50 Cheapest Streaming Services For Cord-cutting

There used to be a time where some streaming services were much better than others. That's no longer the case: streaming services are all different. Depending on which genres, stories, or ways you like to consume entertainment - there is a streaming platform out there for you. 

But if you want a little bit of everything, then things can get very expensive. A while ago I wrote about a technique to make the most out of your streaming subscriptions while saving a lot of money (I calculated I save $375 each year by doing this): rotating subscriptions. 

We all watch a maximum of two to three shows each month, and those are usually on the same platform, so why keep all the other subscriptions if you're not using them? My trick is to get one new streaming platform every month, and cancel whatever one I had the month before. I try to never have more than one subscription at a time. You save money, you reduce your options because you have less to choose from (something called "paradox of choice"), and you're always exposed to new platforms. 

So if you're thinking of something similar, here is a great place to start: choosing streaming services not by theme, but by which one is cheapest. This way maybe you can get something that's a little outside of your usual tastes, but it still won't cost you a lot. Or if you're on a budget and wonder which streaming service to get, this is also for you. 

Our recommended five cheapest streaming services for cord-cutting:
Hulu $7.99 Watch
Philo $25 Watch
Sling Orange $40 Watch
Starz $3 Watch
Disney+ $7.99 Watch

SportsLive is a streaming platform that covers both pro and amateur sporting events. This means you're able to stay updated on your favorite teams whether they're from the big leagues or high school. And aside from featuring nearly 20,000 live events, it also boasts a catalog of exclusive programming, interviews, and press conferences. This platform, powered by CBS Sports Digital, comes at a reasonable price and will surely satisfy even the most niche sports fan. 

Price: $9.95/month

Device availability: Android, iOS, Website

Channel lineup: CBS Sports Network

Features: ad-supported option, annual subscription, on-demand content

This newcomer to cord-cutting quietly launched in April 2024. It's about 90 channels for $39.99, without any additional fees like a local channels surcharge, because there are simply no local channels. What you won't find either are sports channels. And some of the channels are Spectrum channels like Spectrum Originals and Spectrum News.

With Philo having a similar channel lineup but costing $15 less, you probably need a very good reason to go for Spectrum TV Stream. But, it's always nice to have another option.

Price: Varies depending on your location and account history.

Ovid.tv is an on-demand streaming platform dedicated to independent movies, and is currently available in the US and Canada. 

In the US, Ovid.tv costs $6.99 per month or $69 per year.

You can access Ovid.tv via mobile platforms including Android and iOS, as well as media streaming devices including Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku. However, Ovid.tv does not offer any apps for game consoles at the moment. 

Price: $6.99/month

Free Trial: 14 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku

Features: annual subscription, likely to work with a VPN, offline downloads, on-demand content, up to three concurrent streams

If you lived through the '80s, you may have heard of Night Flight, the nighttime cable channel that aired punk rock music videos, low-budget monster flicks, psychedelic documentaries, and adult cartoons, among many others. It went under at the turn of the '90s but has recently returned to join the streaming wars, seemingly bigger and better than ever. As a subscription-based streaming service, Night Flight Plus gives you access to classic gems, plus new content from partner studio companies. It's basically a time capsule with extra room for all the new niche movies it could've aired during its prime. If you're looking for carefully curated nostalgic picks, Night Flight Plus is a great choice to consider.

Price: $4.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon FireTV, Apple TV, Roku, Website

Features: annual subscription, on-demand content, unlimited simultaneous streams

NFL+ is the league's official streaming service that gives you access to live and local regular season and postseason games, on-demand programs, and even tools for your next fantasy football game. As of 2023, NFL+ also offers the NFL Network and NFL Redzone channels in its plans, making it a solid option for true-blue football fans hoping to finally cut the cord.

A regular subscription costs $6.99/month and includes everything in the above, except for NFL Redzone and replays of full games, highlights, and all-22 coaches films, which are only available in NFL+'s premium subscription, priced at $14.99/month. Both plans offer free trials and are available on most major streaming devices, with the exception of live local and primetime regular season and postseason games, which can only be viewed on phones and tables. 

Price: $6.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Xbox

Channel lineup: NFL Network, NFL Redzone

Features: annual subscription, on-demand content

MagellanTV’s content focuses mostly on documentaries. New movies and series are added weekly, so the library is frequently updated. This streamer is for people who love learning about science, space, and the earth. MagellanTV provides a thoughtfully curated selection of films that focus on current events and global topics of importance. The cheapest subscription it offers is $4.99/month and it has a 14-day free trial. It was launched in 2019.

Price: $4.99/month

Free Trial: 14 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Google Play, iOS, Roku, Samsung, Vizio

Features: 4k-compatible, likely to work with a VPN, offline downloads, on-demand content, quarterly subscription, up to five concurrent streams

Lifetime Movie Club is a subscription video service that gives you access to thousands of original titles, many of which can also be found on its cable counterpart the Lifetime Channel. Lifetime movies are known for being unapologetically dramatic and occasionally sinister, so if you're one to indulge in such content, then this might be for you. Lifetime Movie Club also welcomes new movies to its library every Friday, as well as hosts a handful of syndicated shows, including the much-beloved Grey's Anatomy.

Price: $3.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku

Features: annual subscription, on-demand content, unlimited simultaneous streams

IndieFlix is an online streaming service dedicated to independent filmmaking and is available in 85 countries. 

In the US, you can access IndieFlix for $6.99 per month, or a one-year subscription at a discounted $69. Patrons of IndieFlix may access IndieFlix free of charge. 

Price: $4.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku

Features: annual subscription, on-demand content, trial

Hopster TV is a kids-oriented streaming service that offers a variety of educational and entertaining shows. It also offers games, books, and songs in the platform, allowing kids to navigate between depending on their mood.

Price: $5.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Android, iOS

Features: on-demand content, trial

The History Vault has all the best of The History channel: excellent documentaries, informative series, travel shows, and of course, historical specials. The difference is that the streamer offers all this on-demand and ad-free, with curated collections and exclusive titles to boot. Some programs that are no longer available on the cable channel can also be found in the Vault. If you're a fan of quality deep dives on everything and anything related to history and humanity, then this streamer is for you. 

Price: $4.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Roku, Website

Features: annual subscription, offline downloads, on-demand content, unlimited simultaneous streams

Ready to cut the cord? Here are the 14 live TV streaming services that offer a free trial.

More lists

The streaming services on this page were chosen by our editors. If you choose to subscribe to a streaming service we recommend as a result of our research, analysis, and curation, our work is sometimes (but not always) supported by an affiliate commission from the streaming service when you make a purchase.