Streaming platforms have made our lives easier. Unlike before, when you had to wait for your favorite show on TV or walk to a movie store to grab a movie, today, you’ll pay for a subscription, and you are good to go. Thanks to platforms like Netflix, you can access an extensive library of TV shows, documentaries, and movies.
However, as the popularity of streaming platforms continues to rise, so does the cost. For example, Netflix recently increased its ad-free standard plan subscription price from $15.49 monthly to $17.99. However, Netflix is not the only ad-free streaming platform. With the surging demand for content, several ad-free and cheaper plans have emerged. Like Netflix, they are user-friendly, have lots of content, and are compatible with various streaming devices.
5
Kanopy
Available for free
Kanopy is a video-on-demand streaming platform, like Hulu and Netflix. While it does not have mainstream titles, it has a huge selection of old classics, top-notch documentaries, and award-winning movies. You will enjoy movies like Captain Fantastic, Chinatown, What We Do In the Shadows, Moonlight, The Bookshop, Colette, and more. If you do not like Netflix’s subpar selection of shows and movies, Kanopy is a go-to option for thought-provoking and meaningful content.
The best part is that it does not cost a dime, and you will not have to put up with commercials. The content is provided by universities and public libraries, so you won’t pay anything. The only requirement is that you must have a university login or library card to register for an account on the platform.
4
Apple TV+
Costs only $10 per month
For $10 per month, Apple TV+ gives you access to irresistible originals and award-winning content like Bad Sisters, Severance, and The Morning Show. At the end of the week, when MLB baseball is on, you can watch two games every week plus highlights. All these, without streaming quality restrictions or commercials, make it one of the best streaming platforms for those on a budget.
The only difference between Netflix and Apple TV+ is the type of content. Apple offers only original and high-quality titles like Ted Lasso, unlike Netflix, where you can get lean-back TV shows like Gilmore Girls. When it comes to features, the plan allows access to up to six devices simultaneously, as well as downloads on an unlimited number of devices. Unlike Netflix, which has plan tiers, the Apple TV Plus subscription unlocks all the features on the platform, including 4K streaming.
Besides Apple devices like iPhones and Macs, Apple TV+ is accessible via streaming devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Google Chromecast. On Android devices like phones and tablets, it is accessible via the Apple TV app.
3
Peacock
Peacock Premium+ costs only $14 per month or $140 per year
While Peacock’s ad-supported plan costs $7.99, which is the same as Netflix’s, the ad-free plan is cheaper. Known as Peacock Premium Plus, the ad-free plan costs $14 per month or around $140 per year. This is cheaper than Netflix’s ad-free plan, which costs around $18 and does not have a yearly plan. So, if you pay for the annual plan on Peacock, you get a cheaper monthly plan and two months free.
Because Peacock is home to NBC Universal, the plan gives you access to the platform’s complete library, including exclusive content from the WWE Network, NBC shows like Chicago P.D., live sports like Premier League TV, original Peacock series like Dr. Death, and the latest universal movies like Jurassic World: Dominion. It also gives you access to early or next-day episodes of NBC shows like The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Late Night Starring Seth Meyers.
Additionally, the ad-free plan allows you to download your favorite content for offline viewing and livestream your local NBC station and NBC NFL games. Peacock is available on Google devices like Chromecast, Android phones, Apple devices like Apple TV and iPhone, as well as gaming consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox One.
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2
Disney+
Disney+ Premium costs $16 per month or $160 per year
Disney+ Premium is not enormously cheaper than Netflix’s ad-free option, but it is a competitively priced platform with good content selection. It costs $16 per month or $160 if you want to commit to the annual subscription. The annual subscription gives you two months of free access, which is cheaper than Netflix’s standard ad-free plan, which translates to around $180 per year.
The premium plan gives you access to a vast library of TV shows and movies, including titles like Mufasa: The Lion King, exclusives like Daredevil: Born Again, and thousands of animated classics. You also have access to sitcoms like Hannah Montana, heavy hitters like The Mandalorian, and lean-back options like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
When it comes to features, you get unlimited downloads for viewing offline on up to 10 devices, 300+ movies and TV shows in 4K/HDR, and streaming on up to four devices at no extra cost. Another nifty addition to the ad-free tier is Dolby Atmos on select titles. This advanced surround sound technology envelopes or places sound in a specific room or space through spatial audio, allowing you to immerse yourself in your favorite films or shows.
While the difference in prices between Netflix and Disney+ on ad-free plans is minimal, the latter remains one of the best streaming platforms for subscribers, especially for Marvel fans and families.
1
Paramount+ with Showtime
Costs $13 per month or $120 per year
Paramount+ with Showtime is an on-demand streaming platform home to 40,000+ movies and episodes. The ad-free plan costs $13 per month or about $120 annually, which translates to about $9.99 per month. You can save around $5 per month or about $60 a year if you switch from Netflix to Paramount+ with Showtime.
The plan gives you access to popular shows from MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and CBS. You also get every Star Trek series, on-demand movies, and live channels like CBS Sports HQ, ET Live, and CBS News. Showtime gives access to hundreds of premium TV shows like Yellowjackets, popular movies like Strange Darling, and the platform’s West Coast and East Coast feeds. Paramount+ with Showtime offers select movies and TV shows in 4K, which you can stream on up to three screens simultaneously.
There is much more to streaming than Netflix
With surging subscription prices, the introduction of ad-supported plans, and lackluster libraries outside the United States, Netflix is no longer what it used to be. Still, there are cheaper and better ad-free alternatives like Kanopy and Apple TV+. Whether you want classic movies, TV channels, educational content, or original programming, you can find it on the streaming platforms listed above. Happy, cheaper, and ad-free streaming!
