The Best Streaming Services in 2026: 10 Platforms Compared
Last updated: April 2026 | Independently reviewed by OnlyCodes
Our verdict
Netflix is still the streaming service we recommend first. The content library is the largest, the app works everywhere, and the algorithm genuinely gets better at recommendations the longer you use it. If you can only subscribe to one platform, this is the one.
For prestige drama, HBO Max has the strongest catalogue - House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, and Succession alone justify the subscription. If your household has children or Marvel/Star Wars fans, Disney+ is essential. And for anyone in Singapore who watches Korean and Asian drama, Viu offers remarkable value with a generous free tier.
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How they compare
| | Netflix | HBO Max | Disney+ | Apple TV+ | YouTube Premium | Viu | Crunchyroll | iQIYI | Paramount+ | |---|---------|---------|---------|-----------|-----------------|-----|-------------|-------|------------| | Our score | 90/100 | 78/100 | 74/100 | 72/100 | - | - | - | - | 58/100 | | Best for | Everything | Prestige drama | Families & franchises | Quality originals | Ad-free YouTube | K-drama | Anime | C-drama | Western franchises | | Library size | Largest | Medium | Medium | Small | Largest (UGC) | Medium (Asian) | Largest (anime) | Large (Chinese) | Medium | | Free tier | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes (ads) | Yes (ads) | No | | Singapore availability | All markets | Limited | All markets | All markets | All markets | SG, MY, TH, PH, ID | All markets | SG, MY, TH, ID, PH | Limited | | OnlyCodes deals | View deals | View deals | View deals | View deals | View deals | View deals | View deals | View deals | View deals |
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Our take on each
Netflix - the default for a reason
Netflix has more content than any competitor, the most polished apps on every device, and original programming that spans every genre and language. Korean dramas, anime, Hollywood blockbusters, true crime documentaries - it covers everything.
The knock on Netflix is pricing: it has increased steadily, and the cheapest ad-supported tier may not be available in every market. But per hour of content consumed, Netflix remains the best value for most households.
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HBO Max - the prestige pick
If you care about scripted drama quality above all else, HBO Max is unmatched. The HBO originals library - from The Sopranos to House of the Dragon - represents the highest watermark in television.
Availability is the main issue. HBO Max has limited reach across Singapore, with access depending on local licensing arrangements. Where it is available, it is well worth subscribing.
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Disney+ - essential for families
Disney+ is a straightforward proposition: if anyone in your household watches Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, or National Geographic, you need it. The kids content library alone makes it invaluable for families.
The adult-oriented content has expanded through the Star hub in some markets, but it still cannot compete with Netflix for breadth. Treat it as a strong secondary subscription.
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Apple TV+ - small library, no filler
Apple TV+ takes the opposite approach to Netflix. Instead of thousands of titles, it offers a curated slate of originals where nearly everything is critically acclaimed. Severance, Slow Horses, Silo, and The Morning Show are all genuine prestige productions.
The catch is obvious: once you have watched the originals that interest you, there is not much else. It works best as part of an Apple One bundle if you are already in the Apple ecosystem, or as a rotating subscription you pick up for a month at a time.
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YouTube Premium - for heavy YouTube users
YouTube Premium removes ads from the world's largest video platform and bundles YouTube Music. If you watch more than an hour of YouTube daily, the ad-free experience pays for itself in time saved.
It is not a traditional streaming service - there are no scripted originals worth mentioning. But for the way many people in Asia actually consume video content (YouTube, not TV), it may be more valuable than a traditional streamer.
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Viu - the K-drama champion
Viu dominates Korean and Asian drama streaming across Singapore with an unbeatable combination: a generous free tier with ads, and a premium tier that costs a fraction of Netflix. For K-drama fans, it is the first subscription to get, not the last.
Western content is limited, but that is not why anyone subscribes to Viu. For its target audience, it delivers exceptional value.
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Crunchyroll - the anime essential
After absorbing Funimation, Crunchyroll owns the anime streaming market. If you watch anime, you subscribe to Crunchyroll. The library is comprehensive, simulcasts from Japan arrive quickly, and the community features add genuine value.
App stability has been a recurring complaint, but the content catalogue is irreplaceable.
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iQIYI - for Chinese content fans
iQIYI is the leading platform for Chinese drama, variety shows, and entertainment. It is competitively priced across Singapore and essential for anyone who follows Chinese-language content. The Western catalogue is minimal.
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How to choose
Pick based on what you actually watch, not what has the most content. A useful framework: start with Netflix as your base, add one niche platform that matches your taste (HBO for drama, Disney+ for family, Viu for K-drama, Crunchyroll for anime), and rotate a third subscription seasonally based on what is releasing.
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FAQ
What is the best streaming service overall? Netflix. Largest library, best apps, broadest availability.
What is the cheapest streaming service? Viu offers a free tier. iQIYI and Crunchyroll also have ad-supported free tiers in many markets.
Can I share my streaming accounts? Most platforms have cracked down on password sharing. Netflix and Disney+ now charge extra for users outside the household. Check each platform's current terms.
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