# 5 Best Alternatives to Netflix in 2026

By Noah — last updated & pricing verified September 15, 2026.

> The best alternative to Netflix is Disney+, best for households that want Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content bundled with Hulu or ESPN. Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV+, and Max are also strong picks, standing out for Prime shipping bundled in, next-day network TV episodes, an entirely ad-free originals-only library, and in-app live NBA and MLB coverage respectively.

From our data: None of the 5 alternatives listed here offer a permanently free tier, matching Netflix's own lack of one, and 3 of 5 (Disney+, Hulu, Max) publish a bundle price that combines multiple services under one subscription, a structure Netflix's single-service pricing doesn't offer.

## Quick picks

- Best overall: [Disney+](https://findalternative.to/disney/about)
- Best value bundled with other benefits: [Prime Video](https://findalternative.to/prime-video/about)
- Best for next-day network TV episodes: [Hulu](https://findalternative.to/hulu/about)
- Best for an entirely ad-free experience: [Apple TV](https://findalternative.to/apple-tv/about)
- Best for live sports alongside a streaming library: [Max](https://findalternative.to/max/about)

## Netflix alternatives at a glance

| Alternative | Best for | Standout | Biggest weakness | Learning curve | Price |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Netflix (the incumbent) | individuals and households wanting a large, frequently refreshed library of on-demand TV shows and films across multiple devices, without a cable subscription | A large investment in exclusive original series and films combined with a personalized recommendation algorithm and offline mobile downloads, all accessible on-demand across web, mobile, and connected-TV devices. | Prices have risen three times in under two years across all US tiers, and even the cheapest plan still carries ads; reviewers frequently cite cancellation of popular shows, geo-restrictions, and account-sharing/device-connection limitations as recurring frustrations, and there's no free trial to evaluate the service before paying. | Low | From $8.99/mo |
| Disney+ | households that already watch Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar titles and want to bundle that library with Hulu or ESPN under one subscription | A single subscription spans Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, and bundle tiers fold in Hulu's general-entertainment catalog and ESPN Unlimited without a separate login. | No permanently free tier and no ad-free option under $18.99/month; bundle pricing changes frequently and the cheapest ad-free bundle with live sports (ESPN Unlimited) costs $44.99/month. | Low | From $11.99/mo |
| Prime Video | Amazon Prime members who want streaming bundled with free shipping, and ad-tolerant viewers who want access to Amazon Originals and live sports without a single-purpose-only subscription | Bundled with Amazon Prime's free two-day shipping and Prime Music under one membership, so the $14.99/month price covers streaming plus retail benefits rather than video alone. | Ads run by default on every plan since January 2024, with the ad-free option costing an extra $2.99/month, and many newer theatrical titles sit behind an additional rental or purchase fee on top of the subscription rather than being included. | Low | From $2.99/mo |
| Hulu | US viewers who want next-day access to current-season network TV episodes alongside a general streaming library, especially those already subscribing to Disney+ | Next-day streaming of current-season broadcast and cable TV episodes, a library category most general streaming competitors do not match. | Hulu no longer sells a clearly advertised ad-free standalone plan separate from the Disney+ bundle, effectively pushing ad-free viewers into paying for Disney+ content they may not want, and Hulu + Live TV starts at $89.99/month, well above dedicated live-TV competitors at typical promotional rates. | Low | From $11.99/mo |
| Apple TV | viewers who prioritize a small library of high-quality, awards-caliber original series and films over a large licensed catalog, especially those already inside the Apple hardware ecosystem | An entirely originals-only content strategy focused on prestige, awards-winning series like Severance and Ted Lasso, now expanding into live sports (MLB, with F1 and MLS planned) rather than licensing a large back-catalog. | The content library is far smaller than Netflix, Max, or Amazon Prime Video because Apple TV+ carries almost no licensed catalog titles, so subscribers who exhaust the original slate quickly can feel there isn't enough to watch between new releases. | Low | From $12.99/mo |
| Max | HBO and Warner Bros. film fans already inside the Warner Bros. Discovery ecosystem who also want in-app access to NBA, MLB, and NCAA March Madness without a separate cable package | Combines HBO's prestige scripted library with Warner Bros. theatrical films, DC, Discovery factual programming, and live NBA/MLB/NCAA March Madness coverage in a single subscription. | Reliability and support complaints dominate third-party reviews: Trustpilot users rate the service around 1.3/5, citing frequent buffering, forced sign-outs, and playback progress that doesn't sync across sessions, and even the ad-free Standard and Premium tiers still show ads on select live and linear content. | Low | From $10.99/mo |

## 1. Disney+ — best Netflix alternative for households that already watch Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar titles and want to bundle that library with Hulu or ESPN under one subscription

Disney+ is the best Netflix alternative for households that want the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic catalogs in one subscription, plus the option to bundle in Hulu's general-entertainment library or ESPN. Disney+'s ad-free Premium tier costs $18.99/month, cheaper than Netflix's ad-free Standard at $19.99/month, and its ad-supported plan starts at $11.99/month for viewers who want a lower entry price than Netflix's own ad-supported tier at $8.99/month allows for a comparable feature set. Disney+ Premium (No Ads) also supports 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos on compatible devices at no extra cost, matching Netflix's Premium-tier 4K/HDR without requiring Netflix's top $26.99/month plan. Netflix is still the better choice for viewers who want the largest, most frequently refreshed general-entertainment library and don't specifically want Disney-owned franchises: Disney+'s catalog is limited to Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content, with no licensed third-party programming outside its Hulu and ESPN bundle tiers, and the cheapest ad-free bundle that includes live sports (ESPN Unlimited) runs $44.99/month, well above Netflix's top tier.

Compared to Netflix: cheaper ad-free Premium ($18.99/month vs $19.99/month Standard), 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos included on Premium without Netflix's top-tier price, bundles Hulu and ESPN Unlimited under one login

- Wins: Ad-free Premium costs $18.99/month vs Netflix's ad-free Standard at $19.99/month · 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos are included on the ad-free Premium plan, not gated behind Netflix's pricier $26.99/month Premium tier · Bundle tiers fold in Hulu's general-entertainment catalog and ESPN Unlimited without separate logins
- Loses: Catalog is limited to Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content, far narrower than Netflix's licensed-plus-original library · The cheapest ad-free bundle with live sports (ESPN Unlimited) runs $44.99/month, well above Netflix's $26.99/month top tier · Ads still appear in select live and linear content even on some higher-priced bundle tiers
- Pros: One subscription covers Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content.; Bundle tiers add Hulu and, on higher plans, ESPN Unlimited or HBO Max without separate logins.; 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos are available on compatible devices and titles at no extra cost.; Parental controls let each profile in a household carry its own content rating limits.
- Cons: No permanently free tier; every plan requires a paid subscription from day one.; The cheapest ad-free bundle that includes live sports (ESPN Unlimited) runs $44.99/month.; Ads are still served in select live and linear content even on some higher-priced bundle tiers.; Library rotates: some licensed titles leave the catalog after a limited window.
- **Pricing:** From $11.99/mo (verified undefined NaN, NaN) — $18.99/month Premium (No Ads) vs Netflix's $19.99/month Standard (No Ads)
- Details: https://findalternative.to/disney/about
- Head-to-head: [Disney+ vs Netflix](https://findalternative.to/compare/disney-vs-netflix)
- 6 alternatives to Disney+: https://findalternative.to/disney

## 2. Prime Video — best Netflix alternative for amazon Prime members who want streaming bundled with free shipping, and ad-tolerant viewers who want access to Amazon Originals and live sports without a single-purpose-only subscription

Prime Video is the best Netflix alternative for Amazon Prime members who want streaming bundled with free two-day shipping and Prime Music rather than paying for video alone. The standalone Prime Video plan costs $8.99/month, matching Netflix's ad-supported Standard with Ads at the same $8.99/month price, but Amazon Prime membership at $14.99/month (or $139/year) bundles Prime Video with retail benefits Netflix has no equivalent of, so the effective value of video access is higher once shipping savings are counted. Prime Video also carries Amazon Original series like The Boys and Fallout and live sports including Thursday Night Football, content categories Netflix's library doesn't include. Netflix is still the better choice for viewers who want ad-free viewing without an extra fee and don't want a transactional storefront layered on top of their subscription: Prime Video has shown ads by default on every plan since January 2024, with the ad-free option costing an extra $2.99/month, and many newer theatrical releases require an additional rental or purchase fee even for subscribers, unlike Netflix's fully included library.

Compared to Netflix: bundled with Amazon Prime's free two-day shipping and Prime Music, live Thursday Night Football and Amazon Originals Netflix doesn't carry, but ads now run by default on every plan since January 2024

- Wins: Amazon Prime membership bundles Prime Video with free two-day shipping and Prime Music, benefits Netflix doesn't offer at any price · Carries live Thursday Night Football and Amazon Original series (The Boys, Fallout) outside Netflix's library · Standalone Prime Video plan costs $8.99/month, matching Netflix's cheapest ad-supported tier while adding retail benefits when bundled into full Prime
- Loses: Ads now run by default on every plan since January 2024, with the ad-free option costing an extra $2.99/month on top · Many newer theatrical releases require an additional rental or purchase fee even for subscribers, unlike Netflix's fully included library · No permanently free tier, and the only way to try it is a limited-time Prime trial
- Pros: Bundled with Amazon Prime's free two-day shipping and Prime Music, so the membership pays for itself beyond video alone.; Standalone Prime Video plan ($8.99/month) is cheaper than most single-purpose streaming competitors.; Wide device support across smart TVs, consoles, streaming sticks, and mobile apps.; Hosts third-party channel add-ons (HBO Max, Paramount+, and others) billed through one Amazon account.
- Cons: Ads now run by default on every plan; removing them costs an extra $2.99/month on top of the base subscription.; Many newer theatrical releases require an additional rental or purchase fee even for subscribers.; No permanently free tier — the only way to try it is a limited-time Prime trial.
- **Pricing:** From $2.99/mo — $8.99/month standalone (or $14.99/month full Prime membership) vs Netflix's $8.99/month Standard with Ads
- Details: https://findalternative.to/prime-video/about
- Head-to-head: [Prime Video vs Netflix](https://findalternative.to/compare/netflix-vs-prime-video)
- 6 alternatives to Prime Video: https://findalternative.to/prime-video

## 3. Hulu — best Netflix alternative for US viewers who want next-day access to current-season network TV episodes alongside a general streaming library, especially those already subscribing to Disney+

Hulu is the best Netflix alternative for US viewers who want next-day streaming of current-season broadcast and cable TV episodes, a category Netflix's licensed-plus-original library doesn't cover the same way. The standalone Hulu (With Ads) plan costs $11.99/month, and the Disney+/Hulu Bundle (With Ads) runs $12.99/month for two services' combined libraries, close to Netflix's $8.99/month ad-supported Standard with Ads but covering both a general streaming catalog and next-day network episodes. Hulu's student bundle with Disney+ costs $6.49/month with ads, one of the lowest entry points among major streamers and well under Netflix's cheapest tier. Netflix is still the better choice for viewers outside the US or who want a single clearly marketed ad-free plan: Hulu's content library is US-only, unlike Netflix's globally available catalog, and Hulu no longer sells a clearly advertised ad-free standalone plan separate from the pricier Disney+ bundle, effectively pushing ad-free viewers into paying for content they may not want.

Compared to Netflix: next-day access to current-season network TV episodes Netflix doesn't offer, $6.49/month student bundle with Disney+ well under Netflix's cheapest tier, but content library is US-only vs Netflix's global catalog

- Wins: Next-day streaming of current-season broadcast and cable TV episodes, a library category Netflix doesn't match · Student bundle with Disney+ costs $6.49/month with ads, below Netflix's $8.99/month cheapest tier · Disney+/Hulu Bundle (With Ads) at $12.99/month covers two services' libraries for close to Netflix's Standard with Ads price
- Loses: Content library is US-only, unlike Netflix's globally available catalog · No clearly marketed ad-free standalone Hulu plan; ad-free viewing effectively requires the pricier Disney+ bundle · Hulu + Live TV starts at $89.99/month, a significant jump from the on-demand-only plans, with no equivalent live-TV tier from Netflix
- Pros: Next-day access to current-season episodes from major broadcast and cable networks.; Disney+/Hulu bundle pricing ($12.99-$19.99/month) is cheaper than subscribing to both services separately.; Student bundle at $6.49/month with ads is one of the lowest-cost entry points among major streamers.; Hulu + Live TV combines on-demand library, live channels, and cloud DVR in one subscription.
- Cons: No clearly marketed ad-free standalone Hulu plan; ad-free viewing effectively requires the pricier Disney+ bundle.; Hulu + Live TV starts at $89.99/month, a significant jump from the on-demand-only plans.; Content library is US-only, unlike globally available competitors such as Netflix.; Bundle pricing structure with Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited adds complexity when comparing plans.
- **Pricing:** From $11.99/mo (verified undefined NaN, NaN) — $11.99/month standalone (or $12.99/month Disney+/Hulu Bundle) vs Netflix's $8.99/month Standard with Ads
- Details: https://findalternative.to/hulu/about
- Head-to-head: [Hulu vs Netflix](https://findalternative.to/compare/hulu-vs-netflix)
- 4 alternatives to Hulu: https://findalternative.to/hulu

## 4. Apple TV — best Netflix alternative for viewers who prioritize a small library of high-quality, awards-caliber original series and films over a large licensed catalog, especially those already inside the Apple hardware ecosystem

Apple TV+ is the best Netflix alternative for viewers who want an entirely ad-free service with no ad-supported tier to accidentally end up on, unlike Netflix, where the cheapest Standard with Ads plan at $8.99/month still carries advertising. Apple TV+ costs $12.99/month after a 7-day free trial, cheaper than Netflix's ad-free Standard at $19.99/month, and family sharing for up to six people is included at no additional cost, compared with Netflix's extra-member add-ons costing $7.99-$9.99/month each. Apple TV+ carries awards-winning originals like Severance and Ted Lasso and added live sports in 2026 (MLB Friday Night Baseball, with Formula 1 and MLS planned). Netflix is still the clearly better choice for viewers who want a large, frequently refreshed library rather than a small slate of prestige originals: Apple TV+ carries almost no licensed back-catalog, so its content library is far smaller than Netflix's, and subscribers who exhaust the current original slate can find themselves with gaps between new releases that Netflix's much larger catalog avoids.

Compared to Netflix: entirely ad-free on every plan vs Netflix's ad-supported cheapest tier, cheaper ad-free price ($12.99/month vs $19.99/month), family sharing for 6 people included free vs Netflix's paid extra-member add-ons

- Wins: Every plan is ad-free, unlike Netflix's cheapest Standard with Ads tier at $8.99/month · Costs $12.99/month, well under Netflix's $19.99/month ad-free Standard plan · Family sharing for up to 6 people is included at no extra cost, vs Netflix's $7.99-$9.99/month per extra-member add-ons
- Loses: Content library is far smaller than Netflix's since Apple TV+ carries almost no licensed back-catalog · New releases arrive in limited volume, leading to gaps between must-watch content that Netflix's larger library avoids · Live sports coverage (MLB, planned F1/MLS) is currently US-only
- Pros: Ad-free viewing on every plan, with no ad-supported tier to opt out of.; Available on nearly every platform: Apple devices, smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, consoles, Android, Windows, and web.; Family sharing for up to six people included at no additional cost.; High-profile, awards-winning original content (Severance, Ted Lasso) not available elsewhere.
- Cons: Small content library compared to Netflix, Max, or Prime Video, since there is almost no licensed back-catalog.; New releases arrive weekly but in limited volume, leading to gaps between must-watch content.; Live sports coverage (MLB, planned F1/MLS) is currently U.S.-only.; Best value requires bundling into Apple One rather than paying standalone, adding complexity for non-Apple-ecosystem users.
- **Pricing:** From $12.99/mo (verified undefined NaN, NaN) — $12.99/month standalone vs Netflix's $19.99/month Standard (No Ads)
- Details: https://findalternative.to/apple-tv/about
- Head-to-head: [Apple TV vs Netflix](https://findalternative.to/compare/apple-tv-vs-netflix)
- 5 alternatives to Apple TV: https://findalternative.to/apple-tv

## 5. Max — best Netflix alternative for HBO and Warner Bros. film fans already inside the Warner Bros. Discovery ecosystem who also want in-app access to NBA, MLB, and NCAA March Madness without a separate cable package

Max is the best Netflix alternative for viewers who want HBO's prestige scripted library and Warner Bros. theatrical films combined with in-app live sports, a combination Netflix's library doesn't include. Max's Basic with Ads plan costs $10.99/month, close to Netflix's $8.99/month Standard with Ads, and its ad-free Standard tier at $18.49/month undercuts Netflix's $19.99/month ad-free Standard while adding live NBA, MLB, and NCAA March Madness coverage during their respective seasons, content Netflix doesn't carry at all. Max also sells a Disney+/Hulu/Max bundle at $19.99/month with ads, combining three services' libraries for close to Netflix's own Standard with Ads price. Netflix is still the better choice for viewers most concerned with reliability: Trustpilot reviewers rate Max around 1.3/5, citing frequent buffering, forced sign-outs, and playback progress that doesn't sync across sessions, complaints that don't appear at the same scale in Netflix's own reviewer feedback, and Max has no standalone desktop app for Windows or macOS, with desktop access limited to a browser.

Compared to Netflix: cheaper ad-free tier ($18.49/month vs $19.99/month), in-app live NBA, MLB, and NCAA March Madness coverage Netflix doesn't offer, but a 1.3/5 Trustpilot rating driven by buffering and sign-out complaints

- Wins: Ad-free Standard tier costs $18.49/month vs Netflix's $19.99/month Standard (No Ads) · In-app live NBA, MLB, NCAA March Madness, NHL, and college football during their seasons, none of which Netflix carries · Combines HBO originals, Warner Bros. theatrical films, DC, and Discovery factual content in one subscription
- Loses: Trustpilot rating sits around 1.3/5, with buffering, forced sign-outs, and lost playback progress as the most common complaints · No standalone desktop app for Windows or macOS; desktop access is browser-only · Ads still appear on select live and linear content even on the ad-free Standard and Premium tiers
- Pros: One app for HBO originals, Warner Bros. theatrical releases, DC, Cartoon Network, and Discovery factual content.; Ad-free Standard and Premium tiers support 4K/HDR playback and up to 100 offline downloads.; In-app live sports: NBA, MLB, NCAA March Madness, NHL, and college football during their seasons.; Cheaper bundle pricing available with Disney+ and Hulu.
- Cons: Trustpilot rating around 1.3/5, with buffering, forced sign-outs, and lost playback progress as the most common complaints.; No standalone desktop app for Windows or macOS; desktop access is browser-only.; Ads still appear on select live and linear content even on ad-free Standard and Premium plans.; No permanently free tier; Basic with Ads still costs $10.99/month.
- **Pricing:** From $10.99/mo (verified undefined NaN, NaN) — $18.49/month Standard (mostly ad-free) vs Netflix's $19.99/month Standard (No Ads)
- Details: https://findalternative.to/max/about
- 6 alternatives to Max: https://findalternative.to/max

## Which one fits you?

- You want Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars content bundled with Hulu or ESPN → **Disney+**
- You're already an Amazon Prime member and want streaming bundled with free shipping → **Prime Video**
- You want next-day access to current-season network TV episodes → **Hulu**
- You want a service that's entirely ad-free on every plan, with no ad-supported tier at all → **Apple TV**
- You want in-app live NBA, MLB, or NCAA March Madness alongside HBO originals → **Max**
- You want family sharing for up to 6 people included at no extra cost → **Apple TV**

## FAQ

### Is there a free alternative to Netflix?

No — none of the five alternatives listed here (Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV+, Max) offer a permanently free tier, matching Netflix's own lack of a free plan; all require a paid subscription from the first month.

### What is the closest alternative to Netflix?

Disney+ is the closest overall match in scale and originals investment, with an ad-free Premium plan at $18.99/month that undercuts Netflix's $19.99/month ad-free Standard while adding the option to bundle Hulu or ESPN under one login.

### Can Disney+ replace Netflix?

Yes for households that mainly want Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content, especially bundled with Hulu's general-entertainment library. Viewers who want the largest, most frequently refreshed general catalog should stay on Netflix, since Disney+'s library is limited to Disney-owned franchises outside its bundle tiers.

### Which Netflix alternative has the best live sports coverage?

Max, which carries in-app live NBA, MLB, NCAA March Madness, NHL, and college football during their respective seasons, none of which Netflix's library includes at all.

### Is there a completely ad-free Netflix alternative?

Yes — Apple TV+ has no ad-supported tier at all, at $12.99/month, cheaper than Netflix's own ad-free Standard plan at $19.99/month, though its content library is far smaller since it carries almost no licensed back-catalog.

### Why do people look for Netflix alternatives?

Netflix has raised US prices three times in under two years, pushing its top tier to $26.99/month, and even its cheapest Standard with Ads plan at $8.99/month still carries advertising, with no free trial available to evaluate the service first.

## Related

- [Netflix alternatives for Web](https://findalternative.to/netflix/for/web) (5)
- [Netflix alternatives for iOS](https://findalternative.to/netflix/for/ios) (5)
- [Netflix alternatives for Android](https://findalternative.to/netflix/for/android) (5)
- [Netflix vs Apple TV](https://findalternative.to/compare/apple-tv-vs-netflix)
- [Netflix vs Disney+](https://findalternative.to/compare/disney-vs-netflix)
- [Netflix vs Hulu](https://findalternative.to/compare/hulu-vs-netflix)
- [Netflix vs Prime Video](https://findalternative.to/compare/netflix-vs-prime-video)
- [Video Streaming](https://findalternative.to/categories/video-streaming)

---

Markdown mirror of https://findalternative.to/netflix — findalternative.to, honestly ranked software alternatives. AI info: https://findalternative.to/ai