With the invention of the Television, it has paved the path towards becoming a primary source of entertainment for many years. Starting from new movies, TV shows, and exciting content, it has become a part of everyone’s daily life.
However, the days of cabled TV have become a thing of the past in this digital world. Recently, the majority of people have started using Online Streaming services. This was made possible with the introduction of Smart TVs and its growing popularity.
Nowadays, there are many popular streaming services while others are coming up as well. As a result, very few people still have cable TVs. These streaming services have a wide variety of both local and international content.
Top 5 Online Streaming Services of 2020
Now, let us take a look at some of the best online streaming services for this New Year 2020. These have been ranked based on content, pricing, and other factors. It has already garnered millions of subscribers and has a worthy amount of content on its platform.
1. Netflix
Currently, Netflix is the market leader in online streaming services. It is also one of the earlier companies that came into existence even before Google. Incidentally, it started out by sending movie titles in the form of Discs or VHS by mailing it to the subscriber.
Subsequently, they switched to an online streaming service. However, you can still receive the shows in disc format, if you demand it.
Netflix also hosts the biggest online library as compared to other streaming services. You can find content from various parts of the world. Nowadays, smartphones, Smart TVs and consoles come with Netflix pre-installed in it. Thus, you can stream content on these platforms along with Google Chromecast and TV sticks.
Mainly, there are three basic packages for a Netflix subscription.
- Basic Membership – Priced at just $7.99 per month, you can enjoy the whole Netflix library but in SD quality. Also, you can only stream on one device at a time.
- Standard Membership – Here, you can enjoy Netflix in HD quality at a price of $9.99 per month. You will be able to stream simultaneously on two devices.
- Premium Membership – With this membership, you can enjoy Ultra HD quality of movies and TV shows. It is priced at only $11.99 and you can stream simultaneously in up to 4 devices.
Moreover, Netflix is one of the few streaming services that produce their own content. Some of these shows have even won several awards such as Stranger Things. In comparison to other streaming services, Netflix shows and movies are much creative and interesting.
2. Amazon Prime Video
The second contender on the list is Amazon Prime Video. It was called Amazon Unbox and launched in the fall of 2006. Currently, it is the second-largest streaming service provider with a vast online library. Recently, it has started making its own original shows as well.
You can stream Amazon Prime Video on your smartphone, Smart TV and TV sticks as well. However, its movie collection is not as big as Netflix. Generally, you can get Amazon Prime Video if you have subscribed to Amazon Prime. It is a special subscription by Amazon where you can avail a range of benefits. The most notable ones include the following.
- Premium Delivery Services
- Amazon Prime Video
- Amazon Prime Music
- Kindle ebooks and audiobooks
Collectively, you can avail all this at only $12.99 per month where you can stream simultaneously in 4 devices. You can choose to pay for the yearly subscription as they give a good discount. You can also avail Amazon Prime Video subscription at $8.99 per month.
3. Disney Plus
Disney Plus is the latest streaming service that was launched in November 2019. Within the first day itself, it collected 10 million subscribers. Currently, there are more than 20 million subscribers on board the Disney Plus platform. In comparison to other streaming services, Disney Plus Streaming Service aims to be more of a family, friendly and PG-rated.
Here, you can find thousands of shows, movies, cartoons, and animated shorts. Mostly, you will only get content provided by Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel and National Geographic. Starting from 2020, all Marvel franchises were removed from other streaming services that were exclusive to Disney Plus. This is also one of the reasons why Marvel shows were canceled on Netflix.
Currently, there is only one basic subscription which is priced at $6.99. With this, you will be able to enjoy simultaneous streaming in up to 4 devices at once. You can also enjoy Ultra HD 4k content with the basic plan.
Along with this, Disney Plus is releasing various originals of its own as well. The Mandalorian experienced immense success on the day of its launch. Alternatively, you can avail the bundled package where you will get Hulu and ESPN+ as well. This package is priced at $12.99 at a great bargain. Individually, Hulu and ESPN+ cost $5.99 and $5 respectively.
4. Hulu
While other streaming services are best for watching shows and movies, Hulu is the best platform for streaming Live TV. Similar to other platforms, it can run on Smart TVs, smartphones, desktops, Google Chromecast and TV sticks. Apart from this, it is the only streaming service that can run on Nintendo Switch.
Some of the popular channels that you can watch include Comedy Central, Fox and NBC. Hulu has its own original shows as well. Incidentally, it has two main membership plans which are Basic and Premium.
The Basic membership costs only $5.99 but you will see adverts while streaming. However, the Premium version doesn’t show ads and is priced at $11.99. Apart from this, there is a separate option for Live TV which can be bundled with these memberships.
Therefore, it will cost you $54.99 if you bundle Live TV with Basic membership. Accordingly, bundling it with Premium membership will cost you $60.99. Another problem is that you cannot stream simultaneously with either Basic or Premium membership.
However, you can stream in up to 2 devices in a bundled package with Live TV. Also, you can increase the number of screens but it will cost you $14.99.
5. Apple TV Plus / Google Play Store
Although it has been available for the past decade, most people forget that you can stream movies through this app store. You can easily buy or rent movies to stream on your smartphone or tablet at a certain price.
However, both the Apple TV Plus and Google Play Store have a vast online library of almost all the movie titles. The prices differ from movie to movie. For instance, you can find the latest movies at a higher price as compared to old ones. Also, there are multiple sales going on from time to time. Therefore, you can buy it during such online sales.
Google Play Store and Apple TV Plus is a good streaming platform when you want to watch a specific movie title. You cannot watch any TV series and you have to pay for each movie. Additionally, you can rent the movie instead of buying it as well. This will allow you to stream, watch or download the movie. You can do this at any time within 30 days. However, if you start watching the movie, you have only 48 hours to finish it.
Finally.
We have listed the most popular and the best online streaming services available today. Therefore, you can choose from among them according to your own taste and preferences.
Hulu is more suited for Live TV shows while Netflix and Amazon are suited for original shows and movies. Accordingly, you can go to Apple Tv Plus or Google play store if you only want to watch a specific movie. This is a good alternative for those titles that are not available on other platforms. However, Disney Plus has proved to be an amazing and interesting contender.
The famous Marvel shows from Netflix will now be removed from the platform. It will be made available on Disney Plus. Also, Disney Plus streaming service offers some amazing originals like The Mandolarian and other upcoming Marvel shows. Thus, Disney is an excellent choice for Marvel, Star Wars and Disney fans.
Article by: Sunil Verma
