33 Best Streaming Services in Canada for 2024

A slew of streaming services in Canada today signifies how much viewer preference has shifted towards the on-demand online entertainment source.

The choices abound, from paid video streaming platforms like Netflix and Apple TV+, to music streaming apps like Deezer and Spotify. Thus, there is a need to compare streaming services in Canada to find the ideal service.

While having choices can be beneficial, it can be daunting to determine what value they can offer, given that they vary in the availability of shows and subscription fees.

If you are wondering what service you should choose or keep, this article rounds up the best streaming sites in Canada, their costs, and other relevant information that will help you make the right choices.

Best Sports Streaming Services in Canada

1. ESPN+

One of the leading sports streaming services in Canada, ESPN+ is an on-demand streaming platform that features live streams of various sports, original shows, documentaries and others.

ESPN+ is available to US subscribers only. A VPN (and an ESPN+ account) is necessary in order to watch ESPN+ in Canada.

• Price – $9.99 per month; $99.99 per year

• What you can stream: Live sports streaming, ESPN Originals, Disney programs, Pixar movies, Hulu Originals, National Geographic documentaries, Marvel and Star Wars film library via Disney Plus, game recaps and analyses

• Device availability: Amazon FireTV, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, XboxOne, phones, tablets, and laptops

Pros:

• Supports streaming for up to three devices simultaneously with one account
• Accessible through the regular ESPN app
• 15% savings when signing up for the annual plan
• Streaming at full HD (60fps 1080p)

Cons:

• No free trial
• Not available in 4K
• Requires a VPN to access the streaming service in Canada

2. DAZN

DAZN is a dedicated live sports streaming service that provides access to a broad range of live sports and on-demand content.

• Price: $24.99 per month; $199.99 per year

• What you can stream: Live and on-demand content catalogue that offers different leagues and sports (NFL, UEFA Nations League, Champions League, Europa League, MLS, WTA tennis, boxing and MMA), and original programming

• Device availability: iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Amazon Fire tablet, Amazon FireTV, Android TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox

Pros:

• Affordable sports coverage compared to pay-per-view and other services
• Exclusive fight coverage, including European matches
• Offers a massive library of content
• Live and on-demand options
• Free to cancel at any time
• No contract subscription service

Cons:

• No free trial
• Focus of coverage is on contact sports
• Limited coverage for some sports

Learn more about DAZN pricing.

3. FuboTV

FuboTV is the world’s only sports-focused live TV streaming service featuring 61 live channels and access to news, movies and TV shows through its premium plan.  

• Price:
  • Monthly: Essentials – $24.99; Premium – $39.99
  • Quarterly: Essentials – $19.99; Premium – $34.99
  • Annual: Essentials – $16.67; Premium – $31.67

• What you can stream:
  • Popular sports programs featuring professional sports leagues (MLB, NBA and NFL), college sports leagues, ESPN, and FS1
  • Local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC
  • Entertainment and lifestyle shows from Viacom and Discovery
  • Children’s programs such as Disney, Freeform, and National Geographic

• Device availability: iOS, Amazon FireTV, Apple TV, Android phone and tablet, Roku, Chromecast, Xbox, Smart TVs

Pros:

• Tons of live sports and on-demand entertainment shows
• A FuboTV membership comes with six accounts
• Up to 1000 hours of Cloud DVR space at no extra cost
• Record and watch shows from any device
• Recordings never expire

Cons:

• Most live streams are limited to 720p
• Turner networks (CBB, TNT, TBS) are not available

Best TV and Movie Streaming Services in Canada

4. Disney+

Disney+ is a streaming service for entertainment from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star, National Geographic, and Star Wars, featuring over 1,600 films and 28,000 episodes.

• Price: $11.99 per month; $119.99 per year

• What you can stream: Movies, television series, new releases, classics, entire Skywalker Saga, Marvel Cinematic Universe, shorts, documentaries, unscripted series, etc.

• Device availability:
  • Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Smart TVs
  • Computer (Chrome, OS MacOS, Windows PC)
  • Mobile and tablet (Amazon Fire, Android phones and tablets, iPhone and iPad),
  • Game consoles (PlayStation, Xbox)

Pros:

• Two months free with an annual subscription
• Supports offline viewing of downloaded content
• Allows up to four concurrent streams
• Available in HDR and 4K Ultra HD
• GroupWatch

Cons:

• No free trial
• Not all Disney content is accessible

5. Netflix

Netflix is a subscription-based streaming service that offers a broad range of award-winning shows, movies, documentaries, and others.

• Price: Basic with ads – $5.99; Basic – $9.99; Standard – $16.49; Premium – $20.99

• What you can stream: Popular movies and television series, feature films, Netflix originals, family-friendly TV shows, documentaries, anime

• Device availability: Smartphone, tablet, Smart TV, iOS, Android app, game consoles, laptop and desktop

Pros:

• Large collection of popular movies and TV series
• Supports shows on any internet-connected device that offers the Netflix app
• Ability to download movies, shows and series
• Three plans to choose from

Cons:

• Limited regional selections
• Outdated library
• Data cap consumption

6. Paramount+

Paramount+ is among the most popular streaming services that offer hundreds of TV shows and movies. The package provides access to premium shows, original series, and sports.

• Price: $9.99 per month; free 7-day trial

• What you can stream: Popular shows, blockbuster movies, new originals, exclusive series, science fiction, live sports, news, and CBS

• Device availability: Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV

Pros:

• Low monthly subscription
• Thousands of shows available for streaming
• Offers a wide array of content with no hidden charges

Cons:

• Price increase

7. Crave

Crave is a Canadian subscription video-on-demand service that features original programming, US television series, blockbuster movies, and more.

• Price:
  • Crave Total – $199.90 per year; $19.99 per month
  • Crave Mobile – $99.90 per year; $9.99 per month
  • STARZ add-on – $5.99 per month

• What you can stream: Hollywood blockbuster movies, Crave originals, exclusive access to the entire HBO library, French-language content, access to series from STARZ, and a collection of modern classics

• Device availability: Available on all devices

Pros:

• Free trial for seven days
• Support for downloading shows
• Can stream on up to four devices at the same time
• Two months free if you subscribe to the annual plan

Cons:

• Expensive streaming service
• Offline downloads expire 48 hours after videos are watched
• Unwatched offline downloads will expire after 30 days

Related: Is there a Free Crave TV Trial?

8. Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is a subscription-based, commercial-free streaming service that lets you stream television shows and movies from supported devices and download them to your Apple device. 

• Price:
  • $8.99 per month after a free seven-day trial
  • Free for three months if you buy an Apple device
  • For Apple One, plans start at $18.95 per month
  • For the Apple Music Student Plan, Apple TV+ is free

• What you can stream: Apple Originals, television series, documentaries, comedies, dramas, kids’ entertainment

• Device availability: Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPlay, and other compatible devices

Pros:

• All-original programming
• Supports 4K streams that feature Dolby and HDR support
• 7-day free trial
• Recommended for streaming bundles in Canada since it can be bundled with other subscription services for a reduced price

Cons:

• Only streams content from Apple
• No app available for PC and Android users
• Small content library compared to other streaming services

9. Curiosity Stream

Curiosity Stream is a subscription service that highlights nonfiction documentaries and features programs on various topics, including nature, science, history, and others. 

• Price:
  • Standard: Annual – $3.34 per month (billed $39.99 annually); Monthly – $5.99 per month
  • Premium (4K): Annual – $5.84 per month (billed $69.99 annually); Monthly – $9.99 per month

• What you can stream: Movies and documentaries, exclusives and originals, crimes in history, foreign thrillers, live and on-demand lectures, educational TV shows and interactive activities

• Device availability: Mobile devices (Android, iOS), Gaming platforms (PlayStation, Xbox), Streaming media devices (Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku); and Smart TVs

Pros:

• Available worldwide
• Stream anywhere, on any device
• Free to cancel anytime
• Offline viewing with mobile app
• Downloadable shows

Cons:

• Limited language options
• Fewer titles available than Netflix
• No genre content like action and comedy

10. Telus Stream+

Telus Stream+ gives you access to some of the best premium TV and video streaming platforms in one bundle. Offered by Telus, a Stream+ subscription includes Netflix Premium, Apple TV+, discovery+ and TELUS TV+.

Price: $28 plus tax monthly for a Stream+ bundle, a saving of $6.97 compared to subscribing to each product separately. Also requires a Telus Mobility plan.

What you can stream: TELUS TV+ and original shows (2 devices simultaneously), over 200 discover+ originals, TLC, HGTV, and thousands of shows (on 4 devices at once); Apple TV+ films, TV series, documentaries, and kids entertainment (on 6 devices at once), Netflix Premium’s extensive library of films and shows (4 devices at once).

Device availability: Phone, tablet, laptop, and TV.

Pros:

• Offers thousands of titles
• Save on premium video and TV streaming
• Watch simultaneously on multiple devices
• Access to Ultra HD content
• Have parental control over family profile
• Can download some shows for offline viewing
• Can link existing streaming services to TELUS and transfer your billing
• Cancel your subscription at any time

Cons:

• You need a separate Telus Mobility plan to subscribe to Telus Stream
• There may be some limitations to 4K Ultra HD
• No free trial

11. Hayu

Hayu is a subscription-based video streaming service that only streams reality TV content on demand.

• Price: Monthly – $6.99; 6 months – $33.99; 12 months – $61.99

• What you can stream: Reality TV shows, true crime, body modification, weekend series

• Device availability:
  • Chromecast Ultra, Apple TV, Samsung, Amazon FireTV, Roku, Android TV, Rogers, Telus, Shaw, Xbox, Fibe TV, mobile and tablet (Apple, Android, Kindle)

Pros:

• Same-day access to new episodes as soon as they air in the US
• 7-day free trial for new users
• No lock-in contracts
• 25% savings on an annual plan
• HD viewing quality

Cons:

• Does not support 4K content at this time
• No original content

12. Shudder

Shudder is a premium streaming service with an extensive collection of horror, thriller, and supernatural movies, ranging from cult classics to original series.

• Price: Monthly – $5.99 per month; Annual – $56.99 ($4.75 monthly)

• What you can stream: Horror, thriller, supernatural movies, podcasts, television shows, indie horror, gory themes, PG horror, and Shudder Originals

• Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox, YouTube TV, Android and iOS apps, in-browser apps

Pros:

• Low subscription fee
• 7-day free trial
• Enormous collection of horror films and shows
• No ads
• Frequent new additions

Cons:

• Concurrent streams not available
• No support for offline downloads on mobile devices
• No support for offline streaming

13. CBC Gem

CBC Gem is an on-demand video streaming platform for Canadian content accessible via any device.

• Price: Guests and Members – Free; Premium – $4.99 per month (with access to ad-free videos)

• What you can stream:
  • Episodes from Canadian and international television series (dramas, comedies, sports, cooking, children’s shows), documentaries, movies and moreLive-stream programming from 14 CBC stations across Canada
  • CBC originals and CBC news

• Device availability: Apple TV, Fire TV, iPhone, iPad, Android TV, Android phones and tablets

Pros:

• Free access to the platform (ad-supported)
• 30-day free trial for a Premium account
• Streaming is available anywhere in Canada
• Access to current and past seasons of various shows on demand (for Premium account)

Cons:

• Too many ads

14. Britbox

BritBox is an online digital video subscription service with a vast collection of British entertainment. It specializes in British TV series from the UK, with genres ranging from drama, mystery, comedy, and doc and lifestyle. 

• Price: Monthly – $9.99; Annual – $99.99

• What you can stream: Brit flicks, Britbox Originals, classic, exclusive new series, crime, reality highlights, current affairs, soaps, and live events

• Device availability:
  • TV (Android TV, Apple TV, Samsung, LG, Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV)
  • Computer (MacOS, Windows, Chrome OS)
  • Tablet and mobile (iOS, Android)

Pros:

• Free 7-day trial
• No ads
• Up to four devices per Britbox account
• Parental controls and closed captions

Cons:

• No support for downloadable content
• Limited original content
• Limited features

15. Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is a Japan-based online streaming platform for anime, including e-manga and popular Asian live-action drama series.

• Price:
  • Fan – CA$9.99 per month
  • Mega Fan (1-month) – CA$12.49 per month
  • Mega Fan (12 months) – CA$124.99 per year

• What you can stream: Ad-free anime in various genres (action, drama, comedy, mystery, adventure, etc.)

• Device availability: Chromecast, Apple iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku Box, Fire TV, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Pros:

• 14-day free trial
• Unlimited access to the Crunchyroll library
• Access to digital manga
• Stream on four devices at a time
• Offline downloads
• Read manga on the Crunchyroll app

Cons:

• Few dubbed content
• Requires subscription to watch simulcasts

16. Discovery+

Discovery+ is a Canadian streaming service featuring reality TV and documentaries from Discovery, Animal Planet, HGTV, TLC, Food Network, etc.

• Price:
  • Discovery+ – $4.99 per month
  • Discovery+ (Ad-Free) – $6.99 per month

• What you can stream: Discovery+ Originals and a range of television series from food and lifestyle to adventure, home improvement, and true crime

• Device availability:
  • Most smartphones, tablets, desktop browsers, Amazon FireTV, Apple iPads, iPhones, iPod Touches and Apple TV, Chromecast; Xbox, Roku, and Android phones and tablets

Pros:

• Affordable subscription plans
• Ad-free option
• Multiple reality content
• Up to four simultaneous streams per account

Cons:

• Downloading for offline viewing is not available
• No option for live TV
• No free trial

Learn more about Discovery Plus Canada.

17. Highball.TV

Highball.TV is a Canadian subscription video-on-demand service featuring selections of movies hand-curated from film festivals worldwide.

• Price: $7.00 a month; $70 a year (after a 14-day free trial)

• What you can stream: Movies curated from Cannes, Sundance, TIFF, and other film festivals in the world

• Device availability: TV (Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast), Mobile device (iPhone, iPad), Computer browser (Microsoft Edge 88+, Safari 13+, Firefox 78+, Chrome 71+)

Pros:

• 14-day free trial
• All-access pass to every film on the site
• New movies every week
• Invitations to red carpet film premieres

Cons:

• Not all videos are available for downloading
• Not all videos will have subtitles

18. YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium is a paid membership that improves the YouTube experience through ad-free content, downloads, and access to YouTube Originals.

• Price:
  • $11.99 per month
  • Individual (Annual) – $119.99
  • Family (Monthly) – $22.99
  • Student (Monthly) – $6.99

• What you can stream:
  • Ad-free access to YouTube songs, full albums, music videos, live performances, playlists, covers, and remixes
  • Access to the full slate of YouTube Originals

• Device availability: Any streaming device, Smart TV, or game console signed into the YouTube app

Pros:

• 1-month free trial
• Ad-free streaming
• Access to ad-free YouTube Music and YouTube Originals
• Background play
• Offline downloads on mobile devices

Cons:

• Perks like background play and offline downloads are available through third-party software without the cost
• Subscription costs can be high
• No discount offers on any of its subscriptions

19. River TV

River TV is a Canadian live TV and on-demand streaming service with over 40 bundled channels, including the most popular programs in Canada.

• Price: $16.99 per month

• What you can stream: Movies, hit shows, family programs, news, and more from channels like CBC, History, Law & Crime, NewsMax, and Family

• Device availability: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV and mobile, iOS mobile devices, laptop, PC, or mobile device

Pros:

• 30-day free trial
• Thousands of hours of content
• Live TV
• Large selection of movies and TV shows

Cons:

• Only three digital devices can view content at a time

20. The Criterion Channel

The Criterion Channel is an independent streaming service featuring over 1,000 classic and contemporary movies from around the world, thematically programmed with special features.

• Price: Monthly – $10.99; annual – $99.99

• What you can stream: More than 1,500 movies, shorts, additional features, introductions, interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and rare archival footage

• Device availability: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One game consoles, Samsung Smart TV, iPads and iPhones, and Android devices

Pros:

• 14-day free trial
• Expertly-curated content is added every month
• Offline downloads on mobile devices

Cons:

• Not all movies are available for streaming
• No original TV shows or movies

Related: Best free trials for streaming, music, and games.

21. FlixFling

FlixFling is a streaming platform that offers ad-free movies and on-demand rental and purchase services.

• Price: $7.99 per month

• What you can stream: More than 5,000 commercial-free films, including a wide range of movies not featured on other streaming platforms

• Device availability: Smart TVs (Samsung, Vizio, LG, Yahoo Connected), applications (iOS, Android, Opera, Windows), set-top boxes (Roku, TiVo), and Xbox 360

Pros:

• 7-day free trial
• Various genres available (classic, action, comedy, adventure, sports, science fiction, and more)
• Includes a free integrated digital locker that saves your purchases for FlixFling streaming

Cons:

• Cancellation of account deletes purchased content.

22. Acorn TV

Acorn TV is a subscription streaming service that features ad-free, hard-to-find content, timeless classics, and fresh favourites from countries like Australia, Britain, and Ireland.

• Price: Monthly – $8.99; Annual – $89.99

• What you can stream: Acorn Originals, period dramas, documentaries, mysteries, comedies, and Irish tales

• Device availability: iPhone/iPad, Apple TV, Android mobiles and tablets, Roku, FireTV, Smart TVs, Chromecast, and the web

Pros:

• 7-day free trial
• No lock-in contract
• New shows are added weekly
• Two months free if you choose the annual membership
• Support for downloading TV shows and movies

Cons:

• Not all content is available for download
• Downloads will expire
• No live TV content

23. FX Now

FX Now is the on-demand video app of FX, a Canadian digital specialty channel offering dramas and hit comedies, FX original series, movies, and original Canadian programming. 

• Price: The FX Now app is free, but you must sign in with a traditional cable provider or an Internet TV service to access streaming shows and programs on demand.

• What you can stream: Full episodes and exclusive video clips from FX and FXX shows.

• Device availability: iOS devices (iPad and iPhone), Apple TV, FireTV, Android devices (phone and tablet), Chromecast

Pros:

• The FX Now app and website are free.
• FX Now allows you to watch FX and FXX shows anywhere, anytime.

Cons:

• You must subscribe to FX or FXX via your TV service provider for the FX Now app content.
• FX Now content is exclusive and cannot be streamed anywhere else.

Best Music Streaming Services in Canada

24. Spotify

Spotify Premium, one of the most well-known music streaming services in Canada, provides access to millions of commercial-free songs that you can download and play anywhere (even offline) on virtually any device and with unlimited skips.

• Price per month (after one-month free trial):

• Individual – $9.99
  • Duo – $12.99
  • Family – $15.99
  • Student – $4.99

• What you can stream: Ad-free, nonstop music and podcasts

• Device availability: Computer, tablet, car, PlayStation, Xbox, mobile, TV, speaker, and web player

Pros:

• Free trial for every plan
• Access to over 70 million songs from mainstream and underground artists
• Easy-to-navigate app
• Available on multiple platforms

Cons:

• Expensive premium plans
• Low audio quality (320kbps)
• Premium subscribers must pay monthly, whether they use the service or not.
• When your subscription expires, you lose access to content you downloaded offline.

25. Apple Music

Apple Music is a subscription-based music streaming service by Apple Inc., offering access to millions of ad-free songs and thousands of playlists.

• Price per month (after the one-month free trial):

• Voice – $4.99
  • Student – $5.99
  • Individual – $10.99
  • Family – $16.99

• What you can stream: 100 million songs and more than 30,000 expert-curated playlists

• Device availability: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Mac, HomePod, CarPlay, Smart TVs, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Roku, Android, PC, Amazon Echo, Sonos, Google Nest

Pros:

• One month free trial; six months free with the purchase of eligible devices
• Option to download 100,000 songs to your library and listen online or off
• Lossless audio quality

Cons:

• No ad-supported free version
• No tight integration with social media

26. Amazon Music

Amazon Music is a music streaming platform and online music store that provides access to millions of songs from curated playlists on demand.

• Price:
  • Amazon Music Unlimited – Plans start at $8.99 per month
  • Amazon Music Unlimited Individual Plan – $10.99 per month
  • Amazon Music Unlimited Family Plan – $15.99 per month

• What you can stream: Official singles, new albums, latest music videos, top songs, and personalized music mixes

• Device availability: Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, tvOS, Android, Fire OS, Amazon Alexa, Amazon Echo, HTML5

Pros:

• Free trial for 30 days
• Huge collection of music and videos
• Up to six devices at the same time
• 90-day free trial for new subscribers to Amazon Music Unlimited with the purchase of an eligible product

Cons:

• Ad-free music requires an Amazon Prime membership
• Smaller music library for non-Prime members
• Limitations of high-quality audio

27. YouTube Music

YouTube Music is a music streaming service that offers music videos, albums, singles, covers, live performances, and remixes from its 70-million-track music collection.

• Price per month:

• YouTube Music Premium – $9.99
  • Family Plan – $14.99
  • Student Plan – $4.99

• What you can stream: Official singles, new albums, latest music videos, top songs, personalized music mixes

• Device availability: Android, Google/Android TV, ChromeOS, iOS, and WearOS for the Apple Watch

Pros:

• No-ads access to the entire catalogue for the Premium plan
• Massive music library
• Support for song and video downloads for offline listening

Cons:

• Too many ads in the free version
• The premium version does not include lossless nor high-resolution streaming

28. Deezer

Deezer is a music streaming app that provides access to millions of tracks, podcasts, and other audio content.

• Price per month: Premium – $10.99; Family – $17.99; Student – $5.99

• What you can stream: Over 90 million tracks and thousands of podcasts, personalized playlists and mixes

• Device availability:

• Desktop and laptop, mobile and tablets, wearables, speakers, voice assistants (Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Assistant), Smart TVs, Android TV, Chromecast, Xbox, cars (Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Waze)

Pros:

• Free one-month trial
• Savings of 25% for the annual plan
• Transfer of playlists from another music streaming service in one click
• Live programming

Cons:

• Free tier is restricted to 30-second snippets.
• Cannot rewind live radio streams

Best Free Streaming Services in Canada

29. Pluto TV

Pluto TV is among the ad-supported streaming services in Canada for free use. It features 250+ channels of free TV and on-demand movies, TV shows, cartoons, sports and gaming, reality shows, Canadian content, etc. 

• Price: Free

• What you can stream: Thousands of free, on-demand movies, TV shows from various channels (the NFL, CBS News, and Star Trek) and diverse genres.

• Device availability: Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Samsung and LG devices, and via mobile apps

Pros:

• Completely free
• Features both on-demand and live-streaming content
• No need to log into the Pluto TV app to watch videos.
• Extensive library of on-demand films and TV series
• Available on all major streaming devices

Cons:

• No new movies and TV shows included
• Few traditional cable channels
• Lots of ads
• No ad-free content option

30. Popcorn Time

Popcorn Time is an open-source platform for streaming movies and television shows at no cost from virtually any device with an Internet connection.

• Price: Free

• What you can stream: Countless movies across genres, TV series, sports events  

• Device availability: Android, Windows, Mac, Android TV, iOS, Linux

Pros:

• Completely free
• Works on most streaming devices
• Available in HD quality

Cons:

• Registration is necessary to download the Popcorn Time app and watch movies and series online
• Not safe to use in places where streaming copyrighted content is prohibited

31. YouTube

YouTube is the most popular streaming service in the world, offering countless hours of video, with free and paid plans on premium services. 

• Price: Free (ad-supported) and paid plans (YouTube Premium)

• What you can stream: Endless hours of music videos, songs, live and on-demand programs, performances, and others

• Device availability: Streaming media devices (Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, and TiVo), Game consoles (Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony), and Smart TVs

Pros:

• Free and easy to use
• Available on every device
• Uploading and watching videos is completely free
• New content is always available
• A good source to earn income

Cons:

• Numerous ads when watching videos using a free account
• Copyright infringement
• Lack of privacy
• Inappropriate content

32. Twitch

Twitch is an interactive livestreaming service that lets users stream and watch gaming content, often focused on video games.

• Price per month (Subscriptions to support streamers):

• Tier 1 – $4.99
  • Tier 2 – $9.99
  • Tier 3 – $24.99

• What you can stream: Live feeds of streamers discussing various topics such as gaming, travel, sports, and cooking; Gamers competing against each other while an audience cheers them on

• Device availability: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Apple TV, Chromecast, and devices that support apps

Pros:

• Ability to livestream your gaming
• Free to create a Twitch account and watch streams
• Amazon Prime members get a free Twitch subscription

Cons:

• Streaming channels are difficult to moderate
• Inappropriate/sensitive content
• Glitches

33. Kanopy

Kanopy is an on-demand streaming video platform for public and academic libraries offering movies, documentaries, and TV shows that users can access with their public library card or university login.

• Price: Free for users with a library card or university login

• What you can stream: Critically-acclaimed and award-winning movies, independent films, and inspiring documentaries

• Device availability:
  • TV (Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Android TV, FireTV, Samsung)
  • Phone, tablet and mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, Android, Fire Tablet)
  • Desktop and laptop

Pros:

• Only available through libraries
• A loan period of 72 hours (3 days) to watch a video
• Over 30,000 films or shows are available
• All films in the library come with ADA-compliant captions and transcripts and are compatible with screen reader programs.

Cons:

• Membership with a participating library is required to access Kanopy
• Public library card number and PIN/password are required to log in.
• Can play only 15 titles a month
• No support for downloading videos

Related: Free streaming TV services in Canada.

Bonus Free Streaming App: Tubi TV

Tubi TV is a free and on-demand video streaming app featuring movies (from MGM, Paramount, and Lionsgate), Tubi originals, and shows from ABC News, People TV, TMZ, Fox Sports, and the NFL Channel.

• Price: Free, ad-supported

• What you can stream: Over 40,000 popular and classic movies, new releases, television shows, Tubi Originals, kids’ shows, and live-streaming content

• Device availability:
  • Streaming devices (Roku, tvOS, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox, Playstation, Chromecast, TiVO, Android TV), Smart TVs (Samsung, Sony, VIZIO, LG TV, Hisense), mobile and tablet (iOS, Android, Windows), web and desktop

Pros:

• Completely free to use
• No subscription fees and no credit cards
• Huge selection of movies and shows

Cons:

• Dated library content
• Only streams at 720p resolution
• Inability to anticipate ad breaks

Top 10 Streaming Sites Compared

Below are the top 10 TV and movie streaming sites in Canada ranked according to monthly fees.

Streaming Service	Monthly fee	What You Can Stream	Device Availability	Pros	Cons
1. YouTube	Free	Music videos, Songs, Live and on-demand programs, Performances	Available on all devices	Free, easy to use, Uploading and watching videos is completely free, New content is always available, Good source to earn income	Numerous ads when using a free account, Copyright infringement, Lack of privacy, Inappropriate content
2. Discovery+	$4.99	Discovery+ Originals , TV series (food and lifestyle, adventure, home improvement, true crime)	Smartphones, Tablets, Desktop browsers, Amazon FireTV, Apple iPad, iPhones, iPod, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox, Roku, Android phones, tablets	Affordable subscription plans, Ad-free option, Multiple reality content, Up to 4 simultaneous streams per account	Downloading for offline viewing not available, No live TV programs, No free trial
3. Netflix	$5.99	Popular movies and TV series, Feature films, Netflix originals, Family-friendly TV shows, Documentaries, Anime	Smartphone, tablet, Smart TV, iOS, Android app, Game consoles, Laptop and desktop	Large collection of popular shows, Supports shows on any internet-connected device that offers the Netflix app, Ability to download movies, shows and series, Three plans to choose from	Limited regional selections, Outdated library, Data cap consumption
4. Hayu	$6.99	Reality TV shows, True crime, Body modification, Weekend series	Chromecast Ultra, Apple TV, Samsung, Amazon FireTV, Roku, Android TV, Rogers, Telus, Shaw, Xbox, Fibe TV, Mobile and tablet (Apple, Android, Kindle)	Same-day access to new episodes as soon as they air in the US, 7-day free trial for new users, No lock-in contracts, 25% savings on an annual plan, HD viewing quality	No support for 4K content, No original content
5. Highball.TV	$7.00	Movies curated from Cannes, Sundance, TIFF, and other film festivals in the world	Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, iPhone, iPad, Browser (Microsoft Edge 88+, Safari 13+, Firefox 78+, Chrome 71+)	14-day free trial All-access pass to every film on the site, New movies every week, Invitations to red carpet film premieres	Not all videos are available for download, Not all videos will have subtitles
6. FlixFling	$7.99	More than 5,000 ad-free films, including many movies not featured on other streaming platforms	Smart TVs (Samsung, Vizio, LG, Yahoo Connected), iOS, Android, Opera, Windows, Roku, TiVo, Xbox 360	7-day free trial, Various genres available (classic, action, comedy, adventure, sports, science fiction, and more), Free integrated digital locker to save FlixFling purchases	Cancellation of account deletes purchased content
7. Apple TV+	$8.99	Apple Originals, TV series, Documentaries, Comedies, Dramas, Kids’ entertainment	Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPlay, Other compatible devices	All-original programs, 4K streams featuring Dolby and HDR support, 7-day free trial, Can be bundled with other subscription services for a reduced price	Only streams Apple content, No app for PC, or Android users, Small content library
8. Paramount+	$9.99	Popular shows, Blockbuster movies, New originals, Exclusive series, Science fiction, Live sports, News, CBS	Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV	Low monthly subscription, Thousands of shows available for streaming, A wide array of content with no hidden charges	Price increase
9. The Criterion Channel	$10.99	More than 1,500 movies, shorts, features, introductions, interviews, documentaries, and rare footage	Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, Samsung Smart TV, iPad, iPhone, Android devices	14-day free trial, Curated content added every month, Offline downloads on mobile devices	Not all movies are available for streaming, No original TV shows or movies
10. Disney+	$11.99	Movies, TV series, New releases, classics, Skywalker Saga, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Shorts, Documentaries	Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Smart TVs, Computers, Amazon Fire, Android phones, tablets, iPhone, iPad, PlayStation, Xbox	2 months free with an annual subscription, Offline viewing of downloaded content, Up to 4 concurrent streams, HDR and 4K Ultra HD quality, GroupWatch	No free trial, Less variety, Not all Disney content is accessible

Streaming vs Cable in Canada: Which is Better?

Below are some of the strong points worth considering when it comes to the “streaming vs cable in Canada” argument.

Streaming Service	Cable Service
A broader range of content, including exclusive TV shows and movies and a vast library of on-demand content	Better platform for watching live TV, news coverage, sports games, award shows, and political content
Cable TV experience without the fees and contracts	Offers on-demand content through DVRs, which allows recording shows and watching them at your convenience
Can choose what channels to watch and pay for	More extensive selection of channels than streaming services
More freedom to pay for shows and channels you actually watch	Access to more channels with better quality
Ability to stream on different devices	Ability to watch shows as they air
Better than cable, provided you have a strong Internet connection	Option to save by bundling with an Internet plan
Fewer ads than on cable TV, which means a better viewing experience	Some cable companies have apps to stream shows on demand, rent movies, and watch DVR recordings.
No need to commit to more than a month at a time	Requires you to sign a contract that can last up to two years

Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference, so there is no better or worse choice. It depends on what you want out of the service.

FAQs

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