Tired of Paying for Netflix? Here are 7 Top Alternatives (Hint Some are Free)
In about 20 years, Netflix has risen from a little-known DVD distributor to become one of the largest media companies in the country.
The company is currently valued at more than $90 billion. It generated more than $11 billion in revenues in 2017, and its total users grew to more than 109 million.
Its growth has disrupted the movie theater industry and the entire entertainment industry in general.
People love Netflix for its low prices, high-quality movies and series, and its quality mobile apps. Netflix subscriptions start at about $7.99 with the most expensive package going for $13.99. This is cheap, considering you can watch unlimited movies and cancel the subscription at any time.
Netflix also features a full library of movies and series, including its self-funded titles like Burning Sands, Deidra & Laney Rob a Train, and Death Note.
This combination makes Netflix the ideal entertainment app.
Here are some of the best alternatives to Netflix.
Amazon Prime Video
These days, Amazon has gotten involved in all industries including groceries, auto parts, and AI controlled speakers.
It has also invested billions of dollars in Prime Video, a platform similar to Netflix. The platform features a library of thousands of movies like Creed, Bloodspot, and The Neon Demon among others.
It also features all of the Amazon-funded movies and series like Man in the High Castle, The Grand Tour, and Mozart in the Jungle among others.
Also, Amazon has lined more than $4.5 billion to produce its own movies and series this year.
Prime Video is considerably cheaper than Netflix. New customers pay $2.99 for the first six months after which, the price moves up to $5.99.
The best part of the deal is, you can watch Prime Video for free if you are an Amazon Prime Subscriber. Amazon Prime members pay $10.99 per month and receive perks like free music streaming, free two-day deliveries, unlimited photo storage, unlimited reading, and free same-day delivery.
What’s more? With an annual subscription, you pay just $100, which saves you $20 for all the perks.
Hulu
Hulu is also a better alternative to Netflix. The company has invested billions of dollars in original programming, including its recent hit Handmaid’s Tale, which has been nominated for a Golden Globe.
Hulu’s library has thousands of movies and series including Will & Grace, Difficult People, Buffy, and Scandal. To date, it has more than 12 million subscribers.
Its monthly subscriptions start at $5 for the first year and $7.99 afterward.
Fun Fact
Disney owns 30% of Hulu’s stake while the next 30% is owned by 20th Century Fox. Late last year, Disney announced its plans to acquire Fox. Therefore, Disney will own a 60% stake in Hulu. It is expected to add its original programming, which will make Hulu more valuable.
Tubi TV
If you hate paying monthly subscriptions like me, then Tubi TV is an ideal service. The company has no monthly charges. Instead, its financial model involves using adverts.
To date, Tubi has more than 7,500 movie titles from studios like Paramount, MGM, and Lionsgate. Millions of people from around the world use it every month.
Some of its top movies and series are Hell and Back Again, My Trip Back to the Dark Side, and Convict among others.
The critical limitation for Tubi is the lack of original programming and its small library compared to Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon.
CBS All Access
If you are a fan of series like Star Trek, Young Sheldon, and The Big Bang Theory, then you should try CBS All Access. A monthly subscription starts at $5.99 and comes with limited ads. This package also gives you access to live CBS programming.
CBS provides some of the best series and movie hits including award-winning dramas like CSI, The Good Wife, and The Good Fight.
In addition, you can pay a higher price to watch ShowTime content on All Access.
Show Box
Show Box is an unknown movie streaming company that features thousands of movies, including blockbusters like Justice League, Spider-Man, Coco, and Blade Runner.
The service uses torrent to aggregate all the movies, which users can watch using their mobile applications. Like Tubi, Show Box uses an ad-supported revenue model.
To install, you need to visit their website and download the APK to your phone, kindle, or fire TV. After downloading, you will follow the instructions to install the app.
The critical limitations of the app are that it is not compatible with iPhone and iPads, and you might find its ads being intrusive.
Terrarium TV
Terrarium TV is an application similar to Show Box. The app features all the latest movies including titles like Transformers, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones.
Terrarium does not host any movies and series. Instead, it acquires vetted links from various online HD sources and arranges them in a clean interface.
It does not charge a subscription fee, and instead, it supports its business using online ads. Like Show Box, you might find its ads being intrusive.
You can download the app here.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV is another popular movie and TV platforms in the country. Millions of people use the service every month.
Its platforms provide thousands of movies, TV Shows, and Live TV for free on Roku, Amazon Fire, Laptops, iOS, and Android. You can watch movies and series like the popular Married to the Mob, Mystic Pizza, and A Most Wanted Man among others.
You can download the apps from your favorite Play Store or stream online.
As mentioned, millions of people use Netflix. But, if you are like me, you possibly like being an outlier or trying new things. If you do, you can try these apps.
