As Netflix’s UK prices increase, check out these alternative streaming services
With Netflix’s price increase set to take effect this August, why not explore your options?
Netflix’s price increase is set to take effect for many customers this August. The bump will see the standard tariff, which lets users stream to two devices at once, increase by £1 from £7.99/mth to £8.99. The premium service, which permits use on four devices, has been increased by £2/mth, from £9.99 to £11.99.
The basic subscription, which lets customers stream on one device at a time, will remain the same price at £5.99.
The changes, which were announced back in May, came into effect immediately for new customers. Meanwhile, price changes for existing customers will effect on Thursday 29 August, as specified in a company email.
And while Netflix no doubt produces reams of fantastic content – Orange is the New Black, BoJack Horseman and Stranger Things among them – the price increase comes as an unwelcome bump for many. Outgoing direct debit payments can quickly add up, and if you’re fielding a phone tariff, gym membership and Amazon Prime subscription all at once, Netflix’s most recent changes might just push you over the edge.
In fact, US customers have recently been deserting the platform in droves, thanks to its more expensive plans. A recent report disclosed that the company had lost 126,000 paid subscribers in the US after March increases took effect. To which we say, Netflix and chill-out-with-those-price-bumps.
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to Netflix ahead of its imminent price increases, we’ve got you covered. We’ve done a deep dive into alternative streaming services, so you can make an informed decision about which is the right option for you. Read on for our picks.
Netflix UK alternatives: Amazon Prime Video
The most prominent alternative to Netflix is its main rival, Amazon Prime Video. The streaming platform gives access to masses of content, including award-winning films and TV shows, offering the largest volume of content out of all the major streaming services. Current titles include nostalgic favourites like The Office and Lost, while Amazon Original content is blooming, with titles such as The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel and Transparent amassing critical and popular acclaim. Users can download content via the Prime Video app for offline watching.
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Cost-wise, Prime Video on its own is available for £5.99/mth – equalling Netflix’s basic plan. However, users can upgrade their subscription to an Amazon Prime subscription, which gives access to all of the benefits that Amazon Prime provides, including free next-day delivery on a wide range of products and the chance to avail themselves of the annual sales extravaganza that is Amazon Prime Day. A Prime subscription costs £7.99/mth or £79/yr (working out at £6.58/mth). Users can also benefit from a 30-day free trial if they want to dip their proverbial toes in the water.
Netflix UK alternatives: Now TV
Now TV offers a slightly different streaming service: users pay for weekly or monthly passes, securing them access to a range of channels, films or TV shows. Now TV’s Monthly Entertainment Pass (£7.99) gives you access to 13 Sky Channels that aren’t available through Freeview, while movie buffs will rejoice at its Monthly Sky Cinema Pass (£11.99) which secures access to over 1,000 films – including new monthly releases. Titles currently include award-winners including Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri and A Quiet Place.
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The Monthly Kids Pass is £3.99/mth, offering up thousands of kids’ TV episodes, while the Monthly Sky Sports Pass is a bit steeper, at £33.99/mth, but you’ll get full access to Sky Sports for a month – which is dear anyway, and saves you a hefty bar tab as you watch the game(s) at your local pub.
As with Netflix and Amazon Prime, users can cancel at any point – and there’s a seven-day free trial for most options, so you can try before you buy.
Netflix UK alternatives: BBC iPlayer
Stop the press: you don’t need a hefty direct debit payment to get access to great content. Provided you’ve got a TV license, BBC iPlayer offers loads of TV shows, mini-series and films on its platform – all for free.
Luther, Bodyguard, Killing Eve, Dr Foster, Fleabag – the list goes on. Its documentaries are world-class, with archive material from the likes of Louis Theroux and David Attenborough available at your fingertips. Plus, come Christmas, there are loads of great films put out onto the platform, that you can watch advert-free on your phone, laptop or smart TV.
Users will now need an account to watch BBC iPlayer, but it takes seconds to set up and is completely free.
Netflix US alternatives: Hulu
Meanwhile, if you’re a US-dweller, on-demand video service Hulu is a fantastic option. Home to revered original TV shows such as The Handmaid’s Tale and Castle Rock, Hulu offers an enormous catalogue of content, including noughties favourites like Grey’s Anatomy to Desperate Housewives.
It also boasts a huge number of films, from recent releases like the award-winning Columbus to cult favourites like Superbad, there’ll be something for everyone
READ NEXT: How to watch Hulu in the UK, US and abroad
Subscriptions start at $5.99/mth, and offer a free month-long trial for prospective customers. There’s also a Hulu + Live TV option, which lets customers stream 60+ live and on-demand TV channels, record live TV and watch it on supported devices, all for $44.99/mth (with a seven-day free trial).
At $5.99/mth for the basic plan, Hulu rings in at $3 cheaper than US Netflix’s basic option, which costs $8.99 (its standard streaming plan costs $12.99/mth, with the premium service costing $15.99/mth).
Hulu customers can switch plans or cancel at any point.