How to choose a streaming service in the US
Tomas Stankevičius · Published July 15, 2026 · Updated September 5, 2026
Contents
- Short answer
- 1. What do you watch?
- 2. Do you accept ads?
- 3. How many screens at once?
- 4. Do you download?
- 5. Will you stay a year?
- 6. Do you need live sports?
- 7. Is it already in something you pay for?
- Trials
- What this guide doesn’t promise
Short answer
Start with what you actually watch — then use six questions to pick the plan: do you accept ads, how many screens, do you download, will you stay a year, do you need live sports, and is it already in a bundle you pay for. Most people end up with one main service and one they rotate.
1. What do you watch?
- Originals and a big library: Netflix.
- HBO series, plus select NHL and MLB games: HBO Max.
- Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars: Disney+.
- Current TV series, bundled with Disney+: Hulu.
- NBC and Bravo shows, live sports: Peacock.
- CBS, SHOWTIME, NFL on CBS, UFC: Paramount+.
- Apple Originals, F1, MLS: Apple TV.
- Local channels and live TV with a DVR: YouTube TV.
2. Do you accept ads?
Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock and Paramount+ all have a cheaper plan with ads, and Prime Video shows limited ads unless you add Prime Video Ultra. Even top plans can have some: Disney+ Premium in select live programming, Hulu Premium on a few shows, Peacock Premium Plus in live sports and channels, Paramount+ Premium in live TV. Apple Originals are commercial-free.
3. How many screens at once?
Netflix and HBO Max: 2 on the cheaper plans, 4 on Premium (HBO Max sports: 2). Peacock, Paramount+ and YouTube TV: 3. Prime Video: 4 different titles, 5 with Ultra.
4. Do you download?
Netflix downloads on every plan, including the plan with ads. HBO Max Basic with Ads has none. Disney+ and Hulu list downloads on Premium, Peacock on Premium Plus, Paramount+ on Premium. Prime Video allows up to 50 (Ultra: 100).
5. Will you stay a year?
Yearly billing: HBO Max on every plan, Peacock (12 months for the price of 10), Hulu’s plan with ads, Disney+ Premium, Paramount+ on both plans, Amazon Prime. Netflix and YouTube TV are monthly only.
6. Do you need live sports?
HBO Max Standard and Premium (select NHL and MLB games), Peacock Premium and Premium Plus, Paramount+ (NFL on CBS, UFC and Champions League on both plans), Apple TV (F1, MLS, Friday Night Baseball), Prime Video, YouTube TV, and ESPN through Disney+ bundles.
7. Is it already in something you pay for?
Prime Video is included with Amazon Prime; Paramount+ Essential with Walmart+; Hulu with Spotify Premium Student; Apple TV with Apple One and the Apple Music Student Plan. Disney+ bundles with Hulu, ESPN and HBO Max.
Trials
Amazon Prime starts with 30 days free, YouTube TV with 10 days, Apple TV with 7 days for new subscribers. Disney+ says it doesn’t currently offer a free trial. Set a reminder either way.
What this guide doesn’t promise
We don’t rank services — the right one depends on what you watch. Catalogs change, and prices are in each service’s price block, before sales tax. The facts were checked from the US on October 12–13, 2026.