There are currently countless OTT streaming platforms that have amassed a loyal customer base and truly stand out because of the services they provide. These four platforms are Disney+, Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Each carries its unique salient features suited to your requirements, but it can be a daunting task to settle on a choice. If you plan on cutting the cord, you would expect that shifting to an OTT platform would cost you much less, which it does, but only if you subscribe to one service out of the four.
If you’re planning to get the best of all four, subscribing to a cumulative package won’t make much of a difference as your traditional cable or satellite TV. This is why it’s essential to peruse a comparison list to help you make an informed decision.
The unfortunate news is that these platforms are yet to launch in some countries for those living outside the US. So, for instance, if you wish to stream Hulu in Australia, you will require a good quality VPN service that will help you bypass the geo-restrictions in place.
So with a robust VPN service and a suitable streaming platform, you will be able to get a world of entertainment best tailored to your preferences within the comfort of your home. Today, our article will focus on a comprehensive comparison between the leading streaming platforms.
Price
Amazon Prime is a clear winner out of the lot when it comes to pricing. So let’s take a look at the comparison:
Streaming Platform | Standard Package |
Amazon Prime | $119 annual or $13 per month |
Netflix | Between $9 to $18 per month |
Hulu | $7 for ad-based and $13 for ad-free option |
Disney+ | $8 per month, $14 (Hulu + ESPN+) |
One might argue that Disney+ has the lowest cost out of all streaming platforms, but it’s the functionality that Amazon Prime provides that makes it a leader.
If you are looking to stream 4K at the lowest possible price, Amazon is the right choice for you. This is because it offers many extra features, such as two-day shipping, discounted prices on some items, on-demand video (music) streaming, and cloud storage. In addition, you receive 4K Ultra HD content with HDR at no extra cost. Additionally, you can share accounts with friends and family, making it a sweet deal for everyone.
Content library
Amazon has hands down the most variable and most extensive content library out of all streaming platforms. But how do the other competitors match up to the streaming platform? Well, when it comes to quantity and quality, that’s where Netflix takes the cake. It hosts a large, diverse number of international films and commercial movies. Rest be assured, you won’t run out of shows to watch since there’s something for everyone to watch on Netflix.
Audio and Video Quality
For a seamless viewing experience, these streaming platforms have worked vigorously on their audio and video quality. For example, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and Hulu offer 4K Ultra HD resolution and HDR streaming. Unfortunately, Netflix charges extra for the premium feature, taking the monthly subscription up to $16, whereas Hulu and Amazon offer 4K in their standard package. In addition, Amazon gives Netflix some tough competition since it provides HDR 10+.
Disney+, on the other hand, offers a vast collection of 4K HDR content to its subscribers.
Amazon offers a premium Dolby Atmos quality surround sound when it comes to audio.
Meanwhile, Hulu supports standard 2.0 stereo audio with most programs and 5.1 surround sound for some. On the other hand, Netflix offers Dolby Atmos on select titles only and 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound on some content.
Interface and ease of use
Netflix has a user-friendly interface since it tailors your home screen according to your preferences. In addition, it has interactive and engaging carousels, pushing content in front of the user by default. The best part is that the interface is universal, regardless of which brand or device is being used, whether gaming consoles, Roku, HDTVs or more.
If we take a close look at Hulu, it’s also relatively easy, with simple navigation cues like TV, Movies, Kids to choose from. Moreover, you can also add premium channels like HBO, movies and shows to pop up on your main interface. This nifty feature sets Hulu apart here for sure.
Disney+ interface is straightforward to understand for newcomers, as it categorizes content, controls playback of films/series and lines up potential recommendations for you to watch later. Disney+ takes this one step further and divides the content into five major categories – Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel and Nat GEO. This division strategy is understandable and straightforward, making it a clear winner.
Lastly, when it comes to Amazon, the scattered interface it has is something that we feel needs constant improvement. One notable feature is that you can browse Prime Video directly on its various apps and the Amazon web page while it also seamlessly works with Amazon Fire TV streaming devices.
Conclusion:
With an array of features and lucrative pricing, it can be a dizzying process to nail down a single streaming platform for yourself. But if we had to give a recommendation, we would suggest that Netflix is the leading boss in the streaming world.
Let us know in the comments below what you think about our comparison!
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