Netflix has been a leader in the streaming industry for a long time, but it’s not the only platform offering great content. Whether you're looking for a wider variety of shows, different content categories, or free options, there are plenty of alternatives to explore. Here's a list of 20 alternatives to Netflix, each with unique features.
- AZMovies AZMovies is special for having large collections of free and good quality movies and TV shows. The platform has fast streaming, less advertisement, and a simple and easy interface that makes it a perfect alternative for 123Movies. AZMovies is among the top 123Movies alternatives in which users can stream their favorite movies. There is an addition of new movies every week, some globally popular, and some of the top-rated movies by viewers. AZMovies helps you stay updated with the latest trending titles on legal streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Hulu, and more.
Features:
Movie ratings from leading sites.
Search for movies
Get specific information about any movie; including ratings, cast, movie trailers, similar movies, and much more.
- Amazon Prime Video It houses an immense library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and Amazon Originals. Its high-quality content comes in various genres and niche categories. Apart from these benefits, the subscription will give the viewer access to other additional advantages like free shipping on all products available on Amazon.
Features:
Only original Amazon shows are exclusive to it.
Supports 4K streaming
Available with a rent and buy option for the movie not found in the subscription.
- Hulu is known for its huge collection of TV shows, with a robust selection of current episodes. It also has a rapidly growing library of movies, original content, and documentaries. The ability to watch shows from major networks the day after they air is a huge selling point for Hulu.
Features:
Watch the latest episodes of popular TV shows.
Stream live TV (with Hulu + Live TV plan).
Great selection of original content.
- Disney+ is the ultimate streaming platform for Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic fans. It contains a variety of movies, animated classics, and exclusive series from the franchises that everyone loves.
Features:
Access to exclusive Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and National Geographic content.
Ability to stream in 4K.
Family-friendly content.
- Peacock - Peacock features a variety of movies, TV shows, sports, and news. Owned by NBCUniversal, it's great for those interested in classic sitcoms, NBC shows, and live sports. There is a free tier that includes ads, and a paid tier with even more content.
Features:
There are free and premium subscription tiers.
It contains access to NBCUniversal content.
There are also exclusive shows and live sports.
- HBO Max: HBO Max houses thousands of movies, TV series, documentaries, and more HBO originals. It's home to all A-list movies, with all Warner Bros. films newly available and all of HBO's content.
Features
Has access to HBO originals and Warner Bros. movies.
It streams some selected contents in 4K.
Has new movie releases immediately after release.
- Apple TV+: is Apple's original programming service; Apple TV+ provides high-quality, unique, exclusive TV shows and films. It is highly price-effective to enjoy all premium content from Apple.
Features:
High-quality, unique, exclusive shows and movies.
4K HDR content is available.
Low subscription cost.
- Tubi - Tubi is a totally free streaming platform with a wide library of movies and TV shows. The site is ad-supported but has a high-quality range of content that includes action, comedy, and drama.
Features:
Free with ads.
Huge library of movies and TV shows.
Available in a wide range of genres.
- Crunchyroll: Crunchyroll is the go-to streaming service for anime fans. It offers a huge collection of anime series, films, and simulcasts from Japan. It’s the perfect alternative for fans of anime, with both free and premium subscription options.
Features:
Vast library of anime titles.
Simulcasts directly from Japan.
Free tier with ads and premium tier.
- Vudu: Vudu is a digital rental and purchase service that offers a wide variety of movies and TV shows. It allows users to rent or buy movies and TV shows on demand, as well as free content with ads.
Features
Rent or buy movies and TV shows
Free ad-supported content
HD and 4K streaming.
- Shudder: Shudder is ideal for horror movie fans as it has a rich, curated listing of horror films, thrillers, and documentaries. It is suitable for those who love spooky and supernatural content with exclusive titles and niche genres.
Features
There are exclusively available horror movies and TV shows.
Curated by genre and theme
Free trial period.
- FuboTV: FuboTV is a sports-focused live TV streaming service. It has plenty of live sports channels, plus movies and shows. It gives users a great premium viewing experience, especially to sports enthusiasts.
Features
It has extensive coverage of live sports.
It features live TV channels and movies.
It has more than one plan for subscription based on the requirement.
- Paramount+ - Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access) offers access to a broad range of movies, TV shows, and live sports, including CBS Originals, Showtime content, and a plethora of classic films.
Features
Access to CBS Originals and Showtime content.
Live TV and sports.
Streaming of classic Paramount movies.
- Sling TV - Sling TV is a flexible live TV streaming service that offers various packages according to interest. It's an affordable option for those who want live TV channels along with a large library of on-demand content.
Features:
Live TV with a variety of channels.
On-demand movies and TV shows.
Customizable plans based on interests.
- Kanopy - Kanopy is a streaming service free on public libraries or college campuses. The service boasts classic films, documentaries, and independent films. Some of it is educational as well.
Pros:
Free
Great selection of high-quality indies and docs
Educational.
- The Roku Channel - The Roku Channel offers free movies and TV shows, along with premium subscription options. It’s a great platform for casual viewing, providing a variety of genres and on-demand content.
Features:
Free movies and TV shows with ads.
Premium subscription options available.
Offers on-demand content and live TV.
- FandangoNOW - FandangoNOW is a digital service that allows renting and buying movies and TV shows in HD and 4K. It's connected to the Fandango movie ticketing system, which enables users to buy or rent the latest releases.
Features
Rent or buy the latest movies and TV shows.
It provides 4K HDR streaming.
It is integrated with Fandango for movie ticket purchases.
- BritBox - BritBox is a British television network that specializes in classic British TV shows, films, and original content from the BBC and ITV.
Features:
Extensive library of British TV shows and movies.
Exclusive BritBox Originals.
Content from major UK broadcasters.
- Mub - i Mubi is a niche, streaming service aimed at cinephiles, curated with a great selection of international, critically acclaimed films. It has a changing film list as each film spends only a few days on the platform, providing a great environment for film fans to discover their new favorites.
Features:
Films are selected and curated
Art-house, independent, international cinema
Added daily.
- Netflix (Basic Plan) - Even though Netflix itself is the most obvious choice, its basic plan offers a more limited amount of content at a lower price point. It's ideal for someone who wants to enjoy Netflix's vast library but at a cheaper rate.
Features:
Access to Netflix's content library.
Features are limited on the basic plan.
Streaming is allowed on only one device.
Read Also:- Top 10 Netflix Alternatives to Check in 2025
What is the cost of making video streaming app like netflix?
Creating a video streaming app like Netflix involves multiple stages, and the cost can vary greatly depending on the complexity, features, and platform (iOS, Android, Web). Below is a breakdown of the estimated costs involved in developing a video streaming app like Netflix.
Stage/Category | Estimated Cost Range (USD) | Details |
1. App Concept and Design | $5,000 - $20,000 | Wireframing, UI/UX design, and prototyping. |
2. App Development (Frontend) | $15,000 - $100,000 | Front-end development for user interface (iOS, Android, or Web). |
3. App Development (Backend) | $20,000 - $150,000 | Server-side development, APIs, database setup, and security. |
4. Video Streaming Integration | $10,000 - $50,000 | Implementing video streaming protocols (HLS, DASH), CDN integration. |
5. Cloud Hosting/Storage | $1,000 - $50,000/month | Cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud) for video storage, hosting, and scalability. |
6. Content Delivery Network (CDN) | $2,000 - $10,000/month | Delivery of content globally, ensuring fast streaming speeds. |
7. Subscription & Payment Integration | $5,000 - $20,000 | Implementing secure payment gateways (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, in-app purchases). |
8. Security & Encryption | $5,000 - $20,000 | Implementing DRM (Digital Rights Management), encryption, and security features. |
9. User Authentication & Profiles | $5,000 - $15,000 | User login system (email, social media), account management. |
10. Testing & QA | $5,000 - $30,000 | Extensive quality assurance, bug fixing, and app optimization. |
11. Marketing & Launch | $5,000 - $50,000 | Marketing campaigns, app store fees, and promotional materials. |
12. Ongoing Maintenance | $5,000 - $20,000/month | Continuous updates, bug fixes, and server maintenance. |
Cost Breakdown Based on Total Features and Complexity for Each Platform:
Platform/Complexity | Basic App | Medium App | Advanced App |
iOS App | $50,000 - $100,000 | $100,000 - $200,000 | $200,000 - $500,000+ |
Android App | $50,000 - $100,000 | $100,000 - $200,000 | $200,000 - $500,000+ |
Web App | $20,000 - $50,000 | $50,000 - $100,000 | $100,000 - $300,000 |
Cross-platform (iOS & Android) | $75,000 - $200,000 | $150,000 - $350,000 | $300,000 - $700,000 |
Cost Breakdown Based on Complexity:
Complexity Level | Estimated Cost Range (USD) | Description |
Basic App (Minimal Features) | $50,000 - $100,000 | Simple video streaming, user login, and basic content browsing. |
Medium App (Moderate Features) | $100,000 - $300,000 | Includes advanced search, user profiles, playlists, basic video recommendations. |
Advanced App (Full-Featured) | $300,000 - $2,000,000+ | Full Netflix-like experience with offline downloads, multi-device support, and advanced recommendations. |
Cost Breakdown by Platform:
Platform | Estimated Cost Range (USD) | Description |
iOS App | $30,000 - $150,000 | Development of a native iOS app (Swift/Objective-C). Optimized for Apple devices. |
Android App | $30,000 - $150,000 | Development of a native Android app (Kotlin/Java). Optimized for Android devices. |
Web App | $20,000 - $100,000 | A responsive web app developed using HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript (React, Angular, etc.). |
Cross-platform App (React Native, Flutter) | $40,000 - $250,000 | iOS and Android app development platforms using a single codebase. Faster development time but may require customizations for specific platform features. |
Building an alternative Netflix will require the very best development partnership to make the whole project successful. The best way to come up with a Netflix-like app is by working with an experienced and skilled development team that understands the subtleties of creating high-quality, user-friendly, and scalable applications. This is what Helpful Insight offers.
Why choose Helpful Insight for developing Netflix Alternatives?
Cross-Platform App Development
The new streaming platform needs an application that smoothly operates on all devices. This can be made possible with native iOS, Android, and web applications, thus the team making sure that the app runs great on various platforms. This development team can handle creating native mobile apps as well as responsive web apps for the browser. They are not just that; they use cross-platform solutions with React Native and Flutter to cut the time and the cost of the development, ensuring that the app works fine on iOS and Android platforms.
Advanced Video Streaming Technology
In order for a streaming app to compete with Netflix, quality video streaming has to be observed. The development team is also experienced in the integration of all cutting-edge technologies like HLS and DASH that make for smooth and high-quality video playback. They can include features such as HD/4K streaming, adaptive streaming so that video quality is based on the user's internet speed, and multi-device synchronization for ease of transition between devices.
User Authentication and Personalization
A Netflix alternative should contain strong user authentication and personalization components. With secure login systems, multiple user profiles, and AI-driven content requests, the development team can ensure that content is delivered in a customized fashion to users. Features like biometric authentication which features fingerprint or face recognition-will keep the user more entertained when they get specific content related to their preferences.
Monetization Models
Making a Netflix alternative profitable would require various monetization strategies. Be it a subscription model, an ad-integrated model, or a pay-per-view model, the development team can help integrate these features. They can develop subscription models with multiple tiers such as basic, premium, and family plans; integrate ad-supported models for free users; and implement pay-per-view for on-demand content while ensuring secure and smooth payment processing.
CMS
Content is what makes or breaks a successful streaming platform. The development team can create an awesome Content Management System (CMS), which helps in uploading and categorizing the content easily along with real-time library updates. It can be combined with highly advanced Digital Rights Management (DRM) so that the contents of the site cannot be pirated, keeping all the high-value media items secure from unwanted distribution.
Security and Encryption
Security is one of the top priorities, especially with sensitive user data and exclusive content. The team ensures that the endpoint will be secure with end-to-end encryption that guards all information of the user, their payment, and video content from unauthorized access. They also have 2FA and state-of-the-art DRM solutions to secure user accounts and stop piracy.
Scalable Infrastructure and Cloud Integration
Scalability will be one of the significant factors when dealing with an increasing number of users, yet it must be ensured that streaming remains smooth. The development team ensures fast content delivery and minimizes load times for users around the globe by integrating cloud storage solutions like AWS and Google Cloud with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). Auto-scaling features are also in place to ensure that spikes in traffic do not affect performance.
Analytics and Reporting Tools
Continuous improvement in the app will require understanding user behavior and performance observation. Advanced analytics tools will be implemented, which will follow user engagement, monitor streaming quality, and analyze revenue generation. Using this data, the owners of the apps can make profitable decisions about future content, feature updates, and monetization plans to further improve user retention.
Post-Launch Support and Maintenance
It doesn't stop there. With the creation of the app itself, post-launch support will enable any bugs directly to be noted and fixed within the inclusion of all new added features and their bug fixes too. Regular releases and user commentaries ensure keeping the platform current with what people expect. In addition, there is App Store Optimization, a feature that permits users to be able to easily find the application and thus can expose its truerst qualities.
Read Also:- Cost to Develop A Mobile App: Comparing Native, Cross-Platform & Hybrid Apps
Conclusion
By partnering with a skilled development team, businesses can successfully create a Netflix alternative that not only matches the demands of today’s streaming consumers but also offers unique features and experiences that set it apart from the competition. With expertise in everything from cross-platform development to scalable cloud solutions, the team is well-equipped to deliver a secure, high-quality, and user-friendly app. Whether you're looking to build a niche streaming service or a full-fledged entertainment platform, this team provides the resources, technology, and support to bring the project to life.