8 Sites Like Netflix - Try These Netflix Alternatives

8 Sites Like Netflix

Enjoy your Netflix subscription but looking for other streaming services? The list of alternatives to Netflix is slowly growing as other companies join the video streaming industry with movie and TV collections that fulfil niches that Netflix doesn't.

Netflix has been around since 1997 and has since grown to become the biggest on demand streaming service in a number of countries. While it may be the largest there are some niches in the market that Netflix is undeserving, which is where these Netfllix alternatives come in.

Maybe you want something family friendly or need a streaming service with a massive library of anime to keep you entertained. Regardless of what you are looking for these options are a great way to get access to movies and TV shows.

Don't forget that many of these websites featured here offer free trials which are a great way to take a look through their collection of videos before committing long term. Stop by the comment section to share your favourite on this list or recommend another alternative that has been missed.

What Is Your Favourite Netflix Category?

1. Amazon Prime Instant Video

Amazon Prime is an amazingly popular place to get your movies, TV shows and even music. You can access a huge library of these items that you can buy or rent to meet your needs.

By upgrading your Amazon account to Amazon Prime, you'll gain access to more new releases and get unlimited streaming rather than purchasing movies individually.

You can access Amazon Instant Video from a number of devices including your tablet, game console, mobile and TV which gives you access to enjoy movies from a number of locations.

If you regularly deal with Amazon, then Amazon Instant Video may be one of the best sites, similar to Netflix for your situation thanks to all the additional benefits. This includes free two day shipping, unlimited photo storage, early access to specials and a range of free ebooks

Start Your 30 Day Free Trial of Amazon Prime

Amazon Video Overview

Amazon Prime Instant Video Overview

2. Vudu

Vudu is a similar offering to the highly popular streaming service, Netflix. Vulu has been around since 2007 and entered the movie/tv show streaming industry in 2009 which lead to its acquisition by Walmart in 2010. Currently Vudu is focused more on the rental of movies or serving as a place to store your purchased DVDs but does offer some free videos.

Since that time Vudu has been growing at a rapid rate both in terms of customers and library of titles for viewing. Just like Netflix you'll need an internet connection which allows you to choose from the movie database of Vudu and then instantly play your selection, uniquely Vudu uses some peer to peer elements to provide a better streaming experience while also downloading it to your hard drive for future viewing.

The Vudu catalog now spans nearly 20,000 movies and around 5,000 TV shows. While a large number of these are major pictures Vudu has done a wonderful job at also obtaining the rights to air a number of independent films, documentaries, cartoons, anime and even musical performances.

Vudu Overview

Vudu Overview

3. Pure Flix

Pure Flix is another high quality video streaming service that focuses on a niche not covered by the other options here. Pure Flix is all about family and faith with a mixture of content that covers animated titles for children, documentaries, how-to's, educational content and many inspirational movies.

For high quality family friendly content and a range of faith based titles nothing compares to Pure Flix, with all content being thoroughly reviewed before inclusion it's a subscription that you can ensure is safe for the whole family. Pure Flix is also not limited to your computer with support for television and mobile apps (Android and iOS).

Pure Flix is currently restricted to the United States only with a standard one month free trial which provides access to the few thousand streamable video titles.

Pure Flix Overview

Pure Flix

4. KlowdTV

For those looking to cut cable out of their lives KlowdTV is the video streaming service you've been looking for. Starting at only $5/month with additional channels at $3/month, KlowdTV won't make you pay for channels that you never want to watch (and for most people the base package is more than enough).

So how does KlowdTV work? Just like any other streaming service you'll be able to login from you favourite device and watch exactly what you want. Unlike other streaming options though KlowdTV is showing you live television which makes it great for all your news and sports which are usually vacant from other streaming services.

KlowdTV also has their own recording functions that allow you to revisit something at a later time. This DVR function makes KlowdTV perfect for people that prefer to binge watch their favourite shows later or a simply unavailable during the airing time.

If missing out on sports and news are the reasons you still keep cable then KlowdTV may just be your solution.

The KlowdTV Overview

5. Crunchyroll

This is your alternative for anime, Crunchyroll is an American website that focuses on streaming Asian media — such as anime, manga, and Asian dramas. If you are an anime fan, then this is the perfect, Netflix-esque website for you. Crunchyroll is even available on the Xbox, mobile, and PlayStation.

Crunchyroll has a number of different plans available. The free plan limits your access to titles and comes with a large amount of advertising. Users can upgrade their account to an anime or drama-only account, depending on their preference. Or, they can go for the all-access path to get unlimited access to the entire collection. Premium accounts also offer high-definition video quality and priority support.

Crunchyroll also offers an active community to recommend and discuss anime.

Crunchyroll Summary

Crunchyroll Review

7. CONtv

CONtv lets you instantly watch shows for Comic Con fans. Offering an interesting mixture of the weird, hilarious and even horror based comic stories the community of CONtv is rapidly growing.

With both TV series and movies within the database there are thousands of horrors of unique programming options. The majority of the collection revolves around anime, cult films and video game inspired movie spin-offs.

The collection of CONtv won't appeal to everyone but definitely has content that isn't available through other streaming services. With a rapidly growing database CONtv ensures that the content offering is only going to get more varied and impressive in the future.

CONtv Overview

8. Kidoodle.TV

Kidoodle.TV is the perfect alternative for those with kids that want to provide them with great TV content. In other words, it's Netflix for children. Designed for children 12 and under, Kidoodle is all about providing quality ad-free entertainment to the children demographic. For a low monthly cost you can get up to five profiles set up across multiple devices for your children to enjoy.

With its huge selection of TV shows that range from fun to educational, there is always something to watch. Paired with parental controls that allow you to customise the viewing options per profile and set time limits Kidoodle.TV offers the total package, helping you to put your mind at ease over your children's TV options. Kidoodle.TV also offers a unique "Family Moments" storage which is intended for family movies which comes with 2GB of free space.

With a free 14-day trial that only requires your name and email address (no credit card information needed), there is no reason to not give it a try for your family.

Kidoodle.TV Overview

Kidoodle.TV Tour

8. Hulu

Hulu is a popular Netflix alternative and, best of all, it offers a majority of its content for free (supported by advertisements). While its focus is mostly on TV shows, it also offers movies and webisodes. Also, Hulu Plus will improved your access and remove advertising for $7.95 a month.

If you are a TV show fan looking for a free Netflix alternative, then Hulu is a great place to start. Popular TV shows available on the Hulu platform include Modern Family, New Girl, Family Guy, American Dad, The Office, Bones, Community, and many more.

Hulu Plus users even have access to an Android and iOS app, allowing them to watch shows and movies on the go.

Hulu Overview

Which Netflix Alternative Is Your Favourite? - Know Any Other Sites Like Netflix?

Jordan on October 29, 2015:

VidAngel is the best alternative to Netflix. Pretty new service. $1 per movie. Totally legal. Has all the new releases.

dickensliar on September 30, 2015:

audible is nothing like netflix. Not today's netflix. Heck, not even the old one. You pay $14 a month and get ONE book. Netflix you'd get as many as you wanted, you just had to send your old one back. THAT is a sweet deal. Audible is nothing but hoping that people don't get a new book every month so they get that sweet $14 easily.

TheBusiB on March 19, 2015:

I didn't realize there are so many options. Thank you!

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on February 21, 2015:

Sam, you're so knowledgeable. I've been a Hulu user for years. I would check out Reading Room and Redbox sometime soon. Voted up!

Alan Sharpe from Whitehouse, Texas on January 29, 2015:

I didn't realise Hulu had a free service, thanks for that! I believe subscription services are great value and are going to really change the market in the next few years. Hopefully it will drive down the price of cable too.

craftarrific from California on December 23, 2014:

With so many options like this, it's no wonder people are kissing expensive cable/satellite TV provider g'bye! Thanks for the detailed and informative list.

AmyLOrr on April 08, 2014:

Only tried Netflix and Amazon Instant so far - great lens, thanks :)

watchopolis on April 03, 2014:

cool :)

Laura Brown from Ontario, Canada on February 05, 2014:

Have you looked at Plaxo and Play On? Crackle too but I'm still finding favourites.

thewarriorpoet on November 10, 2013:

Great list, thanks!

anonymous on June 14, 2013:

We really like Hulu.

Linda Jo Martin from Post Falls, Idaho, USA on March 14, 2013:

I subscribe to Hulu and Netflix... also Amazon Prime, though I rarely use that for movies.

anonymous on February 22, 2013:

Thanks for sharing all of these Netflix alternatives! Iâve only used Redbox out of this list, so Iâll definitely have to check out the others soon! For a while now my favorite service to use has been Blockbuster @Home through DISH. I heard about it a long time ago one day while I was working at DISH, so I figured Iâd try it out. Itâs a great alternative because it offers DVDâs (including Blu-rays) and games by mail, streaming to my TV/PC and a bunch of movie channels for a low price. Redbox is nice to use sometimes, but with the cold snow in my area Iâd much rather kick back at home and get my movies delivered straight to my mailbox. :)

laurenrich on January 27, 2013:

I have not tried any of these websites. I have added it to my favorites to check some of them out. Great information and thanks for sharing.

Camden1 on January 26, 2013:

We just started using Hulu, and it seems to be working great! Netflix didn't have many of the TV shows that we like, but Hulu seems to have more TV shows that our famiy is interested in.

CornellMarCom LM on January 26, 2013:

Great Info. Thanks! A lot to think about and a lot of opportunity to check out different genre's

JoshK47 on January 26, 2013:

Useful alternatives here - I'm particularly fond of Amazon Prime, though I am not myself a member (yet).