Video streaming services
We put 7 video streaming services through the same test. Amazon Prime Video came out on top with 4.5 out of 5. Here are all the results, what each tool costs and how we test them.
Video streaming services we tested
Best score first. Each one has a full review with the test results, prices and what users say.
Amazon Prime Video
4.5/5Read our review →
Disney+
4.5/5Read our review →
Hulu
4.5/5Read our review →
Twitch
4.5/5Read our review →
YouTube Premium
4.5/5Read our review →
Netflix
4/5Read our review →
HBO Max
2.5/5Read our review →Test results compared
Every tool got the same test, between September 26, 2026 to October 25, 2026.
| Tool | Score | Catalog or talent coverage for a fixed checklist | Quality of the delivered work or stream, scored blind | Total price including fees | Time to deliver or start watching | Cancellation and refund process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | 4.5/5 | 47/50 titles available | 4.1/5 playback quality; 17/20 sessions stable | – | 4 sec start; 2 interruptions/hour | 2 cancellation steps; 5/5 refund-term checks |
| Disney+ | 4.5/5 | 46/50 titles available | 4.5/5 playback quality; 18/20 sessions stable | – | 2 sec start; 1 interruptions/hour | 3 cancellation steps; 5/5 refund-term checks |
| Hulu | 4.5/5 | 45/50 titles available | 4.4/5 playback quality; 19/20 sessions stable | – | 2 sec start; 1 interruptions/hour | 3 cancellation steps; 5/5 refund-term checks |
| Twitch | 4.5/5 | 46/50 titles available | 4.5/5 playback quality; 18/20 sessions stable | – | 1 sec start; 0 interruptions/hour | 4 cancellation steps; 4/5 refund-term checks |
| YouTube Premium | 4.5/5 | 47/50 titles available | 4.5/5 playback quality; 18/20 sessions stable | – | 2 sec start; 1 interruptions/hour | 3 cancellation steps; 5/5 refund-term checks |
| Netflix | 4/5 | 43/50 titles available | 4.5/5 playback quality; 18/20 sessions stable | – | 4 sec start; 2 interruptions/hour | 3 cancellation steps; 5/5 refund-term checks |
| HBO Max | 2.5/5 | 33/50 titles available | 2.8/5 playback quality; 14/20 sessions stable | – | 10 sec start; 5 interruptions/hour | 5 cancellation steps; 4/5 refund-term checks |
Want just the shortlist?
Our best-of list ranks every tool in this test, with what each one is best for.
What video streaming services do
Video streaming services deliver films, series and live content over the internet for a monthly or yearly fee, on TVs, phones and the web. Most now sell a cheaper ad-supported plan and a pricier ad-free one, and several are bundled together or folded into larger media groups.
Who uses them: Households replacing cable, Families wanting kids and franchise content, Film and prestige drama fans, Sports fans, Budget viewers choosing an ad-supported plan.
Price range: No free plans among the big five. Ad-supported entry: Netflix 8.99, Prime Video 8.99, HBO Max 10.99, Disney+ 12.49, Hulu about 12.49. Ad-free: HBO Max Standard 18.49, Netflix Standard 19.99, Disney+ Premium 21.49, Hulu Premium 21.49 or 18.99, HBO Max Premium 22.99, Netflix Premium 26.99, Prime Video 8.99 plus 4.99 Ultra (13.98). Live TV: Hulu + Live TV 89.99 to 99.99. YouTube Premium Individual is 15.99 and Twitch Turbo 11.99 (see their files). Annual: Disney+ Premium 214.99, HBO Max Standard 184.99.
What to check before you buy
Monthly price and ad tier. Ad plans run from 8.99 (Netflix, Prime Video) to 12.49 (Disney+); ad-free plans run from 18.49 (HBO Max Standard) to 26.99 (Netflix Premium).
Catalogue fit. Netflix leads on originals, Disney+ on family brands, HBO Max on prestige drama, Hulu on current network TV, Prime Video on a mix with rentals.
Video quality and streams. 4K sits on the top tier: Netflix Premium, HBO Max Premium and Prime Video Ultra; Netflix Standard and HBO Max Standard are 1080p with 2 screens.
Bundles. Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max bundle at 21.99 with ads or 34.99 without; Disney+ and Hulu with ads is 12.99.
Account sharing rules. Netflix charges 7.99 or 9.99 per extra member and does not offer slots on the ad plan.
How we test video streaming services
The test for this category: Use each service for a month; catalog check of 50 titles, streaming quality, ads, price per tier.
Testers use each service as a customer: subscribe for a month, or for marketplaces and writing services, place the same small paid job (for example a 500-word article or a logo) with three providers each.
Each tool is tested on a paid plan, and its review shows the plan, the price and the test dates. The overall score is the average of the five parts on the right, rounded to the nearest half star. See the full method for consumer services and marketplaces tools.
What we measure
- Catalog or talent coverage for a fixed checklist
- Quality of the delivered work or stream, scored blind
- Total price including fees
- Time to deliver or start watching
- Cancellation and refund process
The five parts of the score
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest streaming service?
Among the five big ones, Netflix and Prime Video start at 8.99 a month with ads; HBO Max is 10.99; Disney+ 12.49. Free ad-supported options such as Tubi and Pluto TV exist.
Which streaming service is best overall?
Search-result roundups most often name Netflix for catalogue size; Engadget ranks Netflix first, then HBO Max, Prime Video and Disney+.
Are streaming services getting more expensive?
Yes: Netflix rose in March 2026, Prime Video's ad-free add-on in April 2026, Disney+ and Hulu in September 2026, HBO Max in October 2025.
Is it worth paying for an ad-free plan?
Ad-free costs 10 to 12 more at Netflix (19.99 vs 8.99), about 9 more at Disney+ and 7.50 more at HBO Max Standard; Prime Video's Ultra adds 4.99.
Which service gives 4K?
Netflix Premium, HBO Max Premium and Prime Video Ultra (4K moved behind the add-on in April 2026).
Marcus Johnson
I love finding online tools that solve small, annoying problems. I also enjoy discovering free alternatives and figuring out when a paid plan actually makes sense.
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