Best TVs Guide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

The Best Streaming Services of 2023

Tom Power
  Jun 7, 2023 12:41 PM

The best streaming services bill you monthly (although they offer annual deals), give you the flexibility to cancel and re-subscribe as you see fit, and we have options that offer extensive customization and a wide variety of live sports activities. And that's not to mention the live TV entries on our list of the best streaming services that help you cut the cord.

Below is our recommendation of what we consider the Best Streaming Services of 2023.


Top picks

  1. HBO Max

HBO Max has everything that HBO has. Both HBO and HBO Max bundle current shows including Insecure, as well as completed seasons of Westworld, Curb Your E fascination, and Veep. Big highlights include The Flight Attendant with Kaley Cuoco. There's also Friends, a Studio Ghibli library, and original shows like Made for Love. 

However, HBO Max has found a second life, as Warner Brothers Pictures' go-to destination for its biggest films.

  1. Netflix

The big guy on the market is still the best streaming service. As you probably know, Netflix offers unlimited streaming of TV shows, movies, comedy specials (see Bo Burnham's Inside) and original shows (we need The Witcher and Stranger Things back now) ) for a monthly subscription fee. 

Netflix is constantly adding and removing movies, so you'll want to check out our What's New on Netflix guide to see what's coming soon and what you should watch before it's gone.

  1. Disney Plus

Disney Plus is the dominant player in this category, and why shouldn't it be? Disney controls a terrifying number of properties, from Marvel, to Star Wars, to Disney's own animated series, to The Simpsons (all 30 seasons and more). It's one of the cheaper of the best streaming services out there, and a lot of the content is also available in 4K resolution with an HDR palette.

  1. Hulu

If you want to stay up to date with the latest TV shows but don't want to invest in an HD antenna or cable subscription, Hulu is the best streaming service for you. The service provides access to most major network shows (aside from CBS shows) and some cable shows the day after they air. It also allows subscribers to access the current part of the program - or often all parts of the program.

  1. Sling TV

If you like the idea of a cable subscription but feel it's too expensive and offers more content than you'd like, Sling TV could provide a satisfying medium for you. In theory, Sling sounds like a traditional cable service: Pay a monthly subscription fee in exchange for about 30 real-time channels. 

But there is no contract and no set-top box rental fee. Sling is especially handy for sports fans, as it offers plenty of ESPN channels - and that alone is worth it for some.


Compare Products

1
  • SCORE
    9.4
    BTV Score

    BTV Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Smolink
2
  • SCORE
    9.4
    BTV Score

    BTV Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Roku
3
  • SCORE
    9.4
    BTV Score

    BTV Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Roku
4
  • SCORE
    9.2
    BTV Score

    BTV Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    SiriusXM
5
  • SCORE
    9.0
    BTV Score

    BTV Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Mevo
6
  • SCORE
    8.6
    BTV Score

    BTV Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    LG
7
  • SCORE
    8.6
    BTV Score

    BTV Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Funimation Global Group, LLC
8
  • SCORE
    8.4
    BTV Score

    BTV Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    LG
9
  • SCORE
    8.4
    BTV Score

    BTV Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    LG
10
  • SCORE
    8.2
    BTV Score

    BTV Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Tenda
11
  • SCORE
    8.2
    BTV Score

    BTV Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Actinow
12
  • SCORE
    7.0
    BTV Score

    BTV Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    GZ Systems Limited

Last update on 2023-06-07 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

The good news is that you don't have to limit yourself to a range. All it takes is choosing the amount of service that fits your pocket. And that matters, it all depends on what content you want to consume. While Netflix has a diverse range of content, it's not appealing to any particular audience - which means it's probably a service that most people have.


Final Thoughts

The best streaming services can help you enjoy great content without having to pay for cable. HBO Max continues to deliver top-notch content; even with a fresh bull run, Netflix is still a force to be reckoned with; and Amazon Prime Video succeeded with the Wheel of Time. Paramount Plus doesn't have a seat at the table yet, but more content like the highly-viewed South Park: Post Covid, in particular, could make it there.


4
1 ratings