A few years ago, opting for a streaming service used to be easy and simple. After all, there were only a few options that you could choose from such as Amazon and Netflix, and all you had to do is choose one that has your favorite shows. On the other hand, today, it’s more daunting to choose a streaming provider mostly because there are new options, all of which offer different things.
This is why you might be wondering – are there some tips that can help me make a decision? To put it simply, there are various tips that could help you make a decision, and those tips are exactly what we’ll talk about in this article today. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the things you’ll need to consider:
1. The Pricing Plans
One of the first things that you’ll want to consider is, of course, the price. In fact, when considering different streaming services, almost 80% of people first look at the expenses they’ll have with a specific provider. Keep in mind, almost all platforms have different packages, hence, you’ll want to do some digging before choosing.
For example, Netflix has three pricing packages that range from $7.99 per month and that go all the way to $11.99 per month. The package all have different features, hence, you should learn what they are and then determine which package is suitable for you, no matter what provider you’re thinking about using.
2. The Quality of The Video
You don’t really want to see your favorite TV show totally pixelated, which is why you must check the video quality. Again, the quality you’ll get will depend on the package you choose. For instance, if you’re thinking about using Netflix, you should know that they have plans with different video qualities, hence if you choose the basic one, the quality will be lower.
However, there are also platforms such as Amazon Prime videos that offer 1080p, 4K resolution with every single plan that you could opt for. This means that you could choose the annual plan for $119, but if you don’t want to spend that much at once, you could choose the monthly plan that’ll provide you with the same video quality.
3. The Shows And Movies Available
If you’re like me, you’re probably a big fan of the Star Wars and Marvel franchise, and if so, you might want to opt for Disney+ that is the home to these movies. But, if you like the new Witcher series, then you might want to opt for Netflix. Different platforms offer different things, which is why you need to determine what you want to watch.
Luckily, there are various guides online that’ll explain what you can find on each streaming website, so, ensure that you do some digging. Additionally, there are some free-of-charge alternatives such as the ones featured on www.majordroid.com, hence, check some of them out as well.
4. User-Friendly Interface And Ease of Use
You don’t really want to choose a platform that is completely difficult and confusing to use. Hence, before you choose a platform, check the interface out. Is it easy to navigate and are there clear directions? Does it load quickly or does it take some time to play the movie or series you clicked on?
All of these things are crucial when choosing a platform that you’ll use for watching your favorite shows and films. Additionally, you should ensure that you have a suitable Internet connection speed – which is something that is quite important if you opt for a plan that offers higher video resolution.
5. Number of Users Available
Every single streaming website out there offers a specific number of users that could use the site at the same time. For instance, the monthly Amazon Prime pricing plan will allow three individuals to stream at the same time, while Netflix’s premium plan offers up to five users.
So, if you want your family members or friends to watch their favorite shows and films as well, you should consider this feature as well. This also means that you could, for example, split the bill you’ll get each month, which means that it’ll be less expensive for you to stream videos.
6. Ads Can Kill Your Enjoyment
If there is one thing that I seriously hate about some streaming platforms, it’s the fact that there are advertisements before, during, and after a specific video is played. This is something that could easily make your viewing experience bad, which means that you might want to choose a site that doesn’t feature ads.
Keep in mind, some of the top premium platforms won’t feature ads, but if you opt for ones that are free or that come with a small monthly fee, you might have to watch ads from time to time. If this is something that doesn’t bother you, you could move on to the next point…
7. The Required Internet Speed
As we mentioned, if you choose the 1080p, 4K packages, you’ll need a reliable and strong Internet connection. If you don’t have it, it’s possible that the videos will be pixelated, there will be lags, and your video might take more time to load the usual. To avoid this, check which site is suitable for the Internet speed you have.
8. Original Series And Movies
Last on our list, but an equally important consideration is the original content that you can watch. After all, you don’t want to opt for a platform that doesn’t produce and publish their own series and movies, mostly because using it will quickly become boring. So, ensure that you know what you want to watch.
Conclusion
Choosing a streaming service could be daunting and complex, especially since there is a wide range of options out there. However, if you choose to use some of the tips we mentioned in our article above, you’ll be capable of making a decision that’ll suit your requirements and budget.
So, now that you’re aware of what you’ll have to consider, you really shouldn’t waste any more of your time. Instead, you should return to the beginning of our list, and start with the first task we mentioned – which is opening a few streaming websites and looking at the pricing plans offered by each of them.