There’s never been more choice when it comes to entertainment, and as such it can be hard to pick which is the right streaming service for you.
It’s not just about having one great series or film – you’ll need to consider the video quality, the interface, the range of the library and more. The latter point is important if you’re sharing an account with your household with different tastes.
All these factors have shaped our top picks of the best streaming services this year. These include different tiers and bundles, so you can find the option that suits your wallet. You can also read up on our ongoing best picks for streaming services.
Discover all the winners in this year’s Tech Advisor Best of 2024-25 Awards.
Best Streaming Service of the Year – Winner: Netflix
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
While there have been some knockbacks this year for Netflix, its interface, streaming staples and recommendations cannot be beaten.
At the time of writing, Netflix has some hugely popular series, from the heartwarming rom-com series Nobody Wants This to the gritty Gangs of London, and the latest season of the reality hit, Love is Blind.
its interface, streaming staples and recommendations cannot be beaten
If none of those take your fancy, the library has many stellar and comforting shows to binge, including Breaking Bad, Stranger Things, BoJack Horseman, Sex Education, Squid Game, Bridgerton and more. Different countries also have exclusive options – for example, Netflix US has The Great British Baking Show, while Netflix UK has Friends and Gilmore Girls.
With three tiers to choose from, starting from £4.99/$6.99 per month, there is plenty of choice on offer – and all are monthly rolling, so you have flexibility. Plus, if you’re looking for something new Netflix has a wide range of sub-categories based on your watch history and has a history of finding your next binge before you do.
Best Streaming Service of the Year – First Runner-Up: Amazon Prime Video
Martyn Casserly
If films are more of a priority than TV series, then Amazon Prime Video may be your streaming service of choice. The current library includes Oppenheimer, Challengers, Paddington 2, Five Nights at Freddy’s and The Naked Gun.
But there’s also a range of stellar originals, including gory superhero shocker The Boys, the whimsical fantasy hit Good Omens and the gritty videogame adaptation, Fallout.
The interface is more cluttered than Netflix, with carousels for additional subscriptions rather than simplified options. However, its pricing is more generous than the Big N. You can subscribe to the service standalone for just £5.99/$8.99 per month or get it as part of a wider Prime subscription for £8.99/£14.99 per month and get additional benefits like free shipping and access to flash sales.
If you want no ads, you’ll have to pay extra – though that’s the case for all three options on this list.
$8.99
Best Streaming Service of the Year – Second Runner-Up: Disney+
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
If you think Disney+ is only good for kids films and Marvel, think again. While yes, it’s the home to the biggest animated film of all time – Inside Out 2 – and the latest MCU hit – Agatha All Along – there are many acclaimed shows that’ll keep you hooked every week.
These include (in the UK, at least) Shōgun, The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, Rivals and The Old Man. These shows are actually on Hulu in America, but US subscribers can take advantage of the many bundle options available to stream these shows.
Disney+ has also started to flesh out its library of unscripted content this year, with the new season of The Kardashians, the headline-grabbing The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and the fascinating documentary In Vogue: The 90s.
A Basic, ad-supported subscription starts from £4.99/$9.99 per month, making it a pricier option than both Netflix and Prime Video for American subscribers. If you want 4K, ad-free content then you’ll have to pay more, but the same is true for Netflix.
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