Best On-Demand Streaming Services of 2026
Libraries you watch any time, from $8.99/mo to $12.49/mo on ad-supported plans; Peacock and Paramount+ add live sports.
- 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
7.9
The family catalog, with flexible bundles
From $12.49/mo · Best for families
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
7.7
NFL, NBA and Premier League without a cable bundle
From $8.99/mo · Best value for NFL, NBA, and Premier League
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
-
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
-
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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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
On-demand services compared
| Provider | Starting price | Live TV | Sports | DVR | 4K | Free trial | Streams | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix#1 · Best for on-demand originals |
$8.99/moStandard with ads; $19.99 ad-free | No | Limited | No | Premium plan only | No | 2 to 4 | View Plans |
| Disney+#3 · Best for families |
$12.49/moWith ads; $21.49 Premium (no ads, 4K) | No | Via ESPN bundles only | No | Premium plan only | No | 2 | View Plans |
| Peacock#4 · Best value for NFL, NBA, and Premier League |
$8.99/moSelect tier (no sports); Premium $12.99 | NBC only | Yes* | No | Premium Plus, select titles | No | 3 | View Plans |
 Paramount+#5 · Best for CBS, NFL on CBS, and Champions League |
$8.99/moEssential (ads); $13.99 Premium with SHOWTIME | CBS only | Yes* | No | Premium, select titles | No | 3 | View Plans |
 Amazon Prime Video#7 · Best if you already pay for Prime |
$8.99/moPrime Video alone; included with $14.99 Prime | No | Yes* | No | Ultra add-on | Yes | 3 | View Plans |
Netflix
#1 · Best for on-demand originals- Live TV
- No
- Sports
- Limited
- DVR
- No
- 4K
- Premium plan only
- Free trial
- No
- Streams
- 2 to 4 (by plan)
Disney+
#3 · Best for families- Live TV
- No
- Sports
- Via ESPN bundles only
- DVR
- No
- 4K
- Premium plan only
- Free trial
- No
- Streams
- 2 (ads) or 4 (Premium)
Peacock
#4 · Best value for NFL, NBA, and Premier League- Live TV
- NBC only
- Sports
- Yes*
- DVR
- No
- 4K
- Premium Plus, select titles
- Free trial
- No
- Streams
- 3
Paramount+
#5 · Best for CBS, NFL on CBS, and Champions League- Live TV
- CBS only
- Sports
- Yes*
- DVR
- No
- 4K
- Premium, select titles
- Free trial
- No
- Streams
- 3
Amazon Prime Video
#7 · Best if you already pay for Prime- Live TV
- No
- Sports
- Yes*
- DVR
- No
- 4K
- Ultra add-on
- Free trial
- Yes
- Streams
- 3 (5 with Ultra)
No services match those filters. Try removing a filter.
Checkmarks show features included on at least one plan; an asterisk or a short label means it depends on plan, add-on, or local market (hover or open the review for the detail). Starting prices are the lowest recurring monthly price for new subscribers, verified Oct 12, 2026. Taxes and fees may apply. Details and sources are in each review.
Key facts
- Every entry plan is ad-supported; ad-free costs more.
- Netflix and Disney+ ad plans cap at 1080p and two streams.
- Peacock Select has no sports; Paramount+ Essential has no live CBS.
- Prime Video needs the Ultra add-on for 4K.
- None replaces cable; no contracts, so rotate subscriptions.
Which library fits which viewer
- Original series and films: Netflix releases more originals than anyone and has the lowest entry price.
- Families and franchise fans: Disney+ for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, with Hulu in the same app through a bundle.
- NBC shows, Bravo, and NBC sports: Peacock Premium adds Sunday Night Football, NBA on NBC, and the Premier League.
- CBS, Star Trek, Yellowstone, and Champions League: Paramount+; Premium adds SHOWTIME and live local CBS.
- You already pay for Prime: Prime Video is included, with Thursday Night Football and NBA games.
Ads, 4K, and streams: what the price tiers buy
- Every service sells an ad-supported entry plan and charges more to remove ads.
- Netflix and Disney+ cap ad plans at 1080p and two streams; Peacock Select has no sports; Paramount+ Essential has no live local CBS.
- Prime Video costs $8.99/mo standalone but needs the Ultra add-on for 4K.
- Compare the tier that actually has the features you want.
Rotating subscriptions
- No contracts, so many households subscribe to one or two at a time and rotate when a season ends.
- Annual plans (Disney+ Premium, Peacock, Paramount+, Prime) cost less per month but remove that flexibility.
- The household cost guide shows what a rotating setup saves over a year.
Frequently asked questions
Which on-demand service has a free trial?
As of Oct 12, 2026, only Amazon Prime (30 days for new Prime members). Netflix, Disney+, Peacock, and Paramount+ offer no direct U.S. trials, though some run partner promotions.
Can I get local channels from an on-demand service?
Partly: Paramount+ Premium streams local CBS in supported markets and Peacock Premium Plus streams local NBC. ABC and FOX are not live on any on-demand service; next-day ABC, FOX, and NBC episodes are on Hulu.
Do I need a 4K plan?
Only with a 4K TV and roughly 25 Mbps per stream. 4K is on Netflix Premium, Disney+ Premium, Peacock Premium Plus and Paramount+ Premium for select titles, and Prime Video with the Ultra add-on.
We may earn commissions from providers featured here. Compensation can affect placement. Affiliate Disclosure