Online media and OTT TV have gradually been suppressing traditional forms of entertainment for years now. With more and more people cutting the cord daily, it shouldn’t be surprising that most Americans between 25 and 34 have shifted toward internet-based TV streaming services in favor of traditional TV. This shift in consumer trends led to the rise of many OTT streaming services that have been redefining the industry ever since.
You Might Also Like: OTT Monetization 101: What You Should Know to Start Making Money
Nowadays, consumers have dozens of OTT apps and providers to choose from, which means picking one can be quite a headache. Each streaming provider has different pricing, benefits, exclusive programs, and more, so doing your research before settling for one (or more) is essential.
That is why we made this list of the best OTT streaming services to help you make a more informed purchasing decision. Whether you’re looking to buy your first OTT streaming service or wish to expand your repertoire of unique shows or channels, you’re sure to find something that fits your needs on this list.
But before we get to our picks, let’s first cover the basics. If you’re only here for the list, though, feel free to skip straight to it from the table of contents below.
What Is OTT Streaming
OTT streaming or OTT live streaming refers to any TV or video content delivered via the internet instead of cable or satellite providers. That is usually done through a direct Wi-Fi connection on SmartTVs or an OTT box.
One of the biggest advantages of OTT streaming is the convenience that comes with it. These services offer consumers vast libraries of on-demand and live video content they can watch whenever, wherever.
Although OTT is often associated with TV, it isn’t limited to it. Most OTT streaming services are just apps users can access from various OTT devices. Here are just some of the most popular devices that support these apps:
- Roku Streaming Stick
- Apple TV Box
- Mobile Phones
- Tablets
- Gaming Consoles (Xbox Series X, PS5, etc.)
With such a wide variety of devices users can stream OTT content from, it’s no wonder why the competition is so fierce on the market. But despite that, the market is far from saturated. Quite the contrary — the demand for OTT content is greater than ever.
With so many new OTT providers popping up daily and new exclusives entering the market, consumers are left with a predicament — which OTT streaming services to subscribe to? According to Brightback Report 2021, 75% of Americans have at least two active OTT subscriptions, but that can be pretty costly.
So what do you do if you are new to the OTT world or are on a budget? How do you choose the best OTT streaming provider for your needs? That’s what we’re going to help you with! Here is a quick overview of the best OTT streaming services you should consider.
Get your videos on OTT and CTV without much hassle.
Explore OTT Solutions12 Best OTT Streaming Services in 2023
With so many OTT streaming providers on the market currently, choosing the one with the offer that best fits your tastes can be challenging. Here is a list of the best OTT streaming services to help you make the right choice.
1. Netflix
Price | $8.99+ |
Ads | No |
Live TV | No |
Concurrent Streams | 1, 2, or 4 |
Offline Downloads | Yes |
Exclusive Shows | Yes |
Netflix is one of the most popular OTT streaming services worldwide. It also holds 34% of the U.S. OTT streaming market share, making it the leading OTT provider in America.
Netflix is a subscription-based streaming platform with over 15,000 different titles and puts out hundreds of original shows every year. Some of the most popular Netflix originals are Stranger Things, The Witcher, Marvel’s Daredevil, Peaky Blinders, The Queens Gambit, and many more. This provider’s offer also includes plenty of anime for all the fans out there.
Besides its wide variety of series and films, Netflix offers state-of-the-art video quality, with its higher subscription plans supporting even 4K video. Unfortunately, this streaming provider’s offer doesn’t include Live TV. So if you’re a sports or traditional TV fan, you’ll have to look for another option to watch your favorite broadcasts.
Pros:
- A massive library of on-demand and original content
- Excellent video quality
- Its offer also includes anime
- Available on a large number of OTT devices
Cons:
- No access to Live TV
- No free trial
- Higher subscription plans are pricey
2. Disney+
Price | $7.99 |
Ads | No |
Live TV | No |
Concurrent Streams | 4 |
Offline Downloads | Yes |
Exclusive Shows | Yes |
Disney+ is one of the most well-known OTT streaming companies worldwide because of its long history; it’s famous for being behind some of the most memorable cartoons in the world. Their streaming service offers over 7,500 pieces of video content produced by Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and many more renowned brands. This rich library of animated and feature films is what got them more than 116 million subscribers globally.
Besides its large number of original titles, Disney+ also offers over 100 shows in 4K HD and up to four consecutive streams at no extra fee. Despite that, Disney+ won’t fit everyone’s tastes due to its lack of drama and thriller movies. Also, anyone looking forward to watching their favorite sports events and TV programs will have to look elsewhere, as Disney+ doesn’t have Live TV.
However, if you’re interested in subscribing to several streaming services, Disney+ does offer an excellent bundle deal that makes up for what it lacks. The bundle in question allows users to subscribe to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for $13.99 (Ad-Supported Hulu) or $19.99 (No Ads Hulu). If you don’t mind its higher price, this bundle is currently one of the best deals on the OTT streaming market.
Pros:
- Has an excellent bundle deal with other streaming services to cover its weak points
- Best choice of animated and family movies on the market
- Disney+ app is available on dozens of different devices
Cons:
- Not available in many smaller countries worldwide
- Lacks content variety
- No free trial
- No Live TV
3. Hulu
Price | $5.99+ |
Ads | Yes (No from $11.99+) |
Live TV | Yes (for $64.99) |
Concurrent Streams | 2 |
Offline Downloads | Yes (from $11.99+) |
Exclusive Shows | Yes |
Hulu is the third-biggest OTT service in the U.S. and currently holds 11% of the market share there. This video streaming platform is one of the most versatile ones on the market, as it offers multiple pricing plans, a package with Live TV (includes popular sports channels like ESPN and NBC), and even a handy bundle deal with ESPN+ and Disney+.
Hulu also stands out by the variety of content that it offers. Subscribers can enjoy anything from popular comedy and drama shows to thriller blockbusters and documentaries. Besides an excellent selection of content genres, Hulu also has some widely-loved original content like Nine Perfect Strangers, False Positive, Castle Rock, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, and many more.
The biggest downside to this provider is that the cheapest subscription plan also comes with ads, so getting rid of them will cost extra. Also, the package that includes Live TV is pretty expensive, sitting at $64.99. But if you don’t mind the steeper price, Hulu is undoubtedly one of the most versatile options on the market.
Pros:
- One of the most versatile streaming services on the market
- Has an excellent bundle deal with ESPN+ and Disney+
- Free trial available
Cons:
- Ad-free subscription costs extra
- Offline downloads are available only on higher subscription tiers
4. Pluto TV
Price | Free |
Ads | Yes |
Live TV | Yes |
Concurrent Streams | Unlimited |
Offline Downloads | None |
Exclusive Shows | Yes |
Pluto TV is an OTT TV streaming platform that all fans of traditional television will love. This platform is a free ad-supported TV service with over 190 unique channels and more than 1,000 on-demand movies users can enjoy at will. Besides its wide variety of content, Pluto TV also has some original shows and channels you can’t find on cable TV.
Pluto TV’s accessibility and no limit on the number of concurrent streams make it the perfect alternative for all fans of traditional TV. However, that is also one of its most jarring weaknesses as it lacks most of the useful features of other streaming services.
Pluto TV has an excellent choice of news channels and programs, but it lacks in the sports channel department, making it a poor choice for sports fans. Another downside to this provider is that it doesn’t offer any DVR capabilities and only streams content in sub-HD renditions and 30fps. But if these downsides don’t bother you, Pluto TV is an excellent, free alternative to traditional TV.
Pros:
- Free
- An excellent alternative to traditional TV
- Unlimited number of concurrent streams
Cons:
- Lacks any DVR capabilities
- Doesn’t support HD streams
- Exclusive content is pretty mediocre
You Might Also Like: What Is OTT Advertising and Why It’s Growing so Rapidly
5. ESPN+
Price | $6.99+ |
Ads | Yes |
Live TV | Yes |
Concurrent Streams | 3 |
Offline Downloads | Yes |
Exclusive Shows | Yes |
ESPN+ is the first sports-focused OTT broadcasting service on this list. This provider offers a rich selection of sports content, including live events, sports series, and original shows. Subscribers will be able to enjoy content from dozens of different sports like soccer, baseball, boxing, basketball, wrestling, and much more.
ESPN+ also gives users access to multiple exclusive tools and premium articles from some of the most renowned sports personalities and news outlets out there. Subscribers can enjoy all of the ESPN+ content in HD across various devices (computers, consoles, phones, etc.); all they have to do is download the ESPN+ app and launch their stream.
Unfortunately, the ESPN+ subscription doesn’t include some popular broadcasts like ESPN’s Monday Night Football or live NBA coverage, so it cannot fully replace its cable counterpart. Another thing that’s likely going to annoy many users is that ESPN+ live shows still come with commercials, so you won’t be able to enjoy your content ad-free, despite having to pay a subscription fee.
However, ESPN+ does have an affordable bundle deal with Hulu and Disney+ to make up for its complete lack of non-sports-related content. So if you’re someone who’d watch content from all three of these providers, this bundle offers the best value for your money on the market.
Pros:
- Excellent variety of sports-related content
- Has a special bundle deal with Hulu and Disney+ for anyone looking for more content variety
Cons:
- Lacks some of the most popular broadcasts that are available on cable ESPN
- Live broadcasts still come with ads
- No free trial
6. Prime Video
Price | $12.99/mo or $119.99/yr |
Ads | No |
Live TV | Yes (Limited Options) |
Concurrent Streams | 3 |
Offline Downloads | Yes |
Exclusive Shows | Yes |
Prime Video is one of the top OTT streaming services in the U.S., thanks to Amazon’s massive, loyal audience. This streaming subscription is an addition to the Amazon Prime subscription and gives users access to a vast video library on top of various shopping perks. Besides offering over 26,000 on-demand videos, Prime Video also has a variety of genres to choose from.
Prime video began focusing on creating plenty of original content over the last few years, so their subscribers will get access to some of their popular original shows like The Boys, Bosch, The Grand Tour, and Patriot. Unfortunately, Prime Video has a limited offer of sports and Live TV content, but it still broadcasts popular shows like Thursday night football games, WNBA games, and particular MLB matchups.
Although not as popular as Netflix or Disney+, Prime Video still offers excellent, high-quality video and supports 4K streaming. The app is available on many devices, so users can access their favorite shows from almost anywhere and stream them on up to three devices at no additional cost.
Overall, Prime Video is an OTT streaming service with an all-around excellent offer and provides the most value for your money for everyone who uses Amazon’s services regularly.
Pros:
- Included in the Amazon Prime subscription
- Well-balanced library of different live and original content
- Free trial available
Cons:
- Limited sports and Live TV options
- The price is quite steep for subscribers who don’t plan to use the other Amazon-related benefits you get
7. HBO Max
Price | $9.99+ |
Ads | Yes (No from $14.99) |
Live TV | No |
Concurrent Streams | 3 |
Offline Downloads | No (Yes from $14.99) |
Exclusive Shows | Yes |
HBO Max is an OTT provider that offers more than 2,500 popular shows and WarnerMedia exclusives. So if you’re a fan of popular shows like Chernobyl, Sex and the City, Six Feet Under, or The Watchmen, you’ll get all of them and much more. Besides these shows, HBO Max also bought streaming rights to dozens of other popular franchises like South Park, The Big Bang Theory, Rick and Morty, and many others.
But one of the best parts of this streaming service is that subscribers get access to films still in theaters for no additional cost. So if you wish to get instant access to all the newest movies as soon as they hit the silver screen, HBO Max has you covered.
One of the biggest downsides to this provider is that it doesn’t support Live TV and has limited sports content. However, HBO Max plans to expand their streaming repertoire into live sports soon, starting with NHL. So sports fans should keep an eye out on this!
HBO Max supports 4K streaming and offers all of its shows in full HD, so users are guaranteed excellent streaming quality. Unfortunately, HBO Max requires users to pay extra if they wish to get rid of ads and download content. But if you don’t mind watching a few minutes of ads every hour or spending a few bucks extra, HBO Max offers excellent bang for your buck.
Pros:
- Excellent variety of original and popular shows and franchises
- Offers new films at no additional cost as soon as they reach theaters
Cons:
- Offline downloads only available on higher pricing plans
- Users must pay extra to get rid of ads
- No Live TV
8. Sling TV
Price | $35+ |
Ads | Yes |
Live TV | Yes |
Concurrent Streams | 1–3 |
Offline Downloads | No |
Exclusive Shows | No |
Sling TV is an excellent, cost-effective OTT TV streaming service that many consider one of the best alternatives to traditional cable TV. Unlike Netflix or Disney+, Sling TV doesn’t offer a vast library of on-demand content but gives subscribers access to dozens of popular TV channels with full DVR support.
Sling TV has two subscription plans — Orange and Blue — each with a different selection of channels. Users can access channels with various types of content like CNN, AMC, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, ESPN, NFL Network, and many more. Depending on your subscription choice, you’ll get access to different channel bundles. Luckily, Sling TV also offers a discount for users who decide to buy both plans. Besides that, Sling TV provides various channel add-ons with different types of content. Users can choose from multiple channels for kids, comedy channels, sports channels, etc.
Two of the most significant downsides to Sling TV, though, are that it offers no exclusive shows and serves ads on top of its steep subscription fee. The number of concurrent streams users can have is also limited to three on higher subscription packages.
Sling TV is available on multiple devices and browsers (phones, consoles, Chrome, Edge, etc.), so it’s much easier to access than cable TV. So if you’re interested in switching from traditional TV to a subscription-based streaming service, Sling TV is undoubtedly the best choice on the market.
Pros:
- Wide variety of channels with content that fits different users’ tastes
- Excellent selection of sports, kids, and comedy channels
Cons:
- Expensive
- No offline downloads
- Has ads
- DVR is limited to 50 hours of recording without paying extra
You Might Also Like: The State of OTT Marketing: Why Everyone Is Trying It
9. Tubi
Price | Free |
Ads | Yes |
Live TV | No |
Concurrent Streams | Unlimited |
Offline Downloads | No |
Exclusive Shows | No |
Tubi is a free OTT streaming provider with more than 20,000 films and TV shows. Its library contains many popular titles like Black Hawk Down, Rain Man, Legally Blonde, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and many more.
Tubi is available on most major platforms like Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, as well as mobile phones and gaming consoles. However, this streaming provider only supports streams of up to 720p. So if you’re looking for Ultra HD streaming, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Tubi relies on an ad-based monetization model to provide all of its content for free, so users will have to deal with occasional commercial breaks. Unfortunately, this streaming service has no exclusive shows and doesn’t support Live TV, so it’s not the best choice for users looking for the latest cinematic blockbusters or live sports broadcasts.
Regardless of its downsides, Tubi is a decent OTT platform for anyone looking to enjoy film classics on a budget.
Pros:
- Free
- Rich library of many classic films and TV shows
Cons:
- Ads can be interruptive to user experience
- Doesn’t support Full HD streaming
- No Live TV
- No offline download
10. Peacock
Price | Free |
Ads | Yes |
Live TV | Yes |
Concurrent Streams | 3 |
Offline Downloads | No |
Exclusive Shows | Yes |
Peacock is a streaming service owned by NBCUniversal that offers a vast range of films, series, and NBC originals. The best part about this provider is that it allows users to choose between a free, ad-supported and a premium, ad-free subscription package. However, it’s worth noting that only premium subscribers get access to Peacock’s entire content library. Still, even the free package offers over 13,000 hours of content.
If you’re a fan of NBC-produced films and series, you’re going to love this platform. Peacock subscribers get access to some of the most beloved shows like Friends, Seinfield, Chicago Fire, Friday Night Lights, Saturday Night Live, Law & Order, and many more. Although Peacock has a few original shows as well, its number is quite lacking compared to other popular streaming services.
Peacock does stand out in the Live TV department, as it comes with plenty of choices for sports enthusiasts. This provider lets users watch popular broadcasts like Premier League, World Wrestling Entertainment, and much more.
Unfortunately, Peacocks doesn’t support 4K streaming yet and doesn’t allow offline downloads, but its low pricing more than makes up for this downside. Users who want to unlock this provider’s complete video library can do so for $4.99/mo, while $7.99/mo is the cost of ad-free streaming.
Pros:
- Has an excellent selection of content on its free plan
- Rich selection of sports and live content
- Affordable premium plans
Cons:
- Doesn’t support 4K streaming
- No offline downloads
11. Fubo TV
Price | $64.99+ |
Ads | Yes |
Live TV | Yes |
Concurrent Streams | 3 (10 from $69.99) |
Offline Downloads | No |
Exclusive Shows | No |
If you’re a cord-cutting sports fan, Fubo TV is likely the perfect choice for you. This streaming provider gives users access to over 120 channels, including all the most sought-after sports stations. Fubo TV subscribers can enjoy various channels like NBC, CBS, FOX, NFL, ESPN, CNN, and dozens more.
Fubo TV has plenty to offer even to non-sports fans, as it includes multiple entertainment and educational channels like AMC, National Geographic, and Discovery Channel in its subscription. Besides this rich choice of Live TV programs, Fubo TV also has a substantial library of on-demand content users can watch anytime, anywhere.
The most notable downsides to Fubo TV are that it doesn’t allow offline downloads and lacks in the exclusive shows department. It also has a steep subscription fee, so not everyone will be able to afford it.
Pros:
- Top-tier selection of sports channels
- Excellent DVR capabilities (250 hours of storage, upgradable to up to 1000)
- One of the best options on the market for fans of traditional TV
Cons:
- Price might be too steep for most users
- Has ads
- Lacks exclusive content
- Not available on Playstation consoles
12. Paramount+
Price | $4.99+ |
Ads | Yes (No from $9.99) |
Live TV | Yes (for $9.99) |
Concurrent Streams | 3 |
Offline Downloads | Yes |
Exclusive Shows | Yes |
Paramount+ is an OTT streaming service that offers access to all CBS-exclusive content and much more at an affordable price. Its rich on-demand library contains plenty of new and classic shows like CSI, Criminal Minds, All Rise, The Good Wife, The Twilight Zone, Twin Peaks, and many more. Besides that, Paramount+ also includes various kids-oriented Nickelodeon shows and documentaries, so it’s sure to have something for everyone.
One of the most notable advantages of this service is that it’s pretty affordable, sitting at just $4.99/mo with ads or $9.99/mo for the ad-free plan. The ad-free plan even offers Live TV services with an excellent choice of national and international sports broadcasts. Users on this plan can tune in to UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, National Women’s Soccer League, NCAA Basketball events, and many more prominent sports broadcasts.
Besides the above, Paramount+ offers excellent stream quality, supports offline downloads, and even offers some exciting exclusives. Users will also be able to stream on up to three devices simultaneously. This provider has an app on both Android and iOS devices, gaming consoles, most streaming devices, and the latest Smart TVs.
Overall, Paramount+ is a well-rounded platform with an excellent, balanced selection of live and on-demand content at an affordable price. Unless you are looking for specific non-Paramound+ exclusives, you can’t go wrong with this provider.
Pros:
- Affordable
- A well-rounded selection of on-demand and live sports content
- Available on a wide variety of devices
Cons:
- The cheapest subscription plan comes with ads
- Not available on PS5 consoles yet
Launch a branded OTT app with Brid.TV
Launch an OTT App