If you don’t have movie apps on your smartphone in 2019, we’ve really got to wonder what kind of life you’ve been living.
Streaming services have been around for quite a few years now, but it wasn’t until recently that these entertainment on-demand services really hit their stride. Streaming services are disrupting the very way we think of entertainment. They’re killing television, opening minds, and redefining the very idea of digital amusement.
In recent years, streaming services have also invaded mobile devices. Apps like Netflix have been around for awhile, but it wasn’t until recently that they became truly viable. It’s easier than ever to download a streaming service to your mobile device and enjoy a variety of entertainment with few restrictions.
As glorious as the age of streaming is, it comes at a very real cost. With so many monthly fee streaming services out there, it’s hard to expect someone to own them all. As such, you’ve got to be a little picky about which ones you subscribe to.
To help you sort through the madness, we took a look at the biggest premium – and free – video streaming services for iPhone. There are 12 that you need to know about.
Vudu
Pros:
- Free
- Interesting Film Selections
- Good Looking App
Cons:
- Lacks High-Profile Free Selections
- Missing Some Features
- Premium Selection Is As Good or Better Elsewhere
Vudu is one of those movie apps that you should probably just download.
The thing about Vudu is that it’s a solid free movie app that offers a decent selection of complimentary programs along wiith some premium services. As with many free movie apps, you’ve got to be realistic about what you’re getting, but in this case, what you’re getting is actually not that bad at all.
Vudu’s “better than most” free library already puts it ahead of the game, but it’s the professionalism of Vudu’s design that really helps it stand out.
Vudu can’t compete with the high-end subscription services out there, but we can’t say that it’s really meant to.
Viewster
Pros:
- Great For Anime Lovers
- Original Programs
- Interesting Features
Cons:
- Not Great for Non-Anime Fans
- Lacks Some Big Names
- App Has Some Functionality Issues
Viewster is one of the apps on the market designed to cater to anime fans, and it’s a pretty good one.
Viewster allos you to watch a variety of anime programs as well as some content that the app’s creators feel might be appealing to anime fans. As a free app that offers such content, it’s certainly easy enough to recommend to those who think they may be in the target demographic.
Whether or not those fans are going to keep Viewster on their devices is another story. The app itself isn’t particularly well designed, and its selection is more for people that want to explore the genre than experience the best it has to offer.
This app is certainly worth a look, but it might not have much staying power.
Tubi (Movie Apps Winner: Best Free Service)
Pros:
- Surprisingly Good Library
- Great Categorization Features
- Free
Cons:
- App Has Some Design Issues
- TV Selection is Iffy
There’s a strong argument to be made that Tubi is the absolute best free movie app available for iOS.
The strength of this app lies in its incredible library. You don’t often see free movie apps that boast such a fantastic selection of mostly modern titles with some classics and other films that are generally worth seeing. It’s not as good as the ones you get with premium apps, but it’s not that far off.
Actually, Tubi’s categorization options are arguably better than the ones you get with premium services. There’s even a category for films that aren’t on Netflix.
Unfortunately, the app itself isn’t as high-quality as some of the competition, and this service’s TV options aren’t exactly top-of-the-line. Still, there’s no reason not to download this one and take a look.
SnagFilms
Pros:
- Indie Film Library
- Solid App Design
- Free
Cons:
- Not Many Notable Titles
- Missing Some Features of its Competitors
Even the best free apps can’t really compete with the selection oferred by premium services. That’s the nature of the business. Well, SnagFilms circumvents the business a bit by focusing more on indie selections.
As a result, you’ll find stuff on this app that you won’t find anywhere else. Form documentaries to Bollywood hits, SnagFilms is the ultimate collection of more eccentric and obscure works.
Whether or not that’s for you is something that you probably know better than anyone else. Again, as a free app, it’s hard to think of too many reasons why you wouldn’t want to download this. It might even help you discover some things that you didn’t know you were into.
The only real downside tothe app (besides some missing features) is that the space it occupies may be better used for other services if you’re just not really into what SnagFilms is designed to offer.
Crackle
Pros:
- Free
- Original Content
- Well Designed App
Cons:
- Content isn’t that good
- Tons of Ads
- Frequent Bugs
Crackle is one of those services that makes you realize just how many great streaming service options there are. Unfortunately, that’s only half of a compliment.
The good news is that Crackle is free meaning that you can easily take it for a spin and quickly form your own conclusions about what it has to offer. Said offerings include some pretty interesting original shows, a few easy to recommend movies, and some quality television shows available via the service.
The bad news is that Crackle’s lineup is usually pretty weak. While the rotating Crackle collection means that you’re never stuck with the same content for long, the problem is that Crackle isn’t really known for featuring the latest and greatest movies and shows. Opinions may vary regarding the general quality of every movie on the service, but most of them are pretty low-rated by critics and audiences.
Of course, you’ll also need to deal with some ads if you choose to take advantage of Crackle’s free offerings. All in all, it’s a nice service to have around, but there’s nothing about Crackle that is essential.
Showtime Anytime
Pros:
- Quite a bit of Showtime Content
- Available for Free (With a Showtime Subscription)
- Offers Offline Download Options
Cons:
- Library Is Pretty Bad
- Iffy Interface
- Not Available As a Standalone App
Showtime Anytime – which is a great name – isn’t the worst iOS streaming service out there, but in terms of major names, it’s hard to recommend.
Showtime Anytime’s biggest problem is that its library is pretty weak. While new movies and shows are added to the app as they are added to the Showtime network, the problem is that Showtime isn’t exactly known for being a top-tier provider of original content and feature films. Your mileage may vary in that respect, but when you compare Showtime’s library to that of other major streaming services, it’s hard to justify the $11 a month fee (though that number might be less depending on which service you use to subscribe).
In any case, the best thing you can say for Showtime Anytime is that it’s fairly well-made. Offline downloads are always nice, and the app itself is stable. The interface leaves a little to be desired (video playback buttons can be finicky), but there’s nothing too appalling here from a tech standpoint.
Still, there are better options available.
Redbox on Demand
Pros:
- Basically a Virtual Red Box
- No Monthly Subscription Fee
- Rewards Program
Cons:
- In Public Beta (Which Means It Can Be Buggy)
- Not All Available Videos Can Be Rented
- Tends to Focus on New Films/Shows
Not to be confused with the standard Redbox app – which is an essential companion piece for anyone who regularly rents from Redbox – Redbox on Demand is Redbox’s most ambitious attempt yet at breaking into the digital video market.
Currently in public beta (which means it’s open to everyone) Redbox on Demand allows you to rent or buy quite a bit of content that you might find at a physical Redbox. The price of every title is based on factors like its popularity and whether or not you’d like to rent or buy it, but the selection is varied and generally pretty good.
One of the potential problems with Redbox on Demand is that its offerings tend to be pretty new. That might not be a problem for some, but for those used to a having a selection of classic titles at the ready, that might be kind of a disappointment.
In fact, the only people we can easily recommend Redbox to are regular Redbox users who like the service’s selection and are interested in earning points towards future purchases.
Plex
Pros:
- A Theoretically Infinite Amount of Content
- Custom Servers
- User-Friendly Set-up
- Premium TV Options
Cons:
- Requires You to Upload Your Own Content
- Tends to Push the Premium Features
Plex is one of my absolute favorite media apps, even if it’s hard to recommend to anyone.
First off, Plex isn’t a traditional media streaming service. It offers some pre-loaded content (some of which can be purchased via a premium pass and subscriptions), but Plex’s true calling is as a media server. To be honest, the content that Plex offers can usually be found in better overall streaming services (so far as pure content goes).
However, as a media server, Plex is essential. The ability to upload your own content to Plex and access it at any time is something that other services do, but few are as user-friendly or flexible as Plex. It just makes it so easy to take your content with you anywhere.
It’s very hard to recommend Plex’s premium and subscription options simply because it feels like an inefficient way to get much of the content it offers, but you absolutely should have Plex on your device due to how easy it makes creating your own streaming service using your content.
Pluto TV
Pros:
- Most of the Available Content is Free
- Satellite-Style Programming
- Varied Selection of Programs
Cons:
- Premium Content Isn’t That Great
- Tends to Repeat Programming for Weeks at a Time
Pluto TV is the portion of this particular list where things get really interesting.
Anyone who grew up with cable or satellite television knows that there’s a certain thrill that comes from randomized, themed programming. In the mood for sci-fi? Throw it on the sci-fi channel. Feel like laughing? Flip it over to the comedy channel. Sometimes, it’s nice to not be responsible for your programming entertainment.
Pluto TV replicates that experience. It offers quite a few free channels of themed content ranging from Mystery Science Theater to professional wrestling and martial arts films. Pluto TV is great for those situations when you just want to throw something on and not overthink what you’re going to watch tonight (or if you just need background noise).
The significant downside to using Pluto TV is the quality and quantity of its content. There are a lot of channels on Pluto TV, but they often repeat the same content for weeks on end. That means that it’s difficult to rely on Pluto as your go-to entertainment app.
Sling TV
Pros:
- It’s TV!
- Fair pricing
- Pick Your Own Programming
Cons:
- It’s Tv.
- You’re probably getting a lot of this content through another service.
Sling TV is one of the most popular live streaming services on any platform. After all, it’s essentially the TV plan we’ve always wanted. Sling lets you choose pre-set packages of channels or, better yet, mix and match channels to create your own TV plan.
Being able to make your own TV package is nice and all, but what really sells Sling is the price. The price of different channels and packages varies, but generally speaking, Sling charges a very affordable rate for just about any combination of channels.
That’s a good thing, but the problem is that many cord cutters have ditched TV not just because it’s expensive but because there’s nothing good on. Picking and choosing channels is nice, but it only really works for those who have channels that they want to pick and choose from. Everyone else will probably end up feeling like they’re better off subscribing to a more current streaming service where many ongoing shows are also available.
Still, it’s hard to argue with what Sling TV offers for those who are interested in it.
Criterion Channel (Movie Apps Winner: Best Movie Selection)
Pros:
- Unique Library
- Excellent Curation
- Fascinating Features
Cons:
- Not For Everyone
- May be a Little Expensive For Some
For those who don’t know, Criterion is a service designed to preserve and celebrate significant films. Some of the films in question are blockbusters, while others are obsure foreign titles you may have never heard of.
However, if it’s in the Criterion collection, you can rest assured that it’s a movie that is worth seeing at least once in your life. Previously, Criterion released high-quality transfers of these films via premiumly price DVDs and Blu-Rays, but the Criterion Channel allows you to access most of the Criterion Collection for a monthly fee.
First off, no other service comes close to matching what the Criterion Channel offers in terms of sheer film quality. It’s actually quite shocking when you compare its film lineup to the ones seen on Netflix, Hulu, and other services.
However, the fact remains that the Criterion Channel is designed with pretty hardcore film fans in mind. If you mostly use streaming services for familiar TV shows or comfort food films, you may find that it’s not a great value for you.
HBO Go/Now
Pros:
- Some of the Best Original Series Ever Made
- Decent Selection of Movies
+Watch HBO Shows Live
Cons:
- Depends on How Much You Like HBO
- Kind of Expensive
- Bare Bones App
HBO is the most important channel in the history of cable television. The subscription service changed the rules of what you could get away with on television and raised the bar for television drama and comedies.
Indeed, the biggest selling point of HBO Go/Now is that it allows you to access nearly every HBO show ever made. While there are some shows missing, the bulk of the HBO backlog is available to view via the app. You can also watch current and live shows, which means you never have to miss Game of Thrones again.
The biggest downside to HBO’s streaming service is its cost. Unless you already have an HBO subscription via your TV service, you’re going to have to shell out $14.99 a month for access to HBO Now. That’s not an outlandish price, but in terms of what you ultimately end up getting, there’s a strong argument to be made that your money could be better spent elsewhere. It doesn’t help that the HBO app is merely functional.
Still, it’s hard to argue against the HBO lineup.
Amazon Prime Video
Pros:
- Is Included With Amazon Prime
- Offers A Ton of Content to Rent or Buy
- Variety of Movies and Shows
Cons:
- Not Really Worth It As a Standalone Streaming Service
Amazon Prime Video is a tricky service to rate.
The thing about Amazon Prime Video is that it’s probably the best “add-on” service on the entire internet. By that, we mean that many people are already subscribed to Amazon Prime in order to take advantage of the site’s two-day shipping option, and that means they get Amazon Prime Video as part of their subscription.
As an add-on, Amazon Prime Video is brilliant. There’s quite a few great movies on here, some really good original content, and a decent selection of TV shows. It’s not the best library out there, but it’s not bad. You can also rent or buy a variety of movies via Amazon’s video service.
The problem with Amazon Prime Video is that you might not be an Amazon Prime subscriber. In that case, it’s kind of tough to justify paying $8.99 for just the streaming service. It’s also not going to sell you on an Amazon Prime subscription if you’re not already interested in the benefits of being a Prime subscriber.
Hulu
Pros:
- World-Class TV Lineup
- Very Good Original Content
- Live TV Options
Cons:
- Cost for Ad-Free Plan is Questionable
- Better Movies on Other Services
Hulu has long been the “other” streaming service, but that doesn’t mean it’s a second-class citizen.
One thing that Hulu offers that no other streaming service comes close to matching is an exceptional collection of TV shows. Hulu has invested heavily in bringing some all-time classic TV series to their service and even a brief glance at their lineup reveals how well their strategy has paid-off. From Seinfeld to The X-Files, Hulu’s TV section really does have many titles for just about everyone.
It certainly doesn’t hurt that Hulu offers live TV options and usually features clips and full episodes from current or recent TV shows. It’s a TV lover’s paradise that so happens to feature some pretty good movies (even if that’s not the service’s selling point).
Speaking of selling points, let’s talk about Hulu’s price point. At the base price of $7.99 a month, you might think that Hulu is a steal. However, if you want to ditch the ads that come with that packages (and you certainly do) then you’ll need to pay $11.99 a month. Features like DVR and Live TV will cost you even more.
Anything beyond the $11.99 plan does make you start to question the value of the service just a bit.
Netflix (Movie Apps Winner: Best Overall Service)
Pros:
- The Definitive Streaming Service
- Exceptional Original Content
- Great Rotating Selection of Movies
Cons:
- TV Lineup Not Nearly As Strong as it Once Was
Netflix is the first and last name when it comes to streaming services. They’re a cultural phenomenon that transcends the idea of streaming entertainment.
Despite the service’s popularity, Netflix is more than just hype and a brand name. What started as a DVD by mail service evolved into a revolutionary streaming platform that kicked the doors open and revolutionized the industry.
Since they’re streaming debut, Netflix has expanded into the realm of original content and have established themselves as one of the premier names in that field as well. From Narcos to Stranger Things, Netflix’s OC lineup simply can’t be beat amongst dedicated streaming platforms. Their collection of movies and television shows is pretty strong as well.
If there’s one downside to Netflix to seriously consider, it’s the service’s collection of TV shows. Netflix has been letting shows go over the years as they invest more in original content. That means that some awesome shows that were once on the service or no longer available.
Serious TV lovers might prefer Hulu, but it’s hard to argue against Netflix being the king of streaming.
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