Money

Which Streaming Service Is the Best Value for Money?

Data & Guides Money Which Streaming Service Is the Best Value for Money?

TV streaming providers have transformed the entertainment industry and how we watch our favorite shows. In the U.S. in 2025, a survey conducted on behalf of Self Financial found that the average household has on average, 2.8 paid subscriptions (including streaming services), and spent an average of $37 per month on these subscriptions.

For the fourth time since 2021 and now comprising the most recent data available in 2025, a study on behalf of Self Financial reviews the quality of content across eight of the most popular streaming platforms (Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ including Hulu and separately, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Paramount+, and Peacock) to find out which services offer consumers the best content for their money.

Key statistics

• AppleTV+ has the highest average IMDb score for its streaming library (7.0/10), for the 4th year running (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025), but still has the smallest library of content.
• Prime Video remains the platform offering the most 'excellent' quality (8+ IMDb score) movies per $1 spent on its cheapest subscription ($8.99 per month), at 65 movies per dollar (up from 45 in 2024).
• Prime Video also offers the most 'excellent' quality (8+ IMDb score) TV shows per $1 (50 up from 49 in 2024), this is more ‘excellent’ quality content than its nearest competitor, Netflix (30 down from 60 in 2024).
• Overall, the total streamable content increased by 23.6% since 2024, but there was a 30% decrease in 'excellent' quality content (8+ IMDb score).
• Prime Video gained the most excellent quality content since 2024 (with 218 new 8+ IMDB rated titles), and Hulu lost the most quality content (losing 348 8+ IMDB rated titles).
• Prime Video gained the most content year-on-year (+83.3%), followed by Apple TV+ (+39.5%) and Disney+ (+27.9%).
• Paramount+ lost the most content year-on-year (-53.3%), followed by Hulu (-42.1%) and HBO Max (-39.6%).

Which streaming service has the best value?

For the second year running, the size of Amazon’s Prime Video library surpassed its competitors. For $8.99 per month, Prime Video will give you access to 25,349 IMDb-rated movies and TV shows — more than triple that of Netflix (7,367). You also get more for your money with Prime Video compared to 2024, as the library has increased by 83.3% (11,522 more titles) despite the subscription price remaining the same.

Total content (2025)
Row Labels	Apple TV+	Disney+	HBO Max	Hulu	Hulu on Disney+*	Netflix	Paramount+	Peacock	Prime Video
Row Labels Excellent 8+	Apple TV+ 61	Disney+ 141	HBO Max 158	Hulu 148	Hulu on Disney+* 289	Netflix 403	Paramount+ 49	Peacock 113	Prime Video 1035
Row Labels Good 6- 7.99	Apple TV+ 253	Disney+ 1284	HBO Max 1156	Hulu 1029	Hulu on Disney+* 2313	Netflix 3921	Paramount+ 397	Peacock 1461	Prime Video 9936
Row Labels OK 4-5.99	Apple TV+ 37	Disney+ 435	HBO Max 305	Hulu 541	Hulu on Disney+* 976	Netflix 1771	Paramount+ 184	Peacock 1011	Prime Video 8215
Row Labels Poor <4	Apple TV+ 10	Disney+ 39	HBO Max 34	Hulu 70	Hulu on Disney+* 109	Netflix 202	Paramount+ 35	Peacock 225	Prime Video 2263
Grand Total	Apple TV+ 378	Disney+ 2327	HBO Max 2058	Hulu 2343	Hulu on Disney+* 4670	Netflix 7367	Paramount+ 861	Peacock 3285	Prime Video 25349

*Hulu on Disney+ is a bundle subscription package, where the content from the individual platforms is combined.

Using IMDb ratings in four score ranges, the study shows that Prime Video also offers the most titles of 'excellent' quality (1035). Netflix (403) is second on the list, followed by Max (158).

The IMDb score ranges used were as follows:

• 8-10 Excellent
• 6-7.99 Good
• 4-5.99 OK
• <4 Poor

Titles that did not have an IMDb score were discounted.

Which streaming service gives you a better bang for your buck?

It may seem that Prime Video offers the highest-quality content while remaining at a similar price point against its competitors, therefore providing customers with the best value for money. But what exactly does this look like per dollar?

Top-rated content per $1 spent

This analysis uses the lowest monthly cost you can pay to see how many movies and shows you get for every dollar you spend. For some platforms, this will include advertisements. These ad-supported services tend to cost less per month, and these packages are becoming more common since Netflix launched its ad-supported plan in 2022, at a price point of $7.99.

Prime Video again is on top with 115 'excellent' titles per $1, and 1,105 titles considered ‘good’ in this category. Netflix offers 50 'excellent' titles, and 491 ‘good’ titles per $1 – the second-best-performing for quality per price point.

Total Content Per $1 Spent on Each Streaming Service
Row Labels	Apple TV+	Disney+	HBO Max	Hulu	Hulu on Disney+*	Netflix	Paramount+	Peacock	Prime Video
Row Labels Per $1 (basic) Excellent	Apple TV+ 6	Disney+ 14	HBO Max 16	Hulu 15	Hulu on Disney+* 26	Netflix 50	Paramount+ 6	Peacock 14	Prime Video 115
Row Labels Per $1 (basic) Good	Apple TV+ 25	Disney+ 129	HBO Max 116	Hulu 103	Hulu on Disney+* 210	Netflix 491	Paramount+ 50	Peacock 183	Prime Video 1105
Row Labels Per $1 (basic) OK	Apple TV+ 4	Disney+ 44	HBO Max 31	Hulu 54	Hulu on Disney+* 89	Netflix 222	Paramount+ 23	Peacock 127	Prime Video 914
Row Labels Per $1 (basic) Poor	Apple TV+ 1	Disney+ 4	HBO Max 3	Hulu 7	Hulu on Disney+* 10	Netflix 25	Paramount+ 4	Peacock 28	Prime Video 252

*Hulu on Disney+ is a bundle subscription package, where the content from the individual platforms is combined.

Movies per $1 spent

If home ‘movie-nights’ are what you want most out of your subscription, then Prime Video remains the best-value choice with 65 'excellent' movies per $1, and 906 ‘good’ titles per dollar. Trailing behind, but still the second-best choice, is Netflix with 20 'excellent' movies per $1 and 314 ‘good’ movies per $1.

Movies Per $1 Spent on Each Streaming Service
Row Labels	Apple TV+	Disney+	HBO Max	Hulu	Hulu on Disney+*	Netflix	Paramount+	Peacock	Prime Video
Row Labels Per $1 (basic) Excellent	Apple TV+ 1	Disney+ 7	HBO Max 9	Hulu 4	Hulu on Disney+* 9	Netflix 20	Paramount+ 2	Peacock 8	Prime Video 65
Row Labels Per $1 (basic) Good	Apple TV+ 7	Disney+ 95	HBO Max 82	Hulu 52	Hulu on Disney+* 134	Netflix 314	Paramount+ 36	Peacock 147	Prime Video 906
Row Labels Per $1 (basic) OK	Apple TV+ 1	Disney+ 36	HBO Max 21	Hulu 36	Hulu on Disney+* 65	Netflix 174	Paramount+ 16	Peacock 113	Prime Video 857
Row Labels Per $1 (basic) Poor	Apple TV+ 0	Disney+ 2	HBO Max 1	Hulu 4	Hulu on Disney+* 6	Netflix 18	Paramount+ 2	Peacock 26	Prime Video 241

*Hulu on Disney+ is a bundle subscription package, where the content from the individual platforms is combined.

TV shows per $1 spent

When it comes to those binge-worthy seasons, Prime Video offers the greatest 'excellent' selection for $1 (50) and 199 ‘good’ options per $1 spent. The big red streaming giant, Netflix, follows with 30 'excellent' TV shows per $1 spent, and 177 ‘good’ options.

TV Shows Per $1 Spent on Each Streaming Service
Row Labels	Apple TV+	Disney+	HBO Max	Hulu	Hulu on Disney+*	Netflix	Paramount+	Peacock	Prime Video
Row Labels Per $1 (basic) Excellent	Apple TV+ 5	Disney+ 7	HBO Max 7	Hulu 11	Hulu on Disney+* 17	Netflix 30	Paramount+ 4	Peacock 7	Prime Video 50
Row Labels Per $1 (basic) Good	Apple TV+ 18	Disney+ 33	HBO Max 34	Hulu 51	Hulu on Disney+* 77	Netflix 177	Paramount+ 14	Peacock 35	Prime Video 199
Row Labels Per $1 (basic) OK	Apple TV+ 3	Disney+ 8	HBO Max 10	Hulu 19	Hulu on Disney+* 24	Netflix 48	Paramount+ 7	Peacock 13	Prime Video 57
Row Labels Per $1 (basic) Poor	Apple TV+ 1	Disney+ 2	HBO Max 2	Hulu 3	Hulu on Disney+* 4	Netflix 8	Paramount+ 2	Peacock 2	Prime Video 11

*Hulu on Disney+ is a bundle subscription package, where the content from the individual platforms is combined.

Best streaming platform per genre

To take this analysis a step further the study also analyzed the impact of audience ratings per genre on each streaming platform. It reviews all movies/shows per genre on each platform and takes the average IMDb rating (out of 10) to see who is the best in each category. The bold scores highlight the winner(s) in each category.

Most TV shows and movies can fit into more than one genre, for example a rom-com is by definition both a romance and comedy, therefore, genre ratings take into account the same TV show or movie twice.

Key findings from genre analysis:

• AppleTV+ was the highest-rated platform across 10 genres, the most out of all platforms, followed by Max with 3.
• Apple TV+ is highest-rated in 10 further categories, but has less than 15 titles in each category.
• Despite having more subscribers than any other platform in the study, Netflix only had the highest-rated content in the ‘Technology’ category.
• Despite boasting more content than any other platform, Amazon Prime Video failed to top any category.
• Disney+ is home to the nation’s highest-rated reality, game-show, and sci-fi programmes.

Notes on the IMDb genre data:

• Asterisk (*) indicates where the streaming service has less than 15 titles (movies and shows) associated with that genre.
• N/A refers to no titles found for that genre, or IMDb had no ratings available for the content.
• Some genre categories had two ‘winners’ as one score was higher, but also had less than 15 titles, therefore is incomparable.

Streaming wars: 2024 vs 2025

This study was undertaken for the first time in 2021 and again in 2022, 2024, and 2025. Using the data from 2025, this analysis highlights the key changes in the so-called 'streaming wars’. Here are some of the findings.

Key findings from the 2024 vs 2025 comparison:

• The total content available across the platforms increased by 23.6%.
• Prime Video gained the most content year-on-year (+83.3%),followed by Apple TV+ (+39.5%) and Disney+ (+27.9%). 
• Paramount+ lost the most content year-on-year (-53.1%),followed by Hulu (-42.1%) and HBO Max (-39.6%). 
• The quality of content is decreasing: 2025 content had an average IMDb score of 6.4 compared to 6.6 in 2024 and 6.7 in 2022. 
• Only Prime Video and Apple TV+ had more 'excellent' rated titles than in 2024 (with 218 more 'excellent' titles, and 3 more, respectively).

Streaming quality and quantity: 2024 vs 2025

These streaming services add and remove lots of shows and movies every month. With new streaming services popping up, the licensing rights for products change all the time. For example, ‘Lost’, the popular supernatural TV series, resumed streaming on Netflix in the U.S. in 2024 after previously losing streaming rights to Hulu in 2018. [1] Here’s how the quantity and quality of content have changed from 2022 to 2025.

Quality of content on streaming services

On average, the quality of streaming shows and movies slightly decreased, with 2025 content receiving an average IMDb score of 6.4 compared to 6.6 in 2024.

Total Average IMDb Rating (2022, 2024, 2025)
IMDb Rating	Apple TV	Disney+	HBO Max	Hulu	Hulu on Disney+*	Netflix	Paramount+	Peacock	Prime
IMDb Rating 2022	Apple TV 7.3	Disney+ 6.7	HBO Max 6.8	Hulu 6.7	Hulu on Disney+ 6.7	Netflix 6.6	Paramount+ 6.0	Peacock 6.9	Prime 6.7
IMDb Rating 2024	Apple TV 7.0	Disney+ 6.7	HBO Max 6.9	Hulu 6.6	Hulu on Disney+ 6.7	Netflix 6.6	Paramount+ 6.5	Peacock 6.2	Prime 6.1
IMDb Rating 2025	Apple TV 7.0	Disney+ 6.5	HBO Max 6.8	Hulu 6.3	Hulu on Disney+ 6.4	Netflix 6.4	Paramount+ 6.4	Peacock 6.0	Prime 5.9

*Hulu on Disney+ is a bundle subscription package, where the content from the individual platforms is combined.

Hulu saw the greatest year-on-year drop in quality (-0.27), followed by Amazon Prime (-0.24) and Netflix (-0.23).

The changing quantity of excellent and good quality content on streaming services

Only two of the eight streaming platforms analyzed had more 'excellent' rated titles than in 2024. These were Prime Video (with 218 more 'excellent' titles than last year) and Apple TV+ (which had three more).

Three streaming platforms increased their ‘good’ content: Prime Video (3,627 more titles), Apple TV+ (66 more), and Disney+ (54 more).

Overall, though, there was a significant drop in the quantity of 'excellent' content. In total, considering all platforms, there were 904 fewer 'excellent' titles to stream in 2025 than in 2024. This is despite the fact that there were, in total, 8,388 more titles to stream compared to the previous year.

The platforms with the most significant loss of 'excellent' content in 2025 were Hulu (-348), Max (-341), and Netflix (-165).

Total content (2024)
Score	Netflix	Prime Video	Disney +	HBO Max	Hulu	Hulu on Disney+*	Apple TV+	Paramount+	Peacock
Score Excellent 8+	Netflix 568	Prime Video 817	Disney + 157	HBO Max 499	Hulu 496	Hulu on Disney+ 653	Apple TV+ 58	Paramount+ 191	Peacock 226
Score Good 6-7.99	Netflix 4127	Prime Video 6309	Disney + 1230	HBO Max 2345	Hulu 2241	Hulu on Disney+ 3471	Apple TV+ 187	Paramount+ 1120	Peacock 1950
Score OK 4-5.99	Netflix 1621	Prime Video 5471	Disney + 413	HBO Max 525	Hulu 1118	Hulu on Disney+ 1531	Apple TV+ 24	Paramount+ 468	Peacock 1442
Score Poor <4	Netflix 155	Prime Video 1230	Disney + 20	HBO Max 38	Hulu 191	Hulu on Disney+ 211	Apple TV+ 2	Paramount+ 63	Peacock 278
Score TOTAL	Netflix 6471	Prime Video 13827	Disney + 1820	HBO Max 3407	Hulu 4046	Hulu on Disney+ 5866	Apple TV+ 271	Paramount+ 1842	Peacock 3896

Total content (2025)
Row Labels	Netflix	Prime Video	Disney+	HBO Max	Hulu	Hulu on Disney+*	Apple TV +	Paramount +	Peacock
Row Labels Excellent 8+	Netflix 403	Prime Video 1035	Disney+ 141	HBO Max 158	Hulu 148	Hulu on Disney+ 289	Apple TV + 61	Paramount + 49	Peacock 113
Row Labels Good 6- 7.99	Netflix 3921	Prime Video 9936	Disney+ 1284	HBO Max 1156	Hulu 1029	Hulu on Disney+ 2313	Apple TV + 253	Paramount + 397	Peacock 1461
Row Labels OK 4-5.99	Netflix 1771	Prime Video 8215	Disney+ 435	HBO Max 305	Hulu 541	Hulu on Disney+ 976	Apple TV + 37	Paramount + 184	Peacock 1011
Row Labels Poor <4	Netflix 202	Prime Video 2263	Disney+ 39	HBO Max 34	Hulu 70	Hulu on Disney+ 109	Apple TV + 10	Paramount + 35	Peacock 225
Row Labels Grand Total	Netflix 7367	Prime Video 25349	Disney+ 2327	HBO Max 2058	Hulu 2343	Hulu on Disney+ 4670	Apple TV + 378	Paramount + 861	Peacock 3285

*Hulu on Disney+ is a bundle subscription package, where the content from the individual platforms is combined.

The changing quantity of content on streaming services

Prime Video’s meteoric rise was the overwhelming story of the 2024 research. Its content offering increased by 604% between 2022 and 2024, and between 2024 and 2025, its library expanded by a further 83.3%. This was also the greatest expansion of any streaming service in the study. For context, Amazon Prime offers more than triple the amount of movies and TV of its nearest competitor, Netflix (7367), whose library expanded by a more modest 13.8% since 2024.

As part of its acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019, Disney acquired Hulu, which is now part of the Disney Bundle, alongside Disney+ and ESPN+. But whereas the volume of Disney+ content increased by 27.9% between 2024 and 2025, the volume of content on Hulu decreased by 42.1%. For those with the Disney+ and Hulu bundle package (currently available at $10.99), this is cumulatively a 20.4% decrease in content. Year on year, after Hulu, the next greatest loss of content of a singular streaming service was Max, which shrank by 39.6%.

*Combined library where duplicate content has been removed.

Quantity of Content on Streaming Services
Platforms	Total content 2021	Total content 2022	Total content 2024	Total content 2025
Apple TV+	65	147	271	378
Disney+	1112	1581	1820	2327
Hulu on Disney+	N/A*	N/A*	5866	4671
Hulu	N/A*	2204	4046	2343
HBO Max	3082	3503	3407	2058
Netflix	5071	6475	6471	7367
Paramount+	N/A	3020	1842	861
Peacock	N/A	442	3896	3285
Prime Video	1516	1964	13827	25349

• N/A indicates not available/combined for that year
• *Before the service/bundle was available..

Methodology

The study included an analysis of 43,971 TV shows, movies, and documentaries across all platforms. The list was compiled on 25th February 2025, with 2024 data from February 2024, 2022 data from April 2022, therefore, shows added after this will not be included in the analysis. Information relating to the genre, age ratings, audience reviews, and runtime were all sourced from IMDb.

For those streaming platforms that offer paid options on top of the content already available like Prime Video and Apple TV+ the study discounted any content that users needed to pay for on top of the existing subscription fee.

It should be noted that not all content is rated on IMDB. On average across the eight platforms, 6.9% of content is not rated. However, value for money shouldn’t be judged by the pure quantity of content available to viewers: it needs to factor in the quality of titles users are able to stream.

IMDb score

IMDb’s Top 250 content has scores of 8+ therefore, this analysis used those with an IMDb score of 8+ for 'excellent' and 6-7.99 for ‘Good’, with anything below this being deemed OK-Poor. IMDb weights its averages internally to ensure fairness and no manipulation of the system. You can read more about that here: https://help.imdb.com/article/imdb/track-movies-tv/ratings-faq/G67Y87TFYYP6TWAV

Per dollar analysis

Per dollar analysis of the content was calculated using the number of movies and shows against the minimum/basic monthly subscription cost of the streaming service. In 2025, this includes plans that feature advertisements. This was correct as of February 2025.

IMDb rating/Audience score

Where multiple seasons exist of a series, the study used the overall TV show average score rather than repeated averages of each season or episode.

Sources

• ^[1] Variety, ‘All Seasons of Mind-Bending Series ‘Lost’ Are on Netflix Again’, 2024 https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/lost-tv-show-streaming-on-netflix-1236058270/