Quick Links
Free streaming service Tubi surpassed Disney+, Peacock, and Paramount+ in May
Tubi, the free-with-ads streaming service, has beat titans such as Disney+ and Max for average viewership in May. And it may just be the beginning.
If you’re struggling trying to keep up with every show that you want to watch, even if it is just to be able to share in conversations with, you likely need to understand which streaming services will give you the most use. Here is a breakdown of the pricing for all the streaming services, which have seen hikes recently, and what is available on each.
Originally known as HBO Max but now dubbed Max by Warner Bros. Discovery, this streaming service houses the DC Extended Universe, HBO’s massive catalog, and live sports through Turner Sports. In addition, the service includes content from other networks like Food Network, HGTV, TBS, TNT, and more. Of course, there is also a vast library of films as well as plenty of content for children.
Max recently increased its prices in 2024, raising plans of ad-free subscriptions up from $15.99 to $16.99 per month. The Ultimate ad-free plan, which includes 4K content, also rose from $19.99 to $20.99 per month. This price hike will be included in the next billing cycle following July 18, 2025. The yearly plans also went up in price, as the ad-free plan was $149.99 and is now $169.99 and the Ultimate ad-free plan rose from $199.99 to $200.99.
With ad-free plans, you are able to stream on two devices at once and have up to 30 downloads to watch on the go as well as watch in Full HD 1080p. The Ultimate ad-free plan lets you stream on four devices at once and lets you download up to 100 pieces of content to watch on the go while giving you content in 4K UHD, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and HDR 10 on select titles.
The subscription with ads, which remains $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year, lets you watch on two devices at once and offers Full HD 1080p resolution but doesn’t include any downloads.
How I get a free subscription to HBO’s Max
If you’re looking for fresh streaming content to beat the summer heat, you might want to try Max. Here’s how to use it for free.
A minimal increase also went into effect
The streamer with all of your favorite NBC hit series and shows like Saturday Night Live, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, and The Office also features your reality TV fix with Bravo shows and live sports. Peacock is also the streaming home for the 2024 Paris Olympics as well as Sunday Night Football. It also has series like Top Chef, Summer House, the Real Housewives franchises and more. There are also originals like Love Island USA, Apples Never Fall, The Traitors, and Ted, as well as a huge collection of movies available to stream. Peacock also frequently gets movies that were recently in theaters, such as Monkey Man, Lisa Frankenstein, Night Swim, and Migration.
Drive with Max, Peacock, and Angry Birds thanks to new Android Auto update
After waiting an extra day past Google I/O, we’ve gotten some updates on Android Auto, and it’s getting new gaming and streaming options.
Prime Video
Those ads popped up this year
Amazon Prime Video
Prime Video has been the home of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Invincible, The Boys, and more. Currently,you can purchase a Prime Video ad-supported standalone subscription for $8.99 per month. However, the larger Amazon Prime service, which includes free 2-day shipping, costs $14.99 per month, or $139 per year. Students are eligible to get an Amazon Prime Student subscription for only $7.99 per month or $69 per year.
If you’d rather an ad-free experience, an Amazon Prime subscription will cost you $17.98 per month for the bundled service, or $11.98 per month for just video access. Whichever subscription you choose gives you the ability to stream from three devices at once and make up to six accounts. The content is the same, no matter which subscription you have.
Sick of Prime Video’s new ads? Here’s how to remove them
It may require an upgrade, but you’ll be ad-free on both any Prime TV app or the web.
Bundles aplenty
Hulu is known for its ability to help userscut the cord on cableby offering Hulu + Live TV as well as bundles with Hulu and Disney+. In October 2023, Hulu raised its prices for subscriptions to the streaming service, raising the monthly ad-free plan to $17.99 rather than $14.99. The Hulu with ads subscription plan stayed the same at $7.99 per month. You also get a free month if you choose that plan.
There are many bundles you can choose from with Hulu to save. You can opt for the Hulu + Live TV bundle, which gives you three free days and then charges you $79.99 per month for Hulu with ads, 95 channels of live TV, Disney+ with ads, and ESPN+ with ads. If you don’t want the Live TV aspect of the bundle, you can get Hulu and Disney+ for $9.99 per month for the ad-supported versions of those, the trio of Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ for $14.99 per month for ad-supported or a premium version without ads of those three for $24.99.
How to download Hulu shows and movies to watch offline
If you know you won’t have an internet connection, here’s how to download Hulu movies and shows to watch on the go.
Hand in hand with Hulu
Disney+ has extensively expanded its library over the past few years to include a variety of shows and films ranging from ones you’d expect to be on a Disney platform and others that you won’t (looking at you, Saw franchise.) The last Disney+ price hike came at the same time as Hulu’s latest in October 2023. That’s because the price hikes were to the individual packages, as the companies are aiming to have you bundle their services. Disney+’s Basic subscription stayed the same at $7.99 per month while the ad-free Disney+ Premium package rose from $10.99 per month to $13.99. The annual price also rose to $139.99.
Both subscription plans allow you to stream on four devices at once. The basic package includes ad-supported programming, supports up to 5.1 audio, and delivers video in up to 4K UHD and HDR. The premium subscription includes ad-free programming, up to Dolby Atmos sound and 4K UHD and HDR content, as well as the ability to download up to 10 shows to watch on the go.
How to watch all the Marvel movies and TV shows in chronological order
The Marvel Cinematic Universe began in 2008 and is still going strong. Here’s the entire MCU timeline, shows and movies included.
Disney+ has Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, which has been one of the biggest movies of the 2023, as well as the massive catalog of Disney and Pixar films and series. It also has the Star Wars and Marvel Cinematic Universes and plenty of child-friendly programming like Bluey.
Two price hikes within a year
Apple TV+ is a global streaming service which offers on-demand access to a growing list of exclusive content, including Severance, Ted Lasso, Slow Horses, and much more.
Apple TV+ has become the Emmy- and Oscar-award winning platform of note, much to Netflix’s chagrin. But the price hikes were met with the chagrin of consumers, as the streamer increased payments two times in a year span. The price went from $4.99 per month to $6.99 in October 2022 and then from $6.99 to $9.99 monthly in October 2023. Apple TV+ is still the only subscription service to not offer an ad-supported plan, so there’s just one price for a subscription plan.
There are multiple ways to get a subscription plan with Apple, and you can get free trials of the platform multiple ways before committing to it. But once you are paying for the subscription, it is $9.99 per month. You can enjoy up to six simultaneous streams at once and there are up to six profiles available per subscription.
4 ways to get Apple TV+ for free
Some are simple sign-ups, but others are temporary or will cost you in other ways.
Paramount+
Two plans to pick from
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ offers you channels from the previous Viacom group, which includes Comedy Central, CBS, MTV, and more. The most recent price hike for this streaming service was announced in February 2023, as it increased both of its subscription prices. The first jump went from $9.99 per month for the Paramount+ with Showtime subscription from $11.99 per month. The base Paramount+ essential plan went from $4.99 to $5.99 per month.
The newest pricing went into effect on August 20, 2025. It did away with the four subscription packages that it previously offered, as it bundled Showtime with its more premium package. The previous option either gave ad-supported programming, ad-free programming, ad-supported programming with Showtime, or ad-free programming with Showtime for four different price points. With the Essential plan, you get ad-supported programming but aren’t able to download shows to devices. The Paramount+ with Showtime gives you Showtime, your local live CBS station, no ads, and the ability to download shows.
13 incredibly useful Paramount+ features, tips, and tricks
Are you getting the most out of Paramount+? The streaming service is loaded with useful features and buried settings you absolutely need to try.
Paramount+ is the home of the NFL on CBS, which is available on both subscription plans. You’ll also get Big Ten football on CBS and other CBS hits like Survivor, Fire Country, NCIS, and more. Paramount+ Originals include Evil, Mayor of Kingstown, Criminal Minds: Evolution, Knuckles, 1883, and Halo. There is also a large library of on-demand series and movies.
Many plans to choose from
Netflix is a global streaming service offering on-demand access to movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content. Founded in 1997 as a DVD rental service, it transitioned to streaming in 2007 and now operates in over 190 countries.
Netflix’s subscription options vary drastically in price and the company is one of few that doesn’t allow yearly subscription packages. You can choose a $6.99 per month standard with ads subscription, a standard subscription which costs $15.99 per month, and a premium subscription which will cost you $22.99 per month. You’re also able to add extra users for $7.99 each per month.
Netflix is the home of original shows like Bridgerton, The Night Agent, Never Have I Ever, Sweet Tooth, Baby Reindeer, and more. There are also hit movies that come straight to Netflix each month, such as Hit Man, Unfrosted, Damsel, Atlas, Rebel Moon, and more.
Netflix spatial audio can give you a surround sound experience – here’s how
Get immersive audio on your smartphone, laptop, or TV without additional speakers.
