US streaming services: what subscribers like, what they complain about, and who each is for (2026)

Streaming apps in the US App Store mostly sit between 4.6 and 4.9 stars, and the number says little: most five-star reviews are one line about a favorite show. The longer reviews are the useful ones, and in 2026 they keep coming back to the same few subjects.

This page sums up what subscribers wrote about nine services between April and October 2026, next to what each service’s own US pages say about its plans. Current prices are on each service’s page on this site and in the movies and TV category.

The short version

• People pay for the catalog. Specific shows, anime, live sports — that’s the part almost nobody complains about.
• Ads are the most common complaint. On ad-supported plans everywhere, and on Prime Video also from members who don’t want to pay extra to remove them.
• Price increases come next, often in five-star reviews: people like the service and say the next increase is the one that makes them cancel.
• The apps themselves come third: “continue watching” that loses your place, sign-in loops, TV apps that freeze after an update.
• Billing and cancellation complaints are rarer but concentrated in two services — YouTube TV and Hulu.

What the complaints have in common

Ads

Reviewers count the breaks. Disney+ With Ads reviewers describe up to five breaks in a 25-minute episode. On Netflix’s Standard with ads opinions split: some find the ads acceptable, others count three or four per episode. On Hulu, ads are by far the most common subject in recent reviews — long, repeated and, by some accounts, louder than the show. Prime Video members object to ads before a title and again after pausing or rewinding. HBO Max reviewers single out gambling and casino ads on Basic with Ads, Paramount+ reviewers mention the same commercial in every break, and Peacock reviewers describe breaks of up to 90 seconds.

Prices

Price is the complaint that shows up even in the best reviews. Netflix, HBO Max and Peacock fans write that they still love the service but that the price has gone up too often, and several say the next increase is when they cancel. YouTube TV is a different case: as a cable replacement it’s the most expensive service here, and price is the most common complaint in its reviews.

Losing your place

Several services have the same weak spot: the app forgets where you stopped. Prime Video’s “continue watching” shows titles from another profile or drops them, Hulu and Peacock don’t keep progress in sync between a phone and a TV, Apple TV reviewers can’t find their watchlist, and on YouTube TV a resumed recording jumps to the live broadcast.

Disappearing titles

Catalogs change, and subscribers notice. Netflix reviewers mention canceled seasons, Disney+ reviewers mention anime leaving the service, HBO Max reviewers mention classic films and cartoons disappearing, and Hulu and Peacock reviewers name individual movie series that are gone.

Billing and cancelling

This is where the most frustrated reviews are. On YouTube TV many recent reviews describe charges at the end of the trial or after cancelling. Several Hulu reviewers couldn’t find where to cancel, or found that the pause option they read about wasn’t there. Where the subscription was bought through another company, you cancel there.

Service by service

[Netflix](/prenumeratos/netflix)

For you if you want one service with the widest mix — originals, anime, Korean dramas, whole seasons released at once — and an app that, reviewers say, rarely breaks. Netflix has three US plans: Standard with ads, Standard and Premium; Premium adds 4K, four screens and room for two extra members.

Not for you if you want the lowest price without ads: the ad-free plans cost more, and price increases are the most common complaint even among fans. Students in dorms and households on a mobile hotspot also write about being disconnected by the household rule.

What reviewers complain about: price increases (many reviews), canceled or removed shows (several), ads on Standard with ads (several), the household rule (a few).

[Disney+](/prenumeratos/disney-plus)

For you if you watch with your family: Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars are why most reviewers subscribe. Disney+ (With Ads) and Disney+ Premium both offer 4K and HDR; Premium removes ads except in some live programming, adds Dolby Atmos and can be paid yearly. It’s also sold in bundles with Hulu, ESPN and HBO Max.

Not for you if you don’t want ads but don’t want to pay for Premium — ads are the top complaint on the cheaper plan. Anime fans also write about titles leaving the catalog.

What reviewers complain about: ads (many), sign-in and log-out errors (many; some reviewers say an update fixed it), price (several), removed titles (several), missing features such as playback speed (several).

[Prime Video](/prenumeratos/amazon-prime-video)

For you if you already have Amazon Prime — Prime Video is included — or want downloads for travel, which reviewers praise. It’s also sold on its own as a Prime Video membership. Movies and shows include limited ads; Prime Video Ultra removes most of them and adds 4K and more streams.

Not for you if you expect everything in the app to be included: many reviewers are frustrated that a lot of titles are rentals, purchases or paid add-on channels.

What reviewers complain about: ads (many), paid titles inside the app (several), “continue watching” and playback bugs (several).

[HBO Max](/prenumeratos/hbo-max)

For you if you watch for prestige series — HBO originals, documentaries, DC, Studio Ghibli — and want new films soon after release, which several reviewers point out. Basic with Ads and Standard stream in 1080p; Premium adds 4K and Dolby Atmos. Every plan can be paid monthly or yearly.

Not for you if price matters most: it’s the most common complaint, including in five-star reviews. Some reviewers on Basic with Ads object to gambling ads.

What reviewers complain about: price (several), ads, especially casino and betting ads (several), classic films and cartoons removed (a few).

[Hulu](/prenumeratos/hulu)

For you if you already get Hulu in a bundle with Disney+, which is how most people use it, and watch the network shows reviewers mention most, such as The Rookie and 9-1-1. Hulu (With Ads) and Hulu Premium both stream up to 4K on two screens; Premium removes ads except on a few shows and adds downloads.

Not for you if ads bother you and you’re on Hulu (With Ads): recent reviews are dominated by ad complaints, including from four-star reviewers.

Recent written reviews of Hulu are far more negative than its overall 4.6-star rating, so read the list below as the common complaints, not as a verdict on the service.

What reviewers complain about: ads (many), freezing and slow playback, especially on Apple TV and Chromecast (many), progress not syncing between devices (several), finding where to cancel or pause (several), price (several).

[Paramount+](/prenumeratos/paramount-plus)

For you if you subscribe for particular shows or sports — South Park, Nickelodeon, Taylor Sheridan’s series, UFC, soccer. Essential, with ads, includes NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League and UFC; Premium removes ads from on-demand content and adds your local live CBS station, all of SHOWTIME and downloads.

Not for you if repeated ads bother you: several Essential reviewers say the same commercial runs in every break.

What reviewers complain about: repeated ads (several), the app not loading after updates on some TVs and streaming sticks (several), buffering during live sports on smart TVs (a few).

[Peacock](/prenumeratos/peacock)

For you if you watch NBC and Bravo shows, daytime soaps or the Chicago series. Several reviewers get Peacock through their internet or TV provider. Select covers NBC and Bravo favorites with ads but leaves out live sports, movies and Peacock Originals; Premium adds them, still with ads; Premium Plus removes most ads and adds downloads.

Not for you if you want sports or movies on the cheapest plan — Select doesn’t include them — or if long ad breaks bother you.

What reviewers complain about: ads (many), price increases (several), freezing and slow buttons (several), recommendations you can’t edit (a few).

[Apple TV](/prenumeratos/apple-tv)

For you if you want Apple Originals — Ted Lasso, Slow Horses, Pluribus — with no ads. In the US the subscription also includes Formula 1, MLS and Friday Night Baseball, and Family Sharing covers up to six people.

Not for you if you expect a full film library: several reviewers were confused that many movies in the same app are rentals or purchases.

Recent written reviews are much more negative than the 4.8-star overall rating; the list below is the common complaints.

What reviewers complain about: a watchlist that’s hard to find (a few), the app forgetting where you stopped (a few), paid movies mixed in with the subscription (a few), price (a few).

[YouTube TV](/prenumeratos/youtube-tv)

For you if you’re replacing cable: local channels, live sports, unlimited DVR, three streams at once and up to six household accounts. A Sports + News plan with 50+ channels exists for people who don’t need the entertainment networks.

Not for you if you watch one game a week — price is the most common complaint — or travel a lot: a few reviewers describe repeated location checks away from home.

YouTube TV is the only service here rated below four stars overall (3.6), and recent reviews are more negative still.

What reviewers complain about: price (many), charges around the trial and after cancelling (many), recordings and “resume” jumping to live (many), ads in recordings (several), location checks (several).

Before you subscribe

• Decide on ads first. On most services the ad-supported plan is the one people complain about. Compare what the ad-free plan costs on the service’s page before you pick.
• Expect increases. If a service offers yearly billing — Disney+ Premium, HBO Max, Paramount+, Peacock — you pay for the year up front; month-to-month lets you leave between seasons.
• Cancel where you subscribed. If you signed up through Roku, Apple or Amazon, the cancel button is there, not in the streaming app.
• Write down the trial end date. YouTube TV reviewers in particular describe being charged around the end of the trial.

All nine services side by side, with current prices, are in the movies and TV category.