With Smart TVs becoming cheaper by the day and a number of streaming services becoming more accessible to the average use, the downfall of cable TV is not just a possibility but a fact that most cable TV service providers have come to realize. If you’re one of the many who’ve been meaning to cut the cord, but haven’t devoted yourself to the ‘Netflix and Chill’ life just yet, then you should seriously consider switching to an online streaming service which will give you the liberty to choose whatever you watch to watch. Well, there are an absolute ton of streaming services available online, each with its own individual set of features that set it apart from the competition. Keeping that in mind, it’s safe to say that there’s isn’t a single best streaming service out there; instead there are multiple that cater to different audiences with varying tastes. So, if you’ve been meaning to find one that suits your needs, check out our list of the best streaming services to help you cut the cord:

1. Netflix

  • Great selection of content
  • Clean and functional user interface
  • Accurate recommendation system
  • Supports downloads for offline viewing
  • Simultaneous streaming on multiple devices
  • No ads

Cons:

Pricing: Starts at $8 per month

2. Hulu

Pricing: Starts at $7.99 per month

Availability: Only available within the U.S and on certain U.S. overseas military installations

Pros:

Pricing: $12.99 per month or $119 per year

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Cons:

Pricing: $14.99 per month

1. Crunchyroll

While some of the aforementioned services have a decent library of anime, if you’re an anime fan and have been looking for a one-stop-shop for all your anime needs then you should definitely check out Crunchyroll. The platform has the most diverse selection of anime titles available on any streaming service and it offers shows from almost all genres at quite a reasonable price. Crunchyroll is also the best anime platform for you if you prefer watching anime with the original Japanese audio, but in case you prefer English dubs then you might not find enough content to satiate your anime needs.

Pricing: Free with ads or $6.95 per month

Supported platforms: Android, Android TV, iOS, Apple TV, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Wii U, Roku, Web

  • Great selection of shows and movies
  • Simulcast support with fast dubbing
  • Decent English dubs

Pricing: Free with ads or $5.99 per month

3. HiDive

  • Connectivity and lag issues
  • Limited platform support

Pricing: $4.99 per month

1. Twitch.tv

If you’re someone who’d spend their free time watching games, rather than TV shows, movies or anime, then you should definitely log on to Twitch.tv. The biggest and most popular streaming service for gamers is a website I frequent quite often and I really like the sheer variety of streams that one can tune into on the platform. You can watch everything from live eSports events to casual walkthroughs of single player games and in case the idea of streaming games for a living interests you, you can even start your own stream. Unlike any of the previous streaming services, Twitch also allows you to interact with the content creators directly, which makes watching videos online a more interactive and entertaining experience. Twitch is also making efforts to diversify its content and bring more streams that aren’t related to gaming, which might some of you out there.

Pricing: Free

Supported platforms: Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Windows 10, Web

  • Free to watch or stream
  • Wide variety of games and streamers
  • Interactive
  • Integrates your YouTube subscriptions
  • Familiar interface

Pricing: Free

3. Mixer

Pricing: Free

Availability: Worldwide except for Mainland China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria