I’m a Netflix girl, and I haven’t paid for traditional cable in years. With so many streaming services available now, it’s hard to justify paying a big monthly bill for dozens of channels you barely watch.
Before canceling cable, think about what your household actually watches. If you can’t go without local news, ESPN, HGTV, football, or a favorite network show, start by finding the least expensive service or combination of services that carries what you want.
Be careful not to replace one hefty cable bill with a stack of smaller subscriptions, either. These 12 options offer different ways to watch your favorite shows and movies while keeping your spending in check.
Hulu — Starting at $12.49 a Month
Hulu’s ad-supported plan costs $12.49 a month, while the ad-free plan costs $21.49 and offers downloads for select shows and movies. It’s a good option for people who enjoy popular television series, original programming, movies, and older favorites without needing a full live-TV package.
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Sling TV — Starting at $19.99 a Month
Sling TV offers smaller channel packages starting at $19.99 a month, with larger bundles costing more depending on the channels you choose. Check the lineup for your area before signing up, especially if you need ESPN, news networks, entertainment channels, or local stations.
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Peacock — Starting at $8.99 a Month
Peacock’s Select plan starts at $8.99 a month, while Premium costs $12.99 and includes movies, original shows, and live sports. If you watch NBC or Bravo programming, Sunday Night Football, or Premier League matches, check which plan carries the programs you want before choosing the cheaper option.
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Paramount+ — Starting at $8.99 a Month
Paramount+ Essential costs $8.99 a month and includes shows and movies from CBS, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, and Paramount. The Premium plan costs $13.99 a month and adds access to live CBS programming in supported markets, more Showtime content, and fewer ads across much of the on-demand library.
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Tubi — Free
Tubi is completely free, with thousands of movies and television shows supported by advertising instead of a monthly subscription. It won’t replace a full cable package, but it’s a handy way to find something to watch without adding another bill.
Pluto TV — Free
Pluto TV offers hundreds of free live channels, making it feel more like traditional television than a streaming service where you must pick a show every time. It also has on-demand movies and series, so it’s a good choice for anyone who enjoys browsing channels and finding something unexpected.
Apple TV — $14.99 a Month
Apple TV costs $14.99 a month and focuses on original series, movies, documentaries, and select live sports. It isn’t a full cable replacement, but it may suit you if you prefer a smaller library of shows you want to watch rather than a large lineup of live channels.
Prime Video — Included With Amazon Prime
Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $14.99 a month or $139 a year in the United States. Some movies and shows are included, while others require rentals, purchases, or extra channel subscriptions, so check the price before pressing play.
Netflix — Starting at $8.99 a Month
Netflix’s ad-supported plan starts at $8.99 a month, making it a reasonable choice for movies, documentaries, kids’ shows, original series, and older favorites. The ad-free plans cost more, so compare the features and streaming limits before deciding which option fits your household.
YouTube TV — $82.99 a Month
YouTube TV’s regular base price is $82.99 a month, so it’s one of the pricier options on this list, though introductory deals may lower the cost for new subscribers. It includes more than 100 channels, local stations, sports, news, and unlimited DVR, making it a better fit for people who want live television without traditional cable.
Discovery+ — Starting at $6.99 a Month
Discovery+ starts at $6.99 a month with ads, while the ad-free plan costs $11.99 a month and includes mobile downloads. If you spend most of your TV time watching reality series, home renovation shows, documentaries, or other nonfiction programming, this could be a cheaper option than a larger channel bundle.
Disney+ — Starting at $12.49 a Month
Disney+ is a good choice for families and anyone who enjoys Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, or National Geographic content, with the ad-supported plan costing $12.49 a month. If you’re considering Hulu, compare the available bundles, because the Disney+ and Hulu package with ads currently costs $12.99 a month.
Choose the Services You’ll Actually Use
You don’t have to subscribe to every service to enjoy a good lineup of shows and movies. Start with the channels and programs your household watches most, add free services where they make sense, and review your subscriptions every few months to see whether you’re still getting your money’s worth.
The goal isn’t just to cancel cable; it’s to find a setup that gives you the entertainment you enjoy without paying for things you never watch.
