Streaming services all have different offerings and prices, and it's quite the maze to try to figure out which ones have the best value for money.
The best value for money in live TV is Sling TV, which offers 50+ of the most popular channels for $40. The best value in on-demand is Hulu, which starts at $6.99.
In this article, we'll take a look at some of the most popular streaming services and see how they compare in terms of value for money.
For Live TV
Sling TV: $40 per month for a choice among the 50 biggest channels
It's tough to beat Sling TV's package: channels like ESPN, Bravo, TNT, AMC, HGTV, and many more are all available starting at $40 per month, with no long-term commitment required.
Philo: $25 per month for 68 channels available
As one of the cheapest streaming services available, Philo offers an impressive 68 channels for just $25 per month. That said, the selection of channels is more limited than on other services, so it may not be the best option for everyone.
Fubo: $64.99 per month for 107 channels available
FuboTV's base package is a little more expensive than Sling TV, but it comes with a lot more channels: over 100, including many local channels and regional sports networks.
You'll notice that many other streaming services run around the same price point, but their best package is the best value we could find for someone wanting to get a maximum amount of channels.
DirecTV Stream: $69.99 per month for 70 channels available
DirecTV's streaming service includes a good mix of live and on-demand content, with 70 channels available for $69.99 per month. While this is a bit more expensive than Sling TV, it does offer some unique advantages, such as the ability to add premium channels like HBO and Showtime.
Hulu with Live TV: $64.99 per month for 75 channels available
Around Fubo's price point, you'll find Hulu with Live TV, which offers a slightly different selection of channels. The main difference is that Hulu also includes its massive on-demand library with this package, which contains thousands of TV shows and movies.
Frndly TV: $6.99 per month for 33 channels available
If you're looking for a more affordable and family-oriented option, Frndly TV is one to consider. For just $6.99 per month, you'll get 33 channels, including many popular ones like The CW, Nickelodeon, and Animal Planet.
Free services: Xumo TV (14 channels) and PlutoTV (29 channels)
There are also of course completely free streaming services, which are great value for money by not costing any money! The problem with these services is that they have very few "real" channels. Many of their channels are ones that they make to run a TV show (like Seinfeld) on repeat.
For On-Demand
At agoodmovietowatch, we try to spot good movies on all streaming platforms. This allows us to see which ones have worthy titles for you, and which are just filled with "back-catalog".
This also allows us to pick the ones with the best value for money. Here they are:
Hulu: $5.99 per month for 82 good movies spotted
From great original series like The Handmaid's Tale and Ramy (an excellent comedy if you haven't watched it yet!) to classic movies and everything in between, Hulu has a lot to offer. And at just $5.99 per month if you're willing to put up with ads, it ends up being a great value for money.
MAX: $14.99 per month for 84 good movies spotted
The undisputed leaders of quality TV making, Max (formerly HBO Max) might cost a little more than the average streaming service, but it also comes with fantastic options. You know all the Game of Thrones and Sopranos-type shows but they keep making stuff like that every year. In 2022, Max made Roadrunner, the great documentary about Anthony Bourdain, and stuff like Love and Death, a promising new miniseries.
Showtime: $10.99 per month for 52 good movies spotted
Dexter, Twin Peaks, Homeland - that's just a few big name shows from Showtime. Their streaming service offers so much more, recent releases like C'mon C'mon with Joaquin Phoenix, or modern classics like A Most Violent Year with Oscar Isaac. If you're willing to pay a little more for great content, Showtime is definitely worth checking out.
Funimation: $5.99 per month for 10,000 anime episodes
If you're an anime fan, it's hard to beat Funimation's offering. From classics like Dragon Ball Z to newer shows like Attack on Titan, there's something for everyone. And at just $5.99 per month, it's a great value for money.
Amazon Prime: $12.99 per month for 107 good titles spotted
A great catalog (and not a great interface) make Amazon Prime a great value for money. The real kicker here is getting Amazon Prime for the delivery and having access the on-demand streaming catalog as well. That mix is one of the best subscription packages out there of anything, not just streaming.
Netflix: $8.99 per month for 230 good movies spotted
They might get a lot of flack but even at their rising prices, Netflix is probably the best value for money service in On-demand streaming. We've spotted over 200 movies that they play, which you can find here.