The streaming landscape is more crowded than ever before, with the most popular streaming services delivering libraries filled with familiar shows and excellent new programs to fall in love with. With so many options, it can be difficult to narrow down the options to find the streaming service that has the shows you want, at a price you can afford. With that in mind, let’s check out two of the best options available right now, Apple TV+ and Netflix.
Apple TV+ might be one of the newest streaming services out there, but it’s made a real splash in the streaming ecosystem. It delivers a great library of new exclusive content, opting for new shows like Ted Lasso and For All Mankind to draw people in, instead of flaunting a library of classic favorites.
Alternatively, Netflix has been the king of streaming since day one. It’s got a massive library filled with shows and movies you already know and love, along with fantastic exclusive options like Stranger Things and Bridgerton.
So which streaming service should you pick? Let’s dig in.
What can I watch on Apple TV+ and Netflix?
The first thing to consider when looking at streaming services is whether they have the shows you want to watch. After all, a streaming service can have a massive library, but if it isn’t filled with movies and shows you’re interested in, it isn’t really worth the money, is it?
In terms of sheer size, Netflix takes the win here. Over the years, it’s pivoted from an endless catalog of existing movies and TV to putting real effort into developing new exclusive movies and shows to keep people watching. With hits like Stranger Things, Will & Harper, Bridgerton, and Arcane, it’s clear that the strategy has been working out too. This emphasis on exclusive programming has helped Netflix to be in the same league with Max when it comes to gold standard TV. Of course, Netflix doesn’t just have exclusive programming either. The massive library is eclipsed only by Amazon Prime Video and has favorites like Supernatural, Transformers, The Walking Dead, and plenty more to boot.
Alternatively, Apple TV+ doesn’t have the massive library that Netflix boasts. Instead of focusing on delivering a wide library full of content, this service instead has put all of its effort into delivering top-notch new shows and movies you can only watch there. It poured tons of money into securing some of the top minds in Hollywood like Jennifer Aniston, Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, and that methodology has paid off. Its content covers a wide range, erom sci-fi options like For All Mankind and Silo to spy shows like Slow Horses and medical dramas like Five Days at Memorial.
How much do Apple TV+ and Netflix cost?
In terms of cost, both Netflix and Apple TV+ are available at a price that should fit into just about any budget. However, choosing your subscription also requires a bit of extra thought about features, and whether you’re willing to put up with ads.
Apple TV+ takes the win when it comes to cost, thanks to it’s super-affordable $10-per-month subscription cost. Along with that delightfully low price, you can score a three-month free membership with every purchase of select Apple hardware, a 7-day free trial to check out the service, or a 1-month trial with Apple One. This means you have a variety of ways to check out what Apple TV+ has to offer before ever needing to pay a penny.
Netflix however, is a different story and its price depends on which tier of service you choose. The Standard with ads tier costs $7 each month and is the basic subscription supported by ads. It includes access to most items in the library, lets you stream or download on two devices, and displays video in 1080p. The Standard plans jumps up to $16 per month. This removes ads, gives you access to the entire video library, lets you watch or download on two devices, and displays video in HD. The Premium tier goes all the way up to $23 each month. At this price, you can watch in 4K, stream on four devices at once, get access to downloads on six devices, and take advantage of Netflix spatial audio. With the new password sharing rules, the Standard and Premium tiers are also the only subscriptions that let you add other Netflix users to your account even if they don’t live with you.
Device support
While weighing the pros and cons of a streaming service can be tricky, figuring out if your streaming device supports them isn’t. If you have a streaming box, a home computer or laptop, a tablet, a video game console, or a smartphone, you should be able to watch both services. However, it’s worth noting that Apple TV+ isn’t available as an app on Android devices, which means you’ll need to log in to the Apple TV+ website in order to watch.
Both of these services are quite popular, so they’re fairly widely supported. However, if you want to double-check whether your device is compatible it’s easy to do. You can check out the supported device lists for both Apple TV+, and Netflix online.
Video and audio quality
In terms of video and audio quality, you want an option that delivers the best experience possible. However, when we’re talking about 4K video, it’s worth remembering that even if a streaming service has access to 4K titles, you still need hardware capable of properly displaying it. This means your streaming box or TV needs to be up to the task, and your internet speed needs to be fast enough to keep up, or else you’re going to run into issues.
Netflix has amazing video and audio quality available, but in order to access it, you’ll need to pay a bit more. The company is excellent when it comes to adjusting its video compression to match your internet speed, so in most cases, you should be getting crystal-clear picture and sound — especially on the Premium plan. The Premium plan offer 4K, while the Standard plans deliver content in 1080p. Netflix also supports Dolby Atmos for some of its content, along with 7.1 and 5.1 surround sound options.
Meanwhile, Apple TV+ delivers, crisp beautiful 1080p streams. Apple TV+ will always stream in the highest quality possible, which means you don’t need to do anything extra in order to get the best picture possible. It also includes some programs in 4K and 4K HDR, if you have the equipment to support it. Apple TV+ also supports Dolby Atmos, which means the audio is crisp and clear whether the sound is turned down after the kids go to bed, or turned all the way up for your favorite action flick.
Conclusion
While choosing between Apple TV+ and Netflix isn’t easy, it really comes down to which service has more of what you want to watch. Both services have plenty of great shows and movies waiting for you to feast your eyes on and neither is likely to bust your budget.
Apple TV+ delivers a great library of new shows and movies that you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re tired of rewatching the same old shows, then the $10-per-month subscription fee is definitely worth it to find a new favorite. Alternatively, Netflix has a gigantic catalog that may serve you better if you have a house with kids, or you want access to new exclusive shows and your favorite comfort watches. While it is a little bit pricier, the $16-per-month standard plan offers a lot of value for less than it costs to fill the gas tank of your car.
Of course, if both of them have caught your attention, you could always just subscribe to both. That way you never miss a single episode of the great shows and movies they have to offer.
