Here are eight that are worth checking out.
Netflix
Kaspars Grinvalds / Shutterstock
Unlimited movies and TV shows with no commercials.
Cancel online at any time.
Kaspars Grinvalds / Shutterstock
Download content for offline viewing.
Basic subscription (of three plans) doesn’t include HD.
Current episodes of TV shows aren’t immediately available.
Roku/Amazon
Slow to update content.
Netflix is by far the No.
1 most-used online streaming service, not only for movies but for many popular TV shows as well.
If you’re a big movie buff, in particular,Netflixis definitely the streaming service to try first.
Contains lots of original content.
Streams on many devices including smartphones, tablets, Xbox, and Apple TV.
Limited and no commercial plans cost more.
Can’t watch movies and TV offline.
Movie selection isn’t as good as TV selection.
Some say it has a better selection of content.
Unlike Netflix, however,Huluintegrates some advertising into the viewing experience.
Amazon Prime Video
Roku/Amazon
Included with Amazon Prime subscription.
Runs on computers, mobile devices, game consoles, and streaming media players.
Doesn’t include most recent episodes of current TV shows.
Some recent movies are available only to rent or buy.
Not supported on Chromecast.
Prime Video is also available as a separate service for people who don’t have an Amazon Prime account.
Subscription fee:From $8.99 a month or included in Amazon Prime membership.
Google Play
Offerings include new-release movies and current episodes of TV shows.
Filter by genre, top charts, and new releases.
Search for family-only fare or for specific networks.
Some new content is expensive.
Pay per movie or show, so it’s not a good financial choice for heavy users.
Can’t purchase shows from mobile devices, can only view shows bought from a computer.
Even Google offers its own selection of movies and episodes.
If you’re an Android user, Google Play is your version of Apple users' iTunes.
Browse by movies, TV, studios, or even networks.
Fandango at Home
Vast selection includes current TV seasons.
Includes a large section of movies that are free with ads.
Frequent users find Fandango at Home expensive when they venture out of the free section.
There aren’t any free trials, but the site offers some movies and TV shows free with ads.
It also offers as many great features as Hulu Plus or Amazon Prime Video.
Rent/buy fees:As low as $0.10 for rentals and up to $29.99 to buy.
Purchase current and vintage TV shows by individual episode or season.
Other services offer higher-quality video.
Not many filtering options.
Requires browsing in categories.
Everyone knowsYouTubeis one of the premier places to go for watching all sorts of videos.
These videos are often low in quality, though, and YouTube eventually takes them down.
Buy fees:As low as $3.99, and up to $32.99 to buy.
Vimeo
Vimeo is easy to use.
Many movie entries include trailers and synopses.
Supports the works of lesser-known filmmakers.
Don’t look for newly released blockbusters here.
Relatively small user base.
Next to YouTube,Vimeois another popular video sharing platform that’s best known for supporting independent filmmakers.
Buy fees:As low as $1.00 to rent and upward of about $25.00 to buy.
