Founded in 1977, Netflix entered the entertainment industry with its DVD-by-mail service that has now evolved into one of the top-tier global streaming services that’s a must-have for all.
Yes, Netflix has revolutionized the entertainment industry in ways no one could ever imagine, with a revenue of almost $30 billion in 2021.
Did you know that, on average, Netflix subscribers spend over 3 hours each day watching series/movies?
Intrigued, right? In the entertainment sector, Netflix, with over 15,000 content titles in several languages, including award-winning TV series, documentaries, movies, and anime, is unrivaled.
With a subscriber base of over 222 million across 190 countries, Netflix is one of the undisputed kings of streaming movies and TV series. What sets it apart from its competitors is its collection of original TV shows, movies, tons of quality programs, and an easy-to-use interface.
What’s more, the platform has been releasing games since November 2021. Also, now dozens of titles are available on the platform to subscribers at no additional cost. Voila!
Do you know what sets Netflix apart from other streaming video services? Netflix’s powerful metadata-based recommendation algorithm enables it to segregate the content depending on the history of users’ choices and then offer them with most chosen innovative features.
Plus, the platform offers an extensive catalog of documentaries, movies, and series that are notable for their originality.
Also, Netflix has started forming alliances with local production houses to provide relevant content in each region.
Albeit the platform is many peoples’ go-to choice to catch on their favorite shows of all time, there are various virtual platforms with an unlimited amount of content available on our fingerprints.
Not convinced? Netflix competitors have sprung up over the years, giving it a run for the money.
Let’s find out!
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Top 10 Competitors and Alternatives to Netflix
Netflix might be one of the biggest video streaming platforms around the globe, but for sure, it isn’t the only one.
Yes, we live in a golden era of the entertainment industry with so many alternatives to Netflix that enhances your choice of series and movies at affordable prices.
Let’s explore each of them and what all it has to offer; here’s a comprehensive analysis of each video streaming platform:
HBO MAX
- Founded: 2020.
- Headquarters: New York, USA.
HBO MAX is a subscription streaming platform owned by the well-known WarnerMedia. The platform operates similarly to Netflix.
Also, the streaming platform, along with HBO, garnered 69.4 million subscribers by the end of the 3rd quarter of 2021 globally.
What’s more, subscribers not only have access to HBO MAX Originals but houses all original programming produced by HBO and Warner Bros.
On top of that, HBO MAX, an on-demand video streaming service, provides content in all genres such as period drama, TV shows, series, etc.
Plus, you can watch all past and current episodes of your favorite HBO shows for only $14.99/month. Albeit the streaming services is a little on the pricier end, it’s worth the money because it has so much to offer.
Disney+
- Founded: 2019.
- Headquarters: New York, USA.
The platform is a direct-to-consumer video subscription service with over 100 million subscribers.
Disney+ is one of the top competitors to Netflix for many reasons. The platform has a diverse selection of entertainment, from animated classics to Star Wars to documentaries to Marvel cinematic franchises and whatnot.
Plus, Disney acquired fox for $71 billion, adding more content in its catalog, including iconic shows like Simpsons.
Also, Netflix has no match with Disney+, especially when it comes to offering more adult and edgier content, but it can’t beat the joy of watching Disney’s animated classics.
What’s more, the streaming platform also benefits from Disney’s other resources, such as theme parks. Also, the platform costs only $6.99/month and $69.99/annum, which is a lot cheaper than Netflix.
So, if you are looking for a streaming service that offers family-friendly content, Disney+ can be your go-to platform.
Amazon Prime Video
- Founded: 2006.
- Headquarters: Seattle Washington, USA.
Who’s the biggest competitor to Netflix? Any guesses? Yes, it’s Amazon Prime Video with over 200 million subscribers across the globe.
It is one of the top streaming services owned by the tech giant Amazon; it can be subscribed as a stand-alone service and as well as the part of a Prime subscription.
The platform offers an entire gamut of genres, including horror, thrillers, comedy, etc. Not sure whether you are making the right move? Here’s what the service offers:
- Various sports shows.
- Documentaries.
- Popular movies and series.
- Amazon originals.
- Exercise and workout videos.
What’s more, the service houses over 20,000 content titles and provides customized content based on both regional and linguistic preferences.
Although Amazon Prime Video offers an extensive library of content, Netflix houses original content that you can’t find on APV (Amazon Prime Video) platform.
YouTube TV
- Founded: 2017.
- Headquarters: San Bruno, California, USA.
YouTube TV is arguably one of the top competitors to Netflix. That’s because the TV streaming service not only offers live TV but on-demand videos and unlimited cloud-based free digital video recorder from over 80 TV networks, including Discovery, CNN, ESPN, Fox, etc.
Plus, the platform has over 2 billion active users, allowing users to access more than a billion videos. Also, the streaming services not only enable the users to watch their favorite shows when they air, but you can record them for free. Do we have anything else to say?
What sets it apart from other streaming services? Perhaps it’s the ability to record live TV which obviously Netflix lacks.
The biggest plus? The platform has expanded its content library in 2020 and provides more channels than any other competitor and also unlimited storage that too free of cost.
Sling TV
- Founded: 2015.
- Headquarters: Colorado, USA.
Sling TV is an over-the-top streaming platform, meaning it comes in the form of the internet rather than traditional broadcasters from satellites and cables.
Also, the platform reported to have 2.56 million subscribers for the 3rd quarter of 2021 in the US alone. It allows the users to watch a wide range of cable television channels. This is what sets it apart from other streaming services.
Since more and more people prefer switching to streaming services than relying on cable packages, Sling TV happens to fill the void for people who miss their all-time favorite cable TV shows.
Currently, the platform offers two plans, Sling TV Orange and Sling TV Blue, of which one is more sports-oriented while the other is news-oriented.
With Orange, users have access to Disney, ESPN, and a lot more, while with Blue, users can access some of the best news channels, including NBC, Fox, etc.
Plus, users can tailor content to enhance their experience at a lesser price, making it one of the key competitors to Netflix.
Curiosity Stream
- Founded: 2015.
- Headquarters: Maryland, USA.
Curiosity Stream is an American-based subscription video streaming platform with annual revenues of $71 million.
Also, the platform welcomed 4 million subscribers in the 2nd quarter of 2021, making the overall 20 million subscribers worldwide.
The video streaming service specializes in factual and non-fiction programming and also offers series, TV shows, and documentaries about everything from nature to tech and whatnot.
The best part? The curiosity stream not only allows the subscribers to access educational content and content offered by some of the popular cable channels, including Animal Planet, Discovery, and the Learning channel.
The only downside, the streaming service doesn’t offer personalization options and has ads. However, Netflix offers ad-free and more personalized content.
Showtime
- Founded: 1983.
- Headquarters: New York, USA.
Showtime, without a doubt, is one of the biggest threats to Netflix, with over 28 million subscribers in the US market alone. It is an American-based premium TV network that reports annual revenue of almost $986 million.
The biggest plus, the streaming service has made it possible to download your favorite shows for offline viewing. P.S not all content titles are available for offline viewing.
Moreover, the TV network is available on both platforms, including traditional cable channels as well as a part of a video streaming service.
The platform’s programming primarily offers theatrically released pictures, Showtime and TV originals, stand-up comedy, made-for-TV films, martial arts, etc.
In a nutshell, if you are looking for a streaming service or cable channel that provides a good selection of current series and movies, Showtime is one of the best contenders as it only costs $10.9/month. Good deal – no?
Paramount+
- Founded: 2014.
- Headquarters: New York, USA.
It is a subscription video-on-demand OTT (over-the-top) service provider operating in the outskirts of New York. The platform has a presence in over 50 countries, due to which it has captured a solid market base of 47 million subscribers globally.
Paramount plus provides various eye-catching originals, spinoffs of some popular brands, awards shows such as the Grammys, and soccer matches.
Plus, the streaming service provides ad-free content and is a lot cheaper than other competitors.
It also gives users access to some of the best shows of CBS and can even enjoy movies, series, and TV shows from ViacomCBS subsidiaries, including Nickelodeon, MTV, etc.
The best part? Paramount plus offers a free trial for the entire content library, whereas Netflix only offers a 30 day free trial for selected content titles. Choose wisely!
Hulu
- Founded: 2007.
- Headquarters: California, USA.
Hulu is a subscription-based video-on-demand streaming service provider that works similarly to Netflix.
Albeit the platform is only limited to Japan and USA, it still has a whopping customer base of almost 43 million subscribers.
Also, Hulu boasts a catalog of original TV shows and movies, including Only Murders in the Building, The Handmaid’s Tale.
Plus, Hulu is unique in that it airs new episodes of the most popular TV shows a day or two after they are aired on television.
Besides, Hulu provides thousands of movies and TV shows for as low as $6.99/month, but the content isn’t ad-free. However, one can subscribe for ad-free content, but it costs around $12.99/month.
The best part? The live TV feature of the platform provides both sports broadcasts and live news.
Also, Hulu allows the subscribers to customize the platform with add-ons, such as HBO, Showtime, or even get access to live TV channels like CNN, Fox, etc., for $69/month.
Apple TV+
- Founded: 2019.
- Headquarters: California, USA.
It is a subscription-based video streaming service operated by the technology giant Apple Inc. Also, it is expected that the platform will hit 36 million subscribers by the end of 2026.
Since it has entered the market, Apple TV+ has been focusing on coming up with a lineup of star-studded shows.
It is one of the cheapest yet great alternatives to Netflix. Yes, the subscription can be purchased for only $4.99 per month. Also, it offers ad-free content, and at this price, you have access to some high-quality shows, including Helpsters, For All Man Kind, Snoopy, and many more.
Nonetheless, the content library offered by the Apple TV+ can’t match with Netflix, which houses thousands of titles.
Apart from these, Peacock, Acorn TV, Crackle, etc. are some of the best options that you can give a shot.
The Takeaway
Are you planning to switch from traditional cable TV to subscription-based on-demand video streaming services? Great, you have made the right decision. The aforementioned are some of the best streaming options that you won’t regret trying.
Nonetheless, we would recommend you to take the trials one at a time and see which one best fits your need. Once you know that, it will be a lot easier to sign up for your favorite streaming platform.
