Netflix Similar Apps – Top Netflix Alternatives in 2026

Nowadays, nothing can beat the popularity of the OTT platform. People are gravitating onwards to these platforms for several reasons. Regarding the list of top OTT platforms, Netflix is in a class all by itself. This OTT platform has 182 million subscribers who pay for services. Additionally, it is responsible for 8% of the total time people spend viewing movies all over the globe. Around 47 percent of people in the United States prefer to watch their favorite shows or movies on Netflix.

There are no signs that Netflix will be slowing down anytime soon. It is well on its way to being far more significant than it was in the past. Despite these astronomical numbers, it’s possible that the movies, shows, and documentaries on Netflix aren’t what you’re looking for.

The right Netflix alternative therefore depends less on finding another service that looks exactly like Netflix and more on what you actually want to watch, how much you want to spend, and whether you need features such as live TV, sports, downloads, 4K or simultaneous streaming.

If you’re interested in downloading apps comparable to Netflix, you’ll love to know that several options are available. The following is a list of the top 10 streaming services you should check out.

Quick Picks: Best Netflix Alternatives at a Glance

If you don’t want to compare every platform individually, here are some of the easiest choices.

Best for	Streaming service	Starting price
Best overall Netflix alternative	Amazon Prime Video	$8.99/month standalone
Best free alternative	Tubi	Free
Best for families	Disney+	Paid subscription
Best for premium TV and movies	HBO Max	$10.99/month
Best for network TV	Hulu	$11.99/month
Best for anime	Crunchyroll	$9.99/month
Best free live TV	Pluto TV	Free
Best for sports + entertainment	Peacock	From $8.99/month
Best for original programming	Apple TV	$12.99/month
Best Netflix alternative in India	JioHotstar	From regional plans

Why Look for Apps Other Than Netflix?

Netflix has a huge selection, but subscribing to Netflix alone no longer gives you access to everything worth watching.

Major studios increasingly distribute their own films and series through their own streaming services. Disney has Disney+, Warner Bros. Discovery operates HBO Max, NBCUniversal runs Peacock, and Apple produces programming specifically for Apple TV.

This fragmentation creates several reasons to consider other apps like Netflix.

You want different content

Each platform has exclusives that may not appear on Netflix.

Disney+ is particularly strong for Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars content, while HBO Max focuses heavily on HBO programming and Warner Bros. properties.

You mainly watch one type of content

Paying for a huge general-purpose catalogue doesn’t always make sense.

Anime fans may get more value from Crunchyroll. Horror fans can subscribe to Shudder. Fans of arthouse cinema may prefer MUBI.

You want live television or sports

Netflix remains primarily an on-demand streaming service.

Platforms such as YouTube TV, Sling, Fubo and Peacock are better choices when live channels or sporting events matter.

You want to spend less

You may not need another paid subscription at all.

Services including Tubi and Pluto TV offer legitimate ad-supported streaming without a monthly fee.

Best Apps like Netflix

Here’s a list of 10 apps like Netflix.

1. Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is probably the closest general-purpose Netflix alternative.

Its catalogue includes movies, television series, Amazon Originals and live programming. Users can also rent or purchase titles that aren’t included with their regular subscription.

One of Prime Video’s biggest advantages is that it can also be bundled into Amazon Prime. In the US, Amazon Prime currently costs $14.99/month, while Prime Video can also be purchased separately.

Best for

People who want a large general entertainment service rather than something focused on one particular genre.

Pros

• Large library
• Strong collection of Amazon Originals
• 4K support on compatible titles
• Movie rentals and purchases within the same ecosystem
• Included with Amazon Prime membership

Cons

• Included, rental and add-on content can sometimes be confusing
• Some movies require an additional payment even when you subscribe

Price: Around $8.99/month as a standalone Prime Video subscription.

2. Disney Plus

Most of the population is already familiar with Disney Plus due to its excellent content. Midway through November, the service became available in the United States and other regions of the globe. If you have children, this is a fantastic alternative to Netflix. It provides access to a vast library of classic and contemporary movies and television. On Disney Plus, you can view films that are part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pixar, and Star Wars.

However, there is still a chance that you may receive it for free. It is now offered in the United States of America, Canada, Europe, and other foreign areas. In 2021, it will be made accessible in even more nations.

Price: At this time, a monthly subscription to Disney Plus will set you back $7.99. Also, an annual membership will set you back $79.99. A free trial that lasted for seven days was offered in the past, but it has since been eliminated.

3. Hulu

Seinfeld, ER, and Futurama are just a few of the great television shows that can be found on Hulu. Additionally, a few original programs may be seen, such as the well-known series “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Only Murders in the Building.” The fact that new episodes of some of the most popular series are made available on Hulu around one day or so after they have been shown on television is one of the things that sets Hulu apart from other similar services. On the other hand, Netflix will often release an entire program season all at once, which means you will have to wait longer before you can begin viewing it. Hulu is an excellent alternative to Netflix, but it is only available in the United States and Japan. In contrast to Netflix, the service is not offered in other nations worldwide.

Best for

Viewers who regularly watch US network television and don’t want to wait for complete seasons to arrive elsewhere.

Pros

• Current television programming
• Large library of older shows
• Hulu Originals
• Disney bundle options
• Optional live TV

Cons

• Primarily focused on the US market
• Live TV plans are considerably more expensive

Price: Hulu has a starting price of only $6.99 a month, but it does include advertisements. There is also a plan that does not contain advertisements and costs $12.99 monthly to subscribe to. You may also personalize your Hulu experience with add-ons like Cinemax, Showtime, Starz, and HBO, or you can even get a plan that includes live TV channels (such as ABC, FOX, CNN, and so on) for as little as $69.99 per month.

4. HBO Max

The video streaming service by Warner Bros. Discovery offers a wide variety of content. There will always be something intriguing to watch, whether it be one of HBO’s more recent smash hits like The White Lotus or one of their older programs like The Sopranos. Game of Thrones, The Leftovers, and Barry are three other excellent HBO programs worth noting.

In addition, HBO Max provides access to a large amount of extra programming that is not available on HBO. This includes comedies such as Friends, The Big Bang Theory, South Park, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; television dramas such as Doctor Who and Pretty Little Liars; and original works produced by HBO Max such as Raised by Wolves, The Flight Attendant, Irma Vep, and others.

In addition, it provides both older and more recent Warner Bros. films that are not presently available on the HBO cable channel. You may also watch programming from other cable TV channels owned and operated by Warner Bros. Discovery, such as TNT, TBS, TruTV, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, and CNN. Last but not least, a few films were selected from Criterion’s library, coupled with animation from Crunchyroll and Studio Ghibli.

Best for

High-budget dramas, HBO series, Warner Bros. films and viewers who prioritize quality over catalogue size.

Pros

• Strong original programming
• HBO library
• Major Warner Bros. properties
• 4K available on Premium
• Offline viewing on higher plans

Cons

• More expensive than many competitors
• 4K is restricted to the highest tier

Price: A monthly subscription to HBO Max costs $14.99. There is also a new, less expensive option, costing $9.99 a month, but it includes commercial breaks of up to four minutes every hour. In addition, you will not be able to access the Warner Bros. theatrical movie day-and-date schedule for 2021. Even though it is not the most affordable service on our list, you won’t regret spending your money on it because of all the fantastic stuff it provides.

5. Apple TV+

Apple TV Plus maintains a consistent addition of brand-new programming. You can obtain high-quality programs created for families (such as Snoopy in Space and Helpsters), as well as series produced just for adults, for that amount (The Morning Show, See, For All Mankind, Servant, and more).

Even while its material catalog is not as extensive as Netflix’s, the quality of its offerings is undeniably high. Another significant advantage is that this solution is immediately accessible in more than 120 nations.

Best for

People who care more about original series and films than having thousands of older titles.

Pros

• Strong original programming
• Generally high production values
• 4K support
• Works across Apple and non-Apple devices
• Family sharing support

Cons

• Smaller catalogue than Netflix or Prime Video
• Less useful if you primarily want older licensed shows

Price: Apple TV Plus is just $4.99 per month.

6. Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is an American publisher, distributor, producer, and licensing firm focusing primarily on streaming anime, dorama, and manga.

It provides over a thousand anime series, over two hundred East Asian dramas, and roughly eighty manga titles such as Crunchyroll Manga. Due to license constraints, however, not all programs are accessible globally.

The material of Crunchyroll is in two parts- anime and dramas, and programs are accessible in various genres, including humor, fantasy, adventure, music, romance, dark, mystery, science fiction, and more.

It provides over 1,000 titles and 25,000 episodes and the option to view the most recent anime episodes one hour after their broadcast in Japan.

Its most popular series are Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Death Note, Hunter X Hunter, The Rising of the Shield Hero, Your Lie in April, and the Naruto series.

Crunchyroll provides one complimentary package and three premium ones. However, the free edition is does not feature simulcasts or allow access to all of Crunchyroll’s manga and anime.

Best for

Anime fans.

Pros

• Huge anime-focused catalogue
• New episodes from ongoing series
• Subbed and dubbed options
• Much deeper anime selection than general streaming services

Cons

• Limited value if anime isn’t your main interest
• Offline viewing requires higher tiers

Thus, we might conclude that a premium plan may be optimal. Those who join up for a Premium membership have the option of selecting from many tiers:

Price:

FAN : $7.99 a month + taxes

MEGA FAN: $9.99 a month + taxes

Ultimate Fan: $14.99 a month + taxes

Crunchyroll is compatible with Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Android, iOS, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, Windows Phone, and Wii U.

7. Paramount+

The program currently known as Paramount Plus was once called CBS All Access. It integrates many materials from its parent company, ViacomCBS, into a single offering. You may view a vast selection of Paramount Pictures movies, including older and more recent releases and TV series from CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, and many more networks.

In addition to the information you can access on demand, the service provides live coverage of national and local news and live sporting events such as National Football League football, soccer, NCAA basketball, and other live sporting events.

Price: The cheapest plan in the United States is $4.99 monthly. However, it does not include the live CBS stream or advertisements. To watch CBS live and avoid commercial interruptions, a monthly subscription costing $9.99 is mandatory.

8. Peacock

Midway through July 2020, the Peacock streaming service by NBCUniversal was finally available to users. A significant portion of its material may be streamed for free (although interspersed with advertisements) is its unique quality. It enables users to view reruns of famous television shows such as Parks and Recreation, Two and a Half Men, Battlestar Galactica, and many more. In the United States, it is also the exclusive streaming home for the television shows Parks and Recreation and The Office. It recently added WWE professional wrestling, which includes access to the organization’s pay-per-view events.

Best for

NBC shows, movies and viewers who want sports alongside on-demand entertainment.

Pros

• NBC and Bravo programming
• Movies and originals
• Live sporting events
• Multiple price tiers

Cons

• Major sports rights vary by season
• Even some higher-tier programming can still contain ads

Price: Peacock Premium costs $4.99 per month (with advertisements), while Peacock Premium Plus costs $9.99 per month. If you want to view even more material, including Peacock originals such as the reboots of Saved by the Bell and Punky Brewster, you may pay either of these prices (without ads). There is an option for a free trial that lasts for seven days.

Best Free Apps Like Netflix

You don’t necessarily need another monthly subscription.

Several legitimate services provide movies, shows and live channels for free. Instead of charging users, these platforms primarily make money through advertising.

That makes them fundamentally different from illegal streaming websites: the content is licensed, and advertising pays for access.

9. Tubi

Price: Free, ad-supported

Tubi is one of the strongest completely free alternatives to Netflix.

The service says it is available across the US, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, the UK and Australia and supports more than 30 device types.

Tubi has also described its catalogue as containing more than 200,000 movies and television episodes alongside FAST channels.

Unlike a traditional subscription platform, you pay by watching advertisements rather than paying a monthly fee.

Pros

• Completely free
• Large catalogue
• No paid subscription required
• Works on many TVs and streaming devices

Cons

• Ads interrupt playback
• Catalogue rotates
• Latest premium releases are more limited

10. Pluto TV

Price: Free, ad-supported

Pluto TV feels less like Netflix and more like traditional television delivered through an app.

It combines on-demand content with hundreds of linear streaming channels.

Pluto currently advertises 250+ free TV channels alongside thousands of movies and shows.

That makes it especially useful for people who prefer switching on a channel and watching whatever is currently playing instead of deciding what to stream.

Pros

• Completely free
• 250+ channels
• On-demand movies and TV
• News, entertainment and sports channels

Cons

• Advertisements
• Less control than fully on-demand streaming
• Availability differs by country

11. The Roku Channel

Despite the name, The Roku Channel isn’t limited to Roku hardware.

It provides free ad-supported movies, television and live channels across supported devices and browsers.

The catalogue won’t replace every premium subscription, but it works well as a permanent free service alongside one rotating paid subscription.

Pros

• Free
• Live and on-demand programming
• Doesn’t necessarily require Roku hardware

Cons

• Ads
• Regional availability
• Catalogue changes frequently

12. Plex

Plex is unusual because it combines two different products.

First, it offers free ad-supported films, television and live channels.

Second, Plex can organize and stream a user’s personal media library from a Plex Media Server.

That makes it especially attractive to people who already own a collection of digital media.

Pros

• Free streaming service
• Personal media management
• Live channels
• Works across many device types

Cons

• Free catalogue contains ads
• Setting up your own media server takes additional effort

14. Fandango at Home

Fandango at Home combines free ad-supported titles with transactional streaming.

You can therefore watch selected movies for free and rent or purchase newer titles when necessary.

This model can actually be cheaper than keeping another subscription running every month if you only watch an occasional new release.

Pros

• Free titles
• Rent or purchase individual movies
• No need to maintain a subscription

Cons

• Premium releases cost extra
• Smaller free catalogue than dedicated FAST services

15. Xumo Play

Xumo Play combines live streaming channels with on-demand programming.

It is best viewed as another free service that can supplement—not necessarily completely replace—a paid Netflix subscription.

Pros

• Free
• Live channels
• On-demand programming
• Simple FAST-style experience

Cons

• Ads
• Smaller catalogue than Netflix
• Availability varies by region

Best Apps Like Netflix in India

Streaming is particularly fragmented in India because viewers often want a mixture of international entertainment, Bollywood, regional-language programming and live sports.

The strongest Netflix alternatives therefore differ from those in the US.

16. JioHotstar

JioHotstar has become one of India’s broadest entertainment platforms following the consolidation of Reliance and Disney’s streaming businesses.

The platform says it offers more than 100,000 hours of drama and movies across 17 languages, alongside major sports coverage.

Current subscription options include a Premium annual plan at ₹1,499 with 4K UHD support and up to four devices, although plans and pricing can change.

Best for

Indian viewers looking for a combination of:

• Movies
• Television
• Disney content
• Regional programming
• Cricket and other sports

17. Sony LIV

Sony LIV combines Sony television programming, original web series, movies and live sports.

Its catalogue includes Indian originals alongside live sports such as cricket and football competitions.

It makes the most sense for viewers who already watch Sony television properties or sports carried by Sony.

18. ZEE5

ZEE5 has a large selection of Hindi and regional-language television, movies and originals.

Its strength is breadth across Indian languages rather than competing directly with Netflix only on international programming.

In 2026, ZEE5 has also offered specific FIFA World Cup streaming packages in India, including monthly, quarterly and annual plans.

19. MX Player

MX Player is another useful option for viewers who prioritize free ad-supported entertainment.

Its catalogue and availability can change, but the broader value proposition is straightforward: users can access entertainment without maintaining another premium monthly subscription.

VdoCipher Can Help You Build an App like Netflix

If you want to build your own app similar to Netflix, look no further than VdoCipher for a video solution. With VdoCipher you can stream your videos securely and seamlessly. You don’t have to worry about anyone downloading the video via any plugin or tool. Vdocipher uses Hollywood Grade DRM Encryption similar to Netflix which ensures that your video remains protected. It takes a lot of time and hard work in making video content, and within minutes, it gets pirated online. With VdoCipher, one can not only protect their videos from video piracy but also boost the revenue and deliver the content to the users in an easy-to-go way.

Features:

DRM Encrypted Video Streaming – Using Google Widevine and Apple FairPlay DRM, videos are DRM encrypted during encoding. The video can only be decrypted on the VdoCipher media player. This way your videos are secured from piracy and unauthorized usage and distribution.

Google Widevine DRM offers the highest security in Google Chrome, Android and Chromecast. Microsoft’s Playready delivers video content protection on Windows platforms. Video creators who wish to stream premium videos on iOS and Safari require Apple’s FairPlay DRM license.

Dynamic Watermarking – Dynamic watermarking allows the insertion of watermarks into digital content like videos in real-time. This watermarking can be used to protect against unauthorized copying and distribution of digital content, such as video, audio, and images. Adding text to video using Dynamic watermarking deters screen capture and protects the video content. You can add viewer-specific moving/static watermark with email, user id, IP, time stamp and more.

IP and Geo-based Restrictions – IP geo-restriction is a way of restricting access to online content based on the geographic location of the user’s IP address. This can be used to prevent users from accessing content unavailable in their country or restrict access to certain types of content to only users in specific countries. Through VdoCipher API/Dashboard, you can easily configure any IP and country restrictions on your video content.

Session time restrictions – With our multi-DRM APIs, you can configure the session duration for playback during license generation. This proves very useful for sensitive content.

Rental constraint for offline files – It is possible to allow viewers to download an encrypted video version to their Android, iOS or Chrome devices. The video can be made to expire after a specific time by specifying a rental duration. The access token also needs to be specified to allow license persistence. Our Android SDK enables managing downloads to and playback of offline videos.

Smart HTML5 Video Player – VdoCipher Smart HTML5 Video Player offers Adaptive Multi-bitrate Playback, Multi-language support, playback speed change, dynamic player controls and much more like.

What are the Best Netflix Like Apps?

As you can see, there are a great many services available that are comparable to Netflix. Checking out the kind of material they provide and their monthly subscription cost is the first step to taking advantage of this opportunity. You can use some of these streaming services for free, but you have to be willing to view videos with advertisements playing in the background. Others may have a more limited material collection, but they focus on serving a specific demographic of users. The good thing is that each of them offers free trials, so don’t be afraid to try out a few of them and determine which one is most suited to meet your requirements.

What distinguishes Netflix from other streaming video services, do you know? Netflix’s robust metadata-based recommendation algorithm allows it to separate the content based on the past preferences of its customers. Then, Netflix presents them with the most popular cutting-edge features. Even though users frequently use the platform to watch their all-time favorite episodes, several alternatives exist. Yes, above is the list of OTT platform with an infinite quantity of content accessible via our fingerprints. Yes, the entertainment industry is in its golden age right now, with so many Netflix competitors that broaden your selection of TV shows and movies at reasonable pricing. Meanwhile, do check out our blog on Netflix history to know more about the origin story of NetFlix.

FAQs Around Apps like Netflix

What are the best Netflix like apps for streaming movies and TV shows?

There are several high-quality Netflix like apps that offer a wide range of movies, web series, and original content. Some of the best alternatives include Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO Max, JioHotstar and Apple TV+. Each of these platforms has its unique content library, pricing, and regional availability, making them solid options if you’re looking beyond Netflix.

Why should I consider Netflix similar apps if I already have Netflix?

While Netflix is a market leader in the OTT space, Netflix similar apps offer distinct advantages such as exclusive content, live TV, anime, sports, or kid-friendly programming. For example, Crunchyroll is ideal for anime lovers, Disney+ caters to fans of Marvel and Pixar, and Hulu offers next-day access to new TV episodes. Exploring other apps can help diversify your entertainment experience.

Are there any free Netflix like apps available to watch content legally?

Yes, some Netflix like apps such as Peacock (free tier) and Crunchyroll (free with ads) allow users to stream select content without a paid subscription. While these options may include ads and limited access, they provide a legal and affordable way to enjoy popular shows and movies without committing to a full subscription.

Can I build my own Netflix similar app for streaming videos securely?

Absolutely! With platforms like VdoCipher, you can build a secure Netflix similar app that features DRM-encrypted video streaming, dynamic watermarking, and geo/IP restrictions. This is especially useful for content creators and businesses looking to monetize video content while protecting it from piracy and unauthorized downloads.