You’re paying for too many streaming services. We all are.
The average American household now subscribes to 4.5 streaming platforms, spending over $60/month on content. That’s more than cable ever cost — and you still can’t find anything to watch on a Tuesday night.
So let’s cut through it. Here’s an honest breakdown of every major streaming service in 2026 — what’s worth keeping, what’s worth ditching, and how to get the most for your money.
| Service | Monthly Price | Best For | Content Library | Originals Quality | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | $7.99 (w/ ads) – $24.99 | Binge-watching originals | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | No |
| Amazon Prime Video | $8.99 (standalone) or included w/ Prime ($14.99) | Movies + shipping perks | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 30 days |
| Hulu | $9.99 (w/ ads) – $18.99 | Next-day network TV | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | No |
| Disney+ | $9.99 (w/ ads) – $16.99 | Families + Marvel/Star Wars | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | No |
Price: $7.99/month (Standard with Ads) | $17.99 (Standard) | $24.99 (Premium 4K)
Netflix still has the strongest original content game. Shows like Squid Game, Wednesday, and Stranger Things keep people subscribed even when they swear they’re going to cancel. Their recommendation algorithm is genuinely good — it knows what you want to watch before you do.
The ad-supported tier at $7.99 is honestly a solid deal. The ads are short and infrequent compared to Hulu’s ad experience.
They’ve cracked down hard on password sharing. Every household needs their own account now. The movie library has shrunk over the years as studios pulled content for their own platforms. And they cancel good shows after 2 seasons more often than anyone would like.
[Try Netflix →]
Price: $8.99/month (standalone) | Included with Amazon Prime ($14.99/month)
If you already have Amazon Prime for shipping, the video library is essentially a bonus. And it’s a MASSIVE library — more movies than any other platform. Their originals have gotten significantly better (The Boys, Reacher, Fallout, Rings of Power). Plus you can rent/buy almost anything that isn’t streaming anywhere.
The X-Ray feature that shows actors and trivia while you watch is genuinely cool and nobody else does it.
The interface is a mess. Finding what’s “included” vs what costs extra to rent is deliberately confusing. They also now show ads on Prime Video unless you pay an extra $2.99/month, which feels like nickel-and-diming when you’re already paying for Prime.
[Try Amazon Prime Video Free for 30 Days →]
Price: $9.99/month (with ads) | $18.99 (no ads)
Hulu is the only service that gets next-day episodes of current network TV shows (ABC, NBC, FOX, FX). If you watch any broadcast or cable TV, Hulu replaces your cable subscription entirely.
Their original content is underrated — The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and their FX partnership gives them access to premium cable-quality shows.
The Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+ bundle is the best value deal in streaming.
The ad-supported tier is rough — more ads and longer breaks than Netflix’s ad tier. And without the bundle, $18.99 for ad-free is steep for what’s essentially “yesterday’s TV plus some originals.”
[Try Hulu →]
Price: $9.99/month (with ads) | $16.99 (no ads)
If you have kids, Disney+ is non-negotiable. The Disney vault, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic — it’s an unbeatable library for families. The quality of originals is high even if the quantity is lower.
For adults without kids, the library feels thin after you’ve watched the Marvel and Star Wars stuff. They release originals slowly, so there are stretches where there’s nothing new to watch. The price has crept up significantly from the original $6.99 launch price.
[Try Disney+ →]
$7.99/month (with ads) | $13.99 (no ads)
Home of The Office, WWE, and NBC shows. The free tier is surprisingly generous. Worth it if you’re a big NBC/Universal fan, skippable otherwise.
$7.99/month (with ads) | $13.99 (no ads)
CBS shows, Paramount movies, Champions League soccer. Solid but not essential unless you watch specific Paramount content.
$9.99/month
The smallest library but arguably the highest quality. Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show — everything they make is premium. Great if you care about quality over quantity.
$13.99/month
Not a traditional streaming service, but ad-free YouTube is genuinely life-changing. Plus YouTube Music replaces Spotify. If you watch a lot of YouTube, this might be better value than adding another streaming service.
You don’t have to subscribe to everything at once. Subscribe to Netflix for a month, binge what you want, cancel. Switch to another service. Repeat. No contracts, no penalties.
If you can only pick ONE:
If you can pick TWO: Amazon Prime Video + Hulu gives you the best coverage for the price.
We publish weekly streaming guides so you always know what’s new and what’s worth watching.
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And if the big platforms aren’t showing you what you want to see — check out MyBizSpace creators. Independent voices, uncensored content, and entertainment you won’t find on Netflix.
[Explore MyBizSpace Creators →]
Last updated: April 2026 — We update this article monthly to keep pricing and recommendations current.
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