The best streaming services you can sign up for online

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  • There are dozens of streaming services to choose from, all with varying content libraries, features, and price points.
  • Some streaming platforms only include on-demand titles, while others offer live TV programming, and a few services include a combination of both.
  • When choosing the right streaming platform for your needs, you should think about your favorite TV shows and channels, and then try to find the best service — or two or three — that meets those needs, while staying in your budget.
  • Our top picks include Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, Hulu TV, Fubo TV, HBO Now, and more.
  • If you’re looking for a device to watch streaming apps on, be sure to check out our guide to the best streaming sticks and boxes.

With more and more streaming services popping up every year, cutting the cord has never been easier, enabling you to watch all the content you could possibly desire without the need for a traditional cable or satellite package. 

With streaming TV, you’ll still receive many of your favorite programs, just without the big bills of cable and satellite. After all, the average monthly cable or satellite bill costs $85 to $100, according to USA Today.

Though costs can still add up depending on how many services you subscribe to, the right streaming TV platform can often serve as a skinny version of traditional pay-TV solutions. You won’t typically receive all of the channels and perks you get with a full cable or satellite subscription, but you’ll save some money on your overall bill, as long as you have all of the equipment you need.

Most streaming services also allow you to start and stop the service at any time, whereas some satellite and cable TV providers still require you to sign a long-term service contract. In addition, many streaming platforms offer access to original shows and movies. These exclusives have become major selling points for each service, and many buyers end up choosing one streaming platform over another based on which original programs they prefer.

With these factors in mind, we’ve broken down the best streaming services to help you make the right choice for your particular needs — but first, a word on how streaming services work.

How do streaming services work?

Whereas cable TV signals enter your home through a dedicated line and satellite TV signals enter it over the air, streaming TV services enter your home through your internet connection.

To watch the latest streaming services in 4K quality you need reasonably fast internet speeds of at least 25 to 50 Mbps, though lower quality videos can be streamed over slower connections. If you don’t have a smart TV with integrated access to streaming apps, you’ll also need a streaming stick or box, like the Roku Streaming Stick, Fire TV, Apple TV,  or Chromecast. For a full list of recommended streaming devices, check out our guide to the best streaming sticks and boxes.

Streaming services typically cost less than a full cable TV subscription, even though they offer many of the same on-demand video options. Some streaming services also offer live TV functions, though not all do. Keep in mind that if you end up subscribing to a few of these services, you may end up paying more than you would with cable TV. 

The New York Times says the best way to figure out whether streaming services are for you is to ask yourself which shows and channels you’re most interested in watching. List all of your favorites, and then look for a service that matches your list.

What kinds of TV shows, movies, and videos do streaming services offer?

Streaming services come in many forms. Some, like Netflix, offer only pre-recorded, on-demand shows and movies, while others, like Sling TV, offer live TV programming. A few services offer both live TV and on-demand shows.

  • Live TV: A live TV streaming service carries popular channels you’re already familiar with through your cable or satellite TV subscription. Live TV streaming services have current TV shows available as they air and they often offer some on-demand content from the channels they feature as well. Examples include Sling TV, Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, and AT&T TV Now.
  • On-demand: On-demand streaming services give you the option of watching old TV shows and movies that may have debuted anywhere from a few days before to several decades ago. Many on-demand platforms also offer access to new original films and series produced exclusively for subscribers. That said, these services don’t give you access to traditional live TV channels. If your favorite show is on AMC at 9 p.m. on Sunday, you cannot watch it live with an on-demand streaming service. Examples include Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu (non-live version), and Amazon Prime Video.
  • Channels as streaming services: Some traditional cable and satellite networks are also now available as streaming channels that you can add to other streaming platforms. Many of these streaming channels are also available as standalone services, enabling you to subscribe to them without having to sign up for anything else. Examples include HBO Now, Showtime, Starz, and CBS All Access.

As more content providers start offering their own streaming services, they often pull their content from other platforms. For instance, Disney now has its own Disney Plus streaming service, and as a result, the studio has been gradually pulling its titles from other platforms, like Netflix.

As we outline the best streaming services below, understand that these platforms are constantly changing. They are adding and losing programs and channels, adjusting prices, and offering different sign-up perks on a regular basis. We’ve also rounded up the best streaming service deals and offers that are currently available, so continue checking back for the latest information. 

Here are the best streaming services:

  • Best live TV streaming services: Hulu TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV, and Fubo TV
  • Best on-demand streaming services: Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video
  • Best channel-specific streaming services: HBO Now, Showtime, Starz, ESPN+, and CBS All Access
  • Best affordable live TV streaming services: Sling TV, Philo TV
  • Best streaming sticks and boxes: Roku Ultra, Roku Express, Apple TV 4K, Google Chromecast Ultra, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, and NVIDIA Shield TV Pro

Prices and links are current as of 03/31/2020. Added details about current streaming service deals, promotions, and free trials. Updated by Steven Cohen. 

The best for original shows

Netflix delivers an enormous catalog of on-demand content — including a lot of original TV shows and movies — ad-free.

Netflix has come a long way from the service that would mail DVDs to your home. This popular streaming platform hasn’t yet jumped on the live TV bandwagon, but with its success in delivering on-demand TV shows and movies, it probably doesn’t need to.

Netflix has invested heavily in original series, giving you new shows that you can’t find anywhere else, like “Stranger Things” and “Orange Is the New Black.” The company also has a growing selection of original films, including Oscar-nominated movies like “The Irishman” and “Roma”. Granted, not all of the original programming is as good as those options, but there are a lot of genres covered. You can also find a good number of international shows on Netflix. 

Netflix has a few different subscription tiers, including $8.99 for SD video on one screen, $12.99 for HD video on up to two screens simultaneously, and $15.99 per month for 4K video on up to four screens simultaneously. You get a free trial month to test Netflix before you have to pay.

When it comes to support for advanced video and audio formats, Netflix streams select titles in HDR10/Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos via compatible devices, but you will need to subscribe to the Premium plan for $15.99 per month in order to unlock those features. 

Pros: Solid price point for all of the on-demand and original programming you’ll receive, large selection of exclusive content, 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos support for select titles, free one-month trial

Cons: You have to pay extra for HD and 4K video streaming, you can’t add extra channels, no live TV option

The best for Disney fans

Disney Plus features an extensive library of on-demand movies and TV shows across the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic brands.  

Fully capitalizing on the studio’s massive vault of content, Disney’s new on-demand streaming service hopes to attract subscribers with a mix of classic titles, recent box office blockbusters, and new original programs.   

The Disney Plus library includes categories for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. Virtually all your favorite Disney animated classics, Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, and Star Wars films are all included — and any major titles currently missing from those franchises are scheduled to be added in the near future.

Exclusive shows like “The Mandalorian” and “Encore” are also available, along with exclusive movies like a new live action version of “Lady and the Tramp.” More originals are on the way as well, including series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.    

Disney Plus is available for $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. For that price, you also get support for downloading content for offline viewing, multiple profiles, and 4K HDR playback with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio on select titles. A free seven-day trial is available for new members. 

If you want even more streaming content, you can also get Disney Plus bundled with Hulu and ESPN+ for $12.99 per month. That’s about $5 cheaper than paying for each service separately.

Pros: Large library of titles from Disney-owned franchises, exclusive Marvel and Star Wars content, HD and 4K HDR streaming doesn’t cost extra, download support for offline viewing

Cons: Some popular Disney titles are still missing due to ongoing licensing issues, lineup of originals is limited so far

The best budget on-demand service

Apple TV Plus has a small but growing catalog of exclusive on-demand streaming titles, including “The Morning Show” and “See,” along with the option to buy more movies and shows.

Apple TV Plus is a new on-demand streaming service with an exclusive lineup of original shows and movies. Unlike traditional streaming services that use their own standalone apps, Apple TV Plus is actually available directly through Apple’s existing Apple TV app on various smart devices, including select Samsung TVs and Roku streaming sticks, so it isn’t just for users of Apple-made devices like Macs, iPhones, Apple TVs, and iPads.

The Apple TV app itself is free to use, offering access to a digital store full of movies and TV shows which can be rented or purchased individually. If you also want to access the new exclusive Apple TV Plus titles, then you need to sign up for the $4.99 per month Apple TV Plus subscription plan. Once you subscribe, all of the original titles will become unlocked within the Apple TV app.

If you want even more streaming content, the Apple TV app also lets you subscribe to additional premium channels like HBO and Showtime for an extra monthly fee. This makes it easy to access multiple streaming services from within one app.

Though the Apple TV Plus lineup isn’t as extensive as Netflix or Prime Video just yet, the service features several original shows and movies. Highlights include “The Morning Show” starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, and “See” starring Jason Momoa. 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos playback are also supported for select titles on compatible devices at no extra cost.

Compared to established streaming services, like Netflix and Prime Video, Apple TV Plus still has a lot to prove, but at just $4.99 per month, the service earns points for being one of the most affordable streaming platforms on the market. This low cost makes Apple TV Plus a good fit for people who don’t have a ton to spend on streaming. A free seven-day trial is available for new members as well, and Apple even offers a full year of Apple TV Plus for free if you purchase a qualifying Apple product. 

Pros: Inexpensive subscription price, original content, 4K playback doesn’t cost extra, you can add premium channels for more money, offers access to a digital store with more movies, free year of service when you buy a new Apple device

Cons: Selection of original titles is limited right now

The best for Amazon shoppers

Amazon Prime Video comes bundled with an Amazon Prime subscription, offering access to a nice selection of on-demand content, including originals like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “The Boys.” 

Amazon Prime Video delivers many original series, such as “The Man in the High Castle” and “The Romanoffs.” It also has many popular TV shows and movies that aren’t on other services. 

Many titles are free with the subscription, but you also can buy or rent additional movies and TV shows through Amazon Prime for an extra fee. If that selection isn’t enough, you can even add premium channels, like HBO, Starz, and Showtime, to your Prime Video app through add-on subscriptions for extra monthly fees.

Best of all, Prime Video is included as one of many perks bundled with a standard Amazon Prime membership. Other Amazon Prime features include two-day shipping on Amazon purchases, select music from Prime Music, unlimited photo storage, and more. 

You can also sign up for Prime Video on its own for $8.99 per month, but we highly recommend that you bundle the service with a complete Amazon Prime membership. The complete membership costs a little more at $12.99 per month or $119 per year, but the added perks offer a great overall value, especially if you’re someone who already tends to shop on Amazon a lot. A free 30-day trial of the service is also available to new members.

Pros: Original content options, big library of on-demand movies and TV shows, multiple entertainment and shopping perks with full Amazon Prime membership, HD and 4K HDR streaming is included, free 30-day trial

Cons: Library of original titles isn’t as large as Netflix’s, some programs cost extra

Sign up for Amazon Prime to get Prime Video, free 2-day shipping, and more (30-day free trial) — $119 per year

The best with originals and live TV

Hulu has had a popular on-demand TV service for several years, providing access to archived TV shows and originals, but it now has a live TV service, too.

The new Hulu with Live TV provides access to the same Hulu on-demand TV shows and movies viewers already like, but you’ll also get a series of live television channels.

Hulu with Live TV has a nice collection of channels, including Disney-owned networks, History, HGTV, FX, Bravo, A&E, and more. It is missing AMC and the Viacom channels, though, which are available on some competing services. 

If you already love Hulu, you’ll probably want to give its live streaming service a shot. Beyond the live channels, you get access to all of the platform’s on-demand content, including original shows like “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Castle Rock.” 

Hulu Live TV currently costs $54.99 per month and there’s a free seven-day trial for new subscribers. If you don’t want live TV, you can still subscribe to the on-demand version of Hulu by itself for $5.99 per month with ads, or $11.99 per month without ads. Hulu’s base plan is also available as a bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $12.99 per month. That’s about $5 cheaper than paying for each service separately.

Pros: Reasonable price for what you receive, includes the already existing on-demand Hulu service in the price

Cons: Missing some key channels like AMC and Nickelodeon

The best satellite-like service

Dish Network’s Sling TV is one of the lower-priced streaming services with live TV, thanks to its different tiers and channel offerings.

Sling TV has a few different live TV streaming options. You can pick between the standard Orange and Blue tiers, or you can order the two tiers combined in the Complete tier. Orange provides Disney-owned channels like ESPN, while Blue has FX and Fox Sports. Several channels overlap between the two services as well, such as AMC and HGTV, which makes choosing between the two confusing.

At $20 for Orange or Blue (price goes up to $30 after the first month), though, Sling TV is one of the lower-priced streaming options. You can also bundle both Orange and Blue together for $35 per month (price goes up to $45 after the first month). At any tier, you can add extra themed channel packages and premium channels as well. Prices for these add-ons range from $3 to $15. 

It should also be noted, however, that Sling is currently offering a special limited-time 14-day trial for its Blue plan. The promotion is available to new subscribers who sign up through April 5. For more details about other Sling TV deals, check out our full roundup of Sling TV offers.

Sling gives you the chance to personalize your channel lineup, which is nice, but plan on spending some time going through all the options to figure out what you really want.

Pros: Inexpensive basic streaming service, ability to personalize your channel lineup more than with other services

Cons: Some people will find the overlap between plans confusing, all of the add-on options add to the cost in a hurry

The best for YouTube fans

YouTube TV has a nice collection of channels for the price, including Disney networks, ESPN, AMC, SyFy, and FX. However, it’s missing Nickelodeon and Comedy Central.

YouTube TV is one of the newer full-service streaming services available, and it’s already gone through significant changes since it launched. Key improvements now make it one of the better options out there for live TV streaming.

Though the service started off with limited availability in select cities, YouTube TV is now available nationwide. For $49.99, YouTube TV offers access to over 70 channels, including AMC, FX, ESPN, HGTV, TNT, and more. Local ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC channels are also included in most markets. If the base selection isn’t enough, premium channels like Showtime can be added for an extra monthly fee. A free three-day trial is available for new members as well.

The service also features unlimited cloud DVR storage for recording your favorite shows. Up to 6 accounts can be created for each membership as well, allowing you to easily share a subscription between family members and roommates living in the same house.

You can’t opt for a less expensive plan with fewer channels like you can with Sling TV, and Viacom channels like Comedy Central aren’t included, but YouTube TV’s lineup is pretty strong for the price.

Pros: Simple service with no confusing tiers, reasonable price point considering the channel lineup

Cons: Can’t pay less for a plan with fewer channels, missing Viacom channels

The best service with an included streaming box

AT&T TV is AT&T’s new flagship live TV streaming service powered by the company’s own Android TV box with voice control and access to additional apps.

AT&T TV, is designed to combine the benefits of streaming with the comprehensive selection and features of traditional cable and satellite TV. Subscribers can choose between four main plans, and the service comes with its own Android streaming box.

The basic Entertainment plan starts at $49.99 per month and offers access to over 65 live streaming channels, including AMC, ESPN, TBS, Comedy Central, and more. Local channels, like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox are supported is most markets as well. The Choice plan steps things up with over 85 channels for $54.99 per month, the Xtra plan includes over 105 channels for $64.99 per month, and the Ultimate Plan features over 125 channels for $69.99 per month. Premium channels, like HBO and Showtime, can also be added for an additional cost.

All plans comes with an AT&T TV streaming device which includes a voice remote and access to other streaming apps, like Netflix, from the Google Play Store. The service also supports 500 hours of cloud DVR storage.

Buyers who are interested in signing up for internet through AT&T can also take advantage of special bundle deals. Right now, if you sign up for AT&T TV and AT&T’s one gigabit internet plan together, you can get each service for $39.99 per month ($79.98 total) for 12 months with a 24-month agreement. 

On the downside, the service’s higher tiers are rather expensive, minimizing the cost benefit a streaming service typically offers. Instead, AT&T TV is more like a full-fledged streaming version of cable TV.

It should also be noted that AT&T still offers another similar streaming service called AT&T TV Now. This platform also provides live streaming channels but, unlike AT&T TV, it does not include its own Android TV box. There are seven total AT&T TV Now subscription options, but the Plus and Max tiers are the two primary plans.

Plus costs $65 monthly with over 45 channels, including HBO. Max runs $80 per month with over 60 channels, including HBO and Cinemax. For buyers looking for a basic streaming plan that includes HBO, AT&T TV Now could be a better fit over AT&T TV.

Pros: Multiple packages, discounts when bundled with AT&T internet, Android TV box with voice remote is included with subscriptions

Cons: Pricing for top tiers is similar to cable and satellite

The best affordable live TV streaming service

If you want your streaming service to cost less per month than a single trip for the family to Starbucks, Philo TV is made with you in mind.

Philo TV’s channel lineup is basic. It has no sports programming, but it gives you some popular lifestyle channel options, like HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Discovery, and Hallmark.

It also has AMC, A&E, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central. Only one tier is currently offered but it’s very inexpensive, coming in at just $20 a month for a total of 59 channels. New subscribers also get a free seven-day trial.

Pros: Excellent price point for a reasonably good channel lineup, really good for lifestyle TV channels

Cons: Not made for sports fans, no local channel options

The best live service for soccer and other sports

Fubo TV is one of the least known streaming services, but it’s worth considering for those who love entertainment and non-traditional sports programming.

Fubo has three primary tiers, as well as special tiers and add-ons aimed at Latino and Portuguese viewers. The standard package offers 109 channels and starts at $54.99 per month. A free seven-day trial is available for new members.

You’ll find a lot of sports programming on Fubo TV, but you won’t find ESPN as part of this service. However, Fubo does have nearly every other traditional channel that carries American sports programming, including the NFL Network and NBA TV. Fubo also shows plenty of sports that are popular worldwide, such as professional soccer.

Fubo’s entertainment and news network lineup is solid, too, but it doesn’t have Nickelodeon or the Disney Channel.

For complete channel lineups and a price breakdown, check out our full review of Fubo TV.

Pros: Plenty of sports programming channels, good mixture of news and entertainment channels too

Cons: Not the best service for kids programming, no ESPN

The best for ESPN fans

Sports fans may be intrigued by the ESPN+ streaming service, as it carries sporting events that you can’t see anywhere else, including on your cable or satellite subscription.

ESPN+ contains a lot of Major League Soccer games, PGA tournament early rounds, pro boxing, pro tennis, and mid-major college football and basketball. ESPN+ also carries UFC content, including Fight Nights and exclusive PPV events.

Additionally, ESPN+ provides on-demand access to ESPN original programming, such as its impressive 30 for 30 series.

However, ESPN+ doesn’t duplicate what you’re viewing on ESPN or ESPN2, such as NFL and NBA games. So don’t subscribe to ESPN+ thinking you can cancel your cable subscription and still receive normal ESPN programming.

You’ll need one of the other streaming services in our list for that. For just $4.99 per month, ESPN+ is more of an add-on sports package.

It’s also now available as part of a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for $12.99 per month.

Pros: Inexpensive means of watching live sports programming for teams and leagues you can’t find elsewhere, UFC and boxing fans will love it

Cons: Doesn’t duplicate what you’re receiving on ESPN

The best for HBO fans

Fans of HBO original shows will want to sign up for the HBO Now streaming service.

HBO Now’s best feature is its on-demand access to HBO original programming, as well as a large number of movies with no commercials.

However, as HBO Now only focuses on HBO programming, it’s meant to be an add-on to another, full-lineup streaming service. At $14.99 per month, many people may find it easier to just add HBO to their current package, as the price for streaming directly from HBO is not discounted. New subscribers can receive a free seven-day trial, however.

It should also be noted that WarnerMedia is set to launch a new HBO service, HBO Max, in May 2020. This platform will add more shows and movies from the Warner Bros. library, as well as new exclusive shows, on top of the existing HBO catalog. HBO Now subscribers who are billed directly through HBO will be upgraded to HBO Max for no extra cost when the service launches. 

Pros: Great way to gain access to on-demand HBO programming

Cons: Expensive considering you only receive HBO programming , more of an add-on to another streaming service (the upcoming upgrade to HBO Max may address these cons)

The best for Starz fans

The Starz streaming service works a lot like HBO Now, giving you access to Starz original programming on-demand as well as live Starz channels.

The Starz streaming service is meant as an add-on to other services, as it only offers Starz channels. Because it’s a little difficult to find the Starz premium channel as part of full-service streaming packages, fans of Starz will appreciate this option.

You can get access to plenty of hit movies and TV shows like “Outlander”. Starz streaming normally costs $8.99 per month, but the service is currently offering a special promotion with a reduced $4.99 per month rate for the first three months of service. After the promo period, you can continue your subscription for the regular $8.99 per month price.

Pros: On-demand access to Starz original programming and movies, lower price than HBO or Showtime streaming services

Cons: Doesn’t carry any channels other than Starz

The best for Showtime fans

You can stream Showtime separately from your current cable or satellite package, or you can purchase a Showtime streaming subscription to add onto another streaming package.

You’ll have access to all of Showtime’s original programming on-demand, as well as the current Showtime schedule. However, many people may find it easier to just add Showtime to another live TV package or streaming service, as the monthly cost to stream directly from Showtime is not discounted.

Showtime streaming costs $10.99 per month. The service typically offers a free seven-day trial for new members, but the platform is now offering an extended one-month trial for new subscribers who sign up before May 3.

Pros: Full access to Showtime’s original programming library as well as live channels

Cons: Easier to just add Showtime to another streaming package, more of an add-on package

The best for CBS fans

If you’re a fan of CBS programming, the CBS All Access subscription is built with you in mind with more than 10,000 on-demand episodes of past CBS shows, such as “The Big Bang Theory,” “Survivor,” and “NCIS.”

CBS All Access contains original shows, too, that are not available on CBS, including “Star Trek: Discovery,” “Star Trek: Picard,” and “The Good Fight.”

With your subscription, you can stream your local CBS broadcast station (depending on where you live), which gives you current CBS shows and sports, as well as CBSN, the 24-hour CBS news channel.

CBS All Access costs $5.99 per month for the standard plan with limited commercials. A commercial free plan is also available for $9.99 per month. With that said, the commercial free plan still includes ads during live TV and a select number of on-demand titles.

Though a free seven-day trial is normally offered for new members, CBS is now offering an extended one-month trial for subscribers who sign up before April 23 with the promo code ALL.

Pros: Access to live CBS streaming, includes a large selection of on-demand titles and some original programming not available elsewhere

Cons: No non-CBS programming, more of an add-on service than a stand-alone streaming service

The best streaming service deals and free trials

Many streaming services offer free trials, discounts, device bundles, and other deals for new subscribers when they sign up. Additional limited-time promotions are also offered from time to time. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best deals and offers available right now for a variety of streaming services. We’ll update this section as new promotions are announced.

Starz

Starz is currently offering a special $4.99 per month promotional rate for the first three months of service. That’s $4 off the platform’s regular $8.99 per month fee. The limited-time offer is now available to new subscribers who sign up via the Starz website. After the three month promotional period, the monthly rate will increase to the regular $8.99 fee. This deal does not include a free trial.


Sling TV

Sling typically gives new members a free seven-day trial when they sign up through a streaming device, but for a limited time the company is now offering an extended trial period right through its website. As part of the special promotion, new subscribers who sign up now through April 5 can can receive a free 14-day trial of Sling’s Blue plan.

All you have to do is enter in an email address, password, and zip code. No credit card or other payment information is needed to start the trial. Sling also offers a few other bonuses and bundle options for new members. You can read about all of Sling’s current promos in our full roundup of Sling TV deals.


CBS All Access

Though CBS All Access normally offers a free seven-day trial for new members, the service is now offering a limited-time promotion for a free one-month trial. The special deal is available to new subscribers who sign up with the promo code ALL before April 23.

The limited commercial and commercial free plans are both included as options for the trial. Following the trial period, subscribers can continue using the service for $5.99 per month (limited commercial plan) or $9.99 per month (commercial free plan). 


Showtime

Showtime has extended its usual seven-day free trial to a full 30 days for a limited time. The 30-day free trial is available now for new subscribers who sign up for the service before May 3. After the trial, members can continue to subscribe to Showtime streaming for the regular $10.99 per month fee.

Check out our guide to the best streaming sticks and boxes

The best streaming sticks and boxes you can buy

A media streaming device can transform your so-called dumb TV into a smart one that plays shows and movies from Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Prime Video, and other streaming services.

There are plenty of streaming devices out there to help you connect the latest and greatest video streaming services to your TV, and they’re not all created equal.

We’ve done the research to find the best streaming sticks and boxes to turn your dumb TV into a smart one that can access videos from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and more.

Here are our top picks for the best streaming sticks and devices:

  • Best streaming box overall: Roku Ultra
  • Best budget streaming box: Roku Express
  • Best streaming box for Apple users: Apple TV 4K
  • Best streaming stick for Google users: Google Chromecast Ultra
  • Best streaming stick for Alexa users: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
  • Best streaming box for gamers: Nvidia Shield TV

Check out our other streaming articles for more details about each service

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