaming devices at once, and benefit from a seven-day free trial to check things out before committing the cash.

Why pay for a bunch of separate services when you could get them all rolled into one with AMC+? As the name implies, the streaming service is home to more than just AMC's new and old hit series, like Kevin Can F**k Himself, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and the entire Walking Dead Universe. Beyond that, it also boasts all of the combined content that you'd get with separate subscriptions to Sundance Now, Shudder, and IFC Films Unlimited, plus top content from BBC America, too. This ups the entertainment ante with even more hit shows and docuseries like Creepshow, Channel Zero, A Discovery of Witches, and No One Saw a Thing.

For fans of horror, true crime, and edgy dramas, AMC+ is a clear winner, but you can still give it a spin first with a seven-day free trial.