TV shows and movies can be quite entertaining. However, live TV channels do not always broadcast as many of them as most people would like. That is where streaming services such as Netflix come in.
Netflix is a popular subscription service and app that offers thousands of TV shows and movie titles for anyone to enjoy.
However, you may find Netflix a little expensive, or maybe it falls short on the videos and series you are looking for.
The good news is that there are several alternative apps like Netflix that feature great content, are cheaper, and are easily accessible in many regions.
If you want to find out more, stay with me as I delve deep into the best apps like Netflix you can try today.
Best Apps Like Netflix (Free & Paid)
1. Prime Video – Best Netflix Alternative
One of the best alternatives to Netflix you can go for is Amazon Prime Video. It is an app compatible with most computer and mobile device systems.
It can also be installed on select smart TVs. Like Netflix, Prime Video produces original series and movies. It also includes thousands of popular movies and TV shows from independent producers.
The app features a simple interface making it possible for users to get a glance at all sections and navigate with relative ease. The most popular TV shows and movie titles are displayed on the homepage so you can scroll and select as quickly as possible.
You can also use the search bar to find movies or titles that are no longer on the front page. The good news is that all the shows and movies on the app have high-quality posters and titles for ease of identification.
Prime Video is a subscription service meaning you’ll need to make some payment to unlock its full potential. Once you have an active subscription, you can open the app on up to three different devices at the same time.
On mobile platforms, you can download movies and TV shows and enjoy them offline at a time you deem most convenient. Additionally, you can control data while streaming or downloading content on mobile devices.
Prime Video is among the best streaming services because it allows you to switch to Kids Mode. That helps you manage the content that your children can watch.
It also doesn’t include any external advertisements.
2. Hulu
Hulu is another popular streaming service app like Netflix you can subscribe to. It is quite popular thanks to its blend of new and classic movies.
It also features new and old TV series. Similar to Netflix, Hulu features different subscription packages with unique advantages.
For instance, the basic subscription is relatively cheap but has a limited number of titles and new releases. Hulu also carries ads in its basic package.
When you upgrade your subscription to a higher package, you unlock more content and get rid of ads that may sometimes become annoying. This particular streaming service also allows you to watch live television in the form of over 85 channels.
Hulu is compatible with computers, mobile devices, and select smart TVs. It also features a Kids Mode letting you create unique profiles for your children so you can control what they watch.
Once you subscribe to any of Hulu’s packages, you can activate it on up to six devices simultaneously. That means the entire family or your group of friends can enjoy their favorite content as well.
Hulu’s interface is pretty much the same as that of Netflix with clear movie and TV posters plus concise descriptions of each of the videos.
3. HBO Max
The next alternative to Netflix you should consider is HBO Max. Like Netflix, it brings together a collection of some of the most entertaining TV shows and movies.
For instance, some of the titles you can find on this streaming service include Game of Thrones, Chornobyl, Westworld, and The Sopranos.
The streaming service also airs shows from other WarnerMedia TV networks so you can be sure to find something to entertain you at all times.
The service is available on all major platforms including computers, mobile devices, and smart TVs. Once installed on your mobile device, you can download as many videos as you like and watch them offline.
It also lets you activate up to five viewer profiles under one subscription. That means you can run the app on five devices at the same time.
Like the other services on this list, HBO Max lets you create unique profiles for minors so you can control the content they access.
HBO Max is one of the most popular streaming services because it tends to produce some of the most interesting movies and TV shows in all categories.
4. Disney+
Disney+ is another impressive streaming service you can opt for instead of Netflix. It features some of the most beloved classics including The Lion King, Star Wars, Aladdin, Mary Poppins, Beauty and The Beast, Pocahontas, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
This streaming service slightly differs from Netflix because it allows you to download the app and activate it on up to 10 devices. You can also stream simultaneously on up to four devices.
Disney+ makes it easy for users to download movies and TV shows for offline viewing. It also features a Kids Mode to keep minors safe.
The streaming service incorporates a Dark Mode option so you can switch settings easily when operating under poorly lit conditions. The app is compatible with most devices including computers, mobile devices, and smart TVs.
Another impressive thing about this app is that it has a simple and intuitive interface making it easy for users to navigate and select whatever they want. It also includes high-quality posters for the content available together with descriptions to help users make up their minds.
This is another streaming service that does not contain any form of external advertising so you never have to worry about annoying marketing messages popping up on your screen.
5. Starz
Starz is another exceptional streaming service you can turn to when you need a break from Netflix. One of the things that makes it different from Netflix is that it offers its packages at a relatively lower rate.
Starz features a library of original movies and TV series to keep you entertained. The titles are available in all genres including action, comedy, thriller, horror, sci-fi, and kids.
Like most apps on this list, Starz is compatible with various devices including smart TVs, computers, tablets, smartphones, gaming consoles, and streaming media players.
Once you get your app and pay for the subscription, you’ll be able to activate it on multiple devices simultaneously.
The app boasts a simple and intuitive interface with few distractions so you can focus on selecting the movie or show you want to watch. You can filter your preferences by navigating to the movie or TV show sections and then selecting the genre you want to watch.
Some of the titles you can expect to find on this streaming service include Spider-Man: Homecoming, The White Queen, Outlander, John Wick, and Saw.
6. Peacock
Peacock is another Netflix like app under the NBCUniversal company. It is available for users in the United States and a select number of countries.
Like Netflix, it features an array of movies and TV shows under different genres. However, unlike Netflix and other streaming services, it offers a free tier with limited features and titles.
Those who choose to go for the free version will have to put up with a few pop-up ads which is not so bad for an unpaid service. To eliminate ads and unlock more features and titles, users need to upgrade to one of the paid versions.
This streaming service also makes it possible for users to watch live news and sports. Some of these include the Premier League and WWE events.
It is worth pointing out that all of the new shows developed by NBC make their debut on Peacock. Subscribers also get to stream live NBC channels right from inside the app.
Some of the shows and movies you can expect to find on Peacock include Yellowstone, Chicago Fire, The Voice, The Silent Twins, Ambulance, American Pie, and Minions: The Rise of Gru.
Like most apps on this list, Peacock comes with a beautiful user interface allowing just about anyone to get acquainted fast. Its side-mounted navigation makes it possible for users to quickly move from one section to another.
The high-quality posters also make it easier for users to identify the content they wish to watch. Additionally, each title features a description section so you always know the type of content you are about to watch.
7. Apple TV Plus
Apple TV+ is another app like Netflix you can turn to when you are looking for excellent TV shows and movies.
It is also among the few streaming services that only showcase original content. You can get Apple TV+ offers when you buy any Apple device including a smartphone, tablet, Apple TV, game console, or stick.
If you already own an Apple device, you still get to enjoy a free seven-day trial. You can also share your subscription with friends and family as long as it is done within the specified rules.
The app’s interface is quite beautiful and allows users to navigate from one section to another in an almost fluid design. It features high-definition posters of movies and TV shows available for streaming.
Another impressive thing about this app is that it makes it possible for users to enjoy HDR and 4K video resolution which can be quite immersive. The video quality is complemented by the exceptional surround sound output.
Users also get to download their favorite shows and movies so they can stream them offline. Apple TV+ is another streaming service that does not include any external advertisements.
Some of the TV shows and movies you can expect to find on this app include Circuit Breakers, Ted Lasso, Slow Horses, Emancipation, and Spirited.
8. Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is the next streaming service you need to consider. In contrast to Netflix, it tends to put more emphasis on sports and news items.
The app features a variety of on-demand movies and TV shows to keep every member of the family entertained. It mostly offers content from sister brands such as CBS, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon.
The app is compatible with a variety of devices including PCs, laptops, smartphones, smart TVs, and tablets. This streaming service allows new users to enjoy its content for free over a seven-day trial period.
After that, users must subscribe to any of their premium offers. The prices vary from one region to another with the cheaper offers also including some form of ads.
It is another app that enables users to enjoy 4K video resolution. Additionally, it lets users download their favorite shows and movies for offline viewing.
With this app, you can create up to six separate profiles. That means parents can activate the Kids Mode and use it to control whatever their children can access on the network.
Like most apps on this list, Paramount has a pretty standard interface that facilitates easy navigation. Its clear poster layout ensures you can scroll down to your favorite show within seconds.
If you are a big fan of sports, live news, and on-demand movies, this is definitely one of the streaming services you should turn to.
9. MUBI
MUBI is an excellent streaming service you can use instead of Netflix. It focuses more on movies that are considered less mainstream.
That means you’ll find titles you may probably never bump into if you stick to the mainstream apps. Movies on this app are picked by the editors themselves after they have watched them.
That makes it easy for you to find a new movie on the app every day. Most movies stay on the app for 30 days.
The app basically uses a rotating style of a playlist to ensure that new creators and actors get to shine in the limelight. There is always the possibility of a movie that has outlived its 30-day stay to return if it becomes a hit with subscribers.
It is worth pointing out that you can enjoy the content from this service for a period of seven days without paying anything. Afterward, you’ll need to subscribe to continue watching content.
Like most apps on this list, MUBI is compatible with different devices including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles, PCs, and laptops.
10. Tubi
Tubi is another streaming service you can opt for when looking for something similar to Netflix. It features thousands of movies and TV shows to pick from.
However, it differs from Netflix and most of the alternatives on this list because everything is available for free. You can stream any TV show or movie on the app without having to worry about monthly or annual subscriptions.
The service is able to cater to its financial needs through an advertising arrangement. That means you’ll notice some form of advertisement before or when streaming a video.
Tubi makes work easy by sorting content into different categories including kids, action, thriller, drama, horror, and western, among others. This categorization allows users to easily narrow down their searches to the most relevant titles.
You can even click through the “Highly Rated” section to find movies and TV shows that are considered the most popular on the service. The Tubi app is compatible with PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and select gaming consoles.
It has a beautiful interface with a side-mounted menu for ease of navigation. If you are, therefore, looking for an app like Netflix but one you do not have to subscribe to, this is definitely a good option.
Also Read: Best Browsers For Netflix & Streaming Videos
11. Acorn TV
Acorn TV showcases movies and TV shows from countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and several others within the Commonwealth.
If you are an American, you probably don’t know much about the amazing movies and TV shows that are created by other countries. That is why subscribing to this particular service may be a good idea.
The app installs on just about any device including PC, laptop, smartphone, tablet, smart TV, and select video game consoles. The service is relatively cheaper than most on this list especially if you decide to pay annually rather than monthly.
Acorn TV features large movie and TV posters so you’ll be able to catch something interesting at a glance. It also has an intuitive interface allowing users to move through each section with relative ease.
It categorizes its content according to genres so you’ll have an easy time sorting through the huge collection of titles. Acorn TV offers an amazing breakaway from mainstream apps that generally focus on American content.
12. Crackle
Next up on this list is Sony’s Crackle TV. This is another app that allows you to stream movies and TV shows from the convenience of your home.
In contrast to Netflix which requires you to subscribe, Crackle is completely free of charge. However, it makes up for the lack of subscription by running commercial ads within the app.
You’ll definitely notice a few ads before or while streaming a video but that is a small price to pay for the entertainment you’ll enjoy. The app also features a simple interface and categorizes content according to the genre for ease of selection.
The app is also compatible with PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and select gaming consoles.
13. Pluto TV
Pluto TV is another app you can download and install on your device. It is compatible with PCs, laptops, smartphones, smart TVs, and specific gaming consoles.
The app is available for free which gives it an edge over Netflix. However, it features adverts which is how the company manages to cater to its financial obligations.
The app includes thousands of movies and TV shows from almost every genre. It also comes with live TV channels which makes it an awesome option for anyone wishing to get a live TV experience.
It’s a lightweight app that won’t consume much of your device’s resources. It also comes with a simple yet beautiful interface for easy navigation.
14. Vudu
Vudu is another app like Netflix that has been around since 2004. It features thousands of free movie titles and television shows for you to choose from.
It also allows users to rent some of the latest movie titles. Like most free streaming services, the app includes commercial ads which are its main source of income.
This app boasts a clean interface with clearly marked sections to ensure any user can navigate. It also includes top-quality posters so you can enjoy a visual representation of the movie or show you are about to watch.
Vudu is compatible with PCs, laptops, smartphones, smart TVs, and specific gaming consoles. You’ll be pleased that it streams content in high definition and quality surround sound.
That ensures that viewers enjoy an immersive experience, especially when streaming on a big-screen device.
15. Plex
Plex is a bit different from Netflix because it offers over 200 live TV streams.
That means you can always be sure to find something interesting to watch while relaxing at home. It offers over 50,000 on-demand movie and TV show titles so you can select whatever you want to watch.
Plex’s movies and titles come from iconic brands such as Lionsgate, MGM, and Legendary. This is another app that features a clean interface with quick navigation.
The site categorizes content according to the genre and has a search bar with filtering options to ensure that you find something interesting to watch easily. The app is also compatible with just about any device.
15 Best Apps Like Netflix (Free & Paid) – Wrapping Up
If you are looking for app that is similar to Netflix, go for apps such as Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max.
However, if you want something similar but with a different experience, go for apps such as Tubi or Acorn TV.
That said, all the entries are great alternatives to Netflix.
Tom loves to write on technology, e-commerce & internet marketing. I started my first e-commerce company in college, designing and selling t-shirts for my campus bar crawl using print-on-demand. Having successfully established multiple 6 & 7-figure e-commerce businesses (in women’s fashion and hiking gear), I think I can share a tip or 2 to help you succeed.