The days of VCRs, CDs, DVDs have faded away with the invent of video streaming apps. The old means of video content is dying a slow death, and video streaming is replacing them with the increasing accessibility of the internet across the globe. Gone are the days when the users need to stick to a timeline to watch their favorite television program or a movie. The users can now easily stream their favorite show, series online without worrying about the time. We have concluded a list of some best video streaming apps for Android and iOS.
There are several benefits of using video streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. Live Streaming is an active mode of streaming video and audio content anywhere around the world using an Internet Connection. It extends from live streaming online tutorials, movies, events, wildlife broadcasting, and services promotions.
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Advantages of Video Streaming
High-Quality Video Content – The users can enjoy content in different qualities like 720p, 1080p, 2K, or 4K.
Broader Audience Potential – Irrespective of time, device, and display size, Online video streaming can reach a wider audience.
Subtitle and Multi-Language Audio – The availability of subtitles and Multi-Language Audio makes Online Video Streaming more powerful.
Ease and Convenience – Due to cross-platform availability and easy internet accessibility, Online Video Streaming service is easy and convenient to use.
Online Video streaming services have gained huge popularity over-time leading to massive competition. The services like Netflix, Hulu, and others are offering original content with support for HDR, 4K, Subtitles, and Multi-Audio channels along with attractive pricing.
Here’s the whole list of best video streaming services available for watching movies and shows. We have sorted salient features of each app to ease comparing against each to other.
Best Video Streaming Apps
Netflix
Netflix is the world’s largest online streaming service with massive content availability. It has a diverse range of titles with availability in different languages and qualities. It is available in most of the countries with native content availability.
The content on Netflix supports HDR, Dolby Vision, 4K resolution, and subtitles. The streaming service can be streamed on Micracast, Chromecast, Smart TVs, and Game Consoles. It also comes with parental support to filter unsuitable content for children. It also offers the ability to download and watch TV episodes or movies without streaming.
Netflix plans vary country wise and offer attractive plans.
- Basic Plan – $8.99 per month
- Standard plan – $7.99 per month
- Netflix Premium Plan – $15.99 per month
Key Features
- High-Quality Content – 4K, HDR
- Subtitles and Multi Audio
- Parental Controls
- Regular Content Updates
- 30-Day free trial
- High-Quality movies
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is among the leading video streaming services around the globe. It offers a lot of content, including thrillers, drama, action, romance, and other genres. Amazon Prime comes with Originals like Inside Edge, Made in heaven, and others.
There’s a great selection of local content too. It offers movies for every mood, genre, and language. The watch later features of the Amazon Prime make it easy for the users to watch their favorite content even if the internet connection is not available. There’s also a feature to add suggested titles to watchlist. It is available in almost every popular OS environment.
The users will get free access to movies, music, and other premium services of Amazon with the Amazon Prime membership. The subtitles, multiple audio tracks, and 4K content are some pros of Amazon Prime Video.
Amazon Prime Membership is available in different attractive pricing.
- Yearly – $119 US / Rs 999 India
- Monthly – $12.99 US / Rs 129 India
Key Features:
- Availability of regional content
- Latest Blockbuster movies
- Subtitles and Multi Audio Tracks
- Amazon Originals
Hulu
Hulu is widely used in the US due to its ability to stream Live TV and the availability of other streaming content, including old TV shows, movies, anime, and others. The service also offers over 50 channels with an option to expand for money. The user can also watch episodes and browse shows under the same roof.
Hulu offers six personalized profiles for everyone in the family who wants to brose shows, movies, and networks. The users can also personalize the content by adding shows to favorites for quick access. The app is available for TVs, smartphones, and tablets.
It also offers premium discover networks feature to search shows from popular streaming services like HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, and others.
Hulu is available in three different personalized plans, including – Hulu, Hulu (No Ads), and Hulu + Live TV. The free plan offers to stream content from over 85000 episodes of the shows with advertisements. There’s aNo Ads plan also that gives you everything without any ads. However, the Hulu + Live TV brings to access to the entire Hulu streaming library with 60+ top channels of on-demand live TV.
The price of Hulu + Live TV is $39.999 per month.
Key Features:
- Support for Live TV
- Free Plan for Users
- Chromecast Support
HBO Now
It is solely for the US readers, who love to watch big premieres on TV or other devices as they air. It’s the only way to catch up with your favorite shows aired on HBO Now. The app brings unlimited access to all the HBO content across EPIX Now, STARZ, and other channels having individual streaming apps.
The HBO New brings new movies, talk shows, comedy specials, news, documentaries, and other special events every week. The user can use the account on Phone, tablet, TV, or Laptop. It is home to the biggest movie hits of the year.
The users can also try the HBO Now under a free trial. The user need not to undergo any documentation or cable connectivity; it just airs without any wired connectivity across phones, tablets, and other devices. There’s also an ability to cancel anytime. It supports the casting option.
The pricing of the device is a bit expensive at $14.99 per month. It is available only in the territories of the United States.
Key Features:
- Weekly New Content
- Biggest Hits availability
- Support Casting
YouTube TV
YouTube offers plenty of features and is home to most of the video content. Over the past some time, a lot of entertainment channel has propped up offering quality content to users for free or at some subscription fees. However, YouTube TV provides a selection of excellent live sports, news channels, and infotainment sops. There’s also compatibility with NBA League Pass, Showtime, and Starz for your subscription.
On the lines of Amazon Originals, YouTube also got some Original episodes for some people. Apart from Prime content, YouTube is home to tutorials, music, and movies too. The content is compatible upto 8K resolution with some other features. There are native apps for phones, tablets, and smart TVs on different Operating Systems.
There are some companion apps such as YouTube Gaming and YouTube Kids. The support for Chromecast and Google Assistant makes it more compatible with smart devices. Most of the content is available for free, but to get ads-free experience, the users can get a subscription of $12-$40 per month.
Key Features:
- Cross Compatibility
- Support for smart devices
- Seamless Videos
- Vast Content
Twitch
It is a den for the gamers, as it is the best service for gaming video streaming. Twitch allows people to watch online video gaming, live e-sports, and other news. It is easy to set up and user-friendly with flexible options to use the service.
Big game development companies make announcements on Twitch. It even organizes gaming events like E3 for the development of the community. The hefty amount of prizes are awarded to winners. It is a great competitor to YouTube Gaming Hub.
It is best suitable for professional and regular gamers. The Twitch services are free to use with some unskippable in-video ads. However, it is not available for mobile users.
Key Features:
- Free to Use
- Online Video Streaming
- Live e-sports
Sling TV
Sling TV is one of the first services that was launched to watch live television. It is quite an affordable service at $20-$25 per month. It features all the local sports channel, popular news channels, and other entertainment sops as well. The support for Chromecast is another major feature of Sling TV.
The users can choose between different channel bundles and can select the TV channels on the a la carte style. It also offers live sports like the NFL and college football, hit TV shows and 65,000+ hours of on-demand TV shows and movies.
Sling TV can be streamed anywhere and anytime on TVs, tablets, phones, computers, gaming consoles, and other devices.
The Sling service offers Sling Orange package with 30+ channels, and Sling Blue service with 40+ channels. Sling TV offers live international TV service in the US with support of over 18 languages, including Hindi, Spanish, Arabic.
Key Features:
- Cross-Platform Support
- International TV service
- Reasonable Price
Movies Anywhere
It is a new era video streaming app that consolidates several services under a single roof. Movies Anywhere is a host to iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, and Google Play Movies. The service allows the users to purchase the video content from anywhere and brings all them up in a single app.
It moves all the movie libraries that are connected with the app. It helps to eliminate the demerits or the restrictions applied from the other platforms while watching the content. Movies Anywhere help the user to cast the content on the favorite device.
Movie Anywhere features 4K UHD, HDR, and Dolby Vision feature along with 5.1 Surround sound and Dolby ATMOS support. The apps is available for free on both iOS and Android device.
Key Features:
- Support for HDR, UHD and Dolby Vision
- Advanced Sound Experience with Dolby ATMOS and 5.1 Surround SOund
- Support for popular streaming services
These are some best video streaming services available for both Android and iOS devices. The can easily use these apps for free or with a subscription. If you have any recommendations, then do let us know via the comments below.
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