50 Best Streaming Services on iPhone

If you get the Sling TV's AMC+ extra, you're signing up for one of the most cost-efficient bundles of the cord-cutting era. For $8.99, you'll get AMC+ (which costs $4.99 as a standalone service), plus Shudder ($6.99 standalone), plus Sundance Now ($6.99 standalone), plus IFC Films Unlimited ($5.99). Name a better bundle deal. We'll wait.

Screambox as its name would indicate is a horror-themed streaming service that offers up a selection of chilling titles to keep you entertained through the darkest nights. They try to offer a mix of indie and classic movies and shows.

Like Vudu and Amazon, Row8 is a video rental service that gives users access to films that are currently screening in theaters and have yet to be available online. But perhaps unlike other rental services, Row8 prioritizes quality for quantity; it doesn't have as many titles, but it carefully curates its updated lineup, which is generally compromised of Hollywood blockbusters, indie darlings, and even some foreign films. The most interesting thing about Row8, though, is its "Movie Love Guarantee," which allows you to swap whatever movie you've rented or purchased for a different title within the first 30 minutes of viewing. This is to make sure that whatever you're watching, you're having a good time. Another nifty cost-saving feature? Upon your fourth rental or purchase, you get $1 off on all movies labeled "Home Cinema." It's worth checking out if you like watching the latest releases while saving a pretty penny. 

RetroCrush is a free streaming platform fully dedicated to vintage anime. If you're a hardcore fan in desperate search of a discontinued series, a 90s classic, or an obscure show that practically no one has heard of, chances are you'll find all of what you're looking for and more in this treasure trove of a platform. RetroCrush gives you access to a number of shows without charge, but if you want to stream even more titles ad-free, you can opt to sign up for a premium account that costs $4.99 a month, with a free 14-day-trial.

Rakuten TV (previously wuaki) is a Japanese-owned online streaming service that provides access to movies and TV shows—a heady mix of high-profile and independent media—either for a subscription fee or a rental fee.

Currently, it's only available in Japan and select countries in Europe, so if you're in the area and want a streaming service similar to Netflix, then this is for you. Launched in 2009, Rakuten TV offers subscriptions for $4.99/month for ad-supported content and $9.99/month for an ad-free plus pass.

Google Play Movies & TV, or simply Play, is a video-on-demand store that allows you to rent or purchase various films and TV shows online. A rental can cost as low as $1 (these are usually TV movies and old films) while purchases can cost up to $20 (these are often blockbusters that are fresh from theaters). Play lets you watch on most major streaming devices, but you have to remember to log in with the same account you used to purchase the titles. On your smartphone, you can access the titles via the Google TV or YouTube app, while on your smart TV, you can use access them via the Play, YouTube, or Movies Anywhere apps. You can also watch them via the Play website but do take note that Play doesn't offer HD and 4k viewing on PCs.

Philo Free is a completely free live TV streaming platform that carries more than 70 channels, including AMC Thrillers, BBC News, The Walking Dead Universe, and beIN Sports Extra, on top of on-demand films and TV shows. Like Philo's paid plan, Philo Free also offers DVR storage, though here it's limited to 30 days, as opposed to a year, and you can still create up to 10 custom profiles. You'll need an account to start watching Philo for free, as well as a compatible device, but you notably do not need to provide credit card information. In case you want more live channels or DVR storage, you can always upgrade your account to Philo Core, which is $25/month.

Peacock Premium Plus is the highest streaming tier Peacock offers, but it's still one of the cheapest packages you'll find right now. For just $14/month, you get access to a vast selection of TV shows (many from NBC and Bravo), movies, live channels, and of course, sports. Premium Plus subscribers also get offline downloads, ad-free viewing, and access to their local NBC channel.

If you're a carrier of the American Express Platinum Card, you'll be happy to know that you can get up to $20 in statement credits each month if you purchase a Peacock subscription using your card. Peacock has two plans: Premium, which costs $5.99/month and gives you access to NBC and Bravo shows, Peacock originals, sporting events, and live channels, Premium Plus, which costs $11.99/month. Plus has everything Premium has plus your local NBC channel, offline downloads, and zero ads. To get the Peacock and AMEX bundle, the rules are simple: you have to sign up directly on Peacock's website without using a third-party app or e-wallet, and you have to sign up for a standalone subscription. In other words, it shouldn't be part of a cable or other streaming service bundle. You'll also have to enroll your card on the AMEX website. Once all that's done, you can start getting your monthly $20 credit (or annual $240 credit). Just be sure to check that it's there; if it's still not posted 8 weeks after the date of purchase, you should call the number on the back of your card.

PBS channels around the country are free on television, and thanks to the PBS app, they're now free to stream as well. The PBS app gives you on-demand access to many of the network's famously educational shows, including Nova and PBS News Hour, as well as the nearest local station in your area. You don't need an account to start watching on the PBS app, although you might have to activate it beforehand. Again, PBS is free, but if you want to support your local PBS station and gain extended access to even more films and TV shows, then you can purchase a PBS Passport membership, which costs around $5/month or $60/year.

Live sports, news, and CBS round out the Paramount+ Premium package. But don’t fear — the vast Paramount streaming library of on-demand content is included as well. For the reasonable price of $9.99 a month, it’s a deal that doesn’t demand any compromises.

Ovid.tv is an on-demand streaming platform dedicated to independent movies and is currently available in the US and Canada. In the US, Ovid.tv costs $6.99 per month or $69 per year. It used to offer a 14-day free trial, but it's since shortened the period to 7 days. You can access Ovid.tv via mobile platforms including Android and iOS, as well as media streaming devices including Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku. However, Ovid.tv does not offer any apps for game consoles at the moment.

A subscription to NFL+'s premium tier costs $15/month and comes with NFL Redzone. That means apart from getting access to the NFL Network and digital exclusives, you also get to watch every Sunday afternoon game during the regular season via Redzone, as well as replay all-22 coaches games and access advanced stats on your favorite players. The kicker is that live local and primetime games are still only available on mobile devices due to blackout restrictions (nothing an antenna can't fix), but everything else, including Redzone and replays, can be viewed on major streaming devices. Users have reported that the app tends to go wonky, especially on Apple TVs and older versions of the Xbox, but if you don't mind those issues, this bundle will be perfect for hardcore football viewing.

NFL+ is the league's official streaming service that gives you access to live and local regular season and postseason games, on-demand programs, and even tools for your next fantasy football game. As of 2023, NFL+ also offers the NFL Network and NFL Redzone channels in its plans, making it a solid option for true-blue football fans hoping to finally cut the cord. A regular subscription costs $6.99/month and includes everything in the above, except for NFL Redzone and replays of full games, highlights, and all-22 coaches films, which are only available in NFL+'s premium subscription, priced at $14.99/month. Both plans offer free trials and are available on most major streaming devices, with the exception of live local and primetime regular season and postseason games, which can only be viewed on phones and tables.

NewsOn is a free streaming service that lets you access live TV newscasts from over 200 local stations around the United States. According to the platform, it has partnered with ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX and their respective local affiliates to cover up to 91% of the country (a full list of their local channels can be seen here). You can also watch previous news, sports, and weather reports on NewsOn from up to 48 hours ago and select your favorite stations so that they appear first on the homepage. No registration is required, and it allows you to watch local channels wherever in the country you may be.

Good news for Verizon mobile and home internet customers: you're eligible to bundle two of streaming's powerhouse players, Netflix and Max, for just $10/month. Verizon's Netflix + Max bundle includes both of the streamers' ad-supported plans, which go for $7 and $10 respectively, and shaves more than 40% off their usual price. Not only is this package a steal, it's also a rare move on Netflix's part, which isn't usually too keen on bundles. The Netflix + Max is also stackable, meaning you can pair it with another $10-bundle from Verizon (we suggest the Disney-Hulu-ESPN bundle to get the most out of the discounts). This bundle is available to Verizon customers on the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plans, which start at $75/month, and the Fios and 5G Home plans which start at $35. Just don't forget to enroll in the provider's myPlan subscription first.

The Netflix + DirecTV Stream Bundle lets you link your Netflix account to your DirecTV account so you can receive a single bill (from DirecTV) for both subscriptions. For now, the bundle doesn't offer discounts, nor does it integrate Netflix on the DirecTV app. It's also only available to those subscribed to Netflix's premium account. Still, the bundle is handy for those who already have too many bills to worry about, so if you've been wanting to streamline your entertainment apps, then this offer is worth checking out.

For Verizon postpaid wireless subscribers, Verizon is offering a unique bundle that allows you to get Netflix Premium free for a year if you subscribe to Masterclass via Verizon's +play platform. An annual Masterclass subscription costs $120/year, but if you use +play, you only need to pay $90/year or $7.5/month for the service. In other words, it's a Buy 1 Get 1 Free deal that can save you more than $200 in annual costs. If you were on the cheapest Verizon plan ($30/month), this bundle would cost you $37.5/month more or less. The bundle is part of Verizon's attempt to draw in users to their +play platform, which is an online service that helps you manage multiple subscriptions in one neat place. Notably, you can't directly watch or pay for streaming services on +play, but it regularly offers discounts, so it's worth checking out. Before making big purchases, however, make sure you read through Verizon's FAQs and terms and conditions here.

The Netflix and Starz Bundle by Verizon +Play gives you access to Netflix Premium (currently $22.99/month) and Starz ($10.99/month) for just $25.99/month. That's $7 in monthly savings, or up to $240 in annual costs. If you have an existing Starz or Netflix account, you can link it to this offer and transfer your billing to +play. The +play platform is an online hub that centralizes subscriptions so you can access them all in one neat place. At the moment, it's only available to Verizon postpaid, 5G Home, and LTE Home customers. Since the cheapest Verizon plan at the moment costs $30/month, this bundle will cost you a total of about $55.99/month.

One of the many deals offered by Verizon's +play platform is the Netflix & NFL+ bundle, which is exclusively available to Verizon postpaid mobile, 5G Home, and LTE Home customers. The bundle combines Netflix Premium ($22.99/month) and NFL+ Premium ($14.99) and offers it at just $99.99 for an entire year, or $8.3/month! After that period, you'll be charged the regular prices of the services on top of your Verizon plan unless you cancel. If you're on the cheapest mobile plan ($30/month), this could mean paying a total of $38.3/month for your phone bill, Netflix, and NFL+ for a year. In case you didn't know already, Netflix Premium allows you to watch ad-free on up to four devices, with NFL+ has everything from all-22 coaches films to NFL Redzone. If you already have a Netflix subscription bought outside of the +play platform, Verizon allows you to transfer your billing to avail of this deal. If you did buy a subscription on the +play platform, however, you might have to wait till the end of your billing cycle before you can sign up for this deal. Existing NFL+ subscriptions can't be transferred to +play or linked to this bundle.

NASA+ is the space agency's official, ad-free, and on-demand streaming service. It carries original shows and movies that feature NASA's discoveries on the cosmos and beyond and intimate interviews with the astronauts and scientists behind these projects. There are also animated kids' shows and Spanish-language content for younger viewers and families to enjoy, as well as high-definition intergalactic videos set to interesting sounds, in case you're not in the mood to watch anything too heavy. The app, which can be downloaded on iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV, is completely free and requires no sign-up to access.

Mylifetime is a website that lets you watch countless Lifetime movies and TV shows both live and on-demand. You have to log in with a streaming service, cable provider, or satellite provider that carries Lifetime to access most of it, but there are a few videos you can still watch without signing in. Think of it as a free extension of the Lifetime channel you can go to at the click of a link. It's important to note, though, that Mylifetime does not support Frndly TV log-in credentials as of this writing, even though the streaming service carries the live channel.

DirecTV is known for its comprehensive but pricey live TV packages, but now it's offering something a little more accessible in the form of MyFree DirecTV. DirecTV's newest service is completely free (they don't even ask for your credit card details) and airs channels like Dove TV, Tastemade, Moviesphere, Live Tennis, Sports Grid, Design TV, Court TV, and more. You don't have to be a DirecTV customer to access it, but you do need to create an account using an email address and download the DirecTV app on your preferred device. The app works fine on major streaming devices, including mobiles and TVs powered by Android and Apple. For now, MyFree DirecTV has a total of 70 free channels, but it's announced more channels are on the way as it finalizes partnerships with studios like A&E, Fox, and Lionsgate.

If you're a hardcore baseball fan, you'll be glad to know you can tune in to your favorite pastime via MLB.TV, the league's official streaming service. Previously MLB.TV offered All Teams and Single Team packages, but it's replacing them with more affordable tiers that start at $5.99/month. The cheapest plan allows you to stream MLB Network 24/7 and tune into extensive baseball coverage and analyses, while the MLB.TV + At Bat plan, which costs $6.99/month, adds access to La Liga Dominicana (Spanish only), live Spring Training games, and archives from past seasons. An important reminder: if you're still on the cord and have the MLB Extra Innings cable TV package, you're likely entitled to a free MLB.TV subscription. Contact your provider to check whether you're eligible.

Remember those thrashy (but fascinating!) films that would air on TV late into the night, long after the proper programs had their run? Those titles have found a new home in Midnight Pulp, a free streaming service that lets you watch films and TV shows on-demand and live. It specializes in the weirdest content you can imagine; whether that's a 1960s Star Trek knockoff, a B-movie erotica, or a laughable monster flick, they likely have it here. Midnight Pulp also offers a live TV stream that's active 24/7 with channels that offer much of the same—with the exception, perhaps, of RetroCrush and AsianCrush, which have solid lineups of anime and dramas. Midnight Pulp also offers more titles (many of which are adult-themed) and ad-free content if you pay for their premium $5.99/month tier, which you can try free for 14 days.

If you’re sick of the same old movies you’re seeing on this side of the world, then MHz Choice might come as a pleasant surprise for you. The streaming service specializes in international content, especially Nordic noir and British thrillers. Though the app itself can be a little clunky, at $8/month, it’s an affordable alternative to accessing quality foreign-language shows, films, documentaries, and more. It also recently merged with fellow subscription service Topic, so expect to see even more European fare there.

MGM+ (formerly Epix On Demand) is a streaming platform from the Epix television network that offers on-demand content from the channel. It’s offered to subscribers of the Epix television channel at no extra cost. Otherwise, the cost varies depending on your TV provider, though it averages at about $6.99/month whether you subscribe directly or via a third partner. You can subscribe to MGM+ via supported providers including Comcast Xfinity, Cox, DISH, DIRECTV, Spectrum, and Verizon FIOS. It can also be used as an add-on with Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.

With Amazon Prime's Max Cinemax bundle, you get access to all three of the streamers' unique films and TV shows and pocket $4.99/month in savings. That's because the bundle offers Max Ad-free ($15.99/month) and Cinemax ($9.99/month) for just $20.99, in addition to your current Amazon Prime subscription. Some notable titles include House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, and every other HBO show you can think of, as well as the latest blockbusters on Cinemax. Like most bundles, this one also conveniently charges you under one bill, under Amazon, and you can cancel it anytime you want.

The Max + B/R Sports add-on combines Max's arsenal of on-demand titles from Warner Bros., HBO, DC, and Cartoon Network with The Bleacher Report's wide coverage of live sporting events, including March Madness, the NBA Playoffs, The Stanley Cup Playoffs, and various MLB matches. You could say it's an extension of TBS, TNT, and truTV sports as it airs select (not all) games from those channels, but it also covers so much more, including other sports like golf, cycling, and MMA. Since October 2023, B/R Sports has been added to all Max plans completely free of charge, but once the promo ends, you'll have to pay $9.99/month on top of your Max subscription to enjoy B/R content. And of course, blackout restrictions apply.

Magnolia Selects can be accessed via an array of iOS and Android phones and tablets as well as desktops and Roku devices. It is also available as a channel through Sling TV and Amazon Prime Video.

Subscriptions with unlimited access to Magnolia Selects cost $4.99 per month or a discounted $49.99 per year. 

Another plan is available for “sub-genre subscriptions” that gives access to specific genres (action, comedy, horror, documentary) for only $2.99 per month.