Compare On-Demand Streaming TV

Netflix: From video library to global powerhouse

The granddaddy of them all, some would say, is Netflix. But to be fair, that’s not entirely true. Netflix wasn’t the first on-demand streaming video service on the planet. However, their popularity is due to the way they tweaked, adjusted and refined the very model of a streaming service. A model most of their competitors have since followed.

Originally a video library service dealing in physical DVDs sent out to renters by mail (a model Quickflix later emulated here in Australia), Netflix decided to offer extra convenience to its customers. The company allowed them to watch streaming versions of some of the things they were hiring. In other words, users had instant access to their rentals rather than having to wait for the postman. This feature was extremely well-received by users. Hence, the service grew to eclipse the disc rental side of the business. And as word of mouth spread, Netflix’s “instant access” became the most popular element of Netflix’s business. Far from fighting it, they expanded it – making sure they had apps for their service on every imaginable platform. And, in recent years, expanding to service almost every country on the planet.

Netflix’s reputation for content variety, picture quality and reliability is only enhanced by its growing catalogue of “Netflix Original” productions, which are every bit the equal of the best of HBO or Showtime. This month, subscribers can tune in to see the special series finale of Sense8, plus season 2 of hit shows such as GLOW, Thirteen Reasons Why, and Queer Eye.

Stan: More than just an Australian Netflix

Foxtel Now: Where Live TV and streaming meet

Though it’s been around for some years now – pre-dating the other streaming services – Foxtel Now, formerly Foxtel Play, is actually more of a hybrid between a multi-channel streaming version of the full Foxtel service and an on-demand streaming model. At its core, though, it’s a service that gives you direct streaming access to live Foxtel channels as they air. In other words, you can access Foxtel without actually having it physically installed.

On top of that, Foxtel Now offers on-demand access to a huge range of Foxtel movies and shows. The list includes prized HBO content such as Game of Thrones and Westworld. Moreover, you get access to other popular shows, some exclusive to Foxtel. This year, for instance, subscribers can stream new episodes of The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Arrested Development, The Affair, and the highly anticipated sixth season of the Foxtel original series, Wentworth. All in all, the service is kind of a bridge between conventional scheduled TV and the new age of on-demand entertainment.

hayu: All the reality TV you can handle

BigPond Movies: Rent/buy recent blockbusters

If you’re looking for the latest movie releases, BigPond should be your go-to destination. The platform offers all the popular recent titles you’ve missed in the cinema, allowing you to rent/buy them and enjoy at your leisure. With an amazing content library, BigPond ensures you’ll always have something to watch – from blockbuster movies to addictive TV to acclaimed classic films you may want to revisit.

Unlike Netflix or Stan, BigPond Movies is a pay-as-you-go service. You can rent movies or buy movies and TV shows to watch again and again. You only pay for the titles you want to watch, so there will be no monthly surprises on your bank statement. Since there’s no subscription fee, you control what you spend and when you spend it. Besides recent releases, the platform is also offering older titles you might have missed, so there’s basically zero chance you’ll ever run out of cool content to watch.

You can get BigPond Movies on PCs/Macs, mobile devices, Telstra TV, and selected smart TVs. All you have to do is sign up, select your title, and start watching. Buying new release movies generally costs around $18-$20. Or, you can rent some of those movies for about $6. Older movies can be around $8-$15 to buy and $4 to rent. Recent titles on BigPond Movies include The Black Panther, Red Sparrow, I, Tonya, 12 Strong, The Greatest Showman, and more!

Ozflix: Watch Aussie movies at your leisure

DocPlay: Huge selection of docos for a curious mind

Another niche streaming service catering to a specific need, DocPlay hosts a plethora of documentaries to keep you busy. If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll find plenty of popular titles here to gauge your interest. Including well-known docos like Citizenfour, Searching for Sugar Man, Blackfish, and Bowling for Columbine. And the best part? The service offers a selection of titles for free.

With DocPlay, you can choose between two plans – Free and Premium. The Free plan only entails you create an account on the platform. Once that’s done, you can watch a limited selection of titles in SD for free, with ads. A Premium plan costs $6.95/month or $69.50/year. It eliminates ads, offers titles in HD, and grants you access to the full DocPlay catalogue. There’s a one-month free trial you can take advantage of to test drive the service before making a commitment.

As for devices, you can watch on PCs/Macs, mobile devices, Telstra TV, Apple TV, all Sony Android TVs and other Android TV devices. You can also use Chromecast to stream to your big screen TV. If you love documentaries, this is the service for you.

Amazon Prime Video: stream acclaimed TV shows for a low monthly fee

iTunes: buy/rent titles on a pay-as-you go basis

If you have an iPhone, you’re probably already familiar with iTunes. The service allows you to enjoy the music, movies and TV shows you already have — and shop for the ones you want to get. It’s also home to Apple Music, with an enormous catalogue of 40 million songs, curated playlists, Beats 1 radio and more.

With thousands of movies and TV shows to choose from, there’s always something great to watch on iTunes. You pay as you go for the titles you want. And if you watch on Apple TV 4K, you’ll be able to enjoy a tremendous selection of your favourite content in 4K HDR. Just tap to play, or even download if you’re going somewhere you won’t have Wi-Fi. iTunes is also available on PCs/Macs, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Thanks to iCloud, the movies and TV shows you buy from the iTunes Store automatically appear on all your devices. As for content, you can find anything from the newest blockbusters to classic series. However, keep in mind that purchasing these movies/TV shows can get pricey, especially if you’re buying an entire season of your favourite show. That’s fine if you only watch series occasionally. If you’re an avid binge-watcher, however, you might be better off with a subscription-based service.

Google Play: a convenient way to purchase movies and TV shows

Similar to iTunes, Google Play offers access to tons of TV shows and movies, this time for all users. You pay as you go, only for the titles you want. However, as with iTunes, purchasing an entire season of a series can be pricey. The service works on PCs/Macs, all smartphones and tablets, Android TV. You can also use Chromecast to stream your content to the big screen. You will need to download the Google Play Movies & TV app to your desired device.

Users can download Google Play Movies and TV shows onto Android and iOS devices or Chromebook, so they can watch without a Wi-Fi or mobile data connection. Content varies from fresh blockbusters and series to more classic picks, so there’s a good chance you’ll find tons of things to watch. For shows, you can buy a single episode or get a Season Pass. If you go for the second option, all episodes will be delivered to you once they become available.

All in all, Google Play is great if you only watch TV shows and movies from time to time. If you binge a lot, a subscription-based streaming service might be a better option.

YouTube Red: unlock original content and get rid of ads

YouTube Red comes with several advantages for those willing to pay a monthly subscription. First off, you get access to original content by YouTube creators – mainly movies and TV series. Next, you get to enjoy music ad-free, without interruptions. You can play music and videos on mobile even when you’re offline. And finally, your music or video plays uninterrupted in the background, even when you open another app.

A YouTube Red subscription costs $11.99/month. A Google Play Music subscription is included at no extra cost. Your YouTube Red membership does not include access to any content that requires purchase, such as rentals, pay-per-view purchases, or paid channel subscriptions. However, you do get access to exclusive shows and movies from YouTube’s biggest stars.

If you’re an avid YouTube user, investing in a YouTube Red subscription makes sense, if only for the ability to get rid of ads and save videos and songs on your mobile device to watch offline. Plus, YouTube is investing in creating original content as well, which is a nice perk. The platform’s very own shows – I’m Poppy, Youth & Consequences, and Step Up: High Water – were released recently.