Netflix vs. Disney Plus vs. HBO Max vs. Paramount Plus vs. Peacock vs. Discovery Plus – CNET [CNET]

Streaming is more popular than ever and shows no signs of slowing down. Disney Plus has already passed 100 million subscribers, HBO Max recently launched a new, cheaper tier and is adding major theatrical releases nearly every month, while Peacock has added The Office and signed a deal to stream the WWE. Quibi quickly came and went (and is now kind of back again), but new choices just keep coming, including Discovery Plus and Paramount Plus. And don’t forget Apple TV Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Showtime and Netflix.

Yes, that’s a big list of some of the best streaming service options and the number of new choices can be overwhelming. In this article we’ll help you stop, take a deep breath and navigate the crowded streaming landscape. Here’s a breakdown of where a few of the major new streaming service options stand right now and how it all compares.

Read more: Best streaming deals for Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max and more

The players 

There are a lot of streaming services competing for your time and money in 2021, and we’re not going to cover them all here. In an effort to keep this list more manageable we’re going to focus on how the five newer big-name streamers — Disney Plus, HBO Max, Peacock, Discovery Plus and Paramount Plus — compare to Netflix, the biggest name in streaming.

Here’s a little on each. 

Read more: We rank the best streaming services of 2021

How they stack up

Part of the reason why Netflix remains the champ isn’t just the massive catalog and first-mover status (though both help). It also is frequently the best at rolling out new features. It offers mobile downloads and has been releasing its originals in 4K HDR for years (though you need its priciest Premium plan to watch in the higher quality). Netflix also benefits from having its app available on nearly every smart TV and streaming platform you could think of. 

Disney Plus, however, is right on the tail of the current streaming king. The Mouse House’s streamer has mobile downloads, a wide collection of 4K HDR content, allows for more people to watch and does so for an $8-per-month price that is cheaper than even Netflix’s most affordable non-HD plan. While its content library remains more family-friendly in the US, those looking for anything Disney/Marvel/Lucasfilm/Pixar (a not small net) will be very happy with Disney Plus. 

HBO Max got off to a rocky start, lacking features like 4K HDR, mobile downloads or even apps for Roku or Amazon Fire TV, but with time it has begun to find its footing. Major releases like the 2021 Warner Bros. theatrical slate and Zack Snyder’s Justice League will stream in 4K HDR, the mobile app allows for downloads and apps are finally available for all major TV platforms. It has yet to release a “Max Original” to match the success of recent hits like Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit or Disney’s The Mandalorian, but HBO Max does have a strong library offering everything from Friends and Game of Thrones to Sesame Street and Looney Tunes. 

Like HBO Max, Peacock got off to a slow start but has improved in recent months. In June it finally added an app for Amazon Fire TV to round out its presence on all major platforms, and it even has 4K HDR on some titles. Mobile downloads are also present, and the additions of The Office, Modern Family and the WWE Network are sure to be welcome boosts for its otherwise still lacking library. The upcoming Olympics should also add more content and it also gets points for being the only service with a free offering. 

Paramount Plus, the new name for CBS All Access, is among the oldest in this group, and parent ViacomCBS is hoping the rebrand will give it fresh life to compete with the others. It already has apps on all the major services and offers mobile downloads plus 4K HDR for some titles. The home for Star Trek and SpongeBob — plus local CBS streams — makes it an interesting option, but it will need more to rival the others. New shows announced for the service include Halo, Yellowstone spinoff 6666 and an iCarly revival. 

Discovery Plus is the other major new player. It has apps on most platforms, but not all, and some 4K HDR content. It does not, however, have mobile downloads and its content library lacks the mainstream hits offered by all the others. That said, if you’re a fan of Pawn Stars, House Hunters or Cake Wars it is the option for you. 

Discovery and HBO Max-owner WarnerMedia announced a $43 billion merger in May, but what exactly that means for the two companies’ respective streaming services is not yet clear. 

What about free trials? 

In the early days of streaming, free trials were plentiful. Now, not so much. 

All three of the major streaming heavyweights — Netflix, Disney Plus and HBO Max — offered free trial periods in their early days and all have since abandoned the option. Paramount Plus has a one-month free trial right now, while Discovery Plus offers a one-week trial. 

Thankfully, however, regardless of which service or services you sign up for, you can still cancel your subscription at any time. 

More streaming guides for 2021

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• Best TV shows to watch on Disney Plus
• Best TV shows to binge on HBO Max
• 10 ways to save money on streaming
• Best movies you can stream for free right now
• How to cut the cable TV cord in 2021
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