Streaming services compared: what each one is best for in 2026

There are more streaming services than ever, and most of us can’t – and shouldn’t – pay for all of them. The good news is that each one has a clear personality. Once you know what a service is for, it’s much easier to decide which to keep, which to rotate and which to skip.

This guide is written for readers everywhere, so we’ve added regional notes where things differ. We’ve deliberately left prices out. Plans and prices change often and vary hugely by country, tier and whether adverts are included – always check the service’s own site for your region before you subscribe. And as ever, availability varies by country: a show on one service in the US may be somewhere else entirely in the UK, Canada or Australia.

Netflix – best for: a bit of everything, and global hits

Netflix is still the default for a reason. It has the broadest mix of drama, comedy, reality, documentaries, films and anime, and its originals come from all over the world – Korean thrillers, Spanish heists, Japanese anime, British crime. If you only keep one service, this is usually it.

Good to know: its catalogue differs more by country than almost any other service, especially for licensed films and anime.

Prime Video – best for: value if you already have Prime

In many countries Prime Video comes bundled with an Amazon Prime membership, which makes it a “free” extra for a lot of households. Its originals lean towards big genre shows, and it doubles as a storefront: you can rent or buy films and add channels (including some anime and sports services, depending on your region).

Good to know: some titles are rent-or-buy rather than included, so check the label before you press play.

Disney+ – best for: families and the big franchises

If your household includes children, or anyone who follows the big superhero and space-opera franchises, Disney+ earns its keep. It’s also the home of Pixar and classic Disney animation, plus National Geographic documentaries.

Regional note: outside the US, Disney+ also carries a lot of grown-up general entertainment that Americans would find on Hulu. In the US, the two are sold separately or as a bundle.

Apple TV – best for: a small but very high-quality slate

Apple dropped the “+” from its name in late 2025, but the approach is the same: fewer shows, made with care. Its prestige dramas and comedies have a strong hit rate, so it’s a great service to subscribe to for a month or two, binge the highlights and pause.

Good to know: you don’t need Apple hardware – the app is on most smart TVs, streaming sticks and games consoles, and there’s a web player.

HBO Max – best for: prestige drama and big-name back catalogues

HBO’s library of landmark drama, plus the Warner Bros. film and TV catalogue, makes this the heavyweight choice for serious TV fans.

Regional note: HBO Max launched in the UK and Ireland in March 2026, completing its European rollout, and is available in much of the Americas and parts of Asia-Pacific. In countries where it isn’t available, HBO shows are usually licensed to a local partner – check what’s offered where you live. In the UK, it’s also the streaming home of TNT Sports.

Crunchyroll – best for: anime, full stop

If you watch anime seriously, Crunchyroll is close to essential. Most new seasonal shows stream there, often within an hour or so of airing in Japan, and it’s available in most countries. Some big series are exclusive to it in many regions – for example, the second season of Frieren is a Crunchyroll exclusive across most international markets.

Good to know: the catalogue is almost entirely anime, so it’s a great second service but rarely a household’s only one. New to the genre? Start with our anime for beginners guide.

Regional services worth knowing

Beyond the global names, every market has its own strong local options. A few examples:

• US: Hulu (general entertainment and next-day TV), Peacock and Paramount+ (network shows, films and live sport).
• UK: the free broadcaster services (BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and others) offer a huge amount without a subscription; NOW is a flexible way to get Sky content.
• Canada: Crave is the main home for a lot of premium US drama.
• Australia: Stan and Binge carry plenty of premium drama alongside local shows.
• Elsewhere: Paramount+ and other services are available in many countries, but line-ups and partners vary – check locally.

How to choose (without spending a fortune)

1. Start with what you actually watch. Look back at the last five shows you loved and see where they live in your country.
2. Rotate, don’t stack. Most services offer monthly plans. Subscribe to one, binge what you want, cancel and move on.
3. Check for bundles. Mobile, broadband and TV providers in many countries bundle streaming services – sometimes at a discount.
4. Consider ad-supported tiers. Many services now offer a cheaper plan with adverts. If you don’t mind a few breaks, it can be a sensible saving.
5. Use the free stuff. Public broadcasters and free, ad-supported services have more to offer than people think.

Which one is right for you?

• One service only? Netflix for breadth; Prime Video if you already pay for Prime.
• Families? Disney+.
• Prestige drama fans? HBO Max, with Apple TV as a rotating extra.
• Anime fans? Crunchyroll, plus whichever general service you already have.

Planning a holiday binge? Our best TV box sets for Christmas are grouped by service, so you can see at a glance which one to switch on for December.

If you’re upgrading your setup to match, What2Buy (a UK buying-guide site) has a beginner-friendly streaming setup guide – it’s aimed at people who make streams rather than watch them, and prices are in pounds, but the kit advice travels well.