The best streaming services in 2021 - Tom's Guide
The best streaming services continue to evolve. Amazon Prime Video looks to ascend up the list now that it acquired MGM, HBO Max introduced an ad-free tier that's decent value and Disney Plus will be getting the Spider-Man movies (finally).
And that's not to mention the live TV entries in our best streaming services list, which help you cut the cord. The best streaming services bill you on a month-to-month basis (though they offer annual deals), which give you the flexibility to cancel and resubscribe as you see fit, and we've got options that offer extensive customization and lots of live sports.
Latest Streaming Service news (updated July 9)
These services are just one half of the streaming equation, though. As the cable box slowly withers away, it's being replaced by smart TVs and the best streaming devices, which include Rokus and Chromecasts.
And by testing the best streaming services and devices side-by-side, we figure out the best way to build the ultimate streaming setup with the best selection of content and live channels.
What are the best streaming services?
The best streaming service overall was Netflix, but HBO Max just took the title here at Tom's Guide, riding a stellar wave of successes in 2021 with big-name movies. If you're confused by the new name, consider the "Max" in HBO Max to be akin to the Plus in Disney Plus (which is more than just Disney movies). HBO Max now has a lower starting price, with a $9.99 per month option that has ads.
Not all of us are cancelling our Netflix accounts, though, as the big red streaming machine practically controls the conversation around streaming, with most of the big shows (which it keeps doing, hand over fist, with hit after hit) and routine success making big new series such as Tiger King and Dead to Me. Netflix has also had most of the standard features that competitors took years to realize mattered. and it's enough content that you've got plenty of reasons to sign up.
Sling TV is one of the best streaming services for live TV because of its relatively inexpensive price. While it got a price bump to $35 (from $30) in January, that's just for new members — and it's also $30 less than the likes of YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV. Fubo TV may be as expensive, but its wide array of sports content helps it stand out.
The best streaming services now
HBO Max has everything HBO had, and then some. Both HBO and HBO Max pack current-run shows including Insecure, as well as completed seasons of Westworld, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Veep. But for $14.99 per month (or $9.99 with ads, and no big Warner movies), HBO Max adds a lot more to be a compelling competitor to Netflix. Big highlights include Wonder Woman 1984 and The Flight Attendant with Kaley Cuoco. There's also Friends, the Studio Ghibli library and original shows like Made for Love. HBO Max has found a second life, though, as Warner Brothers Pictures' destination for its biggest movies in 2021.
The likes of James Gunn's The Suicide Squad (which will get an HBO Max spinoff show called The Peacemaker), Dune, Godzilla vs Kong and Space Jam 2 are delivering serious reasons to sign up. Check out our guide to the best HBO Max shows and movies to see what it's offering. The only downsides with HBO Max have been its relatively higher price than most, those weird (now fixed) Apple TV bugs and that Warner movies won't launch on Day 1 in 2022. With its varied arsenal of new shows, HBO Max won the 2021 Tom's Guide Award for best streaming service for original programming.
Check our our full HBO Max review.
The great-granddaddy in the market remains the best streaming service. As you probably know, Netflix provides unlimited streaming of TV shows, movies, comedy specials (check out Bo Burnham's Inside) and original programming (we need The Witcher and Stranger Things back now) for one monthly subscription fee. Netflix is constantly adding and taking away movies, so you'll want to check our our what's new on Netflix guide to see what's coming soon, and what you should watch before it's gone.
Recently, it's been easy to see that Netflix is inching away from its original business model of distributing other studios' films and shows, in favor of these above originals. Still, though, we see frequent additions of licensed shows, such as Hannibal, Moesha and Community, making Netflix the home for those looking to catch up on beloved shows they missed the first time around. Our Netflix hidden gems guide shows how it's also got a great library of fantastic shows and movies that have somehow gone under the radar for many audiences.
Disney Plus is a dominant player in the category, and why wouldn't it be? Disney controls a frankly frightening number of properties, from Marvel, to Star Wars, to Disney's own animated canon, to The Simpsons (all 30 seasons, and counting). At $8 per month, it's among the cheaper of the best streaming services out there, and a lot of the content is available in 4K resolution with HDR color palettes, too.
Oh, and in big news, Disney Plus is also being turned into a PPV service, or at least the company is testing the waters. Disney's live-action Mulan cost $30 from Sept. 4 until its December 2020 free release, and, thankfully, they're doing the same with Black Widow. The Mandalorian season 2 and WandaVision got rave reviews, and Loki is the service's biggest hit yet. Fans of Disney, Marvel, Pixar and/or Star Wars have no choice but to subscribe, which makes Disney Plus one of the best streaming services. Disney Plus won multiple awards in the 2021 Tom's Guide Awards including Best Streaming App and a Highly Recommended nod for Best Streaming Service for Original Programming.
Read our full Disney Plus review.
If you want to keep current with the latest TV shows but don't feel like investing in a cable subscription or an HD antenna, Hulu is the best streaming service for you. This service provides access to most major network shows (aside from CBS' programs) and a handful of cable shows the day after they air. It also lets subscribers access a show's current season — or often all of the program's seasons.
In addition, the service hosts a number of original shows (including joint ventures with the BBC, like The Wrong Mans and season 4 of The Thick of It), a selection of offbeat movies and a surprising amount of classic anime series. Recent Hulu hits include a remake of High Fidelity that brings the record shop to New York, and swaps John Cusack out for Zoe Kravitz (which got cancelled, RIP). Even with a paid subscription, you have to sit through commercials, but far fewer than if you watched the same shows on cable. Hulu's live TV streaming option is also a solid aspect of its overall package, and that will let you watch CBS too.
Check out our full Hulu with Live TV review.
If you like the idea of a cable subscription but feel it's just too expensive and offers more content than you want, Sling TV might provide a happy medium for you. On paper, Sling sounds a lot like a traditional cable service: Pay a monthly subscription fee in exchange for about 30 real-time channels. But there's no contract and no set-top box rental fee. Sling is especially handy for sports fans, as it offers a variety of ESPN channels — and this alone is worth the price for some.
Other popular networks, like NBC, BBC America, CNN, Cartoon Network, TBS and the Food Network, sweeten the deal. Check out our Sling TV guide to packages, channels and more. While most of the popular streaming services start at around $65, Sling stands out with its $35 per month starting price. Sling TV is such a good option for cord-cutters, with its customizable packages, that it won two of the 2021 Tom's Guide Awards: the best live tv streaming service and the best sports streaming service.
Read our full Sling TV review.
For those who do most of their shopping online, Amazon Prime is a no-brainer. For $119 per year, you get free two-day shipping on your purchases, a free Kindle book each month, and unlimited access to both Amazon Music and Amazon Prime Video. Like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video is a veritable buffet of movies, television and original programming (the best Amazon shows range from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Man in the High Castle, Bosch and Jack Ryan). Amazon Prime Video's biggest hit is The Boys, which grew its audience tremendously in season 2, and already has its own spinoff announced.
Thanks to a deal with Viacom — which controls Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon — Amazon Prime arguably is the best streaming service when it comes to comedy and children's programming. The service also offers unlimited access to an extensive collection from HBO's back catalog of classics such as The Sopranos and The Wire. You can also rent or purchase movies through Amazon Prime Video, but it's an à la carte service. If you're trying to master your Amazon streaming device, check out our how to use the Fire Stick walkthrough.
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