Wouldn’t it be great if all your favorite shows and movies were on the same platform? Sadly, all the good stuff is scattered across different apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and HBO Max. If you’re juggling multiple subscriptions, these streaming services can burn a massive hole in your wallet.
You may have even signed up for services you don’t watch but still pay for. Let’s look at the top streaming service costs and give you some options to reduce your monthly bills.
Stop wasting money on expensive streaming services you don’t use
It’s scary how easy it is to overspend on entertainment apps. Do you need them all, though? Financial tools like our sponsor Rocket Money can help you manage all your services.
Since it gives a bird’s eye view of your expenses, you can find sneaky subscriptions you don’t use but still pay for. Kim uses it to save money on expensive subscriptions. Think of it as a clever tool that helps you save money on the entertainment you love. More on that later.
For now, let’s look over some of the most popular streaming services. (Oh, and by the way, your smart TV is probably spying on you. Here’s how to stop it.)
We’ll list them from most to least expensive, using the basic tier as a baseline.
HBO Max
It’s called HBO Max, for now. It was recently announced that this streaming platform would change names to just Max soon. You can get exclusive access to Warner Bros. movies and your favorite HBO shows and movies. These plans give you over 13,000 hours of content.Â
| Plans | Pricing | Benefits |
| With ads | $9.99/month or $99.99/year (16% savings). | Watch everything with limited ads for a lower price. |
| Ad-free | $15.99/month or $149.99/year (over 20% savings). | Download shows and movies to watch on the go. |
By the way, streaming service prices might be rising. Here’s the surprising reason why that might be a good thing.
Don’t have HBO Max yet? Click the yellow button below to sign up.
Hulu
Want to replace your cable plan? Hulu + Live TV is $70 monthly with ads. It’s cheaper than many cable plans. Plus, you can watch lots of shows whenever you want.
| Plans | Pricing | Benefits |
| Hulu (With ads) | $8/mo. | 30-day free trial. |
| Hulu (No ads) | $15/mo. | 30-day free trial. |
| Hulu Basic + Live TV | $70/mo. | Access to 85+ live TV channels. |
| Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV | $83/mo. | Access to 85+ live TV channels. |
If you want to keep expenses down, you don’t need to get the Live TV option. Hulu has plenty of streaming content without Live TV. Although Hulu is a bit more expensive than Netflix, its original content library isn’t as robust. However, its original show, “The Dropout,” is one of Kim’s favorites.
Disney+Â
Can’t get enough of “The Mandalorian” and other original shows? Maybe Disney+ is the right choice for you.
| Plans | Pricing | Benefits |
| Basic with ads | $7.99/mo | Watch on multiple devices at once |
| Premium with no ads | $10.99 | Download and watch your favorites on the go (select content only) |
You can sign up for a bundle if you want more than just Disney+. You can bundle Disney+ (with ads), Hulu (with ads) and ESPN+ for $12.99 per month. Click here for more details.
Netflix
It’s no wonder Netflix is one of the most popular streaming services. It’s the giant behind modern classics like “Stranger Things” and “Orange is the New Black.” Here’s what everyone’s watching on Netflix.
| Plan | Pricing | Benefits |
| Basic with ads | $6.99/month | HD quality. All but a few movies and TV shows are available. Watch on one supported device at a time. |
| Basic | $9.99/month | Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows and mobile games. Watch on one supported device at a time. |
| Standard | $15.49/month | Full HD, watch and download on two supported devices at a time. |
| Premium | $19.99/month | Watch on four supported devices simultaneously. Watch in Ultra HD. Download on six supported devices at a time Netflix spatial audio. |
Although the Basic with ads plan is the most affordable, it may not be available through all providers. According to the official Netflix site, you’ll have to check with your provider.
Oh, and you may be charged taxes on your subscription price. It depends on where you live. Click the yellow button below to sign up for Netflix if you aren’t using it already.
Luckily, you can easily change your plan or cancel at any time.
Keep track of your expensive streaming services
Are you overspending on multiple subscriptions? Use Rocket Money to keep track of subscriptions and make smarter financial decisions. As we’ve seen from the pricing information above, having many subscription services can add up.
With Rocket Money, you can save money by finding and canceling subscriptions you no longer use but are still paying for.
Use our link here to opt-in to Rocket Money. It’s free for the first week and can help prevent unwanted services from sapping your bank account. If you decide to keep using the tool, you can sign up for a subscription that costs from $3 to $12 monthly, depending on your chosen plan.