Best Streaming Services of 2026
Every service we rank, in order of editorial score. Use the category pages if you already know whether you need live TV or an on-demand library.
- Prices verified Oct 12, 2026
- Scored on 7 published criteria
- Licensed U.S. services only
- Updated monthly
Editors’ top picks
Start with these three
We may earn commissions from providers featured here. Compensation can affect placement. Affiliate Disclosure
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#2 Runner-up
8.0
The best all-around cable replacement
From $82.99/mo · Best live TV overall
View Plans Read review -
#1 Top Pick
8.5
The biggest streaming library for originals and movies
From $8.99/mo · Best for on-demand originals
View Plans Read review -
#3 Runner-up
7.9
The family catalog, with flexible bundles
From $12.49/mo · Best for families
View Plans Read review
Ranked list
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The biggest streaming library for originals and movies
- Largest original series and film library
- Plans from $8.99/mo with ads
- Works on virtually every device
4K only on the $26.99 Premium plan
- On-Demand
- 4K
- No Contract
- Ad Plan
From$8.99/moStandard with ads; $19.99 ad-free
Best for on-demand originals
Editorial scoreExcellent8.5/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
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The best all-around cable replacement
- 100+ channels incl. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN
- Unlimited cloud DVR, 3 streams
- Intro offer: $59.99/mo for 2 months
$82.99/mo after the intro period
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- Free Trial
- No Contract
From$82.99/moBase Plan; promo $59.99 for 2 months for new members
Best live TV overall
Editorial scoreExcellent8.0/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
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The family catalog, with flexible bundles
- Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Nat Geo
- Bundles with Hulu and ESPN available
- Premium adds 4K and 4 streams
No free trial; price rises every October
- On-Demand
- 4K
- No Contract
- Ad Plan
From$12.49/moWith ads; $21.49 Premium (no ads, 4K)
Best for families
Editorial scoreVery good7.9/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
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NFL, NBA and Premier League without a cable bundle
- Sunday Night Football and NBA on NBC
- Most Premier League matches
- Annual plans on every tier
Select tier has no live sports
- Sports
- On-Demand
- No Contract
- Ad Plan
From$8.99/moSelect tier (no sports); Premium $12.99
Best value for NFL, NBA, and Premier League
Editorial scoreVery good7.7/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
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The cheapest way to stream CBS and the Champions League
- NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League
- Premium adds SHOWTIME and live local CBS
- Annual plans from $89.99/yr
No free trial since January 2026
- Sports
- On-Demand
- No Contract
- Ad Plan
From$8.99/moEssential (ads); $13.99 Premium with SHOWTIME
Best for CBS, NFL on CBS, and Champions League
Editorial scoreVery good7.6/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
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Live TV plus three on-demand libraries in one plan
- 95+ live channels with locals, ESPN, TNT
- Includes Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN Select
- Unlimited cloud DVR
2 streams unless you add $9.99/mo
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- On-Demand
- No Contract
From$99.99/moWith ads, rate effective Oct 21, 2026; $109.99 Premium
Best bundle: live TV plus Disney+ and ESPN
Editorial scoreVery good7.4/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
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A strong bonus if you already pay for Prime
- Included with Amazon Prime membership
- Thursday Night Football and NBA games
- 30-day Prime trial for new members
Ad-free and 4K need the $4.99 Ultra add-on
- On-Demand
- Sports
- Free Trial
- No Contract
- Ad Plan
From$8.99/moPrime Video alone; included with $14.99 Prime
Best if you already pay for Prime
Editorial scoreVery good7.3/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
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Live TV for less, if you can skip CBS
- Lowest-priced major live TV service
- Orange: ESPN, TNT; Blue: FS1, NFL Network
- No contract; cheap add-on packs
No CBS; 1 stream on Orange; 50-hour DVR
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- No Contract
From$45.99/moOrange or Blue; $60.99 for both
Best budget live TV
Editorial scoreVery good7.1/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
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Built for fans who need their regional sports network
- Most regional sports networks of any streamer
- Up to 10 streams, unlimited DVR, 4K events
- Free trial usually offered
No TNT or TBS; regional sports fee extra
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- 4K
- Free Trial
From$55.99/moSports tier; Pro $88.99 plus regional sports fee
Best for regional sports networks and soccer
Editorial scoreGood6.7/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
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Nearly every channel, at a cable-like price
- Deepest channel lineup, up to 185+
- Regional sports plus ESPN and TNT
- 5-day free trial, unlimited at-home streams
Highest price; regional sports fee up to $19.99
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- Free Trial
- No Contract
From$74.99/moMySports genre pack; ENTERTAINMENT $89.99
Best cable-like channel lineup
Editorial scoreGood6.7/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
Key facts
- Score is a weighted average of seven sub-scores.
- Live TV and on-demand services share one rubric.
- No hands-on lab testing; scores use published plan details.
- Need locals or live sports? Use the live TV ranking.
- Prices on cards carry their own verification date.
How to read this list
- Weights: pricing and value 25%, programming and content 25%, streaming quality and reliability 15%, device compatibility 10%, user interface 10%, subscription flexibility 10%, customer support 5%.
- Each sub-score and its reasoning is on the provider's review page.
- Scores are based on provider-published plan details and publicly documented features, verified on the date shown; no hands-on laboratory testing.
Why on-demand and live TV services share one list
- Many visitors ask "what is the best streaming service?" before deciding between a cable replacement and a library.
- One rubric gives an honest answer: Netflix scores highest for a low entry price and very large catalog; YouTube TV is the best live TV bundle but costs far more.
- For local channels or live sports, go to the live TV ranking, where only the five live TV services compete.
What changed recently
- Disney+ and Hulu + Live TV prices rise on October 21, 2026; Disney's plans page already shows the new rates, and the cards use them.
- Peacock raised prices on August 18, 2026 and Netflix in late March 2026.
- Fubo added about $15 per month to NBC-inclusive plans in July 2026 after a new NBCUniversal agreement; Fubo is now majority-owned by Disney alongside Hulu + Live TV.
- Paramount+ retired its free trial in January 2026; Sling TV no longer offers a standard trial.
- Amazon moved 4K behind the Prime Video Ultra add-on in April 2026.
- Full details and sources are in each review; the editorial policy explains re-verification.
We may earn commissions from providers featured here. Compensation can affect placement. Affiliate Disclosure