Days when You have to buy expensive discs in order to watch your favorite shows and movies are gone. Now the Online streaming makes it possible to watch everything from live news and sports to classic movies to modern TV favorites any where on your own time, and on any streaming capable device you can lay your hands on.
There are a ton of streaming services out there, and no two are alike. YouTube is probably the best place to start, but there’s a whole Web full of content beyond the ubiquitous streaming site, ranging from movies to TV shows to music videos and more. To help you get the most out of your smart TV, game console, set-top box, tablet, smartphone or computer, Tom’s Guide has broken down our favorite streaming media services. Whatever you like to watch, there’s a service with your tastes in mind, and in your price range.
Netflix: Best Overall Streaming Service
Optimized interface
Good recommendation system
More expensive than other services
Titles come and go frequently
Limited brand-new content
Amount: $9/month Netflix
Hulu Plus: Best Streaming Service for Network TV
The good:
Great selection of current TV
Inexpensive
Quality original programming
The bad:
Frequent commercials
Subpar movie selection
Cumbersome interface
Amount: $8/month Hulu Plus
Amazon Prime Instant Video: Best Streaming Service for Families
The good:
Wide content selection
Included with other Prime benefits
Good original shows
The bad:
Rarely gets brand-new videos
Annual subscription only (no monthly option)
A la carte content costs extra
Amount: $99/year Amazon
Sling.TV: Best Cable TV Replacement
The good:
Much cheaper than cable
Wide breadth of content
No contract required
The bad:
More expensive than most streaming services
Limited on-demand content (and none for ESPN)
Can watch on only one device at a time
Amount: $20/month Sling.TV
PlayStation Vue: Best for PlayStation Owners
The good:
Huge channel selection
No contracts
Strong DVR capabilities
The bad:
Not compatible with many devices
About as expensive as cable
Not available in most areas
Amount: $50/month PlayStation Store
Crackle: Best Streaming Service for Vegging Out
The good:
Free
Amusing content
Good variety of videos
Lots of commercials
Content skews cheesy
Videos rotate very frequently
Free on Crackle
Funny or Die: Best Streaming Service for Comedy Fans
The good:
Hilarious videos
Costs nothing
Great celebrity cameos
The bad:
Nothing of substance to watch
Irregular updates
Not available on many streaming devices
Free on Funny or Die
Twitch: Best Streaming Service for Gamers
The good:
Free to watch or stream
Huge variety of games
Real-time interaction with hosts
The bad:
Difficult to navigate
Community can be unpleasant
Free on Twitch
Vevo: Best Streaming Service for Music Fans
The good:
Great selection
Free to watch anything
Only dedicated music video service
The bad:
Not many long-form videos
Mostly hip-hop and pop
Navigation isn’t great
Free on Vevo
If you have any question regarding this, kindly use the comment box and it will be attended to.
