Ads and interruptions
- Is the cheapest tier ad-supported?
- Roughly how many minutes of ads per hour?
- Are some titles unavailable on the ad tier?
- Can you remove ads with an add-on?
Subscription features
Features: What Your Plan Actually Includes
Two plans with similar names can behave very differently. Use these checklists to see what you are really paying for. Last reviewed January 2026.
The tier puzzle
Most major services now sell several tiers. The cheapest usually includes adverts, lower resolution and fewer simultaneous streams; the most expensive adds 4K, HDR, better audio and more screens. Some services, such as Prime Video in many markets, include adverts by default and charge separately to remove them. Others offer ad-supported plans only in selected countries.
Because providers revise tiers regularly, we avoid quoting prices. Instead, list your must-haves below, then compare them against the provider's current plan page in your country.
Picture and audio
- HD, Full HD or 4K Ultra HD
- HDR formats such as Dolby Vision or HDR10
- Dolby Atmos or spatial audio
- Does your TV or streaming stick support it?
Streams and sharing
- Simultaneous streams per plan
- Household definition and sharing rules
- Paid extra member options where offered
- Number of profiles
Downloads
- Downloads included on your tier?
- Device limits for downloads
- How long downloads stay valid
- Titles excluded from downloading
Parental controls
- Dedicated kids profiles
- Maturity rating limits by profile
- PIN locks on adult profiles
- Viewing history visible to parents
Commitment and cancelling
- Monthly or annual billing
- Free trial availability (now rare)
- Pause options
- Access until the end of the billing period
Bundles: savings or clutter?
Bundles combine streaming with other things you might already pay for: shopping memberships, mobile contracts, broadband, pay-TV packages or other streaming services. In the US, for example, Disney has offered bundles combining Disney+ with Hulu and HBO Max. Elsewhere, phone and broadband providers frequently include a service for a set period.
A bundle is good value only if you would have paid for most of its parts anyway. Watch for promotional periods that end quietly and roll onto full price.
- Check what you already receive through other bills
- Note when introductory prices end
- Confirm whether the bundled plan includes ads
Accessibility features worth checking
Subtitles and closed captions are standard on major services, but the quality and range of languages vary. Audio description for blind and partially sighted viewers is widely available on originals, less consistently on licensed titles. Look also for adjustable subtitle size and colour, and whether the app works with your device's screen reader.
Device support
Almost every major service runs on modern smart TVs, games consoles, streaming sticks, phones and web browsers. Older televisions may lose app support over time, and the highest picture quality can be restricted to certain devices or browsers. If your TV is more than a few years old, a low-cost streaming stick can be the most reliable upgrade.
Next, see which catalogues suit your tastes or read the subscription FAQ.