Comparing Disney + to Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime
Now that the highly anticipated Disney streaming service, Disney + , has finally had an official launch date (November 12) and more details have been released, it’s clear this isn’t just a niche add-on service for Disney fans – the media giant is playing for dominance in the streaming market. But while Disney has rich content to fill the Disney + library, and even a few surprise offers and additions packaged for some contributors, it still has to contend with big players like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu that have been on the market for years. and set aside their own stakes in the user base.
We thought it would be interesting to combine the various on-demand streaming services and see how Disney + compares to each one. For the purposes of this guide, we are limiting the scope to “only” other standalone on-demand services that Disney + immediately compares – Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video – and excludes online live streaming services such as SlingTV, YouTubeTV, and PlaystationVue; Channel-specific apps / services such as CBS All Access and those that require a TV subscription; and niche services like Crunchyroll. We’re also omitting future products like Apple TV Plus, Time-Warner HBO Max service (launching 2020) and NBCUniversal streaming service due in 2021, as these services have not yet been detailed at the time of this writing. However, you can rest assured that these three will be major players in the ever-growing streaming market when they launch, so we’ll give them their due when more information becomes available.
But enough caveats and context – let’s move on to examining how Disney + compares to other major services.
Disney +
Disney + won’t be available until November 12, but recent announcements give a clear indication of what to expect.
Price
Disney + will be available as a separate package for either $ 6.99 per month or $ 69.99 per year. However, Disney will also offer a package that includes Disney +, ESPN Plus, and the basic ad-supported Hulu service for $ 12.99 a month, which is a few dollars less than subscribing to each separately. It is also roughly equivalent in cost to the Netflix HD subscription and Amazon Prime monthly billing option, but includes three services instead of one.
Notable content
Disney + will be home to nearly all Disney-owned TV series and films. All Disney and Pixar animated films, Marvel Cinematic Universe films, Star Wars films and cartoons will be in service, as well as upcoming premium series based on many of these objects, such as The Mandalorian and Loki . It’s also worth noting that Disney + will be the streaming site for the entire 30-season Simpsons series. Admittedly, the complete Disney + library will likely be smaller than its competitors at first, but overall quality is arguably better than most.
Other benefits
Apart from the package of services and access to a wide range of exclusive (and highly popular) Disney content, Disney + does not have many other notable benefits per se. However, Disney Club D23 members will have early access to Disney + ahead of its November 12 launch date.
Best for
Fans of any property owned by Disney. The bundled deal with ESPN Plus and Hulu makes it an especially strong competitor to Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Netflix
Netflix has long enjoyed status as the most popular streaming service available, and while it still holds a large chunk of the market, newcomers like Disney + have cut back on its content library and recent price spikes have resulted in users leaving the service. This isn’t to say that Netflix as a whole is less of a service than its competitors, but its identity and role in the market seems to be changing, as evidenced by the increased focus on original content.
Pricing
Netflix has the most diverse pricing structure of all, with three options available:
- Basic: $ 9 per month. Streaming only in SD and limited to one streaming device at a time. Suitable for those who will only broadcast using mobile data plans.
- Standard: $ 13 a month. High definition streaming (up to 1080p) and up to two simultaneous streams.
- Premium. $ 16 a month. Ultra HD (UHD) streaming, including 4K and HDR content, and support for Dolby Atmos audio. Allows up to four concurrent streams, which is the largest number of concurrent streams available for any of the services included here.
Users can also add a mail-order DVD / Blu-ray rental service to their streaming subscription, the cost of which depends on how many discs you want to rent at a time and in what format (s).
Notable content
Netflix may have great third-party movies and TV shows, but some of the best material available is its originals like Stranger Things , Mudbound, and more. Netflix also currently has exclusive streaming rights to several films and series, including Arrested Development , Mad Men, and No Booking, directed by the late Anthony Bourdain. It is currently also the only place to watch select Marvel and Star Wars movies (pre-Disney +), as well as the hit sitcom Friends (until they jump to HBO Max in 2020) and The Office (until NBCUniversal will return it to its own state). upcoming service in 2021).
Other benefits
Supports high quality streaming audio with an appropriate 5.1 surround sound device; all content with subtitles; ubiquitous device support.
Best for
Original content. The premium plan is also best for families who will be streaming to multiple devices at the same time.
Hulu
Although it is technically a product most of which is owned by Disney, Hulu will remain a separate service from Disney +. While the basic Hulu service can be combined with a Dinsey + subscription as described above, Hulu offers higher pricing tiers not available with the Disney + package, including the ability to stream live.
Pricing
Hulu’s basic ad-supported service costs $ 6 per month. To avoid showing ads, the monthly price doubles to $ 12 per month. Hulu is also the only service on this list to include its own Live TV option that pushes the price up to $ 45. The Live TV option also adds support for a second simultaneous stream.
Notable content
Aside from excellent Hulu originals such as Handmaid’s Tale, Hulu is also notable for keeping its library up to date for many TV series, with new episodes that can be streamed within 24-48 hours of their airtime. The Live TV option also adds over 50 TV channels, including live sports broadcasts.
Other benefits
Hulu is the only service on this list currently available on Nintendo Switch.
Best for
Keep up with current streams, especially with the live stream update.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime has many benefits for its members , and Prime Video is one of the best. The on-demand service includes a huge library of free content, complemented by an equally extensive amount of content available for rent and purchase, some of which are also only available to Prime members.
Pricing
Prime Video is part of the regular Amazon Prime subscription, which is available for $ 13 / month or $ 119 / year, although it can be dropped to $ 59 / year with a valid student email address. Members can also expand their library with Channel add-ons for an additional fee (which varies with the specific Channel package). Video rentals and purchases are also available.
Notable content
Amazon originals such as Good Omens , The Marvelous Miss Meisel, and The Man in the High Castle .
Other benefits
4K, HDR content (including Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HDR10 +) and Dolby Atmos are provided at no additional cost – unlike Netflix, which requires users to update their plans to unlock access to such content. In addition, users receive all of the other Amazon Prime benefits and special offers included with their subscription.
Best for
The size and volume of the library. For Prime members, this is not a problem either.