In 2022, we have a plethora of streaming services to choose from. Each has its own specific collection of movies and TV series’, and having multiple subscriptions can begin to get expensive. Consumer $ense is here to help you decide which streaming service is best for your taste and best for your wallet.

 Netflix

Netflix caters to their fans’ needs by streaming movies and shows in over 30 languages across 190 countries. Their media library consists of films and series acquired from distribution deals which give Netflix the right to provide media to viewers from outside parties. A lot of the Netflix media library consists of “Netflix originals” which are pieces of entertainment created by Netflix or acquired from other sources who may have discontinued the program. 

Some examples of popular Netflix originals include:

• Stranger Things
• Ozark
• Outer Banks
• Grace and Frankie
• Bridgerton

The list of Netflix originals is long, but they are not guaranteed to stay on the platform forever. For example, The Office, a popular TV comedy, was available on Netflix for years, but was discontinued on January 1, 2021. 

Netflix is advertisement-free, and there are 3 levels of subscription plans:

• Basic: $9.99/month, good video quality, 480p resolution
• Standard: $15.59/month, better video quality, 1080p resolution
• Premium: $19.99/month, best video quality, 4K+HDR resolution

Each subscription offers the same selection of movies and shows, the price difference signifies a difference in video quality and resolution. 

Hulu

Hulu is similar to Netflix in a lot of ways, but they also have crucial differences. Like Netflix, there are some Hulu originals on the platform.  The most basic subscription for Hulu is $6.99/month, but the plan is ad-supported, so you can expect to watch advertisements interrupt your shows and movies. However, you can get Hulu with no ads for 12.99/month. 

Hulu leaves an interesting option on the table for people who want to ditch cable. You can get over 75 channels on Hulu where you can watch your favorite sports teams, news channels, and live broadcasts of events in addition to the entire Hulu streaming library for $69.99/month. A mid-level cable plan can start around $69.99/month alone, and a premium cable plan can be as expensive as $135/month. This option has the potential to save cable users a pretty penny, while offering an entire library of additional TV shows and movies on the Hulu platform. 

Hulu also has a very inexpensive student plan for $1.99/month. If you are not satisfied with the selection on your plan, Hulu also has add-ons for an additional cost. You can add ESPN+, HBO Max, Cinemax, SHOWTIME, and STARZ to any plan. 

HBO Max

HBO Max is owned by the entertainment conglomerate, WarnerMedia. Because of this ownership, HBO Max already owns the rights to all of the media on their platform. So, unlike Netflix, HBO Max shows are on the platform to stay because they do not have licensing agreements to worry about. 

HBO Max has two subscription plans: 

• $9.99/month for ad-supported streaming
• $14.99/month for ad-free streaming

HBO Max streams movies and series from HBO, Max Originals, DC Comics, Sesame Workshop, Turner Classic Movies, Studio Ghibli, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and more. Additionally, all WarnerMedia movies will be released on HBO Max the same day they hit theaters. 

Disney+

Disney Plus is a great option for Disney lovers. On this platform you can choose from a range of shows and movies from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more, and it is all advertisement free. 

A regular Disney+ subscription is $7.99/month, and there is also a Disney+ bundle that includes Hulu and ESPN+ for $13.99/month (with ads) or for $19.99/month (no ads). 

Each of these platforms have unique features that cater to different audiences. Many people have multiple subscriptions to services, but with enough research, you can find one that caters best to your streaming needs.

What is your favorite streaming service? Let us know in the comments and on social media!

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