Netflix.com is one of the first websites to allow people to watch movies and television programs on the Internet. Its popularity stems, in part, from its widespread content offering, which is available at a flat monthly fee rather than a pay-per-view system. Many individuals enjoy Orange Is the New Black and House of Cards, among other things. It’s also quite simple to use: it works on desktop computers as well as mobile devices, digital media players, video game consoles, and some multi-function TVs. And when you’re watching episodes of your favorite shows there are never any commercials.
While Netflix may appear to be the ideal place for a feel-good Hollywood film, it isn’t. While they are still reasonably priced, the cost of Netflix subscriptions has recently gone up, and they’ll get more expensive if you want to watch films and TV shows with excellent video on more devices at once. Another restriction is that Netflix only allows you to view its movies and TV shows while you have an active membership, thus preventing you from saving them to your computer and watching them whenever you choose.
The most common complaint about Netflix is that it’s region-specific, which means that films and television programs available in one nation may not be accessible in another, or that Netflix may not be accessible in certain nations. Following are some of the most popular Netflix rivals that you may check out if Netflix turns you off.
1. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is a streaming video service owned by Amazon that allows you to rent or purchase digital copies of movies, as well as download episodes or seasons of popular television shows (including those from HBO). It also sells certain British and Japanese TV series, allowing you to download purchased movies right onto your computer. If you have Amazon Prime (which costs about $8.25 a month, roughly equivalent to Netflix), you may get this service for free as well as additional exclusive material. If you shop on Amazon and/or sell there, Amazon Prime Video is an obvious alternative to Netflix.
2. Soap2day
Soap2day Website is a Netflix rival that is owned by Walmart. While it merely operates in the United States and (therefore) has a modest film and TV show collection, it does have some intriguing characteristics. For one thing, it allows you to buy movies and television programs (both individual episodes and seasons). For another matter, it also permits you to unlock a digital copy on Soap2day by using a physical DVD or Blu-Ray Disc that you bought at Wal-Mart (or another participating retailer) as well as sharing it with your friends who use Soap2day!
3. Flixtor
You may watch a restricted number of television programs, movies, and previews for free with this website similar to Netflix. If you upgrade to Flixtor Plus, which costs around $8 a month, you can view Flixtor’s complete library, including some unique shows that no other service offers. Flixtor typically has new programming available much faster than other services. There are a few things to consider about Flixtor: it focuses more on TV shows than movies, it includes advertising (though you may get rid of this with a more expensive Flixtor original membership), and it’s only accessible in the United States.
4. YouTube
YouTube, which gained popularity after its launch in 2005, was purchased by Internet behemoth Google for over $1.65 billion US just a year later. YouTube allows you to watch video clips for free, including even television episodes and films. You can create “playlists” of your favorite videos and leave comments on them to share your thoughts.
However, there are a few things to consider before you start uploading videos. First, certain full-length films aren’t truly free; you must pay to view them. Second, YouTube is strict about copyright, so if the rights owner requests that a video be removed, it might be taken down quickly. Third, the comments sections on YouTube videos may not be peaceful at all times. Finally, many clips will include advertising, so prepare to see them.
5. Goojara
Another one of the alternatives to Netflix that is absolutely free is Goojara. Just create a username and password, then watch hundreds of movies and TV shows from Watch Free Movies Online (Goojara’s owner) or its partner distributors, including some exclusive programs such as Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. It’s also worth noting that Goojara is free, so you may expect mid-show and movie advertisements. In addition, because Goojara’s content library varies from month to month, certain programs and films will be deleted in order to make room for new ones.
6. HBO Now
HBO Now was developed by the Home Box Office network as a substitute to streaming services like Netflix, which were attracting movie and TV fans wanting to cancel (or skip) their cable TV packages. HBO Now is the start of HBO’s full transition to the Internet, allowing subscribers to watch exclusive HBO programming — including a rotating selection of movies from HBO’s partners — on demand and without having to pay for a channel bundle that includes the HBO network. It does not enable live viewing of HBO feeds; however it is only available in the United States.
