Netflix vs. Amazon Instant Video vs. Hulu Plus- BLOGTOBER OCTOBER 24, 2014

With so many online streaming services out there today which one is really worth all the hype and money? Today I break down the top 3 streaming services out there today and hopefully this will help you guys decide.

Let's start with the most popular one NETFLIX. Netflix has been around for a couple years now and combines movie and tv show streaming. In terms of variety Netflix has done a pretty good job. There is something for every type of genre including foreign movies and has a good combination of old stuff and new stuff. I have noticed more and more that while Netflix has deleted a lot of their popular stuff like the Law and Order: SVU series they have been adding more and more like the entire series of Gilmore Girls plus all the previous seasons of popular shows like Vampire Diaries, Grey's Anatomy and such. Netflix also has their own exclusive shows like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black which are both amazing. Netflix also has a tendency to take over shows that are no longer on TV like The Killing and Arrested Development.

Pricing: The basic package is $7.99/month which will be raised to about a dollar for new customers. This price allows you unlimited streaming on 2 devices. You will have to pay more if you want the DVD service which is around $15-20 depending on how many DVDS you want to check out. 

Amazon Instant Video has become quite the success in the last few months or so. It is included when you sign up for Amazon Prime and is not available on its own.  The prime package includes free shipping and other various amenities. Amazon Instant Video features a lot more older movies and tv shows like Sabrina the Teenager Witch which I personally enjoy these blasts from the pasts. Only recently it has begun to feature newer stuff as well as shows from HBO which is something Netflix and no other streaming service has yet to achieve. In terms of streaming, Amazon doesn't have little previews when you want to fast forward like Netflix does, however if you are a prime member you can access the Instant Video just through amazon.com and not a separate service like Netflix or Hulu Plus. You can also purchase TV shows and movies kinda like what you do on iTunes. It is available right after purchase and doesn't require any download time like iTunes (although you can choose to download it to your device later on). I only recommend this service to those who use Amazon quite frequently.

Pricing: For students it is $45 a year and non students about $99 a year (however there has been talks that the price will reduce soon).

Hulu Plus comes from the Hulu that we have all grown to love. Hulu allows us to catch up on our TV shows once it has just been aired. Hulu Plus is the next level. Recently some shows have only been available to Hulu Plus which allows users to watch the episode right after it airs and don't have to wait for it. Hulu Plus does have a variety of movies and clips. Personally unless you are a big TV buff I don't recommend this. The streaming quality is so and so and the variety isn't as big as Amazon Instant Video or Netflix. But it is great for TV shows.

Pricing: $7.99/month

Streaming platforms for all 3 include iPad, Smartphones (No for Amazon Instant), and computers.