What's the best streaming service in Australia? That’s not an easy question to answer. What people want to watch and how they want to watch it, it can change from person to person.
From original movies, true-crime documentaries, bingeable series and everything in-between, Disney Plus, Stan, Prime Video, Apple TV Plus and Binge all offer something a little different that makes them the right choice for one person but not for another. Being spoiled for choice has its own problems, and gone are the simpler days of watching whatever's on TV or Netflix being the clear-cut best streaming service.
While one AU$20 subscription doesn't sound like much, subscribing to more than one or two can quickly impact your bank balance. Even taking advantage of Hubbl's stack-and-save feature might not help your monthly spend and not all the services are always worth having. If you pay attention to upcoming releases on each platform – or at least your preferred ones – and subscribe for one of two of the services for the month that holds the most interesting content for you, you can save money. Or, at least not waste it on a streaming service you barely use.
With work and life obligations, however, who has time to trawl through the new releases of more than five streaming services to find which ones are worth having each and every month? Us, that's who! And we do it, so you don't have to.
Whether you want a series that will have you on the edge of your seat, a tear-jerking rom-com or a library of sitcoms to be the soundtrack while you scroll through social media, there's something for everyone.
These platforms are constantly changing, so we keep this guide up-to-date with the latest news and ensure our monthly pick is accurate so you know exactly what you're getting.
Recent updates
May 03, 2024: Updated the streaming service of the month, refreshed the in-depth reviews of each streaming service on this page and added FAQs.
Streaming service of the month (May 2024)
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Best TV streaming service 2024 overview:
- Netflix
- Stan
- Binge
- Apple TV Plus
- Disney Plus
- Amazon Prime Video
- Foxtel Now
- Paramount Plus
Best streaming service:
What is the best streaming service you can subscribe to right now?
You can't hear 'streaming service' without thinking of Netflix. The oldest, the biggest and more often than not, the best, Netflix has been the best streaming service for movies and TV since it brought in a new era of enjoying content way back in 2007. 'Jack of all trades' is usually followed by 'master of none' (not the hilarious Netflix series), but Netflix is more of a master of all trades – even if it's not quite the best in a few content categories. Whether it's movies, TV shows, documentaries, new releases or content for kids, Netflix's giant library has more than enough for any need.
While the writers' strike in 2023 caused some delays, the introduction and improvement of more and more competitors has diminished Netflix's hold on the industry. Nonetheless, it continues to consistently churn out fresh shows and movies, and is still undoubtedly the king of streaming platforms.
You’ll find popular movies on Netflix like The Super Mario Bros Movie, The Bricklayer, Anna and Glass, alongside beloved shows like Friends, Yellowjackets, Outlander, Rick and Morty and more, but its main drawcard is Netflix Original series. Since 2013, Netflix has been delivering audiences unique and original content and, in 2024, there’s a smorgasbord of hit series to watch courtesy of the platform. There's classic series like Stranger Things, Top Boy, Mindhunter, The Umbrella Academy and The Queens Gambit and newer hit shows like Beef, The Gentlemen, Avatar the Last Airbender, 3 Body Problem, Bridgerton and Wednesday.
While not every Netflix Original is a hit, movies like Society of the Snow, All Quiet on the Western Front, The Irishman, The Killer and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery more than make up for the misses.
As for costs, like everything else, Netflix has steadily increased in cost since its introduction Down Under (with the potential for another price hike later in 2024) and its plans have seen some alteration in recent years. Introduced in 2022, Netflix's cheapest tier Standard with ads – will set you back only AU$6.99 per month, though you will have to slog through a limited library of ads before and during content.
If you want to stay ad-free, the Standard subscription provides two full HD concurrent streams, the ability to download shows and movies, and the option to add a non-household member to your account for an extra AU$7.99 per month, a result of Netflix’s password sharing crackdown in 2023. You’ll get two of these optional slots in the AU$22.99 Premium plan, along with Ultra HD streams across four devices at once, Netflix Spatial Audio and downloads for six devices.
As well as incredible movies and TV shows like Baby Reindeer, Heartbreak High and What Jennifer Did, May will add Unfrosted, Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1, A Man in Full, The 8 Show, Mother of the Bride, Atlas, How to Ruin Love: The Proposal and Bodkin.
Verdict: 5/5
Releasing way back in 2015 as the country's very first streaming service, Stan has always been popular in Australia. That's not to say it's not wildly different now to what it was nine years ago, it is. With a regularly shuffling library, there is always quality content that is often not available anywhere else. And despite an increase in price – the Basic plan recently jumped to AU$12 in March this year – it’s easy to recommend as a streaming platform.
With a relatively cheap monthly cost for ad-free viewing (which is becoming annoyingly hard to find), despite the aforementioned increase, and plenty of Aussie-specific movies and shows to enjoy as well as a full library of content to sink your teeth into, Stan offers plenty of value. And hey, with an increasingly rare full 30-day free trial, you can test it (or quickly watch what you're interested in) without paying a cent.
It doesn't quite beat Netflix for the number one spot and claim as Australia's best streaming service because its content library is quite a bit smaller, even though it's considerable in its own right. It's not like you'll be stuck searching for something to watch – Stan hosts an impressive list of global and Australian series and movies across a variety of genres. If that's not enough bang for your buck, there's also Stan Sport – the home of Rugby Union in Australia, and includes access to major football (soccer) matches, motorsport and combat events. If you're a soccer fan, Stan Sport provides every match of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference league, live and exclusive. And with 2024 being an Olympic year, Stan Sport is where you’ll be able to access live feeds for several of the events.
While Stan's cheapest tier saw a AU$2 increase from its original AU$10 price, unlike Binge's basic tier, it's ad-free. Its AU$16 Standard tier provides three concurrent high-definition streams, while the Premium tier will set you back AU$21 per month for four concurrent 4K streams – Stan Sport is an optional AU$15 add-on with any plan. Each tier also lets you download onto at least one device, with the number of allowable devices increasing with each tier.
With Australian content like Bump, Transfusion, Black Snow, The Tourist, Ten Pound Poms, Dawn of the Dolphins, Rupaul's Drag Race Down Under and more, Stan provides a healthy amount of Aussie drama and comedy, but that's just the tip of the spear. Stan is also the home of smash-hit global series like Better Call Saul, Fargo, The Great, Mr Robot, The Handmaid's Tale, New Amsterdam, Breaking Bad and Dr. Death.
Stan's new releases don't have it contending for best streaming service this month. However, releasing in May is The Tattooist of Auschwitz – based on Heather Morris' bestselling book and starring Harvey Keitel. It follows the real story of Gita and Lali Sokolov, and their determination to keep each other alive in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Other upcoming additions include the incredible Anatomy of a Fall, and films such as Braveheart, Three Thousand Years of Longing, Face/Off, Failure to Launch and Hidden Figures.
Verdict: 4.5/5
2023 was a massive year for the Foxtel-owned streaming service Binge and 2024 was slated for massive changes. We now know that big change was the release of Hubbl.
From February 14, subscribers have accessed their account settings through the Hubbl My Account, but nothing else changed with the crossover from Streammotion to Hubbl. The lowest Binge tier costs AU$10 p/m, but it comes with ads. Additionally, its two ad-free tiers got an upgrade in October, offering 4K streams and adding some live news channels, making the AU$18 p/m or AU$22 p/m price tag much more appealing.
That's not the only positive thing about Binge, though. There’s a lot to watch, and you can stream across a variety of devices including consoles, phones, web browsers and directly through your smart TV. However, it’s Binge’s library of HBO shows that really helps this service stand apart from its competitors, delivering massive shows and movies directly from the US. Without it, we would have to either wait months for it to make its way to Australia, pay extra to watch them or be forced to use a VPN.
There's classics like The Sopranos and The Wire, but there's plenty of new HBO shows to sink your teeth into. Among these titles you'll find The Last of Us, Succession, House of the Dragon, The White Lotus, Euphoria, True Detective: Night Country and other massive shows that arrived day-of-release to Aussie TVs on Binge. There are confirmed plans for a streamer in the likes of HBO’s Max to spread to the Asia-Pacific region in late 2024, but with a multi-year contract between Warner Bros, Discover and Foxtel, HBO content will likely remain on Binge for the foreseeable future.
The service has also started to dip its toes into producing homegrown content, with the successful laugh-packed series Colin from Accounts booked for a second season after receiving a stack of nominations and wins in 2024, and the new . So even if a library shake-up were to occur, there’s plenty to watch, with even more shows and movies coming over the next few years.
Binge has some awesome new content debuting this month like Turtle All the Way Down, Inside the Shein Machine, Pretty Little Liars: Summer School and the heavily anticipated second season of the hilarious Colin From Accounts, adding to an impressive library of recent releases, including Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, Robert Downey Jr.'s The Sympathizer and High Country.
Binge has a 7-day free trial, so there's no harm in trying it out. Even if you ignore the new movies and shows above, Chernobyl, Mr Inbetween, Dave, Peacemaker, The Great British Bake Off, Band of Brothers, John Wick, the Harry Potter series and everything else Binge already has to offer will be more than enough to keep you sucked in, at least for 30 days.
Verdict: 4.5/5
Since releasing For All Mankind and Morning Wars way back in 2019, it's taken some time for Apple to find its footing in the world of streaming services. A majority of the content on Apple TV Plus between then and 2022 mostly went unnoticed, despite a few exceptions. It hasn't exactly shot out hit after hit since then, but even the worst content on Apple TV is still of a higher quality than most of what is available on other services, other than perhaps Binge's HBO imports and the rare Netflix original like The Gentleman.
From Severance to Black Bird, Constellation, Palm Royale, Ted Lasso and the more recent Manhunt and The New Look, there is a certain production level, acting and writing pedigree to Apple TV Plus content that you just don't see very often outside of a cinema. Case in point, just in those few shows we have Taron Edgerton, Austin Butler, Barry Keoghan and Ben Mendohlson, and we haven't even gotten to Apple's slew of original movies yet. Of course, this is in large part due to the ludicrous amount of money Apple has to work with and, so far, the company’s content side of things has used those funds well.
Speaking of movies, one of the biggest strings to Apple TV Plus' bow is the speed at which Apple-produced films come to its streaming platform, and it’s really only just getting started. Now, Apple Original films that have premiered on Apple TV Plus are a given, and they're often very good. Tom Hanks' Finch and Greyhound, Spirited and The Greatest Beer Run Ever, plus there's even a Best Picture Oscar winner in CODA. However, it's Apple’s theatrically released films, and how quickly they come to the streaming service that could continue to set Apple TV Plus apart on the quality versus quantity front.
Killers of the Flower Moon came to Apple TV Plus just five months after its theatrical release, while Napoleon was released just two months post-theatres. Granted, that didn't perform as well as was expected or hoped, but it's still a sign of the times. While that might not be the best thing in the world for cinemas, it sure makes Apple TV Plus an attractive subscription.
Apple TV Plus sits on the cheaper side of streaming service prices at AU$12.99 per month. However, with the purchase of a new apple device or Playstation 5, you can earn yourself a considerable, months-long free-trial. If you subscribe, these are Apple TV Plus' releases you can look forward to in May: season three of Acapulco, Dark Matter, Hollywood Con Queen, The Big Cigar and Trying. However, no matter when you jump in, shows like Sugar, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Lessons in Chemistry, Masters of the Air, Shrinking, Silo and Severance are heavily recommended.
Verdict: 4/5
There’s a lot of appeal to Disney Plus, and compared to when the service first landed in Australia, the library has changed and increased significantly. However, its main draw card continues to be its massive family-friendly library and never-ending content coming from the worlds of Star Wars and Marvel.
One of the biggest additions to Disney Plus was Star back in 2021. It really diversified the Disney Plus line-up, doubling the library and offering high-quality adult-oriented content that offers something different to the regular Star Wars and Marvel shows. While this came with a price increase, the access to Disney's suite of owned brands like ABC, Disney TV Studios, FX, Touchstones, 20th Century Studios and more provided by Star makes up for it.
As of March 5, Disney Plus offers two subscription tiers – Standard, which comes in at AU$13.99 per month (AU$139.99 per year) and the AU$17.99 per month (AU$179.99 per year) Premium tier. The latter adds 4K content, Dolby Audio and four concurrent streams. Meanwhile, the Standard tier costs the same as the previous Disney Plus subscription, but now only offers two concurrent streams in HD quality and standard audio.
There's already some awesome content on Disney Plus that makes it a quality choice to jump in at any time. There's the recent Percy Jackson and the Olympians, X-Men 97, Andor, every Spider-Man movie from Toby Maguire to Tom Holland, Avatar: The Way of Water, Bluey and so much more.
Even though May saw the completion of Shogun, there's still plenty to look forward to in the month to come. If you're looking to jump into Disney Plus in May, here are a few reasons why: the third season of The Bear releases in June, making this the perfect time to catch up on the previous episodes, Star Wars: the Bad Batch continues, as well as the new releases Tales of the Empire, series 14 of Doctor Who, Let it be, The Beach Boys and Jim Henson Idea Man.
Verdict: 4/5
Like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video has its own well-known set of original series – Invincible, Jack Ryan, The Expanse, Fallout, Bosch and The Boys among others – but, generally speaking, they don't seem to be talked about like those from Netflix, Disney or Apple.
Amazon’s theatrical library spans across anything from the latest and greatest to b-rated flicks and cult classics that don't appeal to the broader audience. Not all are included with Prime Video though, with a significant part of their content being available for rent or purchase. This often includes movies and series that aren't available anywhere else – at least not easily. Some of these rentals can even be watched from home while they're still in cinemas and will typically be cheaper than a single movie ticket.
The big point of difference between Prime Video and other streaming platforms is the access to the full arsenal of Amazon Prime tools – Amazon Music, Prime Reading, Prime Gaming and premium delivery services for a flat monthly fee of AU$9.99 or AU$79 per year. Though ads will launch in 2024, and a new ad-free tier is coming, pricing for this new tier is yet to be confirmed for Australia.
Additionally, Amazon Prime Video now gives you the option of signing up to smaller outside streaming services such as Paramount Plus, BritBox and Shudder. This allows users to avoid creating multiple accounts across numerous services and instead use their Amazon Prime account to use and oversee. It also means installing fewer apps, because each of these additional services appear within Prime Video as 'Channels'.
To help curb too-often terrible sound mixing in movies, is Amazon's Dialogue Boost feature. that allows users to increase the volume of only dialogue. There are a few levels to this feature to better improve accessibility, as well as using AI to enhance speech if needed, but it's worth noting that, for now, this is for content in English.
While it might not have won our best streaming service of the month, cricket fans will certainly disagree, with the release of the third season of The Test coming on May 24. Maxton Hall – The World Between Us, The GOAT, Arthur the King, May December, Expendables 4, new seasons of Clarkson's Farm and Outer Range and, lastly, John Wick fans will love Monkey Man being available to rent.
Verdict: 4/5
For years, access to Foxtel required users to sign up for a traditional pay TV subscription, schedule a time for a technician to come into your home and set up a physical box, filling your entertainment area with wires and annoyances.
Foxtel Now does away with all that, requiring only an internet connection and a device capable of streaming. Foxtel Now allows you to catch up on any content you haven't seen, as well as the live TV you would find via the physical Foxtel box.
Thankfully the professional house visit hasn't been replaced by an arduous, manual sign-up process. All you have to do is sign up online, choose your streaming packages, download the app and away you go. Best of all, there are no contracts to sign or lock you in – meaning you can cancel any time.
It must be said that if you want to capture everything Foxtel Now has to offer, it will set you back quite a pretty penny. Foxtel Now starts at AU$25 per month for the mandatory Essentials base pack, which includes just over 30 channels, but there is room for plenty of customisation after that.
You have the option to build your own bundle or select one of the two bundles that include the Essentials subscription. The Essentials + Movies bundle is AU$45 per month and includes over 1,000 movies in the package, whereas the All Packs bundle will set you back AU$104p/m and includes the Essentials + Movies content as well as extra sports, drama, kids and documentary channels as well. While it doesn't quite provide everything that the All Packs bundle does, there is a limited-time deal running on another bundle right now that provides the Essentials, Drama Extra, Sport and Movies packs for just AU$54 per month over a 12-month period, down from AU$84 a month.
That said, it's hard to argue with Foxtel Now's enormous content library, and the inclusion of streaming access to Foxtel's live TV channels will certainly appeal to many. Of course, if all you want is access to HBO shows and other non-sports Foxtel exclusives, you're better off signing up for the more affordable and manageable Binge.
Nevertheless, with so much to choose from across a variety of channels and avenues, there’s something for everyone on Foxtel Now with the entire library of Binge, a steady stream of movies, news, sport, entertainment and everything in between.
Verdict: 3.5/5
Remember 10 All Access? Like a beautiful butterfly from a lowly caterpillar, that service has emerged from its cocoon as Paramount Plus, a more prestigious-sounding service that hopes to draw people in with the promise of exclusive shows and blockbuster releases shooting from the cinema directly to home television screens.
Unfortunately it's a (mostly) empty promise. None of that is really what Paramount Plus actually is. With only a meagre offering of exclusive shows and mostly lacklustre original films, the Australian version also regularly fails to see those quick moves from theatre to home, while the US version more often than not meets the promised 35-40 day release time.
Of course, it's worth noting that the Australian version of Paramount Plus is cheaper than the US version. With two pricing tiers, Aussies can grab Paramount Plus Standard for AU$9.99 (which provides 2 simultaneous HD streams) or Premium, which costs 13.99 per month, but offers 4 simultaneous 4K streams. The US version, meanwhile, is broken up into two tiers priced at $5.99 (AU$9.16) and $11.99 (AU$18.33).
In terms of content, Paramount Plus folds in pre-existing shows from 10 All Access along with a decent selection of on-demand movies and shows from Viacom’s various holdings, which include Showtime, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Smithsonian Channel.
You can even watch live sport on Paramount Plus, including the A-League and FA Cup competitions at any time when matches are streamed through CBSN.
Paramount Plus can also be added as a channel in your Amazon Prime Video subscription, and you can even find a deal on the service through Prime Video on the odd occasion as well – this is where Paramount really shines. Allowing you to jump in only when there is content you want to watch.
Paramount Plus has made some major improvements in the last few years, and you can check out the following series on the platform: The Gilded Age, South Park, NCIS: Sydney, Why Women Kill and Special Ops: Lioness. May will see the new additions of: Buffy The Vampire Slayer seasons 1-7, Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, Halloween Ends, The X-Files seasons 1-11, Top Gear Australia and Bros.
Specialty streaming services
Best specialty streaming services overview:
- Kayo Sports
- BritBox
- Optus Sport
- Shudder
- Hayu
- Flash
As Australia's only streaming service dedicated exclusively to sporting events, Kayo Sports is a terrific option for those who want to avoid a traditional Foxtel subscription, only paying for what they want – lots and lots of sport. And it now operates through Hubbl, like Binge.
Kayo does a remarkable job of providing instant streaming access to over 50 different sports, although the content is nearly identical to what you'll find on Foxtel's services – which shouldn't be a surprise, as Kayo retains the same broadcast and streaming rights as its pay-TV big brother.
You’ll get access to all seven of the Fox Sports channels, plus the Fox Sports news stream, three beIN Sports options and two ESPN channels offered by Foxtel. That's not to say that Kayo offers everything you could possibly want, as there are some noticeable omissions in the service's content offering. Unfortunately, Kayo doesn't provide access to the three Premier League Club channels (Liverpool TV, Chelsea TV and Manchester United TV), Sky Racing channels or Eurosport. Tennis fans will also not have access to any grand slam.
If that isn't too much of an issue, there's plenty of other sports to choose from, including NBA, NFL, the NRL, international cricket, World Surf League, Formula 1 and more. And that's just the live sport. There's an abundance of documentaries, talk shows, Kayo Mini's (condensed versions of past games) and plenty more for sports lovers to enjoy.
Additionally, Kayo offers several unique and useful streaming features, such as picture-in-picture video, a 'key moments' feature that shows just the highlights, the ability to block spoilers for a match you haven't watched yet and a customisable playback speed.
Kayo has recently introduced 4K streaming, a big win for customers who are keen to catch all the sporting action in 4K, but it does come at a cost. Kayo's shaken up its subscription plans, now offering the choice between two tiers – Kayo One which will set you back AU$25 per month with one single HD stream and Kayo Basic for AU$35 per month for two.
The brainchild of two major British broadcasters – ITV and BBC – BritBox is a streaming platform dedicated to delivering everything good about British TV outside the UK, including Australia.
As you can probably tell by the name, BritBox provides exclusively British content. This includes shows such as Luther, Line of Duty, All Creatures Great and Small and Prey. Unfortunately, Dr Who is no longer available on the platform, so you'll have to head to Disney Plus for the latest from The Doctor.
BritBox has had a price increase in 2024, jumping up to AU$9.99 per month along with the annual subscription now costing AU$99.99 per year as of February 22, 2024. There is a 7-day free trial for the service, but this trial period disappears during promotional periods.
Features of this service include up to four simultaneous HD streams as well as a wide range of devices including Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fetch TV, Telstra TV and Google Chromecast, with apps available for LG and Samsung smart TVs, Android TV, Windows 10 and Chrome OS.
Plus, you can add BritBox as a channel to your Amazon Prime account, so you don't have to switch between apps to catch some good British TV.
Get a good dose of British tele with the following shows on BritBox: Six Four, Happy Valley, Shetland, Would I Lie to You?, The Chelsea Detective, Vera and Payback.
If you're the type of sports fan who's absolutely obsessed with football (better known to Aussies as soccer), then Optus Sport is the streaming service for you.
While Kayo or Stan Sport may offer a more rounded sports-watching experience, Optus Sport is dedicated to providing access to every type of soccer coverage imaginable.
For AU$24.99 per month or AU$199 per year, Optus Sport brings you unlimited access to the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, J.League, UEFA EURO 2020, Internationals and FA Women's Super League games, meaning you'll never be short of football content to park yourself in front of.
Additionally, a subscription to Optus Sport also grants you access to the service's fitness content, allowing you to work out alongside handy training videos in a number of areas, including HIIT, yoga, cardio, pilates, core, dancing and more.
Boasting excellent device support and an affordable price point, Optus Sport is a terrific option for football junkies. That said, some areas could see improvement. For instance, while subscribers may register up to four devices, only two can be streamed concurrently and the second device must be a Fetch TV box.
Picture quality is good, although the resolution junkies out there will quickly notice that Optus Sport's maximum 1080p resolution isn't true 1080p. The service's feeds are received at 720p and upscaled. Additionally, the service no longer offers a free trial period and costs AU$24.99 per month, but existing and new Optus customers can bundle the service for only AU$6.99 per month.
A streaming service that's strictly for horror fans, Shudder offers a vast selection of frightening flicks, both old and new, along with a growing library of original films, TV shows, documentaries, podcasts and live-streaming events.
Shudder Originals include FX guru Greg Nicotero's Creepshow TV series, the blood-drenched cult flick Revenge, the Indigenous zombie film Blood Quantum, and the critically adored movie Host, which sees a demonic presence infiltrate an online séance.
Admittedly, Shudder has some work to do when it comes to competing with the big streaming players. For one, its maximum streaming resolution is 720p (with many older movies available in standard definition only). And while its device compatibility has come a long way since its US launch, there's no Shudder app for gaming consoles and many TV brands.
That said, you can't argue with Shudder’s price, which is set at a very reasonable AU$6.99 per month (and even cheaper at its yearly rate of $69.99, essentially netting you two free months of the service).
If you're a horror aficionado with a thirst for (fake) blood, you can test the Shudder waters with a free 7-day trial, with the option to add it on as a channel through Amazon Prime Video as well.
The recent hits In a Violent Nature and Late Night with the Devil might not be available on Shudder yet, but you can watch the following spooky titles, plus many more freaky movies and documentaries on Shudder: Eli Roth’s History of Horror, When Evil Lurks, The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, Beyond the Dark, Infested, The Dark and the Wicked and Queen of Fear.
Having trouble Keeping Up with the Kardashians? Well, you're in luck, because the streaming service Hayu not only has every single episode of theirs available to watch instantly, but it also provides access to hundreds of other reality shows.
That isn't an understatement – pick a city at random and chances are that Hayu has a Real Housewives show that's set in that very location*.
*We don't mind a touch of exaggeration, okay?
That's not all – while Hayu's junk food menu is undeniably extensive, the service also offers more serious content on its menu, including many true crime docu-series, such as Up and Vanished, In Ice Cold Blood (hosted by Ice-T, no less) and much more.
Priced at only AU$6.99 per month, AU$33.99 for 6 months or AU$61.99 per year, with decent device support, offline viewing for phones and tablets, no lock-in contracts and no ads whatsoever, Hayu is a reality television fan's dream come true. If that sounds like you, then be sure to check out Hayu's free 7-day trial.
Catch the following popular reality TV titles and more on Hayu: Below Deck Mediterranean season eight, Million Dollar Listing, Made in Chelsea, Vanderpump Rules Reunion, The Real Housewives and Queer Eye.
Want diverse news from all angles so you can find the truth for yourself? Well, Flash offers you as many news sources as you can handle. Offering content from more than 25 news channels from around the globe, Flash provides all the biggest breaking news stories covered by the likes of Sky News or CNN, to more specialty coverage from sources such as Ausbiz and ET Now.
The user interface has four main sections, all accessible from a list at the top of the screen. The Home page offers the latest headlines and news, while both the Channels and Categories sections organise news specifically in those respective groupings. The final section is called FlashLists, which is where you can find all the news you’ve saved for later.
A neat feature offered in this subscription is SplitView, which allows you to watch up to four videos at once on your device. Not sure why you would want to do that, but you can! For the time being, SplitView is only available on web browsers and Apple devices, though Flash does note in its help centre that it plans to roll this feature out to more compatible devices in the future.
There are also Live Channels offering real-time coverage. Users will have to go into the source’s channel to find access to these live streams, but they are covered in your subscription. There’s also a feature called FlashPoint, which is a little logo you can select to access multiple sources covering the same story, making it a handy feature to use alongside SplitView.
Flash currently only offers one plan after its 14-day free trial. For AU$8 per month, you’ll only be able to stream on one device but will have full access to the service’s entire catalogue and features.
FAQS
What's the best streaming service for kids?
Every platform has something for kids, so don't let this stop you from picking up your favourite streaming service. Amazon might hold the biggest number of shows rated G and below, closely followed by Netflix and Disney Plus, and while they certainly have enough to keep the little ones entertained, if you're looking for a streaming service that's purely kid-friendly there's plenty to choose from. If you want a service that is entirely directed at your little one aged 7 or younger, it's hard to go past Noggin. From Peppa Pig, Blue's Clues and Dora the Explorer to the digital pre-school classroom show Noggin Knows, Noggin also provides more learning through a library of books and games. While there's still space for your favourite shows from ABC, Disney and Amazon, like Bluey and Play School, Noggin is the best streaming service for kids.
What is the best platform to watch documentaries?
While they are two obvious and easy choices, they are such for a reason. It's hard to ignore the sheer number of titles that Netflix and Prime Video provide. While there's undoubtedly some low-quality content, you're certain to find plenty, no matter what mood you're in. If you're looking for something a bit more off the beaten path, Kanopy is an awesome streaming service. Free with a library card or through your university email address, Kanopy has a large library of lesser-known classic movies, foreign film, documentaries and more that are hard to find anywhere else.
Crunchyroll vs Netflix: which is the best anime streaming service?
Once again, it's hard to ignore Netflix. This time, though, it’s not being praised for a heavy library of classics and fan-favourites. No, where Netflix excels in the anime space is with excellent original content like Beastars, Castlevania, Aggretsuko and Devilman Crybaby – combined with a library of classics including those from Studio Ghibli, Yu-Gi-Oh!, My Hero Academia And Pokemon.
For more hardcore Anime fans there's CrunchyRoll, which includes shows such as Attack on Titan, Death Note, FLCL, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Hunter X Hunter, One-Punch Man and several Naruto series. No matter what you choose to go with, these two streaming services deliver plenty of Anime to keep you entertained.
Where can I watch true crime in Australia?
Luckily for true crime fans, there's a healthy stream of solid content from all the major streaming services in Australia. However, Netflix once again proves why it's king. It’s got documentaries, crime dramas based on true stories, docu-series and everything in between. With titles like What Jennifer Did, Dahmer, the Conversations with a Killer series and American Nightmare, it would take a lifetime to get through the best true crime on Netflix.
While that's all true, that doesn't mean Netflix is the only option when hunting down the best streaming service for true crime. Both Binge and Stan make strong arguments for themselves, but they can't stand up to Netflix because of the latter’s sheer amount of content. Where they shine is through individual shows like Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV on Binge and Louis Theroux, Confronting a Serial Killer and the dramatised Dr. Death on Stan.
What's the best music streaming service in Australia?
While Spotify and Apple Music are the Spartan-style two kings of the music streaming industry, apps like Qobuz, Youtube Music, Amazon Music and Tidal are worthy competitors that might be better suited to some individual tastes.
Qobuz and Tidal are for the audiophiles. The former is a French streaming service that combines a huge library of new and old hits with studio-quality audio streaming and an attractive mobile app. If sound quality is make or break for you, Qobuz could be your best music service. On the other hand, subscribers to Tidal HiFi can listen to music at near-CD level sound quality, with tracks mixed in more immersive formats like Dolby Atmos and Sony 360. If sound quality is your number one worry, Qobuz might be the choice, but Tidal has more hi-res listening options that appeal to larger audiences.
More of a true competitor to Spotify and Apple Music, YouTube Music shines in what it provides to music-video lovers. Unsurprisingly, the user experience is excellent when using YouTube Music – the search feature is great, there's regular new additions to its library and there's a significant number of live recordings. If you love music videos and listening to live performances, YouTube music might be the best music service for you. However, if that's not your thing, it does nothing else to separate itself from Spotify and Apple Music.
As for Amazon Music… There aren't many reasons why you would choose it over Spotify or Apple Music. However, if you love getting mixes filled with new music made for you, then Amazon Music might just be the choice for you.
Which streaming service has unlimited devices?
Even at premium tiers of the best streaming services, you usually won't find an unlimited number of devices available to be connected to the same account at any one time. Stan allows you to watch on four devices simultaneously, and download content on up to five tablets or phones, while Apple TV Plus allows for a whopping six devices to be watching content at the same time. Kayo Sports allows you to register several devices to a single account but you will be restricted to the one or two simultaneous streams your plan allows for. While Youtube TV does allow for unlimited concurrent streams, it is only available within the US.
How much are all the streaming channels?
Every streaming service provides subscribers with something unique, whether its original content, a category they excel in, like documentaries, or a brand-new show you don't want to miss. If you were to subscribe to the cheapest possible tier of the seven main streaming services (excluding Foxtel Now) we listed above, it would cost AU$75.95 per month, which adds up to AU$911.4 over 12 months. With more expensive tier choices, add-ons like Stan Sport or subscriptions to other streaming services like Kayo, it will cost well over AU$100 per month.
When streaming 'channels' through Amazon Prime Video, subscriptions like Shudder, Paramount Plus, Hayu, BritBox, AMC Plus, MGM and Lionsgate Plus will rack up AU$53.93 in addition to your normal Prime Video subscription, and there's still several other channels to choose from.
Is there a streaming service that has everything?
Yes, there is, depending on what you mean by everything. Foxtel Now has everything that Foxtel provides, from live TV and news to sports, while Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have plenty of movies, documentaries and TV series, more than you could ever want. If you're looking for something that covers all your entertainment bases, we recommend one of those three.
Are Binge and Stan the same company?
While they are Australian streaming services, Binge and Stan don't sit under the same umbrella. Binge is owned by Hubbl, which is owned by Foxtel. Stan, meanwhile, was previously owned by a 50/50 partnership between Fairfax Media and Nine Entertainment Co. In 2018, however, Nine acquired FairFax Media, and Stan is now wholly owned by Nine Digital, a subsidiary of Nine Entertainment Co.
