Stay Entertained All Year Long With These Best Streaming Services

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These days it’s easy to feel like you’re swimming in a sea of streaming options. There are myriad shows and movies out there to sample, to the point where it would be physically impossible to watch even half of everything that debuts each year. Add in the fact that it seems like every single network now has its own online counterpart touted as *the* best TV streaming service, where you can opt into even more content for a few extra dollars a month. It’s all a bit overwhelming.

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Besides, if you’ve done away with costly cable bills, isn’t the point to minimize your monthly spend, not expand it? That’s why it is vital to know which is the best TV streaming service worth the money for you. Here, we’ve broken down which streaming services we think are essential based on your unique interests so that you can better curate and personalize your subscriptions in this ever-evolving streaming world.

It’s important to note that for the purposes of this list, we haven’t included live TV streaming service options (although cord-cutters can check out our YouTube TV review here). We also haven’t included some free streaming services like Tubi, Crackle, The Roku Channel or Kanopy because you can check those out free of charge whenever you’d like. And, because we feel like sports are anime are niche streamers all on their own, you can read about the best sports streaming services here or the best anime streaming services here.

This list is based on pure entertainment value — what kind of programming you get and who it’s geared towards. In that vein, read on for all of the best streaming services of 2022, and see who will benefit from each one.

1. HBO Max

When this streaming service first launched, it relied pretty heavily on the Friends reunion to help generate buzz. Now that it’s up and running, however, it’s become one of the most essential streaming services of the bunch. Not only does HBO Max offer a slew of original TV shows and a library of classic, genre-breaking shows, it also has an impressive rotating library of movies to check out as well. Let’s not forget that HBO Max is also the place to see all of the upcoming DC Comic series and Warner Bros. original films, but you’ll need the more expensive, ad-free subscription to see them.

Price: $9.99 monthly with ads, $14.99 monthly without ads
Free trial: No. However, Hulu subscribers can test out the service for seven days as an add-on
Notable shows: The Sopranos, The Big Bang Theory, Peacemaker

Buy: HBO Max $9.99 a month

2. Disney+

When Disney first announced it was making its library of content available on this streaming service, some scoffed. After all, how many Disney princesses can the kids really watch? The reality is the House of Mouse has a plethora of programming at its gloved fingertips. Aside from boasting all Disney and Pixar films, it’s got the entire catalog of MCU movies and shows, nearly every Star Wars project ever made, and most recently, the complete Century Fox and FX library. In other words, it’s another essential service, especially if you’ve got a family or love watching new episodes of The Mandalorian when they drop at 3 a.m.

Price: $7.99 monthly or $79.99 for the year
Free trial: No. However, you can bundle with Hulu and ESPN for even more savings
Notable shows: The Mandalorian, The Beatles Get Back, Loki

Buy: Disney Plus $7.99 a month

3. Netflix

The original streaming service has had to put up with a lot of competition in recent years. As a result, it’s pivoted into many other categories such as lifestyle and reality (Selling Sunset, The Circle) or soapy dramas (Bridgerton, Emily in Paris). While some might argue that the extension has watered the service down — and it’s certainly no longer the only streaming service worth having — it is worth noting there are still plenty of great series, like Ozark and Cobra Kai, to catch.

Price: From $9.99 a month
Free trial: No
Notable shows: The Witcher, Squid Game, Valhalla

Buy: Netflix $9.99 a month

4. Discovery+

While we all await to see what happens to the streaming wars once Discovery closes its deal to buy WarnerMedia (which owns HBO Max), for now, this newer streaming service boasts quite an impressive library of non-scripted and lifestyle programming. Plus true crime — lots and lots of true crime. The service also has all of the TLC, Discovery, Food Network and HGTV content you could ever want. While the service itself is still working out some of the bugs, it’s still one of the most affordable on the market — especially considering how much content you get.

Price: $4.99 a month for ad-supported, $6.99 a month for ad-free
Free trial: Seven days
Notable shows: Top Gear, Planet Earth, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations

Buy: Discovery Plus $4.99 a month

5. Peacock

When NBC Universal launched this streaming service, there was understandable hesitation, but it quickly won over investors with its two-tiered ad model. Today the service has expanded with original programming and an impressive library that includes USA Network and Telemundo offerings, not to mention a mountain of Housewives content from Bravo. It’s also home to many classic series (Cheers, The Office) and has been known to reboot childhood favorites (Punky Brewster, Saved By The Bell, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air). Last but not least, if you’re into the Olympics, Peacock is your best bet to stream all of the events.

Price: Free for ad-based subscription, $4.99 monthly for the premium tier (which unlocks more content), or $9.99 a month for the ad-free, premium plus tier
Free trial: Seven-day trial for Premium or Premium Plus
Notable shows: Dr. Death, MacGruber, Bel-Air

Buy: Peacock $4.99 a month

6. AMC+

AMC may be known as the channel that brought us Mad Men, Breaking Bad and yes, all of those zombies, but as an entity, AMC Networks reaches even more niches thanks to programming from Sundance Now, horror-based Shudder, ALLBLK and IFC. Catch all of those together on the company’s streaming platform. AMC+ allows subscribers to get in on the watercooler conversations early by pre-releasing episodes of new AMC content before it hits broadcast, plus everything is ad-free.

Price: $8.99 a month
Free trial: Seven days
Notable shows: The Walking Dead, Portlandia, Creepshow

Buy: AMC+ $8.99 a month

7. Hulu

Sure, here’s the one streamer on this list that actually makes use of live TV, but it earns its spot thanks to its endless selection of original programming. Hulu carved a name for itself in the streaming wars game when it launched The Handmaid’s Tale in 2017, but since then, it’s taken risks on other big projects like Ramy and Only Murders in the Building. Currently, the list of programming seems a little female-skewed (How I Met Your Father, Shrill), but there are still definitely hidden gems (once again, we point out Ramy and Only Murders in the Building.)

Price: Ad-supported plans start at $6.99 a month or $69.99 for the year
Free trial: Seven days
Notable shows: PEN15, Future Man, Only Murders in the Building

Buy: Hulu $6.99 a month

8. Prime Video

When Prime Video snatched NBC exec Jennifer Salke in 2018 to head up its original programming, everyone in the industry knew that there were big plans in store. Fast forward to 2022, following the success of series like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Jack Ryan and Homecoming, the streamer is also home to the upcoming Lord of the Rings TV series, Rings of Power. We also love that you can bundle the service with Prime Video Channels to curate your own streaming service powerhouse, plus there are tons of rentals at your fingertips when you subscribe.

Price: $8.99 monthly (Prime Video only), $12.99 monthly for Amazon Prime, or $119 per year
Free trial: 30 days
Notable shows: Bosch, The Grand Tour, The Expanse

Buy: Prime Video $8.99 a month

9. Paramount+

Whether you’re into next-day CBS shows or you’re looking to catch up on past seasons of Survivor, it’s all on Paramount+. The streaming service has most of Viacom’s catalog at your fingertips, and yes, that includes programming from MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Paramount Pictures and even the Smithsonian Channel. Whether you subscribe to the basic option or shell out a bit more every month for the premium plan, it’s a downright smorgasbord of possibilities. We’re talking originals like Yellowstone, the criminally underrated satire Tooning Out The News and all of the newest Star Trek series (Discovery, Picard and Lower Decks). Paramount+ will also be the home to several anticipated series in the next few years, including the TV versions of Flashdance and Halo.

Price: $4.99 per month with ads, $9.99 per month ad-free (except live broadcasts)
Free trial: Seven days
Notable shows: Yellowstone, Picard, RuPaul’s Drag Race

Buy: Paramount Plus $4.99 a month

10. AppleTV+

It’s no secret Apple has the cash to spend, and it’s decided to spend that cash on top-tier talent for its (relatively) small slate of shows. Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon set the tone with their reported $2 million-per-episode paydays for The Morning Show, and now the likes of Rose Byrne, Will Farrell, Paul Rudd and Jon Stewart have joined the party. The streamer has big plans for the coming months and even years, including a live-action Godzilla TV series that takes place in Legendary’s Monsterverse. For now, one of the biggest reasons to watch is to check out Ted Lasso, but once you’re there, you may as well try The Shrink Next Door or The Problem With Jon Stewart on for size.

Price: $5.99 per month
Free trial: Seven days
Notable shows: Ted Lasso, Mythic Quest, Physical

Buy: Apple TV+ $5.99 a month

11. Curiosity Stream

If documentaries and docuseires are your thing, then Curiosity Stream is the streaming service for you, hands down. You’ll find thousands of titles on every topic imaginable, from nature and space to lifestyle, kids and technology. It even features a section called “Crash Course,” where you can get a master class on subjects including economics or US history, and at just $20 per year, it’s one of the most affordable streaming services you can invest in.

Price: $2.99 per month or $19.99 per year/$9.99 per month for 4K content or $69.99 per year for 4K content
Free trial: Seven days
Notable shows: The History of Home, NYC Revealed

Buy: Curiosity Stream $2.99 a month

12. BritBox

British TV lovers rejoice, because BritBox is here to bring you an array of content from across the pond to satiate your every craving. The service has everything from dramas, to comedies, to documentaries to variety programming, and every single minute of it is British. Unfortunately the content is slightly more limited than most of the other streamers we have on this list, but it is the best way to watch BBC and ITV shows.

Price: $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year
Free trial: Seven days
Notable shows: Fawlty Towers, Midsomer Murders, classic Doctor Who

Buy: BritBox $6.99 a month

13. Acorn TV

If you love short-form crime dramas and dark offerings, this streamer has you covered. Sure, the UK-forward content has some comedies, but where it really excels is in stories about a small town shrouded in death and mystery. To date there are only 300 or so titles total in the library, but this little-service-that-could continues to grow and steadily releases new seasons and titles weekly.

Price: $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year
Free trial: Seven days
Notable shows: Agatha Raisin, Dead Still, My Life Is Murder

Buy: Acorn TV $5.99 a month

14. Starz

Although Starz has dished out some dark comedy (ahem, Ash vs. Evil Dead) and historical romance (hi there, Outlander), the network remains primarily known for its gritty (and sometimes bloody) dramas. That’s partly thanks to Spartacus setting the tone back in its 2010 debut. Since then, the broadcaster has forayed into other high-concept projects like Power (and all its spinoffs), the recent series BMF, Black Sails and American Gods. The app allows you to stream that entire catalog on demand, as well as more than 1,200 movies. With so much content you’ll definitely need more than the seven-day free trial to check it all out.

Price: $8.99 per month
Free trial: Seven days
Notable shows: Power, Heels, Outlander

Buy: Starz $8.99 a month

15. Showtime Now

There’s no denying that Showtime has had some pretty solid critical hits over the years, from Episodes and Nurse Jackie to Homeland, Ray Donovan and Shameless. Recently the broadcaster has also made a comeback with a new, reparative season of Dexter while grossing us all out with promises of cannibalism on Yellowjackets. If you’re a fan of all that programming, perhaps this streaming service is for you. Not to be confused with the Showtime Anytime app, which is free for subscribers, the streaming service offers Showtime’s entire back catalog as well as access to more than 500 movies. For what it offers it’s a bit pricier than many other services, so if there are just a couple of shows you want to catch up on, it may be worth planning your binge around the generous, 30-day free trial.

Price: $10.99 per month
Free trial: 30 days
Notable shows: Dexter, Yellowjackets, Desus & Mero

Buy: Showtime Now $10.99 a month

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