Are you having a tough time deciding which streaming service is best for you or your family? Then, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will discuss the best streaming services available right now.

We’ve included both paid and free options so you can pick the services that work for your needs and budget. We’ll go over the pros and cons of each service and highlight the most important features.

However, keep in mind that not all of these services are available in every part of the world. Moreover, the content catalog of most of these streaming services differs per country. Fortunately, you can get around both of these issues with a good VPN, such as Surfshark.

The Top 15 Video Streaming Services

Below, we’ve compiled a list of the top streaming services right now. We’ll start out with some of the biggest and most popular platforms, but we’ll also discuss some more niche options and some new streaming services.

1. Netflix: The best overall streaming service

What We Like:

• 5,000+ movies and series
• Easy-to-use interface on any device
• Multiple plans
• Powerful recommendation algorithm
• Up to five different profiles per account

What We Don’t Like:

• The starting price is expensive compared to other services (From $6.99 per month)
• Different content catalogs in different countries

Visit: Netflix

Netflix is still the undisputed king of on-demand streaming services, and if you look purely at member count, it’s easy to see why: the service has over 5,000 great movies and series on offer in 62 languages.

Netflix offers many different types of movies and TV shows, such as comedies, thrillers, dramas, fantasy, documentaries, and many more. We greatly enjoy using Netflix, especially for its unique documentaries and strong titles like:

• The Irishman
• Don’t Look Up
• The Big Short
• Django Unchained
• Arcane
• Sex Education
• Squid Game
• The Queen’s Gambit

You can watch Netflix on nearly any device. We found its website and apps easy to use, and the recommendations from the service helped us find the best Netflix shows and movies within seconds. Overall, we thought that Netflix’s interface was very user-friendly.

Netflix’s main disadvantage is the same one that most streaming services face: not all of its content is available worldwide. The content you can access will depend on where you are.

Fortunately, you can get around Netflix’s geo-restrictions by using a VPN. With a virtual private network, you can connect to a VPN server in a country where Netflix offers the content you want to stream. Your best option is Surfshark, thanks to its blazing-fast streaming speeds and robust unblocking features.

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2. Disney+: The best option for families with young children

What We Like:

• Not too expensive when compared to other services
• Pixar, Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and Star titles along with some exclusives and originals
• Large selection of classic movies
• Available in most countries in the Americas and Europe, and select countries in the Asia-Pacific region

What We Don’t Like:

• Content may vary depending on region
• Smaller content library compared to other providers

Visit: Disney+

Disney+ is the best streaming service for younger viewers but also for adults who like animated movies and superhero titles. Disney+ bundles amazing titles from popular networks and studios: Pixar, Disney, Marvel, National Geographic, and Star. The platform also hosts some exclusives and originals.

Although Disney+ offers much more than just superhero and Disney titles, we found its catalog lacking a bit compared to streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO Max. However, this is to be somewhat expected with a more niche streaming service. Nevertheless, Disney+ has some great movies and TV shows, including:

• Haunted Mansion
• Mrs. Doubtfire
• Finding Nemo
• The Little Mermaid
• Loki
• Goosebumps
• The Simpsons
• Secret Invasion

When testing Disney+, we also had the option to download movies and TV shows so we could watch them offline. Disney+ is available on streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, and Smart TVs. Additionally, you can access the streaming service on your PC, smartphone, tablet, and select gaming consoles.

However, do keep in mind that, like most streaming platforms, Disney+ offers different content in different countries.

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3. Amazon Prime Video: Great value-for-money streaming provider

What We Like:

• Excellent original programming
• Over 50,000 movies and series available
• Included with Amazon Prime membership
• Accessible worldwide

What We Don’t Like:

• Sometimes buggy and dated interface
• The extra content and channels cost more
• Content availability differs per country

Visit: Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is a huge player in the streaming world. According to most estimates, it’s actually the second most popular streaming platform right now. This isn’t strange if you consider the platform’s staggering 50,000+ movies and series.

We were also impressed by the huge number of titles Prime Video has for rent or for sale as well. We could find basically any movie or series, even if they were not available for streaming. Some popular films and TV shows on Prime include:

• Tar
• Dear White People
• All About My Mother
• The Handmaiden
• Moneyball
• Gen V
• Jack Ryan
• Carnival Row

You can stream Prime Video on multiple devices like your computer, your smartphone, and streaming devices. The streaming service also just introduced profiles that help you personalize your viewing experience based on recommendations from Prime Video.

Some drawbacks to the streaming provider include a sometimes buggy user experience when using its browser version, as well as Amazon running ads for its programming before your stream starts. There’s also a lot of extra content that’s blocked behind additional costs.

Moreover, Prime Video’s huge content catalog isn’t available in all countries. In most regions, you’ll only be able to stream a fraction of all of the titles that the platform has to offer. You can get rid of this limitation by using a good streaming VPN, like Surfshark, to unblock all of Prime Video’s content.

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4. Hulu: The best service for replacing cable

What We Like:

• Affordable, on-demand streaming compared to other options
• About 2,500 movies and series and 90+ channels (with Live TV)
• Currently airing and full TV season access of shows

What We Don’t Like:

• Older TV seasons may have gaps in library
• The Live TV option is quite pricey
• Available only in the US and some parts of Japan

Visit: Hulu

Hulu is one of the better streaming services if you’re trying to get rid of your cable or satellite service. That’s because Hulu doesn’t just offer on-demand content: with Hulu + Live TV you get access to more than 90 channels, offering sports, entertainment, and news.

Apart from the live offerings, we were pleased to see that Hulu also features about 2,500 movies and TV shows for on-demand streaming. Hulu users can also access Disney+ and ESPN+ as an add-on. Some of the best movies and TV shows on Hulu are:

• Theather Camp
• No One Will Save You
• How to Blow up a Pipeline
• Infinity Pool
• Rye Lane
• The Golden Bachelor
• The Other Black Girl
• Only Murders in the Building
• The Bear

One of Hulu’s main disadvantages is the fact it’s only available in the US, and certain parts of Japan. Fortunately, you can easily circumvent this by using a VPN like Surfshark and connecting to a server in the US. This will let you access Hulu worldwide.

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5. Sling TV: The best live TV streaming provider

What We Like:

• A lot of programming options
• Cheaper than cable
• No contracts
• Great for ESPN fans

What We Don’t Like:

• Can be expensive if you start adding on packages
• On-demand content is limited compared to other options
• No original content available
• Only available in the US

Visit: Sling TV

Sling TV is a live TV streaming service that provides cord-cutters with an option outside of cable and satellite to watch their favorite channels.

Sling offers two plans: Sling Orange and Sling Blue. The former is mainly geared towards sports fans and families, while the latter provides tons of news and entertainment. Both plans cost $40 a month, but you can also get both for $55, saving you $25. Some of the channels included in each plan are:

Sling Orange exclusive channels:

• ESPN
• ESPN 2
• ESPN 3
• Disney Channe

Some Sling Blue exclusive channels:

• Fox Local
• NBC Local
• Fox News
• Bravo
• NFL Network
• Discovery
• National Geographic

Sling TV also offers tons of add-ons, such as Sports Extra, Kids Extra, and News Extra.

Something to keep in mind with Sling TV is that all of the add-ons can quickly add up in cost. If you’re spending a lot on extras, you’d be better off using a different service like YouTube TV because it offers more for around the same amount of money.

Also, this service is only available in the U.S., which means you’ll need to use a VPN to access it outside of the country. Just remember that the server you connect to in the U.S. will dictate what programming you’ll have access to and at what time through the Live TV service. Even so, Sling TV is definitely one of the best Live TV streaming services.

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6. HBO Max: The best service for HBO exclusives

What We Like:

• A wide selection of movies and shows
• High-quality original programming
• Access to HBO exclusive shows
• HBO Max is available in many countries across the Americas, Europe, and Southeast Asia

What We Don’t Like:

• Can’t use with Amazon Fire TV or Roku
• More expensive than other options

Visit: HBO Max

HBO Max, known as Max US in the United States, is known for its amazing collection of HBO exclusives. When testing the platform, we were very impressed with the content it offered. There were hundreds of titles on HBO Max!

The service also has movies by well-known studios and channels like CNN, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures, and Warner Media. Moreover, it offers great movies and series like:

• The Meg
• Poltergeist
• Scream
• The Lost Boys
• The Exorcist
• Pulp Fiction
• Edge of Tomorrow
• Gangs of London
• The Walking Dead
• Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty

You can access HBO Max on Apple and Android phones, smart TVs, and gaming consoles like the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4. You can also use a Chromecast to stream on devices that don’t have internet access.

HBO Max is only available in the U.S., Latin America, the Caribbean, and select European countries at this time. Fortunately, you can easily access Max US or HBO Max from anywhere in the world by connecting to one of Surfshark’s outstanding US VPN servers.

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7. Crackle: The best free streaming service for movies and TV shows

What We Like:

• Free streaming service
• A large variety of programs
• Some original content

What We Don’t Like:

• Dated interface
• Shows and movies come and go often
• Limited availability outside of U.S.

Visit: Crackle

Crackle is a free streaming service with a library of on-demand movies and shows. Like other streaming services, the library changes often with movies and shows coming and going from Crackle’s offerings. Moreover, when testing Crackle, we had to get used to the commercials they ran during the programs.

However, since Crackle is free, you don’t lose anything by checking out what it has to offer. The service has a surprising number of programs available to stream, as well as some original content for you to watch. Some of the movies and TV shows we enjoy watching on Crackle are:

• Short Term 12
• Hunt for the Wilderpeople
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
• Hell’s Kitchen
• Lost
• Dark Shadows
• Peep Show

You can access Crackle on mobile devices, browsers, gaming consoles, media streaming devices, and select TVs. We were also happy to see that all of the content on Crackle is also available to stream in 720p.

Aside from the commercials, the biggest hurdle with using Crackle is the dated interface that provides limited recommendations and fewer movie categories when compared to Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.

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8. Peacock: The best free streaming provider for NBC programming

What We Like:

• Parental control options
• Three tiers to choose from (including a free one)
• Live sports
• Popular NBC programs like Parks and Recreation and King of Queens

What We Don’t Like:

• Gaps in the content library (Friends, Seinfeld, and The Office)
• Not many original shows
• Limited 4K streaming support

Visit: Peacock

Peacock is a streaming service owned by NBCUniversal. As such, we could watch a ton of NBC programming on the platform, even with Peacock’s free tier. The latter offers about 40,000 hours of on-demand content. However, the free version does include ads.

Peacock also has a Premium plan, which also has ads but offers 60,000 hours of content along with some popular live sports, including the NFL, Big Ten football, WWE, premier league soccer, golf, and others. The final option is Premium Plus, which includes all the aforementioned without ads.

While testing Peacock, we were very pleased to see a good range of films and TV series like:

• Afternoon Delight
• American Psycho
• Asteroid City
• John Wick
• The King of Queens
• Wolf Like Me

You can watch Peacock through its app on Android and iPhone devices, as well as gaming consoles and media streaming devices. You can’t watch Peacock on Amazon Fire TV or Roku devices at this time, although this may change in the future.

Premium Plus users are also able to download titles, which they can then watch offline. There’s currently no original programming available on Peacock because, at the moment, it only pulls content from the NBC library.

As of now, Peacock is available in the US, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. Fortunately, there is a way to watch Peacock wherever you are: using a great VPN, such as Surfshark, and one of its 600+ US servers.

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9. YouTube TV: The best cable replacement with DVR support

What We Like:

• Unlimited cloud DVR storage
• Six accounts under one membership
• Live sports and news channels
• Large network selection

What We Don’t Like:

• Add-ons can get expensive
• Pricey monthly cost
• Only available in the US

Visit: YouTube TV

With 100+ channels, YouTube TV is one of the best streaming services and cable replacements out there. Interestingly, we also found that it’s one of the better deals for cord-cutters.

When exploring YouTube TV, we discovered that it has a large selection of news channels, entertainment options, reality TV, and live sports available through its service. Some of the channels we could gain access to with a YouTube TV subscription included:

• CNN
• Fox
• Food Network
• Nickelodeon
• Comedy Central
• Disney
• ESPN
• NFL Network

You can stream YouTube TV on mobile and streaming devices, as well as on smart TVs and gaming consoles. We found the interface easy to navigate and reliable, especially when compared to other live TV streaming options available.

YouTube TV also offers the benefit of unlimited cloud DVR storage. Just remember that the cloud will keep your recordings for a maximum of nine months before deleting them.

Some potential drawbacks to YouTube TV include the cost of the service, especially compared to on-demand platforms. If you get all the add-on packages your bill can get pretty expensive. Also, YouTube TV is currently only available in the US.

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10. Tubi: The best streaming service for movies with just a few ads

What We Like:

• Completely free
• Large selection of movies
• Easy-to-use interface
• Parental controls included

What We Don’t Like:

• Limited TV programming
• 720p streaming resolution cap
• No download option
• Available only in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand

Visit: Tubi

Tubi is a free streaming service that provides on-demand movies and shows through an ad-supported platform. The service has several popular movies available, as well as select TV shows. We also discovered that Tubi has a pretty impressive amount of live content, mainly from the US and the UK.

We found the platform’s interface to have a clean design, and it was easy to use. The search function worked well, and we could find specific movies or shows in their library.

Some of Tubi’s best movies and TV shows include:

• Train to Busan
• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
• Hellraiser
• The Jetsons and The Flintstones
• Everybody Hates Chris
• Unsolved Mysteries

Tubi can be streamed on mobile devices and web browsers. If you have a Chromecast, you can cast Tubi from your phone to your TV. Other streaming devices you can use include Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, and modern gaming consoles.

Tubi also has parental controls and an ever-rotating library of programs. However, a couple of downsides of Tubi include the lack of a download option for watching programs offline and a resolution cap of 720p.

Tubi is currently only available in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. Fortunately, however, you can use this completely free streaming service from anywhere in the world. All you need is an excellent streaming VPN, such as Surfshark, that can bypass geo-restrictions and give you access to Tubi from anywhere.

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11. Shudder: The best horror streaming provider

What We Like:

• Low monthly cost
• Perfect for horror lovers
• Large selection of hard-to-find horror classics
• Original programming

What We Don’t Like:

• No download options
• Few titles compared to other streaming services

Visit: Shudder

Shudder is the go-to platform for horror movie fans interested in streaming those hard-to-find classics of the genre, like Halloween, Carnival of Souls, and Hellraiser.

We were also happy to find a lot of recent releases and were very pleased with the video quality of the content provided. You can find a wide selection of movies and shows to choose from, with some being original programming.

Some of Shudder’s best movies and TV series are:

• Dead End
• The Vigil
• Perpetrator
• Relic
• Slasher
• The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs
• The Walking Dead: Darryl Dixon

You can watch Shudder on all streaming devices and smartphones. It’s also available on browsers and smart TVs. The service is completely ad-free and comes with a seven-day free trial.

Of course, if you don’t like horror you shouldn’t even consider Shudder as an option. Also, there is no download option for offline viewing. Shudder’s last drawback is that it’s currently only available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

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12. Crunchyroll: The best anime streaming service

What We Like:

• Great for anime fans
• Over 1,000 titles
• Original programming available
• Free plan
• Available worldwide (US has the complete catalog)

What We Don’t Like:

• Ads on the free tier
• No downloads for offline viewing
• The interface is dated and hard to navigate

Visit: Crunchyroll

Anime fans will find a lot to love in Crunchyroll’s library. With over 1,000 options to choose from, Crunchyroll is the place to go for anime shows like:

• Attack on Titan
• Punch Man
• Sword Of The Stranger
• Hunter X Hunter
• One Piece
• Dragon Ball Z
• Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

The service also offers some original programming, about 200 East Asian dramas, and 80 Manga titles.

Crunchyroll offers four plans: a free account that has ads and three paid tiers. You can use the service on streaming devices, smartphones, gaming consoles, and through your browser. However, Crunchyroll doesn’t have a download option, making it impossible to use offline.

The good news is that you can watch Crunchyroll from anywhere worldwide. However, unless you’re located in the US, you won’t have access to Crunchyroll’s complete catalog.

Fortunately, you can get around the restriction mentioned above and access everything on Crunchyroll worldwide. All you need to do is get a great VPN and connect to a US server. We recommend Surfshark on account of its exntensive US server network and fantastic discounts on new subscriptions.

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13. Paramount+: The most affordable streaming platform

What We Like:

• The cheapest package is very affordable
• Large amount of content: 900 movies and 45,000 TV episodes
• Supports 18 devices
• Available in 28 countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia

What We Don’t Like:

• The cheapest plan still has ads
• Only the most expensive plan allows for downloads

Visit: Paramount+

Paramount+ is a great newcomer in the streaming world and is slowly becoming one of the top streaming services.

Paramount+ offers two packages: Essential, with ads, and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, without ads. In total, the platform claims to host 45,000 TV episodes and hundreds of movies, including:

• Titanic
• Raiders Of The Lost Ark
• Terminator 2: Judgment Day
• Mean Girls
• Frasier
• 1923
• Yellowjackets

We were also impressed with Paramount+’s support for a huge number of streaming and entertainment devices, among which are (desktop) PCs, Apple TV, iPhone and iPad, Android TV, Android phones and tablets, Chromecast, Fire TV, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox, and many others.

If you’ve got the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, you can also download your favorite movies and shows to watch when you’re offline.

You can access Paramount+ in 28 countries, including the United States, the UK, Australia, and countries in Europe, North America, and South America.

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14. ESPN+: A great streaming app for UFC and sports fans

What We Like:

• Lots of sports content
• Live and on-demand events
• Cheaper than most live sports options

What We Don’t Like:

• Only shows select games in most leagues
• UFC PPV events are still really expensive
• Only available in the US (different version is available in Latin America)

Visit: ESPN+

ESPN+ is one of the best sports streaming services. It’s especially great for UFC fans, as ESPN+ gives you access to all UFC Fight Nights. Also, it has the exclusive rights to UFC PPV events in the US and offers an impressive on-demand catalog of UFC events.

ESPN+ also offers some coverage of other popular sporting competitions, like the NFL, NBA, wrestling, ATP tennis tournaments, and much more. Personally, we mainly use ESPN+ to watch tennis and UFC events, and we really enjoy those streams.

These are some of the ESPN+ sports and sports leagues you can find on the channel:

• Select NFL games
• Select NBA games
• UFC Fight Night events
• UFC PPV events (at $79.99 per event)
• Select NCAA football games
• Select NCAA basketball games
• ATP tennis: Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open

Another advantage is that you can use ESPN+ on virtually any device with streaming capabilities.

As far as drawbacks go, we would like ESPN+ to be a bit more complete in its coverage. For instance, it only shows a small selection of NFL and NBA games, and UFC fans who want to watch PPVs have to pay a hefty price for each event: $79.99.

It’s also unfortunate that ESPN+ is normally only available in the US. However, there is in fact a way to watch ESPN+ when you’re abroad. All you need to do is get a good streaming VPN, such as Surfshark, and connect to a US server.

ESPN+ IN LATIN AMERICA:

ESPN+ is also available in Latin America, but it’s a different version with different content and a different sign-up process as it caters to Latin American sports fans.

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15. Apple TV+: Watch Apple exclusives in 4K for a low price

What We Like:

• Great features for the price: 4K, HDR, mobile downloads
• Access Apple originals that aren’t available elsewhere
• Worldwide coverage (100+ countries)

What We Don’t Like:

• Very small catalog for the price

Visit: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is a great option for those looking for quality over quantity and who know exactly what they want to watch. The platform only offers Apple originals, including:

• The Boy, The Mole, The Fox & The Horse
• On The Rocks
• The Velvet Underground
• The Tragedy Of Macbeth
• CODA
• Ted Lasso
• Silo
• Shrinking

For a platform that only charges $9.99 per month, it’s quite impressive that you get 4K streaming, HDR (high-dynamic range), and mobile downloads.

Although the name suggests otherwise, you can use Apple TV+ on lots of devices: PC, Mac, Android phones and tablets, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and many others. Moreover, we were happy to discover that if you use the service on an Apple product, you get the first three months free.

Apple TV+ is available in 100+ countries across all seven continents. Even better, Apple TV+ content doesn’t change depending on the country you’re in: you’ll have access to all your favorite shows in any supported country.

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How We Chose the Best Streaming Services

When it comes to choosing the best streaming service for you and your family, you’ll have to consider various factors. These are the most important things we considered when making our list of the top streaming services on the market:

• Extensive library and video quality: We looked at the number of movies and TV shows each service offered and ensured the video quality was good.
• Genre or type of content: When opting for a streaming service, you should ensure it offers different genres like horror, adventure, etc. We also included service providers with sports content.
• Cable/TV replacement and on-demand streaming services: During our research of the best streaming services, we explored options for those looking for a replacement for cable TV and on-demand platforms. Some of the service providers we included in our list can serve as both.
• Price: We looked for providers with affordable subscription plans.

Finally, we also included some free options for those who prefer to not spend anything on a streaming service.

Why Do You Need a VPN for Streaming?

Unblocking streaming content or services that are blocked where users live is a popular reason for using a virtual private network (VPN). Many streaming services block some or all of their content outside of specific countries, because of content distribution rights. A good VPN will easily circumvent these restrictions.

There are also many other advantages to using a VPN, such as the ability to hide your identity when browsing the web, data protection, and the possibility of anonymous downloading.

To enjoy all the benefits above, we recommend getting a subscription with Surfshark. This outstanding VPN boasts great unblocking features to access your favorite streaming service from anywhere, outstanding streaming speeds, and great data protection. Moreover, it offers some great deals on new subscribers.

How to Unblock the Best Streaming Services With a VPN

Follow the detailed step-by-step guide on how to access your favorite streaming platform with a VPN.

1. Get a subscription with a good VPN provider. We recommend Surfshark, as it’s one of the best streaming VPNs out there and is very affordable as well.
2. Download and install the VPN app on the device(s) you use for streaming.
3. Open the VPN app and log in with your user credentials.
4. Connect to a VPN server in a country where the streaming platform you want to use and the content you want to watch are accessible. For instance, to watch an NFL match on ESPN+, connect to a US server.
5. Visit your go-to streaming service, look for the video you want to watch, and enjoy your movie, show, match, or event!

Conclusion: The Best Streaming Services

There have never been so many streaming services around and with traditional TV’s popularity continuing to decline, companies are thinking of more ways to get into video streaming.

This potential for more services only increases the number of options you’ll have in the future to watch your favorite programs. So whether you’re more of an ESPN+ sports person, a Shudder horror fan, or crazy about Cruncyroll‘s anime offering, you’ll likely only have more options as time goes on.

Something that likely won’t change too soon, however, is the need for a good VPN when streaming. After all, most streaming services are only available in certain countries and have different content catalogs in different regions.

Both of the issues mentioned above can be easily solved with a good streaming VPN, such as Surfshark. This provider offers outstanding streaming speeds, the ability to unblock your favorite streaming services, and great data protection measures.

Top 15 Best Streaming Services: Frequently Asked Questions