The future is now, old man – live streaming services are here to replicate the familiar look of cable TV while also maintaining the convenience and comfort of streaming. Not only that, but they are also mostly cheaper than satellite or cable.

Livestreaming TV is basically all the television's ins, and outs carried over the internet instead of using satellite connections or traditional cable. It's the same content you appreciate live on your preferred networks, just brought through different wires. Most people call it "Internet TV", but livestreaming sounds way much cooler. 

Our picks for the most decent streaming services have one important feature in common: breaking for the old ways - namely annual contracts. Whether they offer exclusive original programming, massive libraries of TV shows and movies, or original programming, all these streaming platforms are billed in month-to-month subscriptions (some even offer annual rate discounts), making them all decent alternatives that you can turn on and off as you wish. 

What are the best streaming services anyway?

You've probably already heard of Netflix – they offer an excellent selection of movies, TV shows and original programming. First of all, this platform practically controls the conversation regarding the streaming services, with most of the big shows and routines success making news series such as Dead to Me, and Tiger King. Netflix also brings one of the standard features that its counterparts took years to materialize – such as the user profile that finally arrived at Amazon Prime – and its plethora of content that we won't cancel our subscriptions just because of Netflix's latest price hike.

What are the best Streaming Services Today? 

Netflix - still the best streaming service around. 

Reasons to subscribe? 

• Optimized interface 
• Excellent selection 
• Good recommendation system 

Reasons to ignore it? 

• Tiles come and go frequently 
• More expensive than other services 

The big-daddy of the streaming services remains one of the best streaming services. As we've previously mentioned, Netflix comes with unlimited streaming of movies, TV shows, original programming and comedy specials for one monthly subscription fee. It allows you to create up to five different profiles on a single account to make sure your favorite TV shows don't interfere with recommendations for your loved ones or friends. Netflix does add and take away content so you will need to check the platform's guide to see what you should binge before it's gone and what's new. 

HBO Max – best streaming platform for prestige TV

Reasons to subscribe? 

• Top-tier movies
• Award-winning original programming 
• Original news programming 

Reasons to ignore it? 

• Its content phase-out frequently 
• Pricey 

HBO Max brings everything that HBO has, and then some more. Both HBO Max and HBO offer shows include completed seasons of Westworld, Veep and Curb Your Enthusiasm. However, for a $14,99 monthly subscription HBO Max has all it needs to be a threat to Netflix. Giant highlights including The Flight Attendant with Kaley Cuoco and Wonder Woman 1984. There's also the Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo and the original shows like Love Life. 

Hulu (News - Alert) -best streaming platform for cord-cutters

 Reasons to subscribe? 

• Affordable 
• Great selection of current TV 
• Quality original programming 

Reasons to ignore it? 

• Inconsistent selections from older TV seasons 
• Frequent commercials 

For those who want to stay up to date to the latest TV shows but don't feel like investing in an HD antenna or a cable subscription, Hulu is the way to go. This streaming service provides access to most major network shows, and a whole bunch of cable shows the day after they air. Having servers located all over the U.S and some in Japan, the service doesn't allow access outside Japan or U.S. Fortunately, you can subscribe and watch Hulu even if don't live in Japan using a VPN service. 

Hulu allows subscribers to access a show's new season – or most of the time, all of the program's seasons.

What's more, the platform hosts a wide range of original shows, including The Thick of It, as well as a selection of offbeat movies and an astounding amount of classic anime series. 

Disney (News - Alert) Plus – best streaming platform for families 

Reasons to subscribe? 

• Lots of cosy and beloved content 
• Reasonable price 
• UHD resolution options 

Reasons to ignore it? 

• Odd gaps in the content lineup 
• Some content is in the wrong aspect ratio 

Disney has merged from one of the most expected streaming platforms on the market to a dominant player. And it has all the reasons to do so. Disney manages a quite massive number of properties from Star Wars, to Marvel, to Disney's own animated library, to The Simpsons and more. With a $7 monthly subscription, Disney made sure they provide the best and cheapest streaming services out there. Not only that, but a lot of content is available with HDR (News - Alert) color pallets and 4K, too. 

Amazon Prime Video -best streaming service you're probably already paying for 

Reasons to subscribe? 

• Massive content selection 
• Additional Prime benefits 

Reasons to ignore it?

• Everything a la carte costs extra 
• Not available on some platforms

For avid online shoppers, Amazon Prime is definitely a no-brainer. With $119 subscription, you receive free two-day shipping on your purchases, unlimited access to both Amazon Prime Video and Amazon. Music, a free Kindle book each month. Similar to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video is a viable service for television, movies and original programming (including the High Castle Bosch, The Man, and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel. The platform's biggest success is The Boys, which raised its audience tremendously in the second season, and already has its own spinoff in the oven. 

Thanks to Viacom (News - Alert)'s agreement, Amazon Prime arguably is one of the best streaming platforms for children's programming and comedy. The platform also offers unlimited access to classics like The Wire and The Sopranos. They also allow subscribers to purchase or rent movies through an a la carte service. For those trying to master their Amazon streaming device, they need to purchase the Amazon Fire Stick.