Choosing a streaming service is tricky. It’s not just about checking out which tempting new shows are dropping on the platform. There’s also the back catalogue of existing content, for those days you just need something easy-breezy to watch with snacks or while you doomscroll. Then there’s streaming quality, features, interface, and (of course) price to consider.
To crown our streaming service of the year, we took price, features, programming and more into consideration, along with an in-depth look at the value and quality of the shows that launched this year.
Best Streaming Service of the Year – Winner: Disney+
Disney+ has consistently improved year-on-year, even when you take into account price hikes (which occurred across most services this year anyway).
This is written from a UK perspective, and in the UK shows from the Hulu library are included in the Disney+ catalogue as standard. That said, American viewers can get both services in a decent bundle price, along with the option of add-ons such as ESPN+ or even HBO Max.
Some of the big winners for Disney+ this year include Andor season 2, Alien: Earth , Only Murders in the Building season 5, Daredevil: Born Again , Deli Boys, Paradise, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Add to that a large backlog of series for all ages such as Malcolm in the Middle, Bluey and The Simpsons, plus a raft of films and shows from the MCU , Star Wars and Pixar. That content alone makes this service tough to beat.
For those in America wanting Hulu as well, subscriptions start at $12.99 per month – though there is a hefty Black Friday saving right now .
Disney+ has also been generous in offering several discounts throughout the year, something that the runner-up streaming platform hasn’t done… and likely never will.
With binge-worthy originals, family-friendly staples, big blockbusters and competitive pricing, it’s no wonder that Disney+ is our favourite streaming platform of the year.
Best Streaming Service of the Year – First Runner-Up: Netflix
This year marked the first time that Tech Advisor knocked Netflix from the top spot in the best streaming service round-up, largely because of its pricing on the very top tier.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Nonetheless, Netflix is still a go-to streaming platform for most audiences, and it’s easy to see why. Earlier this year, Adolescence broke streaming records and became a viral talking point, from pop cultural chatter right up to a mention in Prime Minister’s Questions. Other hits from 2025 include Squid Game season 3 , and the much-anticipated return of Stranger Things – for its final season, no less.
Other more lighthearted options include Nobody Wants This, Love is Blind, and beloved options for specific countries – UK viewers have Friends and Gilmore Girls, while those in the US get The Great British Baking Show .
Prices start from £5.99/$7.99 for the Standard tier. However, the Premium tier (behind which 4K content is locked) now costs a whopping £18.99/$24.99 per month, making it one of the most expensive options on the market. It’s still a great service, but not as competitive as it once was.
Best Streaming Service of the Year – Second Runner-Up: Apple TV
Apple TV (formerly known as Apple TV+) hasn’t always ranked high on our general best streaming service list, mainly due to its limited library of syndicated shows and movies in comparison to rivals. However, the platform’s original shows have been particularly impressive this year, giving it an honourable mention for 2025.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
We’ve had the return of old favourites such as season 2 of the mind-bending drama Severance , and season 5 of the gritty spy series, Slow Horses. There have also been some brilliant new shows, including Seth Rogan’s The Studio and the brand-new Pluribus, from Vince Gilligan, creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
Author: Hannah Cowton-Barnes, Entertainment Editor, Tech Advisor
As Tech Advisor’s Entertainment Editor, Hannah is the resident expert in all things streaming, film and TV. Before joining Tech Advisor in 2019, she studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Leeds and created a website dedicated to geek culture and lifestyle. She’s also reviewed a whole range of gadgets including flagship smartphones, wearables and styling tools. Outside of Foundry, she’s written freelance pieces for Polygon, Metro and Den of Geek, and is proud to be a Women Techmakers Ambassador for Google.
Recent stories by Hannah Cowton-Barnes:
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