Looking for Apps like Netflix: Top Best Alternatives (Free & Paid)

The discussion of Video streaming services platforms has been saturated by three major services today – Netflix, Hotstar, and Amazon Prime TV. As the demand for online streaming services in India proliferates, viewers with varying tastes require different streaming platforms. Especially during this pandemic when people are staying indoors.

In this blog we would discuss about the different OTT platforms that are still not much explored by the Indian viewers.

Top 14 Best Video Streaming Services (Netflix Alternative)

• Disney+
• Quibi
• BritBox
• ErosNow
• YouTube Originals
• Crunchyroll
• MX Player
• Voot
• Zee5
• ALTBalaji
• Apple TV+
• Live TV Sony
• Viu
• Live from HQ

What to binge-watch during the lockdown? Another weekend is coming, and you can explore these online streaming service platforms to keep yourself entertained.

• Disney+

Disney+ is not available as a standalone OTT services and can be accessed through a Hotstar premium account. This streaming service provides access to all your favorite Disney shows and movies along with other Disney licensed content like Star Wars, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pixar movies, National Geographic shows, and much more. Plus, the recent acquisition of 20^th Century Fox and Hulu catalog by Disney has also been updated in the Disney+ catalogue.

It has a wide range of movies and web series for all age groups. Children can watch all the Disney classics like Dalmatian 101, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, etc. While the young audience can watch action-based and more emotionally mature movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, Lone Ranger, Deadpool, etc.

Price: Disney+ Hotstar VIP cost Rs. 399 per year and Disney+ Hotstar Premium costs ₹1499/-

Free Trial: 30 Days

Popular Shows: Mandalorian, Zootopia, That’s So Raven, Ducktales

Genres: Animation, Sci-Fi, Action, Documentary, Wildlife, Sports streaming

Compatible Devices: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iPhones, Smart TVs, etc.

Number of Supported Devices: 1

• Quibi

Quibi is a short-form mobile video streaming service. The content on Quibi is full of original bite-sized movies and shows. The focus of Quibi is to keep the users occupied with content that is high in quality and quick to watch. This OTT service platform is attached with major entertainment industry names like Corey Hawkins, Christoph Waltz, Liam Hemsworth, etc.

The catalog of this streaming service is divided into three categories:

1. Movies in Chapters: Feature-length stories provided in chapters that are 7-10 minutes in length.

2. Unscripted & Docs: This covers a different slice of life genres like food, fashion, travel, animals, cars, builds, music, etc.

3. Daily Essentials: There are 5-6 minutes quick bites of news, entertainment, inspiration, etc.

All the different genres are finely curated into these three categories for seamless catalogue surfing. Quibi OTT service enhances the viewing experience for users by providing easily consumable content.

Price: ₹669/- per month

Free Trial: 90 days

Popular Shows: Survive, I Promise, Thanks a Million & Music, etc.

Genres: Slice of life, cooking, music, drama, suspense, action

Compatible Devices: Android and iPhone

Number of devices: 1 device per account

Suggested Read: Enhance your Learning Skills During Lockdown via Free Online Courses

• BritBox

BritBox is an online streaming service created by BBC and ITV. This streaming service is primarily available in western countries but in India, it can be accessed via Apple TV Plus. The OTT service provides exclusive British television series and movies from United Kingdom’s main public service broadcasters. It includes content from BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5.

BritBox is a niche streaming service for individuals who like to watch popular British shows like The Office UK version or Dickensian. This online streaming service will bring the Victorian experience right to your screens.

Price: ₹99 per month (Apple TV subscription)

Free Trial: Three months

Popular Shows: Pride and Prejudice, Dr Who, Lost in Austeen, Vera, Absolutely Fabulous, Cold Feet

Genres: Detective, Comedy, Drama, Satire

Compatible Devices: Android, Windows, Mac, iPhone

Number of devices: 1 device per account

• ErosNow

ErosNow is an online streaming service started by the Bollywood production and distribution giant Eros International Media. It provides a unique Indian cinema experience as it has a collection of both mainstream and off-the-beat movies in its repository. Plus, the wide variety of original content from the house of ErosNow. This OTT service provides content in various local languages such as Punjabi, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Gujrati, Malayalam, Assamese, Bhojpuri, Hindi, and many more.

With ErosNow streaming service, you also get a music streaming platform to listen all the major Bollywood and regional industry hits. The movie streaming site has over 12,000 digital titles that include television shows, music videos, movies, and over 250,000 music tracks. ErosNow is one of the best video streaming sites to watch quality “desi” content.

Price: ErosNow Plus ₹49 per month, ErosNow Premium Rs. 99/- per month

Free Trial: 14 days

Popular Shows: Flip, The Investigation, Modi: Journey of a Common Man, etc.

Genres: Bollywood, Kollywood, Tellywood, Web Series

Compatible Devices: Windows, Android, Mac, iPhones

Number of Devices: 2 devices per account

• YouTube Originals

Previously known as “YouTube Red,” YouTube Originals is a premium subscription-based streaming service that provides access to original web series. In addition to that, it offers an ad-free YouTube experience with access to YouTube Music. YouTube Originals allows you to watch all the original series, movies, and live events through your YouTube mobile app. The mobile app allows you to save all the shows and music videos for offline watching.

Price: Regular Plan for ₹129 per month, Students Plan for ₹79 per month.

Free Trial: 30 Days

Popular Shows: Mindfield, Impulse, The Age of A.I., Cobra Kai, Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television, Wayne, etc.

Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Drama

Compatible Devices: Windows, Android, Mac, iPhones

Number of Devices: 1 device per account

• Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is one of the most popular anime streaming services worldwide. It is an American distributor for Japanese anime, manga, and dorama that also provides its services in India. This OTT platform provides access to over 900 anime shows, 200 doramas to users. Plus, it has licensed over 50 manga titles that are constantly updated with new chapters.

Crunchyroll caters to the niche crowd of anime watchers and has access to some of the most easily accessible shows that allow users to get into anime. Another key interesting feature of Crunchyroll is it’s simulcasting. The shows airing in Japan are instantly subtitled and telecasted on Crunchyroll as soon as in one hour. Crunchyroll has revolutionized the anime distribution handling for outreaching a wide customer base.

Price: Free (with Ads), ₹611.29/- per month

Free Trial: 14 Days

Popular Shows: Attack On Titans, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures, Eyeshield 21, Yuru Camp, YuruYuri, etc.

Genres: Anime, action, Japanese Drama, Manga Comics, Drama, Sci-Fi,

Compatible Devices: Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac

Number Of Devices: 1 account per device

Suggested Read: Gaming Apps to Download During Quarantine Period

• MX Player

MX Player has been used as a media player in smartphones for a very long. They have recently started a free online movie streaming site. MX Player as a free movie streaming service produces a wide range of adult-themed web-shows and movies in English, Hindi, and various other regional languages.

MX Player also uses simulcasting to license shows from other platforms like Hoichoi, Shemaroo, and Hungama. Plus, the streaming service also provides access to music streaming services and is one of the leading video streaming services in India after Hotstar and Amazon Prime.

Price: Free (with Ads)

Free Trial: NA

Popular Shows: The Bull of Dalal Street, Halala, TVF Roommates, TVF Pitchers, Ek Thi Begum, FLAMES

Genres: Drama, Comedy, Thriller, etc.  

Compatible Devices: iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac

Number of Devices: Multiple

• Voot

Voot is an OTT service provided by Viacom 18 network and provides over 40,000-hour worth of content. It is only available in India. It aggregates TV shows and movies from all the Viacom 18 channels such as Colors Hindi, News18 India, CNN-News18, Colors Marathi, Colors Telugu, Colors Bangla, MTV, Vh1, MTV Beats, and many more.

Voot provides a complete family package of content that is suitable for both children and adults alike. In addition to all these, Voot offers original streaming content too through Voot Select Originals, Voot Studio, Voot Originals, etc.

Price: Monthly Plan for ₹99 per month, Yearly Plan for ₹999/- per annum

Free Trial: 14 Days

Popular Shows: Asur, Bigg Boss, Naagin, Stupid Man Stupid Phone, Feet Up with Stars, Gangs of Wasseypur, etc.

Genres: Comedy, Action, Drama, Thriller, etc. 

Compatible Devices: iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac

Number of Devices: 1 device per account

• Zee5

Zee5 is the video on-demand service run by Zee Media, the OTT service provider. It aggregates video streaming from more than 45 different TV channels to provide live TV access. It includes different type of channels such as news, entertainment, music, etc. Channels like Zee Cinemas, Zee Café, &TV, &Pictures, Aaj Tak, Big Magic, Zing are added in its catalog. In addition to that, Zee5 keeps updating the catalog with original movies and TV series under “Zee5 Originals” as well. Plus, all the content in the catalogue is sorted into different categories for easy surfing.

Price: Monthly for ₹99 per month, for ₹599 per 6 months, for ₹999 per annum

Free Trial: 7 Days.

Popular Shows: Rangbaaz, Kaafir, Code M, Poison, Fixerr, Dance India Dance

Genres: Action, Comedy, Thriller, Drama, PG-13, etc. 

Compatible Devices: iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac

Number of Devices: 5 devices per account

• ALTBalaji

ALTBalaji is an OTT service operated by Ekta Kapoor of the much-famed Balaji Telefilms. The queen of television has now entered the online streaming game with highly mature content related to history, politics, relationships, and much more. The content on ALTBalaji is available in different Indian languages.

Plus, it offers a customizable interface where users can change the language of the app/website to 32 different options. ALTBalaji features content that are directed, produced, and acted by some of the biggest names in the industry.

Price: ₹100/- for 3 months, ₹300/- for 12 months

Free Trial: 7 Days

Popular Shows: Apaharan, Bose: Dead/Alive, The Test Case, Medically Yourrs, The Verdict – State vs Nanavati,

Genres: Drama, Thriller, History, Action, Mature, etc. 

Compatible Devices: iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac

Number of Devices: 5 devices per account

• Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is an over-the-top video on demand service provided by none other than the tech giant Apple Inc. Users do not require to own an Apple device to access the content in Apple TV+. It has a monthly content update schedule, i.e., the catalog of Apple TV+ is updated every month.

Apple TV Plus provides one of the most well-produced online streaming content at an extremely affordable price. This OTT service is one of the cheapest in India. Apple TV+ does not have the largest catalog of all the OTT services mentioned in this list. But, what Apple TV+ lacks in quantity, it makes it up with the sheer quality of its shows.

Price: ₹99/- per month

Free Trial: 7 Days

Popular Shows: Home Before Dark, Snoopy in Space Shorts, Defending Jacob, Oprah’s Book Club, Beastie Boys Story, etc

Genres: Thriller, Suspense, Documentary, Animation, Documentary etc. 

Compatible Devices: iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac

Number of Devices: 3 devices per account

• Live TV Sony

Sony LIV is a video on demand service run by Sony Pictures Networks. It provides live telecasting of all the channels affiliated to Sony Pictures through internet. Sony LIV provides direct access to more than 30 different channels. Live TV Sony network offers a diverse range of viewing experience; it covers all major categories such as English reality shows, movies, sitcoms, sports, Anime, and even Russian channels for niche watchers.

Sony TV video streaming software has one of the most premium catalogues of all the stream services mentioned in this list. The anime content provided by Live TV Sony is mostly English subtitled content.

Price: ₹99 for Monthly premium pack, ₹299/- for six-month premium, ₹499/- for 12-month premium

Free Trial: NA

Popular Shows: Seinfeld, The Handmaid’s Tale, Bahubali, Marvel Anime Series, Tintin’s Adventures, Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma

Genres: Drama, Comedy, Thriller, Action, Animation, etc.

Compatible Devices: iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac

Number of Devices: 5 devices per account

• Viu

Viu is an OTT streaming service based out of Hong Kong that provides top quality web content from all across Asia. The streaming service provides access to shows in various Asian languages, such as Hindi, English, Chinese, Arabic, Malaysian, Indonesian, Burmese, Korean, Bangla, Thai, Telugu, etc.

Viu is quite popular for its catalogue of Korean drama shows. Plus, all these shows are properly subtitled. Viu offers a wide variety of original content as well under the Viu Original section.

Price: Free (with Ads), ₹99/- for two months, ₹299/- per six months, ₹599/- per 12 months

Free Trial: 30 days

Popular Shows: Go Back Couple, Lawless Lawyer,  What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, Pretty Little Liars (Indonesian), etc.

Genres: Slice of life, drama, suspense, thriller,

Compatible Devices: Android, iPhone, Mac, iPhone

Number of Devices: 3 mobile devices and 1 PC from a single account.

• Live from HQ

Live from HQ is about online musical events where the best lyricists, singers, and poets come together to share their creativity on livestream. It is a 30-minute long, free event which can be accessed through the BookMyShow website or mobile app, Instagram, and Facebook. So, join the fun while you are working from home and relaxing during weekends.

Price: Free

Free Trial: NA

Popular Shows: 30-minutes live performances

Genres: Poetry, Music

Compatible Devices: iPhone, Mac, Android, Windows

Number of Devices: 1 device per account