Streaming services: plans and prices compared 2026
In the US you can choose between on-demand libraries — Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Prime Video and Apple TV — and live TV services like YouTube TV. Most now have a cheaper plan with ads, and many come in bundles. This page sorts out the differences that matter before you pay.
We compare terms from the providers’ US websites and help centers. Prices are in the price block on each service’s page, before sales tax.
Quick picks
If you want 4K on a budget
Disney+ and Hulu list up to 4K on their plans with ads too; Netflix and HBO Max keep 4K for Premium.
If you want to prepay a year
HBO Max offers yearly billing on every plan; Peacock’s annual plans cost 12 months for the price of 10; Hulu bills its plan with ads yearly and Disney+ its Premium plan. Netflix is monthly only.
If you want live TV channels
YouTube TV has 100+ channels on its main plan and 50+ on Sports + News; Hulu + Live TV adds channels to Hulu.
If you want Disney+ too
Disney+ bundles with Hulu, ESPN Select or Unlimited, and HBO Max.
If you already pay for Amazon Prime
Prime Video is included in Prime; it’s also sold on its own as a Prime Video membership.
If you share with family
Apple TV can be shared with up to six people through Family Sharing; YouTube TV allows 6 household accounts and 3 streams.
$8.99/mo
Prime Video
What should you choose?
The service is picked by our score, the plan is the cheapest one that fits the situation. Prices are checked.
For one person · For two · For a family (up to 4) · For big families (5+)
Apple TV · Apple TV
$14.99/moPlus sales tax where applicable
- 6 screens at the same time
If you watch YouTube
YouTube Premium · Individual
$15.99/moPlus sales tax where applicable
- Most ads disappear, background play and downloads work on your phone, and YouTube Music Premium is included
Services in this category
from $14.99/moPlus sales tax where applicableFree trial — 7 days
Price checked
from $8.99/moPlus sales tax where applicableFree trial — 7 days
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from $8.99/moPlus sales tax where applicable
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from $10.99/moPlus sales tax where applicable
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from $8.99/moPlus sales tax where applicable
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from $12.49/moPlus sales tax where applicable
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from $8.99/moPlus sales tax where applicable
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from $12.49/moPlus sales tax where applicable
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from $71.99/moPlus sales tax where applicable
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from $15.99/moPlus sales tax where applicableFree trial — 30 days
Price checked
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How to choose
- 1
Decide whether you accept ads
Plans with ads: Netflix Standard with ads, Hulu (With Ads), Disney+ (With Ads), HBO Max Basic with Ads, Peacock Select and Premium. Some ad-free plans still show ads in live programming — Disney+ Premium, Paramount+ live TV and Peacock Premium Plus’s limited exceptions.
- 2
Check downloads on the plan you’ll buy
Netflix downloads on every plan (15 a month on the plan with ads). HBO Max Basic with Ads has none; Disney+ and Hulu list downloads on Premium; Peacock on Premium Plus.
- 3
Count the screens
Netflix and HBO Max: 2 on the cheaper plans, 4 on Premium (HBO Max sports: 2). YouTube TV: 3 streams.
- 4
Look at what you actually watch
Originals, network shows, live sports or local channels — every service has its own strength.
- 5
Check trials and commitments
Amazon Prime starts with a 30-day free trial, Apple TV with 7 days for new subscribers, YouTube TV with 10 days. Disney+ doesn’t currently offer a free trial.
Types of services
US video subscriptions come in a few kinds — the same service can be bought more than one way.
On-demand streaming
Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Prime Video and Apple TV — shows and movies when you want them.
Live TV services
YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV — live channels, sports and news, closer to a cable package.
Bundles
Disney+ with Hulu, ESPN and HBO Max; Prime Video in Amazon Prime; Apple TV in Apple One and with Peacock; Netflix in packages from phone and internet providers.
Channels inside another app
Some services, such as Paramount+, can also be bought as a channel through Prime Video Channels or Apple TV Channels. You then pay and cancel there, not with the service itself.
What to check before you subscribe
Questions the monthly price doesn’t answer.
| Question | What to look at |
|---|---|
| Does the plan have ads? | What to look atNetflix Standard with ads, Hulu (With Ads), Disney+ (With Ads), HBO Max Basic with Ads, Peacock Select and Premium — yes. Disney+ Premium still has ads in select live programming, Hulu Premium on a few shows, and Paramount+ live TV has ads. |
| Can you download? | What to look atNetflix on every plan. HBO Max on Standard and Premium. Disney+ and Hulu on Premium. Peacock on Premium Plus. |
| Can you pay yearly? | What to look atHBO Max — every plan. Peacock — 12 months for the price of 10. Hulu — the plan with ads. Disney+ — Premium. Netflix — no. |
| Is there 4K? | What to look atDisney+ and Hulu — on both plans. Netflix and HBO Max — on Premium. |
| Can you share outside your household? | What to look atNetflix extra members on Standard and Premium; Extra Member add-ons at Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max (HBO Max: if billed by WarnerMedia). |
| Is there a free trial? | What to look atAmazon Prime — 30 days. Apple TV — 7 days for new subscribers. YouTube TV — 10 days. Disney+ — none right now. |
| Are sports included? | What to look atHBO Max Standard and Premium (select NHL and MLB games), Peacock Premium and Premium Plus (live sports and events), Paramount+ (NFL on CBS, UFC and Champions League on both plans; your local live CBS station on Premium), Apple TV (F1, MLS, Friday Night Baseball), YouTube TV, and ESPN through Disney+ bundles. |
| Do you get money back if you cancel? | What to look atPeacock — no refunds or credits unless required by law. YouTube TV — no refunds on its intro offer. Amazon Prime — a full refund of the current period if you haven’t used its benefits. |
When it pays off and when it doesn’t
Pays off
- If you regularly watch one service’s originals or sports.
- If a bundle replaces two or three separate subscriptions you’d pay for anyway.
- If you already pay for Amazon Prime or Apple One — the video is included.
Doesn’t pay off
- Keeping several services “just in case” — rotating one at a time is cheaper.
- Paying for Premium and watching on a single phone.
- Prepaying a year for a service you only want for one show.
FAQ
In short
Choosing a streaming service in the US comes down to ads, downloads, yearly billing, sports and bundles. This page collects those terms for Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Prime Video, Apple TV and YouTube TV, based on their own rules.
Alt-subs is independent of the services on this page. Trademarks belong to their owners and are used only to identify the service. Prices come from the providers’ own websites and are shown with dates.
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