10 Best Streaming Services in UK [Easily Apr 2024]

Are you wondering, what are the best streaming services in UK? Well, we have thoroughly researched the streaming marketplace in UK and listed the best streaming services in UK for you.

To provide a comprehensive insight about the best streaming services in UK, we have elaborated everything from the user interface to streaming quality and all relevant information about the content library you can watch on each streaming service so you can make an informed decision about which one is appropriate for you.

Although some of the best streaming services are unavailable in the UK due to copyright and licensing policies, in this case, you will need a premium VPN to bypass the geo-restriction and enjoy fascinating content in the European region.

10 Best Streaming Services in UK: Quick Overview [April 2024]

Following are the 10 best streaming services in UK. These UK streaming platforms have great content with elegant user experience and features like offline downloads and streaming in 4K quality. They allow you to watch your favorite movies, TV Shows, documentaries, and Live events directly on your streaming device.

Following are the price points of the 10 Best Streaming Services UK:

The price point is an important variable but read more to find out the other important information related to the best streaming services in UK.

10 Best Streaming Services in UK 2024

Now, as you know of the best streaming services in the United Kingdom, we have shared the substantial details of each streaming platform that would make your choice simpler. Keep reading to find out.

Netflix

Netflix is inevitably the most popular streaming service in 2022, with over 220 million subscribers globally. It has an immersive library of TV Shows and movies, including timeless Netflix originals such as Stranger Things, Crown, Lupin, and many more. It is one of the top streaming services in the United Kingdom and around the globe.

Netflix also produces original movies, usually of high quality and well-received by global audiences. Moreover, Netflix UK has a great selection of stand-up comedy specials and documentaries. Netflix constantly updates its library with contemporary content, so there’s always something incredible to watch.

The following are the specifications of Netflix:

• Resolution Quality: 4K
• Exclusive Originals: Yes
• Live TV: No
• Starting Subscription Price: GBP 6.99 per month
• Simultaneous Profiles: 1-4
• Compatible Streaming Devices: Fire T.V, Roku, Gaming Consoles, Smart TVs, Set-top Boxes, Chromecast, Web Browsers, iOS, Android, and Apple TV.

The least subscription plan on Netflix costs GBP 6.99 per month, which gives you access to the basic content library. The standard subscription plan is GBP 10.99 and lets you watch the best movies on Netflix in High Definition.

Most people subscribe to Netflix because of its incredible selection of content titles. However, with its recent price hike, some individuals question whether purchasing Netflix is a frugal decision, given that other streaming substitutes are available at lower prices. Furthermore, the content on Netflix is original and premium, keeping the subscribers entertained and hooked.

If you are backpacking to a region where Netflix UK is geo-restricted, use a premium VPN for Netflix like ExpressVPN.

Following are the pros and cons of Netflix:

Pros

• Optimized User Interface and Features
• Excellent Content Library
• Popular Titles

Cons

• Expensive Subscription Plans
• Regular updating of Content Library: Titles are not available for longer periods.

BBC iPlayer

If you are searching for a free streaming service with tons of content, then BBC iPlayer is your go-to streaming service. It is an on-demand video streaming platform that offers a diverse variety of programs, including documentaries, live events, T.V shows, and movies.

BBC owns it; this streaming platform is free of charge, provided you have an existing BBC account and live in the United Kingdom. Traveling outside of the UK region, you can use a premium VPN. For this, check our guide on watching BBC iPlayer outside the UK with the best VPNs.

The following are the specifications of BBC iPlayer:

• Live TV: Yes
• Resolution Quality: 720p
• Starting Price: Complimentary Service with a BBC account
• Exclusive Originals: Yes
• Simultaneous streams: Unlimited, since it requires no account
• Compatible Streaming Devices: BlackBerry 10, Amazon Fire, iOS and above, Selected Smart T.Vs, PC, and many more.

BBC iPlayer is a relied-on streaming platform for original quality programming, sports coverage, world news, and a zero-advertising policy. It means that you can watch any of the available content without having to worry about the aggravating commercials.

You can watch incredible content like World Cup, Wimbledon, the Olympics, and many more on BBC iPlayer. Some devices compatible with BBC iPlayer are Amazon Fire O.S. 5 or higher, iOS 7 or above, Windows 10 devices, and Android 5.0 and above.

Following are some pros and cons of BBC iPlayer:

Pros:

• Complimentary with BBC services
• Massive Content Library
• Live broadcasts of News, Events, and Documentaries

Cons:

• Geo-restricted outside the United Kingdom
• No High Definition Streaming
• Only broadcasts BBC Program
• Frequent Outages

Hayu

Hayu is a top streaming platform for reality TV connoisseurs. The service lets you watch hundreds of reality shows and incredible movies. Some famous TV shows on Hayu are Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Million Dollar Listings, Top Chef, Real Housewives, and many more.

You can watch various true crime series such as Ice Cold Blood, Below Deck, Vanderpump Rules, and many more on Hayu. So, if you are a reality TV enthusiast looking for excitement and drama, Hayu is your go-to streaming platform.

The following are the specifications of Hayu:

• Exclusive Originals: No
• Live TV: No
• Subscription Price: GBP 4.99 per month
• Resolution: 1080p
• Simultaneous Streams: No
• Compatible Devices with Hayu: Amazon Fire TV, Gaming Consoles, Samsung T.V, Roku, Apple TV, iOS devices, Telstra T.V, and Fetch devices.

You can purchase Hayu for GBP 4.99/month. It offers a single price tier in comparison to other renowned streaming services. You can also subscribe to Hayu for a year at GBP 43.99. For this fee, you can simply access on-demand television and all of Hayu’s other premium features. Moreover, there is no lock-in contract, which enables you to cancel your Hayu subscription whenever you like. Otherwise, the payments will just renew on their own if you decide not to cancel.

The streaming platform is available in the United Kingdom with subsequent availability in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Australia, and Ireland. You can watch Hayu episodes online the same day the show is aired in the United States or directly access your classic TV shows whenever you want.

Following are the pros and cons of Hayu

Pros:

• Offline downloads
• Budget-friendly service and a smaller debit to your monthly streaming bill
• No advertisements
• Wide selection of reality TV shows
• 7-days free trial

Cons:

• Limited Content (Only Reality Shows)
• No Simultaneous Streaming Profiles

Now TV

Now is a renowned streaming platform that offers 4 memberships: Entertainment for GBP 9.99/month, Sports for GBP 25/month, Cinema for GBP 11.99/month, and Hayu for GBP 4.99/month. Now TV streams many award-winning titles and allows 2 simultaneous streaming platforms. You can choose the membership you want on their official website and upgrade it to Now Boost anytime.

NOW Boost is an ad-free premium plan that lets you use 3 devices simultaneously and stream content in high definition. There is huge on-demand and live content available on Now. You also get 7 day free trial with its premium subscription.

Following are the specifications of Now TV

• Exclusive Originals: Yes
• Live TV: Yes
• Subscription Price: GBP 9.99 per month
• Simultaneous Streaming Platforms: 2 (NOW Boost allows 3 Profiles)
• Compatible Devices with Now TV: Xbox One, MAC, PC, Android, iOS, Gaming Consoles, Roku, Chromecast, Samsung TV, and LG TV.
• Resolution Quality: 480p

You can cancel your Now TV subscription anytime you want. You can register up to 6 devices on a single account and download the shows and movies to watch offline at your convenience. Some of the must-watch titles on Now TV are Unhinged, Justice League, and Promising Young Woman.

Although to stream content in high definition, you must subscribe to Now Boost and stream your favorite shows in 1080p.

Following are the pros and cons of Now TV:

Pros:

• Best American Shows and Movies
• Simultaneous Streams and multiple device sign-ups
• Flexible Plans

Cons:

• Default streaming in 720p
• Content libraries are often updated, and shows are removed from the platform.
• The user interface must be improved

Britbox

Britbox is a coming-of-age British streaming platform by ITV plc and BBC Studios. It has an incredible content library, including timeless shows like The Long Call, Sister Boniface, Hotel Portofino, and many more.

You can purchase a Britbox subscription for GBP 5.99 per month or make a yearly payment of GBP 59.99. If you get an annual subscription plan, you can save 16%. Moreover, you can share your Britbox account with friends or family members, as it allows simultaneous streaming on up to 5 devices.

The streaming platform is available in the USA, Canada, and the UK; however, the content library differs in each region. If you want to access shows and movies from another region, you can use a premium VPN like ExpressVPN.

The following is the specification of Britbox:

• Simultaneous Stream: Upto 5 Devices
• Live TV: Yes, only on the browser
• Exclusive Originals: Yes
• Subscription Price: GBP 5.99 per month or GBP 59.99 per month
• Compatible Devices with Britbox: YouView, Amazon Fire TV, Smart TV, iOS, PC, and Android
• Resolution Quality: 1080p

If you enjoy streaming classic British movies and shows, BritBox is a great option for you. The video plays quickly on the site without making you wait any longer. From the early 1980s to the present times, BritBox’s content library has everything. It has more than 300 titles and broadcasts content from Beeb, Channel 4, ITV, and Channel 5.

On BritBox, you also get a 7-day free trial. Moreover, you can cancel your BritBox subscription anytime. There are around 100 original titles on this platform, like The Beast must Die, Spitting Image, and Lambs of God.

Following are the pros and cons of BritBox:

Pros:

• Inexpensive Streaming Platform
• Simultaneous streaming Profiles
• Classic British Content

Cons:

• Incompatible with Gaming Consoles
• Limited Exclusive Originals

Channel 4

Channel 4 is the best streaming platform for you if you want to watch classic shows. It is the best free streaming platform in UK, offering all on-demand video content with no subscription fees. Most of the titles on Channel 4 are free to watch but include advertisements. So if you want to watch Channel 4, without ads, you must opt for its premium subscription. It has content from E4, All 4, Walter Presents, and Channel 4.

You can watch classic movies such as Catch Me if You Can, Kill List, and many more on Channel 4. Moreover, you can also watch anime content, Adult Swim Network, and Vice documentary series on this streaming platform.

The following are the specifications of Channel 4:

• Live TV: No
• Simultaneous Streaming Profile: –
• Subscription Price: Free of Cost
• Exclusive Originals: No
• Resolution Quality: 720p
• Compatible Devices with Channel 4: iOS, Android, Roku, Samsung TV, YouView, Sky Q, Xbox, P.C and PlayStation.

Channel 4 app is available on most streaming platforms such as iOS, Windows, Android, and Smart TV. Furthermore, using the built-in browser, you can easily download and watch Channel 4 on LG Tv. It is a great option with a combination of BBC iPlayer as you can watch a huge variety of content would spending a dime.

Following are the pros and cons of Channel 4:

Pros:

• Free to Access
• Great Content Library
• Allows the downloading of video for offline streaming

Cons:

• The free version is ad-supported

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is a market leader in the streaming industry and is indeed the best streaming services in UK. It is offered by Amazon and has an incredible content library that will keep you hooked for hours.

Although Amazon Prime is not as inexpensive as its competitive streaming platforms, it has an amazing value proposition. You can purchase Amazon Prime Video for GBP 5.99/month or GBP 79/year.

If you are investing for the first time in a streaming platform, then Amazon must be your choice because it offers a free trial. You can watch all the content on Amazon without being charged for the first month.

The following are the specifications of Amazon Prime:

• Live TV: No
• Subscription Price: GBP 5.99/month or GBP 79/year
• Exclusive Originals: Yes
• Resolution Quality: 4K
• Simultaneous Streaming Profiles: 3
• Compatible Devices with Amazon: iOS devices, Android devices, Fire tablet, Xfinity X1, Apple Tv, Roku, Smart TV, and Blu-ray players.

If you do not want to continue with the Amazon membership after the free trial, you can cancel Amazon prime before the end of the free trial, and you won’t be charged for the membership. The channel offers some incredible originals that you won’t be able to stream elsewhere. It includes movies, TV shows, and original programs.

You can also buy or rent movies on Amazon Prime Video, although its selection is not as impressive as its competitors. Unlike Netflix, the shows are few, and it takes longer to update its content library.

Following are the pros and cons of Amazon Prime TV:

Pros:

• Captivating Content Library
• Offers Prime Benefits
• High-quality Amazon Originals

Cons:

• Not available on all streaming platforms
• Some services are comparatively more expensive

Disney Plus

Disney Plus is one of the most renowned streaming services in the United Kingdom. It has a diverse variety of content, including exclusive access to Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars movies. In the United Kingdom, the content library of Disney Plus also includes popular titles from Star.

It also has some of the best original shows, such as Ladu, the Tramp, Marvel’s Hero Project, and many more. If you are looking for family movies and shows, Disney Plus is your go-to streaming service. Disney Plus is available for GBP 7.99 per month or GBP 79.90 per year.

Since the company is on the brink of increasing the price, you might want to know how to cancel Disney Plus. You can easily cancel your Disney Plus subscription anywhere, anytime.

Following are the specifications of Disney Plus

• Live TV: No
• Simultaneous Streaming Profiles: 4
• Exclusive Originals: Yes
• Price: GBP 7.99 per month or GBP 79.90 per year
• Compatible Devices with Disney Plus: Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, PlayStation 4 Samsung and LG Devices, Chromecast, iPad, and many more.
• Resolution Quality: 4K and 1080p

Disney Plus application has excellent features that make the app easy to comprehend and use. It has effective parental controls that can be used to limit what your children can watch and for how long he/she can watch.

Following are the pros and cons of Disney Plus:

Pros:

• Lots of Popular Content
• Great Disney Plus Originals

Cons:

• Expensive Subscription Plans
• The content lineup is not streamlined

Apple TV Plus

If you are looking for the best low-priced streaming platform for under GBP 5 per month, you should purchase Apple TV Plus. The service offers a 7-day free trial, and you can easily test it before committing to a paid subscription plan.

Apple TV Plus is becoming popular in the UK because it has exceptional content like WeCreashed, Ghostwriter, Hala, and many more. The platform also has other award-winning shows and is continuing to air new content.

The following are the specifications of the Apple TV Plus:

• Live TV: No
• Simultaneous Stream: 6
• Subscription Price: GBP 4.99 per month
• Resolution: 1080p
• Exclusive Content: Yes
• Compatible Devices with Apple TV Plus: Amazon Fire TV, Xbox, Android Devices, Web Browsers, iOS devices, Chromecast with Google TV, Apple TV, Panasonic TV, Samsung TV, Sony TV, and many more.

Apple TV Plus has the best family-friendly content. The service also has an application for various devices, including the iPad, iPhone, Apple tv, Mac, and iPod Touch. You can enjoy on-demand and live content on Apple TV with this streaming service.

Following are the pros and cons of Apple TV Plus:

Pros:

• Inexpensive Price Points
• Musical Documentaries
• Original and High-Quality Content

Cons:

• Incompatible with Web Browsers and Slow App Functionality
• Limited Shows as compared to major competitors

Channel 5

Also known as My5, Channel 5 is a UK-based video-on-demand streaming platform. The best thing about this British streaming service is its diverse media content which is free to stream.

Channel 5 has an appealing content library, including the Walking Dead, the X-files, Friends, and many more. There are many amazing titles that you can watch on My5.

The following are the specifications of Channel 5:

• Live TV: Yes
• Subscription Price: Free of Cost
• Resolution Quality: 480p
• Exclusive Originals: Yes
• Simultaneous Stream: No
• Compatible Devices with My5: Apple TV, Android TV, Freesat, Freeview, Roku Boxes, Amazon Fire TV, iOS and Android Devices, PS4, Samsung TV, and Blu-ray players.

You can watch My5 on almost every streaming device. You will be asked to register or Sign in to watch My5 when accessing the service. The network family 5 includes 5ACTION, 5SELECT, Channel5, 5STAR, and 5USA.

Following are the pros and cons of Channel 5:

Pros:

• Live TV
• On-Demand exceptional Content
• Free with Channel 5 Subscription

Cons:

• You cannot Stream the shows in High Definition
• Geo-Restricted Streaming Service
• Frequent Outages

How much do Best Streaming Services in UK cost?

Most of the best streaming services’ subscription costs range from GBP 5 to GBP 15 per month. Most TV subscription services offer additional features like multiple screens or higher resolution for an additional price.

However, when different shows are exclusive to different platforms, like The Mandalorian on Disney+, and Squid Games on Netflix, you would need more subscriptions than ever to keep up with the trending shows.

How to Choose the Best Streaming Services in UK?

You can choose the best streaming services in the UK based on different factors. The primary factor in selecting the streaming service is cost, although some services are free while others charge a subscription fee. Another important factor is the content or library availability of each service.

Some streaming platforms have a limited selection, while others have a massive library. The third factor to consider is the streaming quality, whether the selected platform enables you to watch shows in high definition.

Lastly, you need to calibrate the device compatibility of each service. Like whether the streaming service works with your device or not. Based on the following criterion, you can select the best streaming services in UK.

FAQs

Which streaming services in UK offer a free trial?

Contemporarily, the streaming services offer a free trial: Apple TV+, Now TV, Discovery Plus, BritBox, BFI Player, and Hayu.

Which streaming services have the best value proposition?

Every platform has a different value proposition but based on the pricing, device compatibility, and content library, Netflix and Disney Plus have the best value proposition.

Which is the biggest streaming platform in UK?

Netflix is the biggest streaming platform with the most subscribers in UK.

Conclusion

The following guide elaborates on the 10 best streaming services in UK in 2024 by illustrating their prices, specifications, merits, and demerits.

You also gained insight into other aspects, such as streaming substitutes and devices you can use to watch your favorite content on the available channels in the UK.

However, suppose the streaming service is unavailable in your region. In that case, you can use a premium VPN like ExpressVPN because it is the most recommended VPN with best-in-class features and exceptional unblocking capabilities to bypass the geo-restriction of all major streaming platforms, including Hulu in the UK, Hotstar in the UK, and many more.

Gary Wilson

Gary is a geeky-binge watcher who loves to pen down all that he watches. The night-owl has just got two hobbies, binge-watching all the latest shows and writing everything about them.