The 10 Most Popular Streaming TV Services

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If the coronavirus pandemic has left you dreaming of an escape to Never Never Land, maybe it’s time to join Disney+.

Last year, the streaming service’s mobile app had 45.2 million downloads in the U.S. That made it the most downloaded video-on-demand app in 2020, according to Apptopia, an app intelligence provider.

Disney+ edged out Netflix, which finished second with 44.7 million downloads in the U.S.

Also of note, HBO Max — which just launched in May — jumped into eighth place. It is now the fastest-growing streaming video-on-demand service in the U.S., Apptopia says.

The top 10 most-downloaded video-on-demand apps of 2020 in the U.S. were:

  1. Disney+: 45.2 million downloads
  2. Netflix: 44.7 million
  3. YouTube: 40 million
  4. Hulu: 31 million
  5. Amazon Prime Video: 27 million
  6. Tubi: 25 million
  7. Roku: 23 million
  8. HBO Max: 23 million
  9. Pluto TV: 14.7 million
  10. ESPN: 14.6 million

Choosing the right streaming service in 2021

If you are thinking of cutting the cable cord this year, you’ll find plenty of good streaming options from which to choose.

Recently, Discovery+ launched with a blend of entertainment from popular networks, including HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, OWN, Animal Planet and Discovery Channel. Service plans start at just $4.99 a month.

To learn more, read “Cutting Cable? These 5 New TV Services Launch in 2021.”

Other affordable options include:

  • Sling TV: Offers two plans — Sling Orange and Sling Blue — each priced at $30 monthly.
  • Philo: Offers more than 60 channels for $20 a month.
  • Hulu: Offers access to thousands of shows and movies beginning at $5.99 a month.

For more affordable options, check out “4 Streaming TV Services That Cost $20 a Month — or Less.”

Some services are actually free, as you’ll learn in “15 Free Streaming Services to Watch While Stuck at Home.” Examples include two of the most-downloaded streaming apps: Tubi and Pluto TV.

Just remember, though, that you often get what you pay for. Free services and those that cost less tend to offer fewer entertainment options than services that charge more.

So, don’t rule out more expensive options if having a variety of channels is important to you.

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