Now that Disney’s long-awaited streaming service, Disney+, finally has an official launch date (November 12) and more details have been released, it’s clear that this isn’t just a niche supplemental service for Disney fans—the media giant is making a play for dominance in the streaming market. But while Disney has a wealth of content to fill Disney+’s library, and even a few surprising deals and extras packed in for some members, it still has to take on major players like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, which have been in the market for years and have carved out their own respective shares of the user base.




We thought it would be interesting to line up the various on-demand streaming services out there and see how Disney+ compares to each. For the purposes of this guide, we’re limiting the scope to “just” the other standalone on-demand services to which Disney+ is immediately comparable—Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video—and leaving out internet-based live TV services like SlingTV, YouTubeTV, and PlaystationVue; channel-specific apps/services like CBS All Access and those that require a TV subscription; and niche services like Crunchyroll. We’re also omitting upcoming products like Apple TV Plus, Time-Warner’s HBO Max service (launching in 2020), and the NBCUniversal streaming service slated for 2021, since those services have yet to be detailed at the time of this writing. That said, you can be sure these three will be major players in the increasingly crowded streaming market when they launch, so we’ll give them their due once more information is available.

But enough with the caveats and context—let’s get on to examining how Disney+ compares to other mainstay services.


Image : Disney

Disney+ won’t be available until November 12, but recent announcements provide a clear picture of what to expect.



Price

Disney+ will be available in a standalone package for either $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annually. However, Disney will also be offering a bundle that includes Disney+, ESPN Plus, and the basic ad-supported Hulu service for $12.99 a month, which is several dollars cheaper than subscribing to each separately. It’s also roughly equivalent in cost to Netflix’s HD subscription tier and Amazon Prime’s monthly payment option, but includes three services instead of just one.


Noteworthy content

Disney+ is going to be the home of pretty much all Disney-owned TV series and movies from now on. All Disney and Pixar animated films, Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, and Star Wars films and animated TV series will be on the service, as well as upcoming premium TV series based on many of these properties, such as The Mandalorian and Loki. It’s also worth noting that Disney+ will be the streaming home for the entire 30-season run of The Simpsons. Admittedly, the full Disney+library is likely going to be smaller at first than its competitors, but the overall quality is arguably better than most.


Other perks

Aside from the bundle deal and access to Disney’s breadth of exclusive (and highly popular) content, Disney+ doesn’t have many notable other perks, per se. However, members of Disney’s D23 club will get early access to Disney+ ahead of its November 12 launch date.


Best for

Fans of any and all Disney-owned properties. The bundle deal with ESPN Plus and Hulu make it an especially strong competitor with the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime.


Netflix

Image : Netflix


Netflix has enjoyed a long run as the most popular streaming service available, and while it still holds the majority of the market, newcomers like Disney+ cut into its content library and recent price hikes have seen users leave the service. That’s not to say Netflix is a lesser service overall than its competitors, but its identity and role in the market seems to be changing, evidenced by its increased emphasis on original content.



Pricing

Netflix has the most varied pricing structure of the bunch, with three different options available:

Basic: $9 per month. Standard definition streaming only, and limited to one streaming device at a time. Good for individuals who will only be streaming using mobile data plans.

Standard: $13 per month. High definition streaming (up to 1080p) and up to two simultaneous streams.

Premium. $16 per month. Ultra HD (UHD) streaming, including 4K and HDR content, and Dolby Atmos audio support. Allows up to four simultaneous streams, which is the highest number of simultaneous streams available across any of the services included here.


Users can also add on the DVD/Blue-ray rental-by-mail service to their streaming subscription, which varies in price depending on how many discs you wish to rent at a time, and in what format(s).

Noteworthy content

Netflix might have some excellent third-party movies and series, but some of the best content available is its originals like Stranger Things, Mudbound, and more. Netflix also currently has exclusive streaming rights for a handful of movies and TV series including Arrested Development, Mad Men, and No Reservations hosted by the late Anthony Bourdain. For the time being, it’s also the only place to watch select Marvel and Star Wars films (until Disney+ launches), and popular sitcoms Friends (until it leaves for HBO Max in 2020) and The Office (until NBCUniversal takes it back to its own upcoming service in 2021).


Other perks

Support for Hi-quality audio streaming with an appropriate 5.1 surround device; all content subtitled; nigh-ubiquitous device support.


Best for

Original content. The Premium plan is also the best for families who will be streaming on multiple devices simultaneously.


Hulu

Image : Hulu


Despite technically being a majority Disney-owned product, Hulu will remain a separate service from Disney+. While the basic Hulu service can be bundled with a Dinsey+ subscription as discussed above, Hulu offers higher pricing tiers that are not available in the Disney+ bundle—including an option for live TV.



Pricing

Hulu’s basic, ad-supported service is $6 per month. To nix the ads, the monthly price doubles to $12 monthly. Hulu is also the only service on this list that includes its own Live TV option, which ups the price to $45. The Live TV option also adds support for a second simultaneous stream.


Noteworthy content

On top of excellent Hulu Originals like Handmaid’s Tale, Hulu is also notable for keeping its library current with many series, with new episodes streamable within 24-48 hours after they air live. The Live TV option also adds over 50 TV channels, including live sports broadcasts.


Other perks

Hulu is the only service on this list currently available on the Nintendo Switch.


Best for

Keeping up with current series, especially with the live TV upgrade.

Amazon Prime Video

Image : Amazon


Amazon Prime has many perks for its members, and Prime Video is one of the best. The on-demand service includes a massive library of free content, bolstered by an equally expansive breadth of content available for rent and purchase—some of which is exclusive to only Prime members, too.



Pricing

Prime Video is a part of the normal Amazon Prime subscription, which is available for $13 monthly or $119 annually, though this can be discounted to $59 a year with a valid student email address. Members can also extend their library with “Channel” add-ons for an additional price (which varies depending on the specific “Channel” package). Video rentals and purchases also available.


Noteworthy content

Amazon originals like Good Omens, Marvelous Ms. Maisel, and The Man in the High Castle.


Other perks

4k, HDR (including Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+) and Dolby Atmos content is included at no extra cost—unlike Netflix, which requires user upgrade their plans to unlock access to such content. Plus, users get all other Amazon Prime benefits and special offers included with their subscription.


Best for

Library size and scope. It’s also a no-brainer for Prime members.