Best Streaming Services in 2025

Remember when Netflix and Hulu were practically the only choices if you wanted to go cable-free, and they came with no ads at sub-$10 subscriptions? Now, if want to keep commercials at bay, you’re typically looking at $15+ monthly subscriptions, and those prices can just keep rising.

Here’s the good news: there are so many other options nowadays that it’s difficult to determine the exact best streaming service. But you might need to thoroughly research or subscribe for a month to check if a streaming service is just the right fit for you, which can take a lot of time and effort.

And that’s what this streaming service guide will try to help you with: the best streaming services in 2025, broken down by what each does best.

Netflix – Best International Originals

• Monthly Cost: Starting at $8/month (with ads)
• Best For: Comprehensive content library and global originals
• Free Trial: No

Netflix remains the gold standard for streaming services in 2025, offering more high-quality original content with no content barriers between subscription tiers. The platform excels in delivering excellent originals and a great selection of globally sourced movies and shows. For most breakout shows that you might have heard of, chances are it started out on Netflix.

The service offers three tiers: Standard with Ads ($7.99/month), Standard ($17.99/month), and Premium ($24.99/month), with the main differences being ad presence, video quality, simultaneous streams, and multi-user options.

Max (Or HBO Max) – Best Premium Content

• Monthly Cost: Starting at $10/month (with ads)
• Best For: Premium original series and Warner Bros. content
• Free Trial: Yes (7 days)

Max offers the deepest high-quality content library available, drawing from HBO’s premium archives, Warner Bros. vault, and Turner Classic Movies. The service hosts legendary shows like The Sopranos, Game of Thrones and the House of the Dragon, Succession, South Park, and The Big Bang Theory, with upcoming blockbusters such as the Harry Potter TV series.

The platform offers three tiers: ad-supported Basic ($9.99/month), ad-free Standard ($16.99/month), and Premium ($20.99/month) with 4K streaming, Dolby Atmos surround sound, and four simultaneous streams. Despite some cuts after the Discovery+ merger (and multiple name changes over the course of three years), Max is still the go-to option when you want quality entertainment.

Hulu – Best for Versatility and Bundling

• Monthly Cost: Starting at $10/month (with ads)
• Best For: Current TV or options to bundle with HBO, Disney+, ESPN, or Live TV
• Free Trial: No

Hulu’s main “draw” is providing relatively recent TV episodes alongside a strong library of original series like The Handmaid’s Tale and Only Murders in the Building. The platform’s rich archive of older TV shows nearly rivals that of Netflix at a similar price point.

However, it’s Hulu’s bundles that can make it more worthwhile. For example, adding Disney+ to the mix costs just $1 more per month (for the ad-supported tier). This allows you to get a dual Disney-Hulu app to get access to both libraries at an incredible discount (as Disney+ itself costs $10 per month and up).

Alternatively, you can bundle Hulu with Live TV, basically getting something that functions as what cable TV used to be a decade ago. This plan is a bit pricier, at $83.99 per month for Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN with ads and Live TV, or more if you want to remove ads from online streaming, but it’s basically a catch-all service that covers most of your TV entertainment needs.

Amazon Prime Video – Best Value for Prime Members

• Monthly Cost: Starting at $9/month (with ads) or included with Prime ($15 per month)
• Best For: Value and comprehensive entertainment package
• Free Trial: 30 days with Prime trial

Amazon Prime Video might not have the largest catalog out there, but it’s basically free for Prime members, who get the service included with their $139 annual membership if they shop online and want free shipping. However, Prime Video has significantly improved its original content with notable series like The Boys and The Expanse, proving it can compete on quality and hit it big.

Most importantly, Prime Video includes 4K and HDR content at no extra charge, unlike most other streaming options. Amazon also handles their own TV-streaming through Amazon Fire Sticks, which will ideally work best through Amazon Prime Video. The service also allows you to manage additional subscriptions like Showtime and Paramount+ in one place, trial other streaming services straight in the app, or even bundle with other options like HBO Max.

Apple TV+ – Best for Apple Device Users

• Monthly Cost: $10/month or $19.95 with Apple One
• Best For: Premium original content and quality over quantity
• Free Trial: 7 days

Apple TV+ has evolved from a “subscribe when your show returns” service to a must-have platform in 2025. The service consistently produces award-winning originals like Severance, Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, and CODA, alongside newer hits like The Studio with Seth Rogen.

Apple’s focus on quality over quantity has paid off, with the platform securing A-list talent and critical acclaim. For Apple ecosystem users, the service integrates well with Apple One bundles that include Apple Music, Arcade, and iCloud storage starting at just under $20/month, making it an attractive catch-all subscription.

YouTube TV – Best for Live TV

• Monthly Cost: $83/month
• Best For: Live television and sports coverage
• Free Trial: Yes

YouTube TV leads the live TV streaming market with over 85 channels and exceptional sports coverage including CBS, FOX, ESPN, NBC, MLB Network, NBA TV, and NFL Network. The service’s standout feature is automatic team following, where you can select your favorite teams and the DVR records all their games automatically.

The platform offers unlimited cloud DVR storage with nine-month retention and one of the most user-friendly interfaces for live TV streaming. While the $82.99 monthly cost approaches traditional cable pricing (and is slightly more expensive than Hulu) YouTube TV provides superior flexibility without contracts and the ability to watch anywhere. Plus, the platform has a free trial (which is rare for TV streaming) and a generous discount for new users.