Streaming services from most to least expensive
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.
| 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.
Why you might start seeing ads over what you're watching on Roku
At this point, seeing targeted ads on sites like Facebook is no surprise. The good news is you don’t have to live with them. Tap or click here for ways to stop ad tracking on Facebook.
But the last place you’d expect to see targeted ads is through your television. If you have a Roku TV, don’t be shocked when ads start popping up while you’re streaming your favorite show.
Watch local TV for free on your smartphone or computer -- in 9 major cities
Cable became a mainstay of most households just a few decades ago, but with the rise of streaming, it appears to be on the way out. Still, there are shows and events you can catch only on live TV, and there are ways to get those channels for free if you don’t have cable or an antenna. Don’t get too excited yet: The non-profit service is available in only nine cities — New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, Baltimore, Chicago, Houston, Dallas and Denver.