Apple TV+ is winning awards. The library is still small. Every prestige show, the fifth season of the fan-favorite comedy included, is a marquee release you finish in a weekend, and then the catalog runs dry. If you want a streaming service you actually reach for on a Tuesday night, these seven Apple TV+ alternatives cover deeper libraries, live sports, and back catalogs Apple can’t match.
Quick comparison
| Service | Best for | Ads plan | Ad-free plan | Live sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Broadest catalog | $7.99/mo | $17.99/mo | NFL Christmas Day |
| Max | HBO originals | $9.99/mo | $16.99/mo | Bleacher Report |
| Disney+ | Family and franchise | $9.99/mo | $15.99/mo | ESPN+ add-on |
| Prime Video | Movies with bonus perks | $9.99/mo | $12.99/mo | Thursday Night Football |
| Hulu | Current-season TV | $9.99/mo | $18.99/mo | ESPN+ bundle |
| Peacock | NBC library and Premier League | $7.99/mo | $13.99/mo | NBC Sunday Night, Premier League |
| Paramount+ | CBS, Star Trek, NFL | $7.99/mo | $12.99/mo | CBS NFL, Champions League |
Why Apple TV+ subscribers add a second service
Three complaints come up in every “should I keep Apple TV+” thread.
The library is thin. Every show is prestige, but there are only 60 of them. Once you’re done with Severance, Slow Horses, Foundation, For All Mankind, Silo, and the comedy in its fifth season, the app runs out of “next” surprisingly fast.
There is no back catalog. Apple TV+ launched in 2019 and started buying shows from scratch. Every other service on this list has decades of TV to fall back on. Apple has almost none.
The desktop app is thin. Apple’s web player works, but the Mac app is minimalist and the Windows situation is browser-only. No downloads on Windows, and offline viewing is Apple-device gated.
1. Netflix, Best for the broadest catalog
Netflix is the default for a reason. Its US catalog runs deeper than every other service here, and the desktop app supports downloads on Windows through the Microsoft Store client. Original tentpoles arrive every month.
Where it falls short: Licensed catalog rotates faster than any other service. Series get cancelled mid-arc more often than fans want.
Pricing: Standard with ads $7.99, Standard $17.99, Premium $24.99. Extra Member slot $7.99.
Apple TV+ vs Netflix: Apple bets on prestige, Netflix on volume. Pick Netflix if you want something on tonight, not just an event to plan around.
Download: Netflix also on Microsoft Store
Bottom line: The safest single-service pick. Skip if you want zero ads and every show fully paid off.
2. Max, Best for HBO originals and prestige movies
Max is the Warner Bros. Discovery service that folds HBO’s whole catalog into a wider entertainment library. The Wire, Succession, Sopranos, White Lotus, and House of the Dragon all live here, plus Warner films within a few months of theatrical release.
Where it falls short: Interface changes with every rebrand. WBD’s cost-cutting has removed some HBO shows entirely.
Pricing: With Ads $9.99, Standard $16.99, Premium $20.99. Annual saves 16 percent.
Apple TV+ vs Max: Both target prestige. Max has 40 years of HBO to fall back on when new shows land between seasons.
Download: Max also on Microsoft Store
Bottom line: The closest quality match. Skip if HBO’s darker programming isn’t your speed.
3. Disney+, Best for family and franchise
Disney+ anchors on Marvel, Star Wars, and the Pixar back catalog. Recent seasons of Andor, Skeleton Crew, and What We Do in the Shadows keep the adult-viewer side alive. Bundles with Hulu and ESPN+ make it the best three-service deal in streaming.
Where it falls short: Franchise fatigue is real. Non-Marvel non-Star Wars originals struggle.
Pricing: Basic with ads $9.99, Premium $15.99. Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ trio $16.99 with ads, $26.99 without.
Apple TV+ vs Disney+: Different audiences. Households with kids probably need Disney+ regardless.
Download: Disney+ also on Microsoft Store
Bottom line: The best kid-safe pick. Skip if nobody in your house is under 20 or a Star Wars fan.
4. Prime Video, Best for movies with bonus perks
Prime Video now has ads by default, but the rental catalog and Prime shipping perks make it hard to cancel. The Boys, Fallout, Reacher, and Rings of Power keep the original side competitive with Apple.
Where it falls short: UI mixes rentals and included content confusingly. Ad tier is aggressive.
Pricing: Ad-supported $9.99 standalone or included with Prime ($14.99/mo, $139/yr). Ad-free upgrade $2.99.
Apple TV+ vs Prime Video: Prime has movies. Apple TV+ has a tighter prestige TV bar. If you’re already a Prime member, Prime Video is nearly free.
Download: Prime Video also on Microsoft Store
Bottom line: Best value if you already pay for Prime. Skip if you don’t want physical-goods shipping.
5. Hulu, Best for current-season TV
Hulu is where next-day episodes of network shows live. If you follow Abbott Elementary, Only Murders in the Building, or Alien: Earth week to week, Hulu is where you catch up. Add the Live TV tier and you get an antenna replacement.
Where it falls short: Ads on every plan below $18.99. Only available in the US.
Pricing: With Ads $9.99, No Ads $18.99. Live TV starts at $82.99. Disney+/Hulu bundle from $10.99.
Apple TV+ vs Hulu: Different jobs. Hulu is the “keep up with new episodes” service. Apple TV+ is the “check in when a big show drops” service.
Download: Hulu also on Microsoft Store
Bottom line: US-only, network-focused. Skip if you rarely watch broadcast TV.
6. Peacock, Best for NBC library and Premier League
Peacock is where the whole NBC library lives, plus Premier League soccer, Sunday Night Football, and Universal films within four months of theatrical. The Traitors, Poker Face, and Twisted Metal are among the strongest originals.
Where it falls short: The lowest tier has ads even on originals. UI is inconsistent.
Pricing: Premium with ads $7.99, Premium Plus $13.99, Premium Plus with Live TV $16.99.
Apple TV+ vs Peacock: Peacock has 90 years of NBC content. Apple has 60 originals. If you like NBC comedies or Premier League, Peacock is essential.
Download: Peacock also on Microsoft Store
Bottom line: Best library-plus-live-sports mix at the price. Skip if you don’t watch soccer or NBC.
7. Paramount+, Best for CBS, Star Trek, and NFL
Paramount+ is Paramount Global’s home for CBS current-season, the entire Star Trek library, and the NFC package of NFL games. The 60th anniversary Star Trek box set arriving this fall is going to send new viewers straight to this app.
Where it falls short: Non-Star Trek originals are hit-or-miss. Ad tier lacks CBS live streaming.
Pricing: Essential with ads $7.99, Premium (no ads plus Showtime) $12.99. Annual saves 16 percent.
Apple TV+ vs Paramount+: Very different libraries. If Star Trek matters to you, Paramount+ is the only choice.
Download: Paramount+ also on Microsoft Store
Bottom line: Best sci-fi and NFL package for the price. Skip if you don’t care about either.
How to choose
Pick Netflix if you can only add one service. Pick Max if HBO drama is your favorite genre. Pick Disney+ if you have kids or a Star Wars completionist in the house. Pick Prime Video if you already pay for Prime shipping. Pick Hulu if you follow current-season network TV. Pick Peacock if you watch Premier League or NBC comedies. Pick Paramount+ if you’re a Star Trek fan or the NFL. Keep Apple TV+ if Severance and Silo are your must-see prestige picks.
FAQ
What is the best Apple TV+ alternative in 2026? Max, if you’re chasing HBO-quality prestige TV. Netflix, if you want the deepest current library. Both cost a few dollars more than Apple TV+ but have far more to watch.
Can I get Apple TV+ content elsewhere? Some Apple original films (like CODA) get theatrical or home-video releases. Series stay exclusive to the app on desktop.
Which of these has the best sports coverage? Peacock (Premier League, Sunday Night Football) and Paramount+ (NFC, Champions League). Neither replaces a full cable package, but both are strong.
Do any offer offline downloads on Windows? Netflix, Prime Video, Max, Disney+, and Hulu allow downloads through their Microsoft Store apps. Apple TV+ does not offer Windows downloads. Peacock and Paramount+ are streaming-only.
Which is the cheapest desktop streaming service? Netflix Basic and Paramount+ Essential are both $7.99/mo with ads. Peacock Premium is also $7.99. Prime Video with ads is $9.99 standalone but included with Prime.
