Today’s article is regarding Best Streaming Services that you can use to stream Movies and TV shows online. 3 leading streaming services that stand out and everyone likes are Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. However, choosing one of the 3 isn’t easy. And unfortunately, subscribing to all 3 is also not an option because the cost you’ll need to pay for all 3 isn’t worth it.
That’s why it’s vital to understand what you need from these video streaming services.
How are Netflix, Amazon Prime, & Hulu, Different?
Each platform gives a unique number of features, as none of the companies can defeat another without staying one step ahead. Hence each of them allows thousands of different titles, program hours, and exclusive content in their catalog. This not simply confuses the user but also makes it difficult to decide which 1 to choose.
If you’re trying to decide which 1 to go with or if it’s your first time with these video streaming services, we’ve listed the pros and cons of these excellent streaming services that will help you decide which is the right option for you.
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Why Amazon Prime Video
Trial version & Price: Amazon Prime Video, like Netflix, also gives a one-month trial version. If you buy an Amazon Prime membership, you get to appreciate this service along with the Prime Subscription. If you want to see channels like HBO, Showtime, etc., you can do so by spending an additional monthly charge. Amazon also possesses exclusive content developed for its users. It is currently not as many as being given by NetFlix, but with the investments in the service by Amazon, it appears that Prime Video will soon catch up with the top players!
Compatible Platforms: Amazon Prime Video is usable on PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, Blu-ray, streaming media players, and other similar platforms.
Advantage: The X-ray feature enables you to access an actor’s background information, bio, trivia, music info, and other show-related information. Furthermore, with Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, it is obvious that Amazon will continue to invest heavily in the service in the future.
Disadvantage: Identifying content involved in a subscription becomes difficult, and there is no simple way to know the extra cost that a user might need to pay.
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Why Netflix
As we all understand, Netflix is a quite famous name, and the list of programs it has to give is vast. But still, there are some places where Amazon Prime, Hulu wins the race. Before understanding those points, let understand what Netflix has to offer and how it is better than other streaming services.
Trial version & Price: Netflix gives a one-month trial version that helps consumers understand this streaming service. In addition to this, Netflix gives three paid plans starting from $8.99 per month to $15.99 per month. The cost changes depending on the number of devices and the kind of content you want to watch. Remember, Netflix is an advertisement-free video streaming service. This is where it has an advantage over Amazon Prime and Hulu.
Compatible Platforms: You can operate and use Netflix on PC, laptop, smartphone, tablets, game consoles, smart TVs, Blu-ray players, and streaming media players. Furthermore, you can watch Netflix simultaneously on up to four devices at a time, depending on the plan you choose.
Advantage: Netflix gives tons of exclusive original programming. This is best for viewers who love fresh content with variety.
Disadvantage: The seasons of currently airing non-exclusive TV shows are usually a year old; this implies you will not get the latest content to binge on.
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Why Hulu
Trial version & Price: In this section, all 3 streaming services are the same. Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu all 3 offer 30 days trial version. Although plan pricing is different, for Hulu, the plan price begins at $5.99 monthly with limited commercials, $11.99 monthly advertisement free & $44.95 for Hulu +, Live TV, and cloud DVR storage. In this, as add-ons, you get HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, and Starz. Multiple devices can be added; however, streaming can be done on only 1 device at a time.
Compatible Platforms: Hulu is usable on PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, Blu-ray, streaming media players, and other similar platforms.
Advantage: Current TV shows are possible the next day they are aired. For those who see a lot of US-based TVs, Hulu is the best streaming service.
Disadvantage: Less variety of programs as compared to the other 2 streaming services.
Still not satisfied, need more pointers to decide which 1 is the best streaming service amongst Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu? No worries, we’ve got it covered. Here we have put together a comprehensive comparison of these services.
Original content
Netflix is a definite winner as it gives huge original content. Amazon Prime Video and Hulu are working to catch up with Netflix by giving quality original content; an example of Hulu is The Handmaid’s Tale. For Amazon, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Man in the High Castle, Jack Ryan, and Good Omens, are a few worth mentioning.
Both these streaming services are expanding their library to give tough competition to Netflix and stand out.
Latest content
Want to see the latest episode of your favorite series? Nothing can be more beneficial than Hulu in this case because the Hulu streaming service is the only 1 amongst Netflix and Amazon Prime Video that shows new episodes one after the date they are aired.
On the other side, Netflix has enough series, but when it gets to adding the latest seasons, Netflix fails. The latest season is added just after the new season begins.
Content Library
When we discuss the content library, Amazon is the undoubted winner as it possesses the largest collection of content. Wait, don’t believe Amazon wins the race. There’s a difference between quantity and quality. Anyone can produce quantity, but things change when you get quality and quantity. Amazon fails with a significant edge here, and Netflix tops both Amazon and Hulu.
Netflix allows popular movies, original series, and many more that you would like in a streaming service.
Another great point worth paying attention to is the content outside the original movies and shows. Hulu, due to its tie up with major broadcasters, gives the latest series and episodes. But this does not mean it is the best. Amazon gives the same shows without any additional charge. Netflix, on the opposite hand, is always a season behind.
Amazon is a winner, but still, it’s up to the viewer to choose which 1 is the best streaming service. We set Netflix at the top here to give a quality library with the latest and best TV shows, movies, etc. This suggests Netflix will never run out of shows even if you sit day and night watching shows.
Audio and video quality
All 3 streaming services and offering 1080p streams also give 4K Ultra HD resolution and HDR streaming support. But Netflix prices extra for this, while Amazon Prime Video and Hulu allow 4K for free.
Amazon allows surrounding sound content, including Dolby Atmos, while Netflix gives selected titles in Dolby Atmos. Things don’t change here; you need to spend extra to access Atmos content on Netflix. Hulu, on the opposite hand, is limited to stereo sound. In addition to this, Amazon gives 4K, HDR, and offers titles in HDR10+, a real competitor of Dolby Vision.
Interface and ease of use
Amongst the 3 streaming services, Netflix has an intuitive UI where finding movies, TV shows, or exclusive content is straightforward. It also creates a personalized top picks category on the home screen based on your past viewing pattern. This makes utilizing Netflix on different platforms easy.
Amazon is a fresh player, so it’s learning from its mistakes and is constantly enhancing its interface. The extra point for Amazon is you can access Amazon Prime Video straight from the homepage of Amazon. Furthermore, if you have an Amazon Fire TV stick, it works with it too, and you can operate it with voice commands. The new Fire TV Stick 4K enables you to install multiple apps, making it easy to watch the content in the highest quality available across all subscribed services.
On the opposite hand, Hulu has updated its interface to be used on different devices. It now displays different categories like TV, Movies, Kids who Keep Watching, making it simple for the user to navigate and use Hulu. Premium channels like HBO and its programs are also highlighted on the home screen. Sometimes, this can confuse the consumer, but its smart interface and ability to incorporate premium channels win the race.
Congrats Hulu!
Compatible devices
All 3 streaming services are compatible with a great number of devices. Netflix is everywhere, also on the TV remote. Hulu and Amazon can also be installed only about everywhere.
Price
Amazon gives two versions of Prime subscription. 1 is for 119 dollars annually and $13 monthly. In addition to this, students who signup utilizing a valid student email address need to pay only $59 annually.
The services given under both versions are the same. You get two-day shipping for free, cloud storage, one day in a few cases, discounted pricing on certain items, and most importantly, you get access to on-demand video and music streaming. Furthermore, you get 4K Ultra HD content with HDR without paying anything extra. Not just this, you can share your Amazon Prime account with friends and family.
In contrast to this, Netflix allows different subscriptions ranging from $9 to $16 depending on the selected video quality.
In $9, you see Netflix’s one device SD resolution stream service. If you desire to use 2 devices simultaneously, you will need to pay $13 monthly for this streaming service. Whereas to see 4K Ultra HD content, you need to pay $16, in which you can access streaming service on 4 devices at a time. Moreover, if you want to view DVD/Blu-ray quality, the price for its streaming will go up.
Hulu, as contrasted to both streaming services, is high on price. For $12, you get Hulu+Live TV.
For those who desire to stream 4K without paying the extra price, Amazon is the best and cheapest bet. Furthermore, the additional benefits included in Amazon, especially early access to sales, video, and music, are attractive add ons.
Are there any replacements for these Video streaming services?
If you’re not satisfied with the original series, movies, network shows, and licensed television content offered by these streaming services, you can try Vudu. It gives a wide range of 4K, Dolby Atmos, and HDR movies. Vudu even provides a grace period of 30 days to watch a movie before it expires. Furthermore, you can save titles as you do in other services like iTunes, Google Play, and others. Moreover, you even try Disney+, Disney’s streaming service that allows TV shows, movies, from its vast collection of Marvel, Star Wars, and other movies.
Moreover, HBO and Showtime, both giants, allow standalone apps for $15 and $12 monthly. Not just this, you can add these services to Hulu or Amazon at a lesser price.
Other features worth considering: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu
- Want subtitles? Continue with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video. Both streaming services allow subtitles. Netflix possesses subtitles for all of its content.
- Want parental control? Netflix has it. You can build a separate profile for your kids, ensuring your child sees simply the content made for them.
- Want Live TV? Nothing can beat Hulu. It is the best streaming service that allows live-TV streaming without needing to pay extra for cable.
Indeed, you must have got the answer to the problem by now, which is the best streaming service. If not, here is a little comparison between these streaming services.
Is Amazon Prime better or Netflix?
If you need more content, then Netflix is better than Amazon Prime Video, whereas if you look at the services Amazon Prime gives, like one-day delivery, Amazon Music is the winner. Not just this, Amazon Prime Video is cheaper as compared to Netflix.
Is Netflix better than Hulu?
If you’re seeing for an alternative to cable services and “cutting the cord,” then Hulu is a great choice, as it will show you the freshest episodes just one day after they are aired. But if you need an extensive library of content, then Netflix is the indisputable winner. Hulu, on the opposite hand, is cheaper than Netflix, but its starting plan is ad-supported. Deciding which 1 is best amongst the two streaming services is not possible. So you can use the trial version of both and decide which 1 is the best streaming service for you.
Final Thought:
If you want our suggestion, then Netflix is the leader so far in the world of streaming services. With that stated, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video also give great benefits. And of course, quickly, both of them will add more content to their library. This implies things will become more difficult if you have to choose one of the best streaming services.
Therefore, if you desire to save yourself from this trouble, try using multiple services as it will give you access to various services. However, if you have limited resources, then you can choose from these three streaming services as they are the best.
