Subscription streaming service with 282M subscribers offering original TV shows, movies, and licensed content.
Original content and movie lovers
On-demand streaming service specializing in current TV shows with next-day network availability and live TV options.
Current TV watchers and cord-cutters
Netflix has 260M+ subscribers, the largest content budget ($17B/year), and no live TV. Hulu has 50M+ subscribers, offers next-day TV episodes, and includes a live TV option ($76.99/month). Netflix leads in original content; Hulu in current TV shows.
Netflix for movies and original series. Hulu for current TV shows and live TV options. Netflix leads overall; Hulu wins for cord-cutters wanting current TV.
Choose Netflix if
Original content and movie lovers
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| Metric | Netflix | Hulu | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price (Ad-free)(USD) | $15.49 | — | — |
| Subscribers | 260M+ | 50M+ | +420% |
| Content Budget(USD/year) | $17 Billion | $2.5 Billion | +580% |
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The Best Streaming Services in 2026: Your Complete Guide to Cutting Cable
Looking to cut the cord in 2026? Discover the best streaming services that offer the perfect mix of movies, TV shows, live sports, and affordable pricing. From Netflix to emerging alternatives, we've tested and reviewed every major platform to help you choose.
Best Streaming Services of 2026: Top Picks for Movies, TV & Sports
Looking for the best streaming service in 2026? Our comprehensive guide reviews the top platforms including Disney Plus, Netflix, and live TV options to help you find the perfect fit for your entertainment needs and budget.
Choose Hulu if
Current TV watchers and cord-cutters
| Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) | $15.49 | $17.99 | -14% |
| Entry-Level Monthly Price(USD) | $7.99 | — | — |
| Premium Ad-Free Tier Price(USD) | $15.49 | — | — |
| Global Country Availability(countries) | 190+ | — | — |
| Original Content Releases in January 2026(count) | Multiple scheduled | — | — |
| Simultaneous Device Streaming(devices) | Up to 4 screens | — | — |
| Forward P/E Ratio(ratio) | 30 | — | — |
| 1-Year Stock Performance(%) | +0.82% | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD) | $15.49 | — | — |
| Original Series Released (2025)(count) | 60+ original series | — | — |
| Subscriber Base (2026 est.)(millions) | ~260 million Netflix subscribers | — | — |
| Stock Beta (Volatility)(ratio) | >1.4 (higher volatility) | — | — |
| Forward P/E Ratio(multiple) | 30x (reduced from prior quarters) | — | — |
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $6.99 | — | — |
| Content Library Size(titles) | 15,000+ | — | — |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 0 (on-demand only) | — | — |
| Nightly TV Viewership Average (2026)(millions) | 10.7 | — | — |
| Entry-Level Monthly Cost(USD) | $7.99 | — | — |
| Premium Plan Monthly Cost(USD) | $24.99 | — | — |
| Total Titles Available(titles) | ~12,500 titles | — | — |
| Original Productions Per Year(productions) | 250+ originals | — | — |
| Basic Plan Monthly Cost(USD) | $6.99/month | — | — |
| Premium Ad-Free Plan Cost(USD) | $22.99/month | — | — |
| 4K Content Library(titles) | ~2,000 titles | — | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (Premium)(screens) | 4 screens | — | — |
| Annual Revenue (2025)(billion USD) | $45.18 billion | — | — |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | ~0.25 billion | — | — |
| Minimum Monthly Cost(USD) | $6.99 | — | — |
| Daily Video Consumption(billion hours) | ~0.33 billion hours | — | — |
| 5-Year Stock Performance(percent gain) | 86.30% | — | — |
| Basic Plan Price(USD/month) | $6.99 | $7.99 | -13% |
| Premium Ad-Free Plan(USD/month) | $22.99 | $14.99 | +53% |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 0 channels | 75+ channels | -100% |
| Original Content Awards(Emmy nominations) | 450+ nominations | 120+ nominations | +275% |
| User Satisfaction Score(%) | 87% | 76% | +14% |
| Global Subscribers(millions) | Netflix | 50+ million | +550% |
| Annual Revenue(billions USD) | Netflix | — | — |
| Year-over-Year Growth(percent) | Netflix | — | — |
| Price (Base Plan)(USD/month) | Netflix | — | — |
| Content Library Size(titles) | Netflix | 4,000+ titles | +275% |
| Simultaneous Streams (Standard)(screens) | Netflix | 2 screens | — |
| App Installs (2026)(millions) | Netflix | — | — |
| Content Update Frequency(releases per week) | Netflix | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription (Ad-Supported)(USD) | $7.99/month | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription (Premium/No Ads)(USD) | $24.99/month | — | — |
| Total Library Size(titles) | 5,500+ titles | — | — |
| Original Series Released Annually(shows per year) | 100+ original series | — | — |
| 4K Content Available(titles) | 1,200+ titles | — | — |
| Show Completion Rate (User Engagement)(percent) | 68% | — | — |
| Lowest Monthly Price(USD) | $6.99 | — | — |
| Premium Ad-Free Plan Price(USD/month) | $15.49 | — | — |
| Maximum Concurrent Streams(streams) | 4 (Premium) | — | — |
| Ad Duration on Ad-Supported Plan(minutes/hour) | 4-5 min/hour | — | — |
| Monthly Cost (Ad-Supported Plan)(USD) | $9.00 | — | — |
| Monthly Cost (Premium Ad-Free Plan)(USD) | $15.49 | — | — |
| Global Subscriber Base(millions) | 282 million | — | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams (Premium)(screens) | 4 screens | — | — |
| Music Library Size(millions of tracks) | No music library | — | — |
| Original Content Titles (2026)(count) | 5,000+ titles | — | — |
| Recommended Bundle Price (All Services, No Ads)(USD per month) | $44.99 (with ESPN Unlimited) | $44.99 (with ESPN Unlimited) | — |
| Simultaneous Stream Devices(devices) | 2-4 devices | 2-4 devices | — |
| Watch Party Maximum Participants(people) | 8 participants (Watch Party) | 8 participants (Watch Party) | — |
| App Merger Timeline(year) | Early 2026 | Early 2026 | — |
| Base Subscription Price (Ad-Supported)(USD per month) | $7.99 | $7.99 | — |
| Premium Subscription Price (No Ads)(USD per month) | $14.99 | $14.99 | — |
| Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) | $14.99 | $14.99 | — |
| Original Series Count(active) | 60+ | 60+ | — |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days | 7 days | — |
| Total Content Library Size(titles) | 20,000+ | 20,000+ | — |
| Simultaneous Streams(count) | 4 simultaneous | 4 simultaneous | — |
| Theatrical Release Window(months) | 120 days standard | 120 days standard | — |
| Base Subscription Price (Ad-Supported)(USD/month) | $7.99 | $7.99 | — |
| Premium Subscription Price (Ad-Free)(USD/month) | $14.99 | $14.99 | — |
| Live TV Channels Included(channels) | 75+ | 75+ | — |
| 2026 Emmy-Contending Series(count) | Tell Me Lies (7.2 rating) | Tell Me Lies (7.2 rating) | — |
| Content Library Size (Estimated)(titles) | 15,000+ | 15,000+ | — |
| Monthly Price (Ad-Supported)(USD) | $5.99 | $5.99 | — |
| Monthly Price (Premium/Ad-Free)(USD) | $11.99 | $11.99 | — |
| Paying Subscribers (2026)(millions) | 55+ million | 55+ million | — |
| Standalone Monthly Price (Ad-Supported)(USD) | $11.99/month | $11.99/month | — |
| Standalone Monthly Price (Ad-Free)(USD) | $19.99/month | $19.99/month | — |
| Bundle Price (Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+)(USD) | $19.99/month (included) | $19.99/month (included) | — |
| Monthly Cost (Base Tier)(USD) | $7.99 | $7.99 | — |
| Monthly Cost (Premium/Ad-Free Tier)(USD) | $14.99 | $14.99 | — |
| Live TV Base Plan Cost(USD/month) | $46-$65 | $46-$65 | — |
| Live TV Channels (Standard Plan)(channels) | 75+ | 75+ | — |
| On-Demand Content Library Size(titles) | 10,000+ | 10,000+ | — |
| User Profiles Per Account(profiles) | 6 | 6 | — |
| Ad-Supported Monthly Price(USD) | $11.99 | $11.99 | — |
| Premium Tier Monthly Price(USD) | $18.99 | $18.99 | — |
| Maximum User Profiles(profiles) | 6 | 6 | — |
| TV Episode Next-Day Availability(hours after air) | Same-day/next-day (typically 8-24 hours) | Same-day/next-day (typically 8-24 hours) | — |
| Hulu + Live TV / All-In Bundle Cost(USD/month) | $119.99 (with ads, includes Disney+ & ESPN+) | $119.99 (with ads, includes Disney+ & ESPN+) | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated May 2026.
Netflix
260M+🏆
Hulu
50M+
Netflix
No
Hulu
Yes ($76.99/mo)🏆
Netflix
Limited
Hulu
Next-day airing🏆
Netflix
$17B/year🏆
Hulu
$2.5B/year
Netflix
$15.49/mo🏆
Hulu
$17.99/mo
Yes, Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99/month and includes 90+ channels including ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and local channels — a full cable replacement.
Dive deeper with these curated resources
Best Streaming Services in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget & Interest
Navigating the crowded streaming landscape in 2026 can be overwhelming. We've tested and ranked the best streaming services that offer the most value, from Netflix's massive library to budget-friendly options like Tubi, helping you cut cable and find your perfect entertainment solution.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price (Ad-free)(USD) | $15.49 | — |
| Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) | $15.49 | $17.99 |
| Bundle Deal Availability(boolean) | Verizon option ($10.99) | — |
| Included Membership Benefits | None | — |
| Bundle Inclusions | Disney+, ESPN+, FX content | — |
| Subscribers | 260M+ | 50M+ |
| Content Budget(USD/year) | $17 Billion | $2.5 Billion |
| Stock Beta (Volatility)(ratio) | >1.4 (higher volatility) | — |
| Forward P/E Ratio(multiple) | 30x (reduced from prior quarters) | — |
| Entry-Level Monthly Price(USD) | $7.99 | — |
| Premium Ad-Free Tier Price(USD) | $15.49 | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD) | $15.49 | — |
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $6.99 | — |
| Entry-Level Monthly Cost(USD) | $7.99 | — |
Show 30 more attributesPremium Plan Monthly Cost(USD) $24.99 — Basic Plan Monthly Cost(USD) $6.99/month — Premium Ad-Free Plan Cost(USD) $22.99/month — Minimum Monthly Cost(USD) $6.99 — Basic Plan Price(USD/month) $6.99 $7.99 Premium Ad-Free Plan(USD/month) $22.99 $14.99 Price (Base Plan)(USD/month) Netflix — Monthly Subscription (Ad-Supported)(USD) $7.99/month — Monthly Subscription (Premium/No Ads)(USD) $24.99/month — Lowest Monthly Price(USD) $6.99 — Premium Ad-Free Plan Price(USD/month) $15.49 — Monthly Cost (Ad-Supported Plan)(USD) $9.00 — Monthly Cost (Premium Ad-Free Plan)(USD) $15.49 — Recommended Bundle Price (All Services, No Ads)(USD per month) $44.99 (with ESPN Unlimited) — Base Subscription Price (Ad-Supported)(USD per month) $7.99 — Premium Subscription Price (No Ads)(USD per month) $14.99 — Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) $14.99 — Base Subscription Price (Ad-Supported)(USD/month) $7.99 — Premium Subscription Price (Ad-Free)(USD/month) $14.99 — Monthly Price (Ad-Supported)(USD) $5.99 — Monthly Price (Premium/Ad-Free)(USD) $11.99 — Standalone Monthly Price (Ad-Supported)(USD) $11.99/month — Standalone Monthly Price (Ad-Free)(USD) $19.99/month — Bundle Price (Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+)(USD) $19.99/month (included) — Monthly Cost (Base Tier)(USD) $7.99 — Monthly Cost (Premium/Ad-Free Tier)(USD) $14.99 — Live TV Base Plan Cost(USD/month) $46-$65 — Ad-Supported Monthly Price(USD) $11.99 — Premium Tier Monthly Price(USD) $18.99 — Hulu + Live TV / All-In Bundle Cost(USD/month) $119.99 (with ads, includes Disney+ & ESPN+) — | ||
| Global Country Availability(countries) | 190+ | — |
| Live Sports Programming(availability) | Limited | — |
| Original Content Releases in January 2026(count) | Multiple scheduled | — |
| Live Sports Programming(events per month) | NFL, WWE Raw, major events | — |
| Original Series Released (2025)(count) | 60+ original series | — |
| Franchise IP Library(franchises) | Originals-focused, limited legacy franchises | — |
Show 26 more attributesContent Library Size(titles) 15,000+ — Live TV Channels(channels) 0 (on-demand only) — Original Content Focus (2026) High (comedies, young adult priority) — 4K Content Library Size(comparative) Largest available — HBO Content Access(boolean) Not included — Theatrical Release Integration(boolean) Limited — Total Titles Available(titles) ~12,500 titles — Original Productions Per Year(productions) 250+ originals — International Original Series(count) Extensive global coverage — Content Library Size(titles) Netflix 4,000+ titles Content Update Frequency(releases per week) Netflix — Total Library Size(titles) 5,500+ titles — Original Series Released Annually(shows per year) 100+ original series — 4K Content Available(titles) 1,200+ titles — Premium Films Library(major films) Wide variety across genres — Original Content Release Frequency Weekly/bi-weekly — Music Library Size(millions of tracks) No music library — Sports Content Coverage(categories) Limited (select events only) — Original Series Count(active) 60+ — Total Content Library Size(titles) 20,000+ — Theatrical Release Window(months) 120 days standard — Live TV Channels Included(channels) 75+ — Sports Content Availability ESPN+ with premium sports — Exclusive Sports Rights Via ESPN+ partnership — Current TV Episode Availability Next-day episodes of current shows — On-Demand Content Library Size(titles) 10,000+ — | ||
| Simultaneous Device Streaming(devices) | Up to 4 screens | — |
| Password Sharing Policy(text) | Restricted with extra fees | — |
| Unlimited DVR | Premium+ tier only | — |
| Family Sharing Accounts(profiles) | Limited (varies by plan) | — |
| Offline Download Feature(boolean) | Yes, all plans | — |
Show 21 more attributesMobile Innovation (2026)(feature) Vertical video feed expanding — Live Sports Availability Not available — Simultaneous Streams (Premium)(screens) 4 screens — Password Sharing Outside Household Restricted to household only — Gaming Features Integrated Full gaming catalog included — Download Availability (Offline) Available on all paid plans — Live TV Channels(channels) 0 channels 75+ channels Simultaneous Streams (Standard)(screens) Netflix 2 screens Maximum Concurrent Streams(streams) 4 (Premium) — Maximum Simultaneous Streams (Premium)(screens) 4 screens — Maximum Video Quality(resolution) 4K (2160p) on Premium — Offline Download Support(availability) Yes, all plans — Simultaneous Stream Devices(devices) 2-4 devices — Live TV Access(availability) Available with bundles — Free Trial Period(days) 7 days — Live TV Option(available) Yes (Hulu+Live TV) — Simultaneous Streams(count) 4 simultaneous — Mobile Download Feature(yes/no) Yes — Bundle Options Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu — Watch Party Co-Viewing Feature Included (Hulu Watch Party) — Maximum User Profiles(profiles) 6 — | ||
| 4K/Ultra HD Availability(availability) | Available on premium tiers | — |
| 4K Content Available(yes/no) | Yes (premium tier) | — |
| Dolby Atmos Support(yes/no) | Yes | — |
| Forward P/E Ratio(ratio) | 30 | — |
| 1-Year Stock Performance(%) | +0.82% | — |
| Stock Beta (Volatility)(beta) | Higher than Disney | — |
| Live Sports Content(availability) | WWE Raw, NFL Christmas Day, exclusive live events | — |
| Major Franchises(count) | Original content focus with viral hits | — |
| Ecosystem Integration(platforms) | Standalone streaming platform | — |
| Content Curation Philosophy(approach) | Scale-driven with high volume content | — |
| Target Demographic(breadth) | Broad global audience across all demographics | — |
| Global Subscribers(millions) | Netflix | 50+ million |
| Subscriber Base (2026 est.)(millions) | ~260 million Netflix subscribers | — |
| Content Strategy(type) | Scale-driven content warehouse | — |
| Nightly TV Viewership Average (2026)(millions) | 10.7 | — |
| Ad-Free Viewing | Available on Premium/Premium+ ($22.99) | — |
| 4K Content Library(titles) | ~2,000 titles | — |
| Original Content Awards(Emmy nominations) | 450+ nominations | 120+ nominations |
| 2026 Emmy-Contending Series(count) | Tell Me Lies (7.2 rating) | — |
| Day-and-Date Theatrical Releases | No | — |
| Annual Revenue (2025)(billion USD) | $45.18 billion | — |
| 5-Year Stock Performance(percent gain) | 86.30% | — |
| Premium Subscribers (Jan 2026)(millions) | Undisclosed (declining) | — |
| Daily Active Users(millions) | ~122 million equivalent | — |
| Paying Subscribers (2026)(millions) | 55+ million | — |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | ~0.25 billion | — |
| Daily Video Consumption(billion hours) | ~0.33 billion hours | — |
| Show Completion Rate (User Engagement)(percent) | 68% | — |
| Content Engagement vs Traditional(%) | Industry standard | — |
| Content Curation Method | Human + Algorithm | — |
| Mobile-First Features | Standard mobile app | — |
| User Satisfaction Score(%) | 87% | 76% |
| Content Discovery Usability | Easier to browse and find content | — |
| Annual Revenue(billions USD) | Netflix | — |
| Year-over-Year Growth(percent) | Netflix | — |
| App Installs (2026)(millions) | Netflix | — |
| 4K Available on Base Plan | No (Premium only) | — |
| 4K Content Availability(availability level) | Limited, mostly HD | — |
| 4K Streaming Support | Not available | — |
| Ad Duration on Ad-Supported Plan(minutes/hour) | 4-5 min/hour | — |
| Global Subscriber Base(millions) | 282 million | — |
| Original Content Titles (2026)(count) | 5,000+ titles | — |
| Watch Party Maximum Participants(people) | 8 participants (Watch Party) | — |
| App Merger Timeline(year) | Early 2026 | — |
| Nielsen Rankings (Jan 2026)(position) | Top 3 among streamers | — |
| Same-Day Theatrical Releases | Limited | — |
| Content Library Size (Estimated)(titles) | 15,000+ | — |
| Merger/Platform Status (2026) | Standalone app ending, merging into Disney+ | — |
| Live TV Channels (Standard Plan)(channels) | 75+ | — |
| Cloud DVR Storage (Live TV)(storage) | Unlimited | — |
| User Profiles Per Account(profiles) | 6 | — |
| Same-Day TV Episode Releases(availability) | Yes (ABC, NBC, Fox, FX) | — |
| TV Episode Next-Day Availability(hours after air) | Same-day/next-day (typically 8-24 hours) | — |
| Integrated Non-Streaming Benefits | None | — |
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes