Tech writers rate Apple TV, Disney+, NowTV and more as Prime Video ups prices
Tapping into your favourite TV series, the latest Hollywood blockbuster film or documentary will cost the average streaming user a lot more this 2024 compared to a few years ago, as sites like Disney and Amazon up their rates. With various binge-worthy programmes usually available on different sites it can be tricky to know which subscriptions to opt for.
There's nothing worse than locking into an online streaming plan to catch the latest episodes of your favourite show to be stuck on what to watch once the series comes to an end. And locking into Netflix, Disney+, Now TV, Apple TV, Prime Video (to name a few) may simply be out of budget.
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Especially if you're a fan of Prime Video, as the site has announced it'll hike your monthly bill by an extra £2.99 if you want to skip adverts. Which is why we've rounded up our tech team's tried and tested streaming apps, how much it'll cost you per month and what you can watch.
Comparing what's on at Prime Video, Now TV, Apple TV, Disney+, and more may lead you to a cheaper deal. As we round-up our favourites below.
Amazon Prime Video
Prime Video (NurPhoto via Getty Images)Sign up here to get one month of Prime Video for FREE
Starting with the recently changed Prime Video, that'll now charge you an extra £2.99 if you want to avoid adverts. Up until now users have been able to avoid the inevitable adverts and the new introduction will even interupt films. Although, you'll still be able to make the most of its free trial period.
It may just be the reason why we rave about Prime Video so much, users can sign up for free for the first 30-day to see if they enjoy the content, and leave after the period without any exit fees.
As Harriet Morphy-Morris, our Mirror tech writer shares why she uses it: "I have to admit the increased bill to ditch adverts is pretty annoying but something I'm prepared to sit through to keep my monthly rate at the same price. Prime Video is probably my go-to app, it's set up on my TV at home and when flying it's super easy to download series to play on my phone.
"It's also been home to some of my favourite series like Clarkson's Farm, Reacher, The Grand Tour and The Boys. There's also a wide range of new films available to rent if you don't quite feel like spending a night out at a busy cinema, at home we've recently watched The Hunger Games: The Ballard of Songbirds & Snakes.
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"When the latest episodes of The Kardashians or Below Deck are added to Hayu I quickly add this to my Prime subscription too, it costs a little more a month but it's so simple to do and means I can watch all the gossip and drama in one place."
Apple TV
Jake Gyllenhaal stars in a new thriller coming to Apple TV this year (Apple TV+)- Get three FREE months of Apple TV+ when you buy a new iPhone 15, iPad or Mac.
Apple TV starts at £8.99 a month but an unmissable TV+ deal will get you three months of the service for free when you buy a brand new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac. Our very own TV expert Jake Hackney raves about Apple TV, and its the one streaming app he opts for.
As Jake said: "I feel like Apple TV+ stands head-and-shoulders above its competitors purely because of its high-quality content. While you can’t beat Netflix for a good old true-crime docuseries or blockbuster originals like Stranger Things, some of the shows Apple has dropped recently – and is set to drop this year – make signing up a no-brainer.
"Over the past couple of years it’s become clear how it has adopted the ‘quality over quantity’ approach. For me, Apple TV+ is the streamer for the cinephiles; whether you fancy a stylish noir-crime drama or a space-set sci-fi, it offers critically acclaimed content helmed by the best in the business.
"While it doesn’t churn out as much as some of its more established rivals, you only need to look at some of the huge names – Steven Spielberg, Kurt Russell and Colin Farrell to name a few – that are working with Apple to see what makes it so appealing. There’s also no adverts on the platform, making it even more attractive as other streamers introduce ads and higher price points."
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Disney+
Disney+ works out a lot cheaper if you buy a year plan upfront (DISNEY • GETTY)- Save £15.98 if you buy a year Disney+ subscription upfront or pay £7.99 a month
This may be a non-negotiable for Loki or Star Wars fans, Disney+ has risen in popularity thanks to its extension into Marvel, Pixar and Disney features. As Harriet explains: "This is another top streaming favourite of mine, coming a close second behind Prime Video. Although I don't use it for its obvious Disney, Star Wars or Loki series.
"Disney+ is my go-to for documentaries thanks to its intertwined National Geographic, it's not everyone's cup of tea but there are a handful of factual and educational documentaires I've really enjoyed watching in the past. Being a journalist I have always enjoyed this style of content over fictional films, and prefer getting clued up on real-life stories.
"My favourites so far have been The Rescue (the harrowing story of the Thailand boys football team and their recovery from the flooded cave), Jane (all about animal behaviourist Jane Goodall). Then of course outside of NatGeo there's the drama-filled Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story."
Now TV
The latest to hit NOW TV- Get Now TV from £6.99 a month including six month FREE trial of Cinema & Boost
Harriet says: "If you're a huge House of Dragon than you'll most probably have had a Now TV deal in the past, I've certainly just re-bought mine as I eagerly await season 2 that is expected to drop this summer.
"As a streaming fan I've never fully-locked into a set Virgin Media or Sky TV plan, so bundling up the likes of Prime Video, Now TV and Disney+ still works out a lot cheaper each month. And it's so much easier to watch from my phone."
YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium starts at £12 a month (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)- Take out a Vodafone SIM or phone plan and you can add YouTube Premium on an 'Entertainment Plan' - BUY HERE
Our resident tech and motoring writer, Gareth Butterfield, opts for YouTube when he feels like putting his feet up. He said: "For at least the last five years or so, I've always turned to YouTube for content. In fact, it's very rare now that I'll be found watching programmes on any of the terrestrial channels or the big streaming services.
"In case you're still dismissing YouTube as a website filled with amateur videos, think again. Many of the channels I've watched are created by TV stars who have abandoned the traditional media pathways and started their own YouTube channel - because it gives them more creative freedom and there's often more money to be had. Some of the bigger channels have huge budgets and the quality of the content can be exquisite.
"Motoring content is the main theme that runs through my "Watch Later" playlist but the fabulous thing about YouTube is that pretty much every hobby or interest is catered for. I love catching up with farming news, for example, and there are some brilliant farming channels. I quite like boating on the inland waterways - there's no shortage of canal boat content.
"I also like a crime documentary when I'm in the mood, and YouTube has a vast array of content to subscribe to. And it's also a brilliant platform on which to learn about the latest trends in consumer technology."
Gareth goes on to share a familiar bugbear with Youtube that like other streaming platforms is pretty hard to ignore.... adverts. It's what creators rely on to monetize their content but for those who use the service for free it does mean you get a few interrupting videos.
That's where YouTube premium comes in which you can sign up for £12 a month, it also gives you full access to YouTube premium too. And a quick look at Vodafone, you can add the usual £12 cost into your SIM or phone bundle.
"For me, that's worth every penny. YouTube won't give you access to the latest movies, and if you're hooked on some of the Netflix or Amazon Prime dramas you won't find them on YouTube and you'll have to pay separate subscriptions. So it won't suit everyone. But it suits me, and I can't imagine life without it", Gareth explained.
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