Best Streaming Services UK 2026

Every major UK streaming service compared — pricing, content, 4K, family features, and which is actually worth paying for.

Updated April 2026. Prices shown are standard monthly rates; annual plans and bundles may reduce the cost. Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Netflix: Best overallDisney+: Best valueAmazon Prime Video: Best for existing Prime membersNOW (Sky): Best for Sky content flexibilityApple TV+: Best originals qualityBritBox: Best for British TV fansITVX Premium: Best add-on for ITV viewersParamount+: Best for CBS drama fans

Quick comparison

Service	Price/mo	4K	Family	Streams	Free trial
N Netflix	£4.99–£17.99/mo	✓	✓	4	None
D Disney+	£4.99–£11.99/mo	✓	✓	4	None
a Amazon Prime Video	£8.99/mo	✓	✓	3	30 days
N NOW (Sky)	£9.99–£34.99/mo	✗	✓	1	7 days
Apple TV+	£8.99/mo	✓	✓	6	7 days
B BritBox	£3.99/mo	✗	✗	2	7 days
I ITVX Premium	£3.99/mo	✗	✗	3	7 days
P Paramount+	£6.99/mo	✗	✓	3	7 days

Full breakdown

Netflix

Best overall

The streaming giant

£4.99–£17.99/mo

The world's largest streaming service with the deepest original catalogue. Netflix produces more award-winning originals than any competitor and has something for almost every taste.

Pros

+Largest library of originals worldwide
+Ad-supported plan from £4.99/mo
+4K HDR on Standard with Ads and above
+Strong drama, comedy, film and documentary
+Best-in-class recommendation algorithm

Cons

–Password sharing now costs extra
–No live TV or sports
–Price increases regularly

Worth watching

Stranger ThingsThe CrownWednesdaySquid GameBlack Mirror

4K HDR

Video quality

Max streams

No trial

Free trial

Try Netflix →

Disney+

Best value

Disney, Marvel, Star Wars & Star

£4.99–£11.99/mo

Exceptional value thanks to its breadth of brands: Disney classics, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and the Star hub for adult drama and entertainment.

Pros

+Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Nat Geo — all in one
+Star hub adds thousands of adult shows and films
+Up to 4 simultaneous streams
+4K Dolby Vision on Premium plan
+Outstanding kids and family content

Cons

–Premium tier needed for 4K and downloads
–Smaller originals slate vs Netflix
–Star content quality varies

Worth watching

The MandalorianLokiAndorOnly Murders in the BuildingThe Bear

4K HDR

Video quality

Max streams

No trial

Free trial

Try Disney+ →

Amazon Prime Video

Best for existing Prime members

Included with Prime membership

£8.99/mo (or £95/yr for Prime)

Excellent value if you already pay for Amazon Prime. The originals are uneven but the hits (like The Boys, Rings of Power, Fallout) are world-class. Sports (Premier League) available as an add-on.

Pros

+Free with Amazon Prime membership
+Premier League football available as add-on
+30-day free trial for new subscribers
+4K HDR included on all plans
+Strong originals plus rental/purchase option

Cons

–Many titles are "rent to own", not included
–Interface can be confusing
–Originals quality is inconsistent

Worth watching

The BoysFalloutRings of PowerReacherJack Ryan

4K HDR

Video quality

Max streams

30 days

Free trial

Try Amazon Prime Video →

NOW (Sky)

Best for Sky content flexibility

Sky content without the contract

£9.99–£34.99/mo (per membership)

Access Sky content month-to-month without a satellite dish or long-term contract. Separate memberships for Entertainment, Cinema, Sport, and Kids let you subscribe only to what you want.

Pros

+No contract — cancel any time
+Sky Atlantic, Sky Max, Sky Comedy
+Sky Cinema (new releases same day as Sky)
+NOW Sport for Premier League and F1
+7-day free trial

Cons

–No 4K on standard plans (Boost required)
–Only 1 stream on standard plans
–Gets expensive stacking multiple memberships
–Boost add-on required for downloads & HD

Worth watching

House of the DragonSuccessionThe WireNew Sky OriginalsPremier League (Sport)

Video quality

Max streams

7 days

Free trial

Try NOW (Sky) →

Apple TV+

Best originals quality

Fewer shows, higher quality

£8.99/mo

Apple TV+ has no back catalogue — it's all originals. What it lacks in volume it makes up for in quality: Severance, Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, and Slow Horses are among the best TV made anywhere.

Pros

+No ads on any plan
+Up to 6 simultaneous streams (family sharing)
+4K Dolby Vision included
+Consistently high production values
+Free with new Apple device purchases

Cons

–No back catalogue — originals only
–Smaller library than any rival
–Not great value if you binge quickly

Worth watching

SeveranceTed LassoThe Morning ShowSlow HorsesMonarch: Legacy of Monsters

4K HDR

Video quality

Max streams

7 days

Free trial

Try Apple TV+ →

BritBox

Best for British TV fans

The home of British TV

£3.99/mo

A joint venture between BBC and ITV, BritBox is home to the largest archive of British TV available to stream anywhere. Classic Coronation Street, classic Doctor Who, Agatha Christie adaptations, and new BritBox originals.

Pros

+Biggest British TV archive online
+Cheapest premium streaming service
+Quality BritBox originals
+Classic BBC and ITV box sets
+7-day free trial

Cons

–No 4K content
–Only 2 simultaneous streams
–Niche appeal — mainly British content
–Limited film selection

Worth watching

GhostsDeath in ParadiseVeraClassic Doctor WhoRidley

Video quality

Max streams

7 days

Free trial

Try BritBox →

ITVX Premium

Best add-on for ITV viewers

Ad-free ITV with bonus content

£3.99/mo

If you regularly watch ITV shows and want to skip the ads, ITVX Premium is the cheapest way to upgrade. Also adds bonus BritBox content and a growing catalogue of premium box sets.

Pros

+Removes ads from ITVX free tier
+Bonus content and early access
+BritBox included (for a period)
+Cheapest ad-free UK service
+7-day free trial

Cons

–No 4K content
–Content library smaller than rivals
–Less compelling if you don't watch much ITV

Worth watching

I'm a CelebrityEmmerdaleCoronation StreetTrigger PointThe Tower

Video quality

Max streams

7 days

Free trial

Try ITVX Premium →

Paramount+

Best for CBS drama fans

CBS, Paramount films & MTV

£6.99/mo

The UK home of CBS procedurals, Paramount films, MTV reality, Nickelodeon kids content, and a growing originals slate. Niche appeal but fans of NCIS, CSI, or Star Trek will find it well worth £6.99.

Pros

+Full CBS back catalogue (NCIS, CSI, Yellowstone)
+Paramount originals (Tulsa King, Lioness)
+Nickelodeon and Nicktoons for kids
+Star Trek entire franchise
+7-day free trial

Cons

–No 4K on standard plan
–Narrow appeal outside CBS/Paramount fans
–Content gaps compared to US version

Worth watching

YellowstoneTulsa KingStar Trek: Strange New WorldsNCISLioness

Video quality

Max streams

7 days

Free trial

Try Paramount+ →

Which streaming service should you get?

Best for originalsNetflix — the deepest catalogue of award-winning originals across drama, comedy, documentary, and film.

Best for familiesDisney+ — Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Nat Geo, and Star in one app. Exceptional kids content.

Best valueDisney+ Standard at £4.99/mo gives you more premium content per pound than any competitor.

Best for existing Prime membersAmazon Prime Video is effectively free with your membership and has world-class originals.

Best for qualityApple TV+ originals consistently outperform rivals on production value and critical reception.

Best for British TVBritBox at £3.99/mo is unbeatable if you love classic and contemporary British drama and comedy.

Best without a contractNOW TV lets you dip in and out of Sky content month-to-month. Ideal for big TV seasons.

Free streaming →

BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and more — completely free

Compare services →

Head-to-head comparisons between any two services

Cancellation guides →

How to cancel Netflix, Disney+ and every other service

Frequently asked questions

Which streaming service has the most content in the UK?

Netflix has the largest catalogue of originals. Amazon Prime Video has a large library including rent/buy options. For British TV specifically, BritBox and ITVX Premium offer the deepest archives.

What is the cheapest streaming service in the UK in 2026?

BritBox and ITVX Premium are both £3.99/mo — the cheapest paid streaming services in the UK. Netflix's ad-supported plan starts at £4.99/mo and Disney+ Standard at £4.99/mo.

Is Netflix still worth it in 2026?

Yes, for most viewers. Netflix produces more original content than any rival and the ad-supported £4.99/mo plan makes it excellent value. The main downside is it no longer allows password sharing for free.

Which streaming service is best for families with children?

Disney+ is the standout choice for families. It covers Disney classics, Pixar, Marvel (MCU), Star Wars, Nat Geo documentaries, and kids channels. Amazon Prime Video and Netflix are also strong for family content.

Can I have multiple streaming services?

Yes, and most households do. A typical combination is Netflix or Disney+ for originals, plus one of BritBox or ITVX Premium for British TV, plus Amazon Prime Video if you're already a Prime member.

Do UK streaming services offer free trials?

NOW TV offers a 7-day free trial. Apple TV+, BritBox, ITVX Premium, and Paramount+ also offer 7-day trials. Netflix and Disney+ do not currently offer free trials in the UK.

Which streaming services support 4K in the UK?

Netflix (Standard with Ads and above), Disney+ (Premium plan), Amazon Prime Video (all plans), and Apple TV+ (all plans) support 4K HDR. NOW TV requires the Boost add-on for 4K.

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