15+ Best Streaming Services in 2020 – Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV+ & More!

Media streaming is in full swing, and it looks like everyone’s trying to capitalize on this trend. On the one hand, we have a nice range of media streaming services competing for their place on your devices. Consider that this competition is quite tough, this translates to a lower price for end-users who get to enjoy watching original programming as well. However, there’s the problem of fragmentation and oversaturation of the media streaming market. This is also one of the reasons why you’re reading this article – to find the best streaming service for your needs. So, that’s what we’ll talk about in this article, so let’s check which are the best streaming services in 2020.

Before we dive any deeper, a few tips that you’ll surely find to be useful. When talking about today’s media streaming services, we have three distinctive groups. First, there are standalone platforms that offer original programming and third-party on-demand content (such as Netflix and Hulu). Then, we have comprehensive platforms that combine on-demand and live TV content (such as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and more). And finally, there are 'smaller' streaming services made by individual TV networks or channels (like CBS All Access and HBO Now). Don’t worry, as we’ll go through all those categories, helping you navigate your way through.

And now, we present to you the 15+ best streaming services in 2020.

5 Best Standalone Streaming Services in 2020

The first category that we’ll cover includes so-called 'standalone' platforms. These bring on-demand TV shows and movies, in addition to their own original programming. We’ve prepared 5 interesting picks as highlighted below, in addition to notable mentions as well.

1. Hulu (Hulu + Live TV)

• Type: Live TV channels & on-demand content.
• Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, Mac & PC, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, Xbox One, Nintendo, smart TVs (Samsung, Vizio, and LG).
• Simultaneous Streams: 2 streams.
• Applicable Geo-Restrictions: Standalone Hulu available in the USA and Japan. Hulu + Live TV is available in the USA (the available TV channels are subject to availability).
• What to Watch: Over 1,600 TV shows and 2,500 movies. Hulu’s originals include The Handmaid’s Tale, Marvel’s Runaways, Shrill, and more.
• Available Extras: ESPN+ and Disney+ are available as a bundle. Premium channels available (HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz). Hulu’s Live TV offers extras such as enhanced cloud DVR, unlimited simultaneous streams.
• Ad-Supported: Yes, Hulu’s basic plan comes with ads. You can upgrade to eliminate ads.
• Price: Hulu’s standalone service starts at $5.99/month. Hulu + Live TV starts at $54.99/month.
• Free Trial: Start your free 7-day trial.

If you’re looking to stream movies and TV shows, Hulu presents a compelling offer. For only $5.99/month, you get access to a sizeable library that also includes Hulu’s own originals. However, note that this plan comes with ads (that you can eliminate by upgrading to a plan that costs $11.99/month). Hulu is compatible with plenty of devices, comes with a brilliantly designed interface, and offers plenty of content in HD and even 4K.

If you’re looking to stream live TV channels as well, you can get Hulu + Live TV for $54.99/month. You get plenty of major and local TV channels, and this plan also includes Hulu’s ad-based on-demand movies and TV shows. And finally, considering that Hulu is now owned by Disney, there’s an option to combine the company’s three media streaming services (Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+) into a single bundle for only $12.99/month (there’s no free trial available for this option, though).

To learn more about this streaming service, head over to our Hulu review. And to learn about its live TV streaming capabilities, we have our dedicated Hulu + Live TV review. Make sure to take a close look and you’ll see why this is one of the best streaming services.

Pros

• A sizeable selection of movies and TV shows.
• Plenty of bundles available, with included live TV channels as well.
• Nicely designed UI that works flawlessly across plenty of videos.

Cons

• Available in the USA and Japan only.
• The base plan comes with ads.

2. Netflix

• Type: On-demand TV shows & movies.
• Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, Mac & PC, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, PlayStation 3 & 4, Xbox One, Nintendo, smart TVs (Samsung, Vizio, and LG), numerous set-top boxes, and more.
• Simultaneous Streams: Up to 6 registered devices; Up to 4 simultaneous streams.
• Applicable Geo-Restrictions: Available in more than 190 countries. However, regional libraries can greatly vary in size.
• What to Watch: Over 6,000 movies and TV shows. Netflix’s originals include Stranger Things, BoJack Horseman, Mindhunter, and more.
• Available Extras: No extras available – Netflix’s entire library is included in the price.
• Ad-Supported: No, Netflix doesn’t serve ads at the moment.
• Price: Starts at $8.99/month.
• Free Trial: Start your free 7-day trial.

We are sure that Netflix needs no introduction. Also, we’re sure that you aren’t surprised to find Netflix on our list of streaming services. Aside from offering a sizeable library of movies and TV shows, this platform is also compatible with just about any device out there. It’s priced at $8.99/month for standard-definition streaming on a single screen, and the price goes up to $15.99 if you need 4K streaming on up to 4 screens at the same time.

Despite the last year's price increase, Netflix remains one of the most popular streaming services. One of the reasons for this is Netflix’s original programming. This is where you’ll find TV shows like Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Stranger Things, House of Cards, and plenty more. Besides, Netflix has exclusive streaming deals with numerous broadcasters and movie studios. This is why you’ll find many TV shows here that aren’t available anywhere else.

Want to learn more about his streaming platform? If that’s so, we recommend checking our up-to-date Netflix review, where you’ll find all the information you need. Also, please note that Netflix’s regional libraries can greatly vary in content. Therefore, we recommend checking the best VPNs for Netflix as well.

Pros

• High-quality original programming (numerous titles available).
• Ad-free streaming included even with the basic plan.
• Compatible with pretty much any platform out there.

Cons

• Not the most affordable option.
• The availability of content can be a problem (missing official info).

3. Disney+

• Type: On-demand TV shows & movies.
• Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, Mac & PC, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, smart TVs.
• Simultaneous Streams: Up to 4 simultaneous streams.
• Applicable Geo-Restrictions: Available in the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand. Coming to Europe soon.
• What to Watch: Over 7,500 TV episodes and 500 movies. Disney’s originals include The Mandalorian, Muppets Now, WandaVision, and more.
• Available Extras: Hulu and ESPN+ available as a bundle.
• Ad-Supported: No, Disney+ doesn’t serve ads at the moment.
• Price: Starts at $6.99/month.
• Free Trial: Start your free 7-day trial.

Disney+ is one of the hottest streaming services right now – bringing you plenty of movies and TV shows produced by Disney and other companies owned by this media giant. We’re talking about numerous Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar titles, many of which can’t be found elsewhere. We don’t have to tell you that these are big-budget titles, with TV shows like The Mandalorian already taking numerous awards.

Disney Plus comes with a nicely designed interface and it’s compatible with plenty of devices and platforms. There are native applications even for smart TVs and consoles – which has become a rare thing to find. However, you should know that this service isn’t available worldwide.

There’s also another important benefit here. You can combine your Disney Plus subscription with Hulu and ESPN+, which costs $12.99 in total. So, you get access to three streaming platforms at once, without any limitations (you’ll get Hulu’s ad-supported plan, though).

Pros

• Plenty of high-rated exclusive titles.
• Native apps for a large number of platforms.
• Polished UI & flawless performance.
• Low-cost subscription.

Cons

• Not the biggest content library, overall.
• Some exclusives will come to Disney+ after their theater release.

4. Amazon Prime Video

• Type: On-demand TV shows & movies.
• Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, Mac & PC, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, PlayStation 3 & 4, Xbox One, Nintendo, smart TVs, numerous set-top boxes, and more.
• Simultaneous Streams: Up to 3 simultaneous streams.
• Applicable Geo-Restrictions: Available in more than 200 countries. However, regional libraries can greatly vary in size.
• What to Watch: Over 17,500 movies and TV shows. Amazon originals include Good Omens, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Expanse, and more.
• Available Extras: You get numerous benefits as part of your Amazon Prime subscription (shopping and shipping benefits, limited music streaming, unlimited photo storage, and more).
• Ad-Supported: No, Amazon Prime Video doesn’t serve ads at the moment.
• Price: Starts at $12.99/month (or $119.00 per year).
• Free Trial: Start your free 30-day trial.

One of the biggest benefits of Prime Video is that you’ll get an Amazon Prime subscription. With this subscription, you don’t only get to access Prime Video; You get shopping and shipping benefits (frequent discounts and free/fast shipping), you can stream music, read online books, and plenty more. With this said, this streaming platform could be an amazing solution if you’re already in Amazon’s ecosystem of devices and services.

Aside from being available on Amazon’s devices, Prime Video is compatible with a huge range of other platforms. And just recently, this company managed to strike a deal with Google – bringing its apps to Android and Google Chromecast (finally). Also, you should know that Prime Video comes with the largest library of movies and TV shows out there (more than 17,500 titles). This reason alone is enough to justify the cost of getting a Prime subscription. And finally, Amazon has been investing heavily in producing original titles and getting exclusives, such as Fleabag, Undone, Downton Abbey, and more.

To allow you to check behind-the-scenes of this service, we’ve prepared and published our Amazon Prime Video review – so, make sure to check it out.

Pros

• The biggest media streaming library you’ll find out there.
• A nice selection of high-quality original content.
• You get plenty of benefits related to shopping on Amazon.

Cons

• Not the most polished interface (overwhelming at times).
• Annual payment can be an overly big commitment to some.

5. Apple TV+

• Type: On-demand TV shows & movies.
• Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs (Samsung, Vizio, and LG), and more.
• Simultaneous Streams: Up to 6 simultaneous streams.
• Applicable Geo-Restrictions: Available in more than 106 countries.
• What to Watch: Includes Apple’s original programming only (made by J.J. Abrams, Steven Spielberg, M. Night Shyamalan, and more).
• Available Extras: No extras available.
• Ad-Supported: No, AppleTV+ doesn’t serve ads at the moment.
• Price: Starts at $4.99/month.
• Free Trial: Start your free 7-day trial.

Apple has been building plenty of hype surrounding its new Apple TV+ service, which is now available in 106 countries. Even though you’ll find a number of hugely interesting titles here, the chances are that Apple TV+ isn’t going to be your only streaming platform. That’s because you’ll only find movies and TV shows produced by Apple here, without any third-party titles. This means that this platform comes with the smallest media library out of the bunch presented here.

Of course, there are also many reasons why you’ll want to use this platform. At the moment, you’ll find critically acclaimed TV shows here such as The Morning Show, See, and For All Mankind. Throughout 2020, a whole slate of additional content is expected, coming from big-name producers and directors. And when it comes to its limitations, Apple TV+ isn’t compatible with some of the biggest platforms out there, such as Android, for example.

You can subscribe to Apple TV+ for only $4.99/month. However, in case you decide to buy any of Apple’s products, you’ll get one full year of this media streaming service for free. There are no ads present here, and you get to use the Apple TV app on your device to access both this and other streaming services/channels.

Pros

• A highly polished UI, just like with the rest of Apple’s software.
• High-quality original content (not many titles available, though).
• Affordable pricing; Comes free with new Apple-made devices.

Cons

• Brings an incredibly small library of content.
• Not available for Android users.

5 Best TV Network Streaming Services in 2020

Next, we have streaming services made by individual channels or TV networks. If you’re a fan of (let’s say) HBO, CBS, or Starz, you can sign-up for their individual streaming services. Aside from their exclusives, many of these come with third-party content as well.

1. CBS All Access

• Type: Live TV (CBS Channels) & on-demand content.
• Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, Mac & PC, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Google Chromecast, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, smart TVs (Samsung, Vizio, and LG), and more.
• Simultaneous Streams: Up to 2 simultaneous streams.
• Applicable Geo-Restrictions: Available in the USA, Canada, and Australia.
• What to Watch: Third-party content as well as CBS’ originals (Star Trek Discovery, Star Trek Picard, The Twilight Zone, Why Women Kill, and more).
• Available Extras: No extras available.
• Ad-Supported: Yes – ads are served via the basic subscription plan.
• Price: Starts at $5.99/month.
• Free Trial: Start your free 7-day trial. 

You might be surprised to learn that CBS has entered the media streaming market back in 2014. After a somewhat unsuccessful early stage, this grew out to be a highly successful option (with over 4 million subscribers, at the moment).

Aside from offering more than 12,000 episodes of numerous popular TV shows, you’ll find a sizeable collection of movies here as well. We’re talking about titles such as NCIS, Blue Bloods, Tell Me a Story, The Good Fight, SEAL Team, and more. In addition, this subscription service also gets you access to your local CBS station, CBSN, CBS Sports, and ET Live. So, having the ability to watch live TV in addition to finding plenty of movies and TV shows always seems like a good deal.

CBS All Access starts at $5.99 for its most affordable plan (this one comes with limited commercials). If you want to go ad-free, you’ll need to pay $9.99/month. To learn more about this streaming service, here’s our in-depth CBS All Access review.

Pros

• Unique content that you won’t find elsewhere.
• Plenty of classic shows that are exclusive to CBS All Access.
• Clean and modern-looking UI.

Cons

• Not all CBS-produced content is available.
• Many shows available here are available on Hulu as well.

2. HBO NOW

• Type: On-demand TV shows & movies.
• Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, Mac & PC, iOS, Android, Roku, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Samsung Smart TVs, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
• Simultaneous Streams: Up to 3 simultaneous streams.
• Applicable Geo-Restrictions: Available in the United States only.
• What to Watch: Third-party content and award-winning originals (Watchmen, Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Westworld, and more).
• Available Extras: No extras available.
• Ad-Supported: No, HBO NOW doesn’t serve ads at the moment.
• Price: Starts at $14.99/month.
• Free Trial: Start your free 7-day trial.

HBO needs no introduction – you’ll find a huge number of blockbusters and movie classics here. In many ways, this TV network has revolutionized today’s media industry – by not being afraid to produce thought-provoking content. This is still one of the trademarks of HBO, which is why we strongly believe that HBO NOW is truly one of the best streaming services in 2020.

First of all, let’s not confuse HBO NOW with HBO GO. Unlike its counterpart, HBO NOW is a standalone streaming service. Priced at $14.99/month, you get to download its apps and enjoy its content throughout the United States. You get to watch the network’s critically acclaimed TV shows, movies, specials, and documentaries. However, if you already get HBO via your cable provider, you can use HBO GO without paying anything extra. So, make sure to explore all your options.

There seems to be a bit of confusion about what HBO NOW brings and what it omits. So, to make sure you understand everything - here’s our HBO NOW review.

Pros

• A huge library of high-quality content.
• Plenty of exclusives you won’t find elsewhere.
• Brings you the latest Hollywood blockbusters.

Cons

• Higher monthly price than Netflix or Hulu.
• Missing offline downloads.

3. ESPN+

• Type: Live sports events & on-demand content.
• Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, Mac & PC, iOS, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Oculus Go, Samsung TVs.
• Simultaneous Streams: Up to 3 simultaneous streams.
• Applicable Geo-Restrictions: Available in the United States only.
• What to Watch: Exclusive live events (MLB, NHL, MLS, Serie A, FA Cup, UFC Fight Nights) and original content (The Fantasy Show, The Boardroom, and more).
• Available Extras: You can create a bundle containing ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu.
• Ad-Supported: Yes, targeted pre-roll ads.
• Price: Starts at $4.99/month.
• Free Trial: Start your free 7-day trial.

Some of today’s media streaming services target specific groups of users. As you can already guess, ESPN+ is one of those services. Specializing in everything related to sports, ESPN+ brings tons of content from the realm of soccer, NFL football, MLB baseball, and plenty more. You get to stream events live, replays of events, you can watch talk shows on-demand, stream documentaries, and plenty more. This subscription also gets you access to ESPN’s premium articles (on its official website).

As you can see, ESPN+ truly brings plenty of value for its price. However, keep in mind that this company is owned by Disney – and you can take advantage of that. For only $12.99/month, you can bundle ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu into a single package – covering your entire household in terms of meeting different entertainment needs.

If you’d like to learn more about this streaming platform, we strongly recommend you check our ESPN+ review. Make sure that your final decision comes only after in-depth research.

Pros

• Really affordable; Plenty of value for its price.
• It comes with a sizeable library of content.
• You get access to ESPN’s reading material as well.

Cons

• A number of popular ESPN shows can’t be found here.
• Susceptible to regional blackouts.

4. BritBox

• Type: On-demand TV shows & movies.
• Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, Mac & PC, iOS, Android, Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, and Samsung TVs.
• Simultaneous Streams: Up to 5 simultaneous streams.
• Applicable Geo-Restrictions: Available in the USA, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
• What to Watch: Plenty of BBC and ITV originals, including Doctor Who, EastEnders, Coronation Street, Silent Witness, Mr. Bean, and more.
• Available Extras: No extras available.
• Ad-Supported: No, BritBox doesn’t serve ads at the moment.
• Price: Starts at $6.99/month.
• Free Trial: Start your free 7-day trial.

In case you didn’t know, the BBC is home to some of the most respected TV shows out there. If you turn to IMDb to check out the highest-rated TV shows, you’ll see titles such as Planet Earth and Planet Earth II at the top of this list. Then, there’s Doctor Who, Sherlock, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and plenty more titles that come from the BBC. Therefore, it’s clear that we’re talking about high-quality programming, and that’s precisely what BritBox offers.

You can access this media streaming platform on plenty of devices, and it offers up to 5 simultaneous streams. If you decide to pay on a monthly basis, the price will be $6.99 per month. You can save some money if you get its annual plan, priced at $69.99/year. We recommend BritBox to those who love high-quality TV shows that aren’t afraid to delve into more serious topics. And of course, if you want to watch documentaries, this is perhaps the best option you have right now.

Pros

• High-quality programming offered by the BBC and ITV.
• A sizeable library of classic British films.
• Good value for the price; Cheaper than most of its competitors.

Cons

• Somewhat limited device compatibility.
• Not all of BBC’s shows can be found here (including some top-rated content).
• Original content expected sometime in 2020.

5. Starz

• Type: On-demand movies & TV shows.
• Supported Platforms & Devices: Web, Mac & PC, iOS, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, smart TVs, and more.
• Simultaneous Streams: Up to 4 simultaneous streams.
• Applicable Geo-Restrictions: Available in the United States only.
• What to Watch: Over 1,400 titles available. Originals on offer as well (Power, Ash vs Evil Dead, Spartacus, Magic City, and more).
• Available Extras: No extras available.
• Ad-Supported: No, Starz doesn’t serve ads at the moment.
• Price: $8.99/month.
• Free Trial: Start your free 7-day trial. 

Combining several media streaming devices can add up to a significant cost. Therefore, we’re sure that many of you are after a streaming platform that offers plenty of value for its price. This is precisely the reason why we’re recommending Starz here.

Following the lead of HBO and Showtime, Starz launched its own streaming platform a few years back. Today, this is a mature platform offering a nice selection of popular and classic movies, and you’ll even find some interesting originals here. To be honest, you will encounter a somewhat limited library, but we’re sure that many of you will be covered more than well. Most importantly, Starz runs on a huge number of devices, comes with a simple yet effective UI, and works like a charm.

Please note that we’re talking here about a standalone media streaming service. You sign-up by downloading its app on your device (the price is $8.99/month). So, no contracts involved, and you can cancel any time. To learn more, here’s our Starz review. And in case you’re not in the USA and still want this streaming service, here’s how to watch Starz outside the USA.

Pros

• More affordable than its competitors (HBO & Showtime).
• Plenty of high-quality movies and TV shows on offer.
• Nicely designed applications for plenty of devices/platforms.

Cons

• Not the most groundbreaking original programming.
• No 4K streaming.

7 Best Live TV Streaming Services in 2020

The next category contains streaming services that also include live TV channels. These are designed to help you eliminate your cable provider, giving you much greater control over your monthly costs. In other words, you are free to sign-up and cancel your account at any given time.

Some of the most notable recommendations from this category are Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, AT&T TV Now, Sling TV, Philo, and others. To learn more about these and to get more information on how to choose a platform that’s right for you, here’s our dedicated article on the best live TV streaming services. Make sure to take a look and read it carefully.

Are You Still in Doubt? Here’s How to Pick Truly the Best Streaming Service in 2020 - As Per Your Needs!

We understand if you’re feeling overwhelmed right now. After all, there are so many streaming services out there, making it hard to choose one. So, we’ll help you get to the bottom line by recommending the best streaming services for different needs, priorities, and budgets.

• What’s the Best All-Around Streaming Service? - Well, that’s really a tough question – and the answer depends on your needs. If you’re after an all-around solution, you should be more than happy with Netflix. In case you want an endless library of content, your pick should be Amazon Prime Video. And if you plan on adding extras, Hulu + Live TV is a good place to start.
• What’s the Best Freshly Released Option? - Without any doubt, one of the hottest streaming services right now is Disney Plus – bringing plenty of exclusive titles. It’s also affordably priced, and you can merge it with Hulu and ESPN+ to create a nice package.
• Where to Find the Best Original Programming? - Well, there’s only one service that’s going all-in when it comes to producing original content. After spending $15.3 billion in 2019, Netflix will reportedly spend $17 billion in 2020 on producing exclusive titles. Without any doubt, this kind of money will most certainly get you an endless selection of content, which means that you should definitely subscribe to Netflix.
• Which Streaming Platform is Suitable for Children? - In case you want high-quality cartoons and children-friendly movies, you won’t find a better option than Disney Plus. This platform comes with hundreds of Disney classics and also includes Pixar tiles, which is pretty much everything that your child will need.
• What’s the Best Sports-Oriented Streaming Platform? - If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to stream sports, our strong recommendation would be ESPN Plus. However, if you also want to watch a number of sports-related TV channels, you should turn your attention to fuboTV.
• What’s the Best Streaming Service to Replace Cable? - For this purpose, you need an all-around streaming platform that combines live TV streaming with on-demand content. Some of the best picks from this domain are Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV.

Dear readers, we’ve finally reached the end of our guide to the best streaming services in 2020. We hope that you’ve found this article to be interesting and useful, as well as that you’ll listen to our advice. Make sure to stay tuned to TechNadu for more streaming-related guides, tips, and recommendations.