The centerpiece of home entertainment is the video being
displayed. Forget about spinning discs, it's the online streaming apps that
make it possible to watch TV shows and movies without having to totally depend
on a television. But what sets each of the online streaming app's from each
other are the features they have. So here's the 10 best online streaming apps
that you can get and use today for entertaining you.
Netflix is a subscription based streaming service that
provides both TV shows, movies, documentaries as well as original content. It
can be accessed through tablets and smartphones, as well as computers,
stand-alone streaming devices, set-top boxes, gaming consoles and Smart
TVs. 4K and Full HD resolution is
available, depending on the specific content to be viewed and the plan. There
is a subscription cost of $9.99 monthly, without commercials, for the plan
which includes HD and up to 2 screens viewed simultaneously. There is also a
$7.99 plan that allows only viewing one screen at a time in standard-definition
and a $11.99 monthly plan that includes 4K resolution and up to 4 screens at
once for viewing.
Movies, TV shows, documentaries and other content/original
content can be watched from a variety of devices -- such as tablets and
smartphones, as well as computers, stand-alone streaming devices, set-top
boxes, gaming consoles and Smart TVs. 4K resolution is available, along with
Full HD, depending on the specific content being watched. There are no
commercials, and the service is included for those who have paid the yearly $99
fee for the Prime delivery service (or $10.99 monthly).
The DirectTV Now app allows users to watch a select number
of live broadcast/cable channels, depending on the subscription package chosen
(beginning at $35.00). One does not have to be a DirecTV satellite subscriber
in order to use the service. The app can be used on smartphones/tablets as well
as on streaming devices and computers. Full HD resolution is available.
Hulu presents current television programs (with
commercials/$7.99 monthly, without commercials/$11.99 monthly) from the major
networks as well as a select number of cable channels the day after they have
aired. Also presented are movies and original content. Live TV is also offered,
at a cost of $40 monthly for accessing a select number of broadcast and cable
channels. Content is available in Full HD and 4K. The HULU app is available for
smartphones and tablets as well as computers, the Apple TV, Xbox One and
Amazon’s Fire TV and Fire TV Stick.
Live TV channels are provided in a number of channel packages,
beginning at $20 for 30+ select channels. Movies are also available to watch in
both standard and high-definition (HD). Sling TV can be viewed on
smartphones/tablets, laptops and computers, select gaming consoles and select
streaming devices.
This live streaming TV service provides multi-channel plans
for broadcast/cable networks, as well as the options for premium channels and a
"Cloud" based DVR. There are no annual contracts and subscription
packages start at $39.99 monthly. Resolution is available in Full HD and access
can be obtained through a smartphone/tablet app, as well as other devices such
as the PlayStation 4, Android TV and Roku streaming devices. Additionally, you
can stream to up to 5 devices simultaneously.
The app enables viewers to watch a wide number of TV shows
and movies, which comes in addition to those found exclusively on HBO. Content
is available in Full HD and can be accessed from smartphones/tablets, laptops
and computers, select gaming consoles and select streaming devices. There is a
flat fee of $14.99 monthly.
Paid membership of $9.99 monthly provides commercial free
viewing across YouTube, YouTube Music and YouTube gaming. There are other
benefits, including being able to save videos and songs to mobile devices for
offline access. The streaming service is available on smartphones/tablets,
computers and TVs.
A free service found on the web, Crackle offers a select
number of movies, TV series as well as original content. Content is available
in Full HD.
A free service with ads found on the web, Popcornflix offers
free movies and TV shows. Content is available in standard definition and can
be accessed through the web as well as an app on smartphones, tablets,
streaming devices such as Roku and game consoles such as Xbox One and
PlayStation 4.
