The Top 3 Streaming Apps For the Professional
As a professional, one of the most important things you can do is to make sure you can de-stress. After a long day of working and grinding in a fast-paced environment, you have to find a way to relax your mind. One of the most common ways to turn your brain off of work mode is to find a source of entertainment. Nowadays, there are a plethora of choices to pick from, but some are much better than others. Today we analyze the top 3 streaming apps available and see which one offers enough of a variety and flexibility to fit your professional lifestyle.
The guidelines that we are judging are based on five categories. These categories are specific to the average person. The categories are the flexibility of devices, the variety of contents, ease of access, pricing, and quality. Our competitors were chosen based on the amount of subscribed users. In the order of subscribers, we have Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Video. Sling, Playstation Vue, DirecTV Now, and Youtube TV out of it, because they are not just streaming apps but an alternative to cable subscriptions. Also, HBO Now, Showtime, and Starz are available as add ons for Amazon and Hulu.
Flexibility of Devices
Netflix is by far the most flexible streaming platform you can subscribe to. They started on August 29th, 1997, as a direct competitor to Blockbuster (a video rental place). By allowing a more streamlined pricing structure and ease of use, Netflix single handily destroyed Blockbuster. With the rise in fame, and the convenience of fast speed internet they introduced video streaming in 2007.
As a pioneer in the video streaming segment, the company took its time to develop accessibility through various hardware. As of right now, you are able to watch Netflix on over 42 different hardware and software, and any modern smartphone powered by iOS, Android and even Windows Phone. Furthermore, they allow you to download the video for offline viewing on tablets, cell phones, and laptops. There is no one device that is incapable of streaming Netflix as long as it is internet-powered.
Variety of Contents
The approach that Netflix took for their video content has influenced all the other streaming platforms. In 2018, Netflix had nearly 90,000 minutes of original content. They all range from comedy, drama, sci-fi shows and movies to documentaries and animation specials. Netflix also offers a 4K UHD streaming option if you fancy that quality. Just be prepared for the price, but it is worth it. If you are looking for a broad choice of original content you can not go wrong with Netflix.
On the other hand, they used to have a lot of television shows from cable networks, but that is slowly changing. As the pioneers of online streaming, they have shown that it is possible to generate high profits through a streaming platform. A lot of the cable networks are now working on their own platform. Furthermore, Netflix does not allow you to add additional subscriptions with theirs, as Hulu or Amazon can.
Ease of Access
Signing up for Netflix requires little to no effort. Beyond the fact that they are available on almost any hardware you can think of, you are usually directed to their website to sign up. There was a time when you could sign up on the Android or iPhone app, but Netflix now redirects you to their website.
Original Content is Front and Center
Pricing
Netflix really stands out with pricing. They offer streaming-only plans and plans with DVD/BluRay rental included. However, since we are looking at purely streaming options, the prices are below.
Basic Non-HD$8.991 StreamMid Tier HD$12.992 StreamsHigh Tier Ultra HD$15.994 Streams
The prices are current as of 18 July 2019. Be warned, Netflix has had continuous price increases since it first started, so the price can change at any minute.
Flexibility of Devices
Amazon Prime Video is an automatic extension of an Amazon Prime subscription, but you can sign up for it by itself. Their video service was put into place on 07 September 2006. Originally, the service allowed you to download digital movies/videos that were purchased through Amazon. Yet, once Netflix started gaining steam Amazon changed course, rebranded and became a video streaming platform.
Amazon is in a great position. As a hardware manufacturer and a software developer, they provide access to their service from in-house devices. Choices range from the FireHD tablets to the Firestick (popular) and the Fire TV. Amazon says that the service is available on hundreds of streaming media devices. I am willing to say that Amazon and Netflix probably support the same amount of devices. There won't be any issues finding a device to watch your Prime Video content.
Variety of Contents
Amazon has taken a Netflix like approach to content variety. On top of producing their own content, they host other content from various different sources. Amazon is unique because, on top of a Prime subscription, they work as a hub for your streaming services. You can merge your HBO, Showtime, Starz, and plenty more with your subscription to Prime Video as channels. The downfall is that you have to pay for each additional "channel." The overall cost could possibly end up being more than a cable subscription.
If you do decide to commit exclusively to Prime Video then it would be best to have a firestick. The firestick will work as one device that has the best integration with Prime Video and have all your subscriptions. One big perk for Prime Video is the exclusive contract they have for Grand Tour. That is the only place you can get exclusive content from the trio that was formerly in Top Gear. Amazon also allows you to stream up to three devices on one account. The exception is that you can only stream the same show on two devices at once, but they do support offline viewing.
Lots of Personalized Information Up Front
Ease of Access
There is not one bit of complexity navigating Prime Video. A minimalist appearance guides you towards whatever genre you are looking for. The top section highlights Prime's original content. Beneath that is your watch next based on what you were watching beforehand. Finding new content is very simple also. The addition of the Amazon marketplace allows you to purchase digital movies you may want to watch if it is not available on Prime Video.
The app is very responsive also, and I have never dealt with any lag. Running on Amazon's servers, you can rest assured the service will work whenever you need it.
Pricing
There are two ways to subscribe to Prime Video. Amazon does make it fairly easy to sign up and get going. However, just like Netflix, they redirect you to their website when trying to sign up.
Sign Up Through Amazon Prime$119.00*3 StreamsAmazon Video Exclusive Sign Up$8.99 3 Streams
*Subscription includes access to Amazon Prime 2 Day shipping.
Flexibility of Devices
Hulu was founded on October 29, 2007. The service was originally launched with a focus on having access to cable shows. In 2010 Hulu added the option called Hulu Plus. This service provided undelayed access to new show episodes and full seasons of the shows available to stream. Overtime, Hulu has evolved to add movies and live tv. Hulu is now owned by Disney and will operate as a bridge to Disney+ (future streaming service) and ESPN+.
Hulu falls under the same device category as Netflix. If you can connect your device online, more than likely you can watch Hulu. The biggest drawback for Hulu (as Netflix lower-tier plan) is that you can only stream your show on one device at a time. However, unlike Netflix single stream Hulu offers HD on their basic plan. In addition, Hulu does not offer offline viewing of your content.
Variety of Content
Hulu contains a variety of contents. If you love cable tv shows, or local networks primetime shows Hulu has you covered. To name a few notable partners, Hulu has Bravo, E!, Fox, NFL Network, and Syfy (full list). They maintain an up to date library of shows, and they are available for streaming at any time.
Due to competition, Hulu is suffering the same way that Netflix is suffering. A lot of content providers are pulling their shows from Hulu to launch their own service. Long termwise, Hulu and Netflix are holding the short end of the stick. Unlike Netflix though, Hulu is not pushing the same amount of money towards original content. Unless a specific show is on Hulu that you like, their choices are not as vast as Netflix or Amazon. Yet, they do allow you to merge your HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz like Amazon.
Bright, Colorful, and Beautiful Layout
Ease of Access
Signing up for Hulu is as simple as Netflix or Amazon. They also redirect you to using a website to sign up for the service. They have a simple layout that prioritizing one show at a time on the home screen, under Hulu Picks. A simple swipe up gesture reveals more shows (one at a time) under the Hulu Picks section. Of course, those shows are the Hulu original shows, then a few more swipes will have suggestions from other networks. A swipe to the left with show another section with shows. This layout does require more work to see the options they have.
While the app is not slow by any means on any device, it does require more work. The layout requires more work to discover new shows. To see a list of shows available you have to either already made a list of your choices or start taping all over the place. In terms of design though, it is a very beautiful app to look at.
Pricing
Hulu pricing is not complicated at all. I would say the pricing structure is the simplest of the two, and the most affordable by the base price to features. Some plans include advertisement mid-shows, so be prepared for interruptions.
Hulu Basic$5.991 StreamHulu (No Ads)*$11.991 Stream
In my opinion, all three plans provide enough of a variety and differences to justify their existence.
Netflix is slowly becoming known for their original content. They specialize in targetting modern topics and bringing them to light. You can not go wrong with a Netflix subscription, their library is as diverse as every. However, they can only be valuable if they can keep churning out original content in high quality.
Amazon subscription is a hard sell. While they do have Emmy winning contents, the choices are not as vast as Netflix's. The ability to have premium channels from HBO and more creates a bubble of simplicity. However, the Prime Video service is valuable as an Amazon Prime subscriber. Individually subscribing to Prime Video is a tough sell, as they need more content.
Hulu is by far the cheapest most affordable plan compared to the other streaming apps. That affordable plan does include key restrictions such as having only one stream at a time and commercial interruptions. They have more content available than Amazon, but much less than Netflix. With Disney at the helm of Hulu, they are headed towards a collision course with Disney's own service that is launching in 2019.
Overall, out of all the streaming apps, my recommendation goes to Netflix. Once Disney's service launches with all their movies, then the game may be different.
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