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The best streaming apps can replace your cable television service
Editor's Choice
4.5
Starting from$72.99/mo
Channel Count Range
30-100
View Plan
YouTube TV Review
Best Originals
4
Starting from$9.99/mo
Channel Count Range
1-1
View Plans
Live Offering
4
Starting from$69.99/mo
Channel Count Range
75-85
View Plans
Most Variety
4.5
Starting from$6.99/mo
Channel Count Range
-1-0
View Plans
Best Value
By John Brandon
Mar 12, 2024
5 min read
We're living in a time when replacements make sense. We have replaced in-person meetings with Zoom calls. We've replaced eating out at restaurants with DoorDash deliveries. For anyone who has thought about cable television and the costs associated with channel lineups and bundles, install and rental fees, or just the hassle of having a technician arrive at your house during the pandemic, there are options.
In fact, there are five really good options. We've analyzed the streaming media apps and determined which ones act more like cable television in that they offer original programming, entertaining movies, and a host of archival content.
- YouTube TV: Editor's choice
- Max: Best origins
- Hulu + Live: Live Offering
- Netflix: Most variety
- Amazon Prime Video: Best value
Quick comparison — best cable alternatives
Streaming service | Monthly price | Details |
YouTube TV | $34.99-$489 | View Plans |
---|---|---|
HBO Max | $9.99-$209.99 | View Plans |
Hulu + Live TV | $69.99-$95.99 | View Plans |
Netflix | $6.99-$30.98 | View Plans |
Amazon Prime Video | $8.99-$139 | View Plans |
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
These are the factors we looked at to determine the best cable alternatives:
- Variety of shows
- Search functions
- Interface
- Sports
- Price
YouTube TV: Editor's Choice
The best interface and the fastest search of any streaming app
YouTube TV details
Provider | Monthly price | Learn more | |
YouTube TV | $34.99-$489 | View Plan |
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
What we like
- Best modern interface
- Fast search
- The only live-streaming service offering NFL Sunday Ticket
Modern interface
YouTube TV was built for the modern TV watcher. When you fire up the site in your browser, you'll see live streams from your channel lineup. You can quickly scroll down through the channels and click a large plus sign to record any live shows or movies. It's powerful because it's so clear and user-friendly.
There are three simple tabs at the top of the screen: your recorded shows (called the Library), Home screen for top picks and suggestions, and Live for all of the live local, premium, and cable channels.
Fast search
It's easy to forget that YouTube and YouTube TV are both owned by Google, and that means lightning fast search. We tested YouTube TV on a Roku Ultra streaming device connected to a HiSense H8G 55-inch smart television and noticed speedy performance when we used the interface and performed searches.
One great example: Let's say you are a Minnesota Vikings fan. You can click search and type Vikings, then click a large plus sign to record all games for the season. Now that's fast.
Get all out-of-market games (over 200!) this fall with NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube TV with a subscription or a la carte. And for huge football heads, you can also snag NFL RedZone bundled with Sunday Ticket. Check out YouTube TV's sports bundles below:
Service | Price |
YouTube TV | $72.99/mo.* |
---|---|
NFL Sunday TIcket on Youtube | $449/yr.* |
NFL Sunday Ticket + NFL RedZone + YoutubeTV | $389/yr.† |
NFL Sunday TIcket on Youtube | $449/yr.* |
NFL Sunday TIcket + NFL RedZone on Youtube | $489/yr.* |
* Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
† Plus $72.99/mo recurring for YouTube TV. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
YouTube TV summary
- Good: The best interface for finding shows and movies quickly without a lot of clutter or fuss. It simply works. And you can even get NFL Sunday Ticket by itself or with a YouTube TV subscription.
- Full review: Check out our full review of YouTube TV.
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Max: Best originals
Max has the best shows, and we've watched most of them
Max details
Streaming service | Monthly price | Details | |
HBO Max | $9.99–$15.99 | View Pan |
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
What we like
- Surprising variety
- Amazing documentaries
Oh the variety
If Max doesn't impress you with its wonderful original shows and movies, we'd be surprised. We're talking about more than Raised By Wolves (our favorite sci-fi show). The canon is deep with this one, starting with shows like Watchmen (a critical darling) and extending to movies like The Witches that would have been in a movie theater in normal times. (We won't comment too much on whether it's worth watching, but at least it's rated PG for the kids.) Max, as the name suggests, has an archive of all previous Max originals as well, including Westworld and Game of Thrones.
Documentaries galore
Max is also taking up the mindshare for streaming apps when it comes to documentaries. The streaming app just released a new documentary called The Perfect Weapon that is quite riveting (it's about political scams and election interference). Another series called The Vow is equally compelling and well-made.
In terms of replacing cable, you won't miss your premium channels because this is the premium-ist of all. Max also runs on mobile devices and most smart televisions.
Max summary
- Good: The widest assortment of compelling shows, movies, and documentaries we've found compared to the other cable alternatives.
- Full review: Check out our full review of Max.
Hulu + Live: Live Offering
Immediate access to live local channels, basic cable, and beyond
Hulu details
Streaming service | Monthly price | Details | |
Hulu | $7.99-$17.99 | View Plans | |
Hulu + Live TV | $69.99-$95.99 | View Plans |
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
What we like
- Easy to access categories
- Small screen viewer
Find movies quickly
One feature that sets Hulu + Live apart is how quickly you can find movies. The app splits streaming content into categories for sports, news, kids programming, and movies. With one click, you can find all movies playing right now on live television. Hulu + Live offers 85 channels including FX, AMC and TCM so there is quite a nice selection of basic cable movies. We found Sleepy Hollow, Snatched, and Logan in about two clicks.
Live television preview
Hulu + Live shows a small window for live television at all times, although you can easily hide the preview. As you are looking for shows and movies, you can click any live television channel and see what's on right then. We like being able to see this sample and decide if we really want to lean back and watch that channel, popcorn optional. If you do want to watch a show, it's a simple click on the maximize options.
Hulu + Live summary
- Good: If your goal is to watch and record shows on live television, Hulu + Live is an excellent option for all cord cutters.
- Full review: Check out our full review of Hulu + Live TV.
Netflix: Most variety
Netflix is still the king of all streaming media content
Netflix details
Plan | Price | Simultaneous streams | Details |
Netflix Standard with Ads | $6.99/mo.* | 2 | View Plans |
---|---|---|---|
Netflix Standard | $15.49/mo.* | 2 | View Plans |
Netflix Standard w/extra member slots | $23.48/mo.‡ | 2 | View Plans |
Netflix Premium | $22.99/mo.* | 4 | View Plans |
Netflix Premium w/extra member slots | $30.98/mo.‡ | 4 | View Plans |
* Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
‡ Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Extra members have their own account and password, but their membership is paid for by the person who invited them to share their Netflix account.
What we like
- Sheer number of shows and movies
- Suggestions
Tons of variety
At last count, Netflix has over 13,000 shows and movies available. That's a colossal number, so the sheer variety of programming makes Netflix an excellent cable alternative. It didn't receive our Editor's Choice as a cable alternative because you won't find local channels or sports. However, if your main goal is to find something to watch, there are also about 1,500 original shows available. We love Stranger Things, and we're major fans of documentaries like The Social Dilemma.
Suggestions galore
Netflix is well known as a pioneer in making suggestions and recommendations for what to watch. When you find a show you love like Lost in Space, there are often about 10-15 alternatives to pick from in a long list. Other streaming media apps don't offer as many suggestions, and the ones Netflix recommends are often spot-on. It's one reason we got hooked on The Expanse after watching Lost in Space.
Netflix summary
- Good: Basic cable has nothing on Netflix, with over 13,000 shows and movies and a wide selection of originals.
- Full review: Check out our full review of Netflix.
Amazon Prime Video: Best value
Free with your Amazon Prime membership, and that makes it primo
Amazon Prime Video details
Streaming service | Monthly price | Details | |
Amazon Prime Video | $8.99-$139 | View Plan |
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
What we like
- Deep archive
- Easy rentals
Something is always on
The one pleasant discovery with Amazon Prime Video is that there is a deep archive of content. You won't find as many brand new original shows and movies, although they do debut fairly often. However, we dug a bit deeper and found Arrow and Flash, a few old John Wayne western movies, and several British dramas.
Easy rentals
Amazon Prime Video is part of the overall Amazon and Amazon Video ecosystem. That means you can easily rent or purchase new release movies and shows from the same interface. (You can't say that about Netflix or Max at all.) It also means that, once you have an Amazon Prime account, you can order Blu-Ray discs for movies like the True Grit remake that are not available in 4K otherwise. Been there, done that.
Prime Video summary
- Good: Amazon Prime Video has a deep archive of shows and you can rent new release movies and shows with a click.
- Full review: Check out our full review of Amazon Prime Video.
Recap: Which is the best cable alternative?
What a wide selection of cable alternatives! The latest streaming media apps might make you think: Spectrum schmetrum. There's a ton of original shows, live television, sports, and all of the basic cable channels you'd ever want. And there's no need to install a DVR or run cable in your home (or arrange for installation).
Overall, we can say this about each:
- YouTube TV: The best interface for finding shows and movies quickly without a lot of clutter or fuss. It simply works.
- Max: The widest assortment of compelling shows, movies, and documentaries we've found compared to the other cable alternatives.
- Hulu: If your goal is to watch and record shows on live television, Hulu + Live is an excellent option for all cord cutters.
- Netflix: Basic cable has nothing on Netflix, with over 13,000 shows and movies and a wide selection of originals.
- Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime Video has a deep archive of shows and you can rent new release movies and shows with a click.
Written by
John Brandon
John Brandon is a contributor at Reviews.org covering TV apps, services, and devices. He also covers the VPN market currently. He has a long history as a journalist and author. His articles have appeared in many magazines including Wired, Popular Mechanics, FoxNews.com, Inc. Magazine, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Relevant Magazine. His hobbies include disc golf, reading books, and watching obscure Netflix documentaries.
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