Sharing is caring: Top alternatives to Netflix and its controversial paid password sharing program
Netflix's plan to limit password sharing has been in the works for years and is no secret to anyone at this point. Recent tests in certain countries are just the beginning of the broad rollout of their paid sharing program, set to take place in the second quarter of 2023 in the US and other markets. This program includes an additional fee per extra household using an account, and it changes according to the subscription plan. However, the program has faced criticism not only from users sharing their passwords with family and friends and don't want to pay extra, but also from those who frequently change locations for work, long vacations, or any other reason. On top of that, the perceived drop in the quality of most of Netflix's original content compared to their competitors is another major criticism since the platform seems to be more focused on punishing their users instead of improving its service and providing better value to customers. Despite reporting good results in some countries where tests have already been carried out, such as Canada, the company has suspended its efforts in several smaller countries, including Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic, after users were confused and annoyed by the program. The recent loss of over one million subscribers in Spain due to the higher fees associated with the policy serves as a cautionary tale for Netflix as well.
Regardless, it doesn't seem like Netflix has any plans to permanently back down from this plan, so if you're one of the many users looking for alternatives to Netflix, whether it's for the reasons mentioned or your own, or if you just want to explore other options, we've got you covered! 👊 We've compiled a list of some of the best paid and free/mium services, along with other options that we think are just as interesting. We'll just give a brief overview of some of these awesome platforms, but if you want to dive deeper, you can always check out the Netflix's page on AlternativeTo. Also, keep in mind that we'll only be mentioning legal alternatives, so you don't have to worry about how or where you use them. After all, the idea is to simplify our lives, not make them more complicated, right?
Splurge-Worthy Substitutes
(Paid Alternatives)
Among the most popular alternatives is Hulu, which offers a library of 3,000+ titles, including popular TV shows and original content, and is particularly a good option if you're looking for something like a live TV Netflix, just keep in mind that it includes ads in some of its plans, but also offers the possibility of adding bundles with other services like Disney+ and ESPN +. But if you are serious about live TV, the best option would be probably Sling TV, which despite being more expensive than Netflix, comes with over 30 of the most well-known channels such as ESPN, BBC, Food Network, etc. Of course, among the most popular we also have more conventional streaming services like Apple TV +, Amazon Prime Video, or HBO Max. In the case of Apple TV +, the amount of content is lower, but its productions have enjoyed very good popularity, while Amazon Prime Video seems like the perfect option for Amazon Prime users as it is included within their benefits, in addition to having a catalog almost the same size as Netflix. For its part, HBO Max has a lot of critically acclaimed original content and is considered one of the services with the best quality in its productions, but keep in mind that it has been embroiled in controversy due to the content shift underway due to the merger with Discovery and is pending a major update in the near future, as we reported some time ago.
Other alternatives include Disney+, which offers a vast library of Disney content and new releases perfect for fans of the brand and animation cinema, in addition to content from Star+ (offered as a standalone app in some countries). The Criterion Channel is another great option for lovers of independent cinema, with a lot of audiovisual content for the most cinephiles that you won't find on Netflix, in addition to awesome and unique features like extra footage, interviews, behind the scenes, etc. MUBI is also similar to The Criterion Channel when it comes to providing a unique selection of curated independent and international films, but with a much more ephemeral content rotation and a selection of daily additions, making its content more dynamic and rewarding for loyal users. Shout out to Filmin in this category as well! Which combine a subscription with more than 10,000 titles with a movie rental tickets model. Additionally, Shudder specializes and beats Netflix in offering horror and suspense films, so if you're a fan of this genre, this is definitely an alternative to keep in mind.
The Wallet-Friendly Choice
(Free and Freemium Alternatives)
A good place to start this list is with The Roku Channel, which offers both free and paid content supported by ads from various partners such as Lionsgate, Sony, and Warner. It's not limited to movies but also includes TV shows and other free content from channels like Filmrise and Popcornflix. It's perfect if you have a Roku TV, but it's not limited to that and can be accessed from browsers, Fire TVs, and mobile apps. Tubi is also a great pick for those seeking a legal and free alternative to Netflix that doesn't require a credit card to sign up. It offers a wide library of content from major studios like Paramount, Warner Bros, MGM, and Lionsgate, as well as really cool niche content. Pluto TV is also a cool option as it has an enormous amount of "live channels" from cable TV providers around the world, along with a vast catalog of free TV shows and movies supported by ads. Some of you may remember it by the name IMDb TV, but the rebranded Amazon Freevee is a great free ad-supported option thanks to its catalog of popular movies and shows from mainstream studios, and you don't need an Amazon Prime subscription to use it.
But if you really want something that sets itself apart from the more popular alternatives, you should check out offerings like Hoopla Digital or Kanopy, both digital media services that let you borrow movies for free with just your library card (which is often free to get). Both are great concepts that depend on whether your library has an agreement with the platforms, and they offer excellent content provided by public libraries and universities related to classic cinema, indie films, or documentaries, completely free of charge. Hoopla's mobile apps are particularly interesting as they offer both streaming and offline downloads, while Kanopy includes selected titles from the Criterion Collection and a kids section with lots of family-friendly content.
It's worth mentioning other Media Center options that you can use to access your own content using your PC as a server to manage your digital library, such as Plex, or others that index content from different external platforms through add-ons or plugins to organize and visualize it more easily from their platforms, such as Stremio or Kodi. Some of these allow streaming from different devices like Smart TVs or can even be used for more than just movies or music, but also for photos, playing games, etc.
Keep in mind that several of these platforms may not be available in all regions due to licensing limitations, or may only be available as bundled apps depending on the region. Additionally, the prices and content of almost all services will change depending on the location from which you access the service. That being said, remember that these are just a tiny portion of the alternatives available, but there are hundreds of them with different features, prices, and types of content, so you will surely find the one that suits you best by exploring the Netflix's app page and its complete list of alternatives in more detail. You can also use filters to search by platform or business model, whether it's free, paid, or freemium, or even make a deeper search based on specific features shared between apps. And of course, your own personal recommendations are always welcome in the comments box, after all, the idea is to help each other find the best alternatives out there 😉
