Streaming apps compared — 4K, price, content
The full side-by-side on the 8 major on-demand streaming services. Pricing as of May 2026. 4K HDR is the biggest hidden cost most people miss.
Pricing summary
| Service | With ads | Ad-free | 4K HDR tier | 4K included? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | $7.99 | $17.99 (Standard, 1080p) | $24.99 (Premium) | Premium only |
| Disney+ | $9.99 | $15.99 | $15.99 ad-free | All ad-free plans |
| Max | $9.99 | $16.99 (Standard, 1080p) | $20.99 (Ultimate) | Ultimate only |
| Paramount+ | $7.99 (Essential) | $12.99 (Premium) | $12.99 Premium | Premium only |
| Apple TV+ | — | $9.99 | $9.99 | All plans |
| Peacock | $10.99 (Premium w/ads) | $16.99 (Premium Plus) | $16.99 | Premium Plus only — and not on live sports |
| Prime Video | Included w/ Prime $14.99 | +$2.99 ad-free upgrade | Included | Most titles, no extra fee |
| Hulu (on-demand) | $9.99 | $18.99 | $18.99 | 4K varies — partial library only |
Is 4K HDR included or do I pay extra?
Most services charge extra for 4K. The pattern:
- Charge extra for 4K: Netflix (Premium $24.99), Max (Ultimate $20.99), Peacock (Premium Plus $16.99). Their cheaper ad-free tiers cap at 1080p.
- Include 4K in ad-free tier: Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video. Pay for ad-free and you get 4K automatically.
- 4K varies by title: Paramount+ Premium ($12.99) has 4K for newer originals. Hulu has 4K for some originals but most catalog content is 1080p.
4K HDR sweet spot — best value
If 4K HDR matters and you want to minimize cost:
- Apple TV+ ($9.99): Best 4K HDR quality of any streamer + lowest tier-entry cost
- Disney+ ad-free ($15.99): 4K included; massive library
- Prime Video ($14.99 Prime): 4K on most titles; you probably already pay for Prime
Content highlights by service
| Service | Best for | Skip if |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Originals across every genre + biggest catalog | You only watch movies — Netflix's first-window film library is weaker than Max |
| Disney+ | Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Disney animation, FX, National Geographic | No kids in house and don't follow Marvel — limited use |
| Max | HBO originals, Warner Bros theatrical (Dune, Barbie), DC, prestige TV | You're not into prestige drama — Max's catalog has less binge content |
| Apple TV+ | Best-produced originals (Severance, Slow Horses, F1), F1 racing | You want a huge library — Apple TV+ is curated, smaller |
| Paramount+ | UFC (exclusive 2026), CBS shows, Yellowstone universe, Star Trek | Not a CBS / UFC / Yellowstone fan |
| Peacock | Premier League soccer, Sunday Night Football, Universal movies (Wicked) | No interest in those — Peacock's catalog is thin otherwise |
| Prime Video | Thursday Night Football, James Bond (MGM), Boys, Reacher | Already getting Prime for shipping makes this nearly free anyway |
The honest minimum: Most households can cover 90% of viewing with 2 services. Pick one that matches your kids/family (Disney+ or Netflix) and one that matches your taste (Max for HBO fans, Apple TV+ for quality, Prime if you already have it).