15 Best Netflix Alternatives in 2026: Save Up to $240/Year

Streaming costs have quietly crept up — Netflix alone now runs $17–$23/month depending on your plan, adding up to over $240/year. Whether you want live TV, free ad-supported content, or niche libraries, there are strong alternatives worth knowing about. If you haven't already explored getting Netflix for free, that's worth a look too — but these 15 services cover every budget and taste. Per A Good Movie to Watch, several of these still offer free trials, making it easy to test before you commit. Ready to find your perfect Netflix replacement?

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Summary Table

15 Best Netflix Alternatives in 2026: Save Up to $240/Year

Below you'll find detailed information about each option, including what makes them unique and their key benefits.

1. Disney Plus

Disney Plus is one of the most popular Netflix alternatives for families and franchise fans, offering an enormous library of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars content. Plans start at $7.99/month (with ads) or $13.99/month (ad-free), making it competitively priced for the volume of content available.

Key features:

• Ad-supported plan: $7.99/month; ad-free: $13.99/month
• Exclusive Marvel and Star Wars originals not available elsewhere
• Strong family-friendly catalog including classic Disney animation

2. Sling TV

Sling TV works as a Netflix substitute for viewers who miss live television, offering cable-style channel bundles at a fraction of traditional cable costs. It's especially useful if you want live sports, news, and network TV without a full cable contract. Base plans start at $40/month for either the Orange or Blue package.

What you get:

• Orange or Blue plan: $40/month each; both combined: $55/month
• 30+ live channels including ESPN, CNN, and HGTV
• No annual contract required

3. Peacock

Peacock is a strong streaming service swap for Netflix, particularly for NBC content, classic TV shows, and live sports including NFL games and the Olympics. It offers a free ad-supported tier, making it one of the few legitimate no-cost options among major streaming platforms. Premium plans start at $7.99/month.

Notable perks:

• Free tier available with ads (limited content)
• Premium: $7.99/month; Premium Plus (no ads): $13.99/month
• Includes live NFL games, WWE, and Premier League soccer

4. Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus is a strong Netflix alternative for fans of live sports, news, and CBS content. It offers a deep library of movies and shows from Paramount, MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon, making it a solid pick if you want broader entertainment variety without paying Netflix prices.

Key features:

• Essential plan starts at $7.99/month (with ads); ad-free at $13.99/month
• Includes live NFL, UEFA Champions League, and CBS News
• Exclusive originals like Tulsa King and Halo

5. Hulu

Hulu stands out among streaming alternatives because it combines next-day TV episodes with an on-demand library and optional live TV — something Netflix doesn't offer at all. If you miss current network shows or want one platform to replace both cable and Netflix, Hulu is worth a serious look.

What you get:

• On-demand plan from $7.99/month (with ads) or $17.99/month ad-free
• Live TV add-on available at $82.99/month (includes 90+ channels)
• Next-day access to ABC, NBC, Fox, and FX shows

6. Max

Max (formerly HBO Max) is one of the best premium subscription services for viewers who want prestige TV and blockbuster films without staying on Netflix. It carries HBO's full catalog — including The Wire, Succession, and new Warner Bros. theatrical releases — giving it a reputation for higher-quality content per title.

Notable perks:

• Plans start at $9.99/month (with ads); ad-free at $15.99/month
• Day-and-date Warner Bros. film releases included
• Strong original series library with critically acclaimed titles

7. Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is a strong Netflix alternative for viewers who prioritize premium, award-winning originals over a massive content library. At $9.99/month, it offers a smaller but consistently high-quality catalog including hits like Severance, Ted Lasso, and The Morning Show. New Apple device purchases often include a free trial period, making it easy to test before committing.

Key details:

• $9.99/month; free 3-month trial with new Apple device purchase
• No ads on any plan
• Works on non-Apple devices including smart TVs and Roku

8. Amazon Prime Video

For anyone already paying for Amazon Prime ($14.99/month), Prime Video is essentially a built-in streaming service that competes directly with Netflix on both originals and licensed content. Standout titles include The Boys, Reacher, and Fallout. Standalone video-only access costs $8.99/month, undercutting Netflix's entry-level tier.

What you get:

• Included with Prime membership ($14.99/month) or $8.99/month standalone
• Add-on channels available (Paramount+, MGM+, etc.)
• Offline downloads on mobile devices

9. Tubi

Tubi is one of the best completely free Netflix alternatives, supported by ads rather than a subscription fee. It hosts over 20,000 movies and TV episodes spanning horror, classics, documentaries, and more. While it lacks blockbuster originals, the zero-cost access makes it ideal for budget-conscious cord-cutters who don't want another monthly bill.

Notable perks:

• 100% free — no credit card or subscription required
• Available on most major streaming devices and smart TVs
• Ad-supported with shorter breaks than traditional cable

10. AMC+

AMC+ serves as a Netflix alternative for fans of premium drama, horror, and prestige television who want access to content unavailable on mainstream platforms. It bundles AMC's acclaimed originals like The Walking Dead universe and Better Call Saul alongside BBC America, IFC, and Shudder content. At around $8.99/month, it's a focused, genre-rich option for viewers tired of broad-catalog services.

What you get:

• Ad-free streaming with early episode access
• Includes Shudder (horror) and Sundance Now content
• Available on most major streaming devices

11. BritBox

BritBox is a strong Netflix substitute specifically for fans of British television, offering the largest collection of UK content available in North America. It features classic and current BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 programming — from Doctor Who to Vera — that rarely appears on other platforms. Priced at $8.99/month, it targets a niche audience underserved by general streaming services.

Notable perks:

• 7-day free trial available
• Exclusive access to new UK series often before US broadcast
• Deep archive of classic British comedies and dramas

12. Discovery+

Discovery+ fills a gap that Netflix largely ignores: non-fiction, documentary, and reality programming at scale. With content from Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, and Animal Planet all in one place, it's a practical streaming swap for households that prefer real-world content over scripted shows. Plans start at $4.99/month with ads or $8.99/month ad-free, making it one of the more affordable options. You can also find it included in certain streaming service bundles to maximize value.

Key features:

• 55,000+ episodes across lifestyle, science, and true crime genres
• Ad-supported tier available at lower cost

13. Mubi

Mubi is a curated streaming platform that serves as a strong Netflix alternative for cinephiles who want quality over quantity. Instead of an overwhelming library, Mubi offers a rotating selection of 30 hand-picked arthouse, independent, and classic films at any given time. It's an ideal choice if you're tired of scrolling endlessly and want thoughtfully selected cinema from around the world.

Key details:

• Plans start at around $10.99/month with a free trial available
• Focuses on international films, festival favorites, and director retrospectives
• Ad-free viewing with no filler content

14. Pluto TV

Pluto TV is a completely free, ad-supported streaming service that makes a compelling case as a no-cost substitute for paid platforms like Netflix. It offers 250+ live TV channels and an on-demand library covering news, movies, reality TV, and classic series. If your main goal is cutting your streaming bill to zero, Pluto TV delivers a cable-like experience without any subscription fee.

What you get:

• 100% free — no credit card or sign-up required to browse
• 250+ live channels plus on-demand movies and shows
• Available on smart TVs, mobile, and web

15. Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is the go-to streaming alternative for anime fans who find Netflix's anime catalog too limited. It hosts the largest dedicated anime and manga library available, with simulcast episodes airing the same day as Japan. If anime is your primary viewing interest, Crunchyroll offers far greater depth and breadth than any general-purpose streaming service.

Key details:

• Free tier available with ads; premium plans start at $7.99/month
• 1,000+ anime series including current simulcasts and classic titles
• Dubbed and subtitled options for most major series

Final Words

Whether you need ad-supported freebies, live TV bundles, or niche streaming libraries, these 15 picks prove there's life beyond Netflix — explore free movie apps first if budget is your priority.