22 Sep 2021

When it comes to streaming services in Australia, there are more options than ever before. So we’ve got the important details on each streaming service so that you know exactly what you're signing up for.

*As of writing in September 2021

Just as video killed the radio star, online streaming is out to get traditional free-to-air TV and even traditional pay-TV subscriptions. On-demand, subscription streaming services mean you can watch tv or movies on your own schedule. If you're a newbie to the world of video streaming you could be unsure about which streaming platform to go with.

The good news is that we've got more choice now than ever - why restrict yourself to ‘Netflix and chill’ when you can ‘Stan and relax' or 'Binge the best of Binge'? We’re breaking down the best Australian streaming services to help you decide which platforms are right for you.

A tough one to beat, Netflix has a lot of ingredients that make it affordable and easy to use. The biggest tick for Netflix is that it has a massive library of television series and movie options, partly thanks to the fact that Netflix produces a lot of original content that you can’t find anywhere else. Iconic titles like Orange is the New Black, the thrilling Stranger things, and the binge-worthy Bridgerton are just the beginning of content that’s exclusive to Netflix.

Something that really sets Netflix apart though is the way that it lets you give feedback on what you like or dislike, and it takes that information to give you unique, curated recommendations. This killer suggestion algorithm combined with Netflix's auto-play feature is a recipe for binge watching, so don't be surprised when you hobble from your musty room a couple of days after you first sit down for a Netflix session with a new appreciation for The Baby Sitters Club and an aversion to sunlight.

A basic Netflix subscription costs AU $10.99/month, a standard Netflix subscription costs AU$15.99/month, and a premium Netflix subscription costs AU$19.99/month. You can also opt for a one-month Netflix Australia free trial to see if you like it.

The basic option means you can watch Netflix on one device at a time and you can download content to watch later on only one device. The offline viewing option is perfect if you know you won’t have a decent internet connection in the future, and it’s one that other Australian streaming services offer too.

A standard subscription lets you watch simultaneous streams on two different screens at once, download content to watch later on two devices, and watch in HD. A premium Netflix subscription lets you watch on up to four devices at once, lets you download content to watch later on up to four devices, and lets you watch in ultra-HD, 4k.

You can watch Netflix on any computer, a smartphone, and any smart TV with the Netflix app. If your TV doesn’t have the Netflix app, you can always open it on your phone and cast to a chromecast connected to your TV or cast with AirPlay to watch on the big(ger) screen. You can download titles to watch later on your phone or computer, but not on your television.

Look out Netflix, Stan has you in their sights and they're not backing down anytime soon. With high-speed quality for video streaming and an ever-growing library, Stan is the platform rivaling the video-streaming giant.

Stan has content partnerships with networks including Sony Pictures, ABC, SBS (and SBS world movies), ViacomCBS, MGM, BBC Worldwide, Showtime, and plenty more. These network partnerships mean that shows like Better Call Saul, Billions, Killing Eve, and Misfits don’t appear on other streaming platforms.

Plus, Stan is an Australian service, and they’re creating their own original tv series, like Wolf Creek, Enemies of the State, and RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.

An added plus of Stan is that it doesn't sound as sad when you leave a party early to ‘hang out with Stan'.

A Stan Basic subscription costs AU$10/month, a Stan Standard subscription costs AU$14/month, and a Stan Premium subscription costs AU$19/month. Additionally, you can add on Stan Sport to any account for an extra AU$10/month, which is ideal for sports fans who want sports streaming on demand. Stan also has a one-month free trial option.

With the basic plan, you can watch Stan on one screen at a time and download content to watch later on one phone or tablet. A Standard plan lets you watch on up to three screens at the same time, and you can download content for later on up to three phones to tablets. With a premium subscription, you can watch Stan on up to four screens at a time and download content for later on up to five phones or tablets. Both the standard and premium offerings include HD quality streaming.

Just like Netflix, you can watch on a mobile app, on the computer, or on a TV with either the Stan app or casting capabilities.

Binge is Foxtel for a younger generation. Relatively new to the streaming market, Binge is owned by Foxtel, so its library is chock full of binge-worthy content including HBO legacy and HBO Max shows like Game of Thrones and Westworld as well as some iconic reality tv like Keeping up with the Kardashians.

The Binge basic plan is AU$10/month, the Binge standard plan is AU$14/month, and the Binge premium plan is AU$18/month

The basic plan will let you watch Binge on one screen at a time, while the standard plan lets you run two simultaneous streams and the premium plan lets you stream on four screens at a time. The standard and premium plans will let you stream content in HD. At the moment, you cannot download content from Binge to watch later, offline, and the free trial only lasts for two weeks.

When it comes to this streaming service, it should be clear what kind of content you’ll be getting. Classic Disney cartoons, blockbuster Marvel movies, hilarious Fox TV comedies, and dramatic TV shows from the Star TV network. When the service first launched, the library was a little lacking, but it’s only grown in the time since, and now, Disney+ is a powerhouse of content.

Disney+ costs AU$11.99/month or AU$119.99/year (helping you save 15% with an annual subscription). Unlike other streaming services, there aren’t any tiers to Disney+. It’s all or nothing. So while it’s more expensive than the basic price of other streaming services, it’s quite a bit cheaper than their premium offerings.

You can stream Disney+ on up to four devices at a time. You can download content to watch offline on the same number of devices.

Amazon Prime Video is unique when it comes to streaming services, as it’s linked to Amazon, the online retail giant. If you sign up for Amazon Prime, you automatically get access to Amazon Prime Video, making it a very tempting option.

The service offers a selection of Amazon Original content, like American Gods, Alex Rider, and the upcoming Wheel of Time and Lord of the Rings tv shows.

Bundled into Amazon Prime, the subscription costs AU$6.99/month or AU$59/year. You can try it for free for a month with a 30-day free trial.

Prime Video is available on mobile devices, computers, and smart TVs. You can stream content on up to two devices at a time and download content to watch later on the same number of phones or tablets.

Now that we’ve broken down the details of the streaming services in Australia, we need to compare them to help you choose.

The two powerhouses of streaming have little to no overlap, so if you can only choose one, you’ll want to take a look at the Netflix library and Stan library to compare which you prefer. They both have huge catalogues of shows and movies (though Netflix’s is larger), so it really comes down to which you prefer. Because they’re quite similar, we’re going to group them together for the other comparisons.

Both Netflix and Stan have a lot more content than Binge, but binge has more exclusive content that isn’t streaming anywhere else. Binge also has more TV shows than it does movies, so while it’s not ideal for movie buffs, it’s great for TV fanatics.

Disney+ is the inverse of Binge: a lot of movies, not too many TV shows, thanks to the impressive Disney vault of classic animated films.

If you don’t live in a household with kids, it can be easy to write off Disney+ as a streaming service not worth your time. But with Star Wars, the MCU, Fox movies, and so much more within the catalogue, Disney is worth considering. The thing that Netflix or Stan have over Disney is variation and surprise. We know what we get with Disney+, and you’re probably not going to find any hidden gems. But we’re always on the lookout for what’s new on Netflix each and every month.

If you’re already an Amazon shopper, this one might be a no-brainer. But for the rest of us, Prime Video isn’t as appealing as Netflix or Stan. The Prime Video user interface is clunky, and while they have a huge catalogue of movies and TV shows, a fair number of those are more miss than they are hit. Much like Binge, it’s a case of whether or not the library interests you.

When it comes down to it, choosing the right streaming service is a personal choice! We reckon the best way to go about it is to sample them each with the free trials available. Just remember to cancel if you don’t want to continue the subscription!

If you're thinking about streaming on the go you can storm through your mobile data pretty quickly. Check out our Data Calculator to make sure you're on the right plan. Or remember to connect to Wi-Fi and download the next episode ahead of time 😉

#streaming  #netflix  #stan  #disney