The best streaming services in Australia had a hugely successful 2024, with new shows like Netflix's The Gentlemen and Baby Reindeer, Max's The Penguin, Fallout on Prime Video and Shōgun on Disney Plus released across the year. New seasons of Shrinking, The Boys, The Bear and House of the Dragon also arrived, making for a packed year of home cinema content.
2025 is already proving its worth with Daredevil: Born Again, The Studio, The Agency and Adolescence, and new seasons of The White Lotus and Severance. April might be the strongest month of the year though, as Max celebrates its March 31 launch in Australia with the April 14 premiere of The Last of Us season two and fourth season of Hacks.
But Max doesn't get all the spotlight – coming to Disney Plus is the highly anticipated second season of Andor, Dying for Sex starring Michelle Williams and a new season of Doctor Who. Meanwhile Netflix has new seasons of Love on the Spectrum and You, Prime Video will release its new ballet drama Étoile, as well as The Narrow Road to the Deep North starring Jacob Elordi and the Viola Davis-led G20. Apple TV Plus also adds Government Cheeses, Carême and Your Friends & Neighbors starring Jon Hamm.
Andor and The Last of Us stand above the rest, but the best Australian streaming services have something for every viewer this month. Based on upcoming releases, we’ve picked out the best streaming service of the month.
These platforms are constantly changing, so we keep this guide up-to-date with the latest news and content, ensuring our monthly pick is accurate so you know what you're getting.
Recent updates
April 4, 2025: With Max landing in Australia – and subsequently removing HBO content from Binge – this guide needed a complete re-jig. This included adding Max to the list, rearranging the rankings, adding new information and outlining upcoming content.
Best streaming service for April 2025
Best TV streaming service 2025 overview:
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Netflix is almost synonymous with TV streaming. The world’s most popular streamer is still easily the best on the market for most people – and for good reason.
Netflix has a massive content library, no matter what you're looking for, with a healthy number of movies, TV shows, documentaries, reality and kids’ content to suit any kind of watcher.
Surpassing 300 million global subscribers at the end of 2024, Netflix also reportedly boasts the highest subscriber number in Australia with 6.2 million concurrent subscriptions – 1.4 million more than the next best streaming service in the country.
It hasn't been completely smooth sailing for Netflix Down Under, though. Netflix subscriptions in Australia fell for the first time in 2023 when the streamer cracked down on password sharing, and it's still feeling the impact of the 2023 writers' strike, which caused broad content delays and led to cancelled subscriptions.
For example, Stranger Things season five was originally scheduled to film between mid-2023 and mid-2024, with a planned release in early 2025. However, we're still yet to hear much about it, apart from supposed movie-length episode runtimes.
Another key issue fans have with Netflix is its constant cancellation of shows, even when they're seemingly popular. In 2024 alone, the streamer cancelled nine shows that we think are worth watching.
Still, Netflix delivered some of the very best content in 2024, with releases like Boy Swallows Universe, One Day, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Gentlemen, 3 Body Problem, Ripley, Monsters and Nobody Wants This.
It's also home to fan favourites like Peaky Blinders, Gilmore Girls and Seinfeld, as well as its library of strong Netflix Originals like Money Heist, Ozark, Emily in Paris, Black Mirror, Beef, Wednesday and Worst Roommate Ever.
However, the cost of Netflix has steadily increased since its introduction Down Under – most recently in May last year. Still, Netflix actually boasts the lowest price point of any Australian service at just AU$7.99 per month for the Standard with Ads plan.
To go ad-free, you'll have to pay a premium, with the Standard tier coming in at AU$18.99 per month, providing two HD concurrent streams, downloads, and the option to add a non-household member to your account for an extra AU$7.99 per month. For 4K and more concurrent streams, Netflix Premium costs AU$25.99 per month.
Still, Netflix continues to be the best streaming service in Australia for most people, truly offering something for everyone. It has even recently started to dive into the world of sport – broadcasting Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and following it up with Christmas Day NFL matches on Boxing Day. While this sports offering will likely come with a price increase in the near future, subscribers have to love what Netflix offers for the price.
While you've likely seen some of the following, here’s some key content to watch on Netflix if you haven't already: Adolescence, The Gentlemen, Wednesday, Beef, Ozark, Ripley, One Day, Nobody Wants This, Boy Swallows Universe, Stranger Things, Cobra Kai, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Zero Day.
Verdict: 4.5/5
Best new content coming to Netflix in April
Netflix brings out the big hits early, with the third season of Love on the Spectrum landing on April 2 and The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox, documenting their up-and-down 2024 season, arriving on April 8.
Finally, the fifth season of You is coming on April 25, following Joe Goldberg as he attempts to lead a peaceful life in New York City, along with Havoc – an action thriller starring Tom Hardy and directed by Gareth Evans (The Raid).
Also worth mentioning this month are the additions of The Wild Robot (April 18), My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman season five (part two) on April 8 and a medical drama called Pulse on April 3.
Max – formerly HBO Max – launched in Australia on March 31, so we haven’t had too much time with it Down Under. However, simply being the new home of HBO content in Australia already makes it one of the best streaming services available.
For years, if you wanted to watch HBO content in Australia, Binge was your go-to streaming service. In 2025, that’s no longer the case.
It was announced in September 2024 that Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the owner of HBO, DC and other big studios, would be launching its streaming service in Australia. While there was initial uncertainty about how this would work – given that Binge and Foxtel still held the rights to the company’s content – it quickly became clear that Max would fully take over as the home of HBO Down Under.
As part of this transition, Foxtel and WBD restructured their partnership. Now, Foxtel subscribers with internet-connected iQ3, iQ4, or iQ5 devices gain access to Max’s cheapest plan as part of their Foxtel subscription. However, this does not apply to Foxtel Now subscribers.
That plan – Basic with Ads – is the cheapest of three, costing subscribers AU$11.99p/m for two simultaneous streams and full HD resolution. To go without ads, the Standard tier adds the 30 downloads to your subscription for AU$15.99p/m, in addition to the HD resolution and two streams.
The Premium subscription, meanwhile, provides subscribers with four simultaneous streams in 4K resolution and Dolby Atmos where available, plus 100 downloads for AU$21.99p/m or AU$219.99 yearly.
However, Max is currently offering special launch prices for a limited time:
• AU$7.99 / AU$11.99 / AU$17.99 per month
• AU$79.99 / AU$119.99 / AU$179.99 per year
With The Last of Us season two premiering exclusively on Max on April 14, now is the perfect time to take advantage of this deal. But that’s just the beginning – upcoming releases include A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, IT: Welcome to Derry, and Duster.
Subscribers also gain access to HBO’s iconic library, including Euphoria, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Sopranos, The Wire, Succession and The White Lotus. Warner Bros. blockbuster films (like Barbie) arrive on Max shortly after their theatrical run.
Beyond HBO, Max also includes content from Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, Discovery, TLC, Food Network and ID, as well as classic films through the TCM Hub. This means you’ll also get access to shows like The Pitt, Peacemaker, Friends, Rick and Morty, Gilmore Girls, Adventure Time, Teen Titans Go! and Ben 10.
Verdict: 4/5
Best new content coming to Max in April:
Launching at the end of March, Max is the newest streaming service Down Under and meaning everything on it could technically be considered new. If you’re wondering what to watch first, you can check out our five must-watch shows or the 40 best shows on Max.
That said, there’s really only one new release that truly demands attention – The Last of Us season 2. Based on The Last of Us Part II video game – though the extent of its adaptation remains to be seen – season two is already shaping up to be one of the biggest TV events of the year, just as season one was back in January 2023.
Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey return as Joel and Ellie, while new cast members include Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Isabela Merced (Dina) and Tati Gabrielle (Jesse). The Last of Us season two launches exclusively on Max on April 14.
Other Notable Max Releases in April
• The Rehearsal, Season 2 (April 21) – Nathan Fielder’s bizarre and darkly comedic series returns for another round of mind-bending social experiments.
• Babygirl (April 25) – A24’s latest film starring Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson
Despite getting off to a strong start when it launched with shows like For All Mankind and Morning Wars back in 2019, it did take some time for Apple to firmly find its footing in the TV streaming world.
With the first season of Ted Lasso back in 2020, followed by Black Bird, Severance and Slow Horses in 2022, the service seemed to figure out what it was and how it could compete – quality over quantity.
Simply put, Apple uses its extensive budget to make consistently high-quality content led by top-tier writers, directors and actors – and not in the way Netflix too often does (looking at you Rebel Moon and The Electric State).
Just in the Apple TV Plus original series above – with the exception of most of Ted Lasso's cast – there's well-known, top-class actors like Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell, Taron Egerton, Ray Liotta, Paul Walter Hauser and Gary Oldman.
And while they haven't all been hits, you can trust that an Apple TV original series is going to be of a higher quality than the majority of shows offered by other streaming services, with rare exceptions like The Bear and Shogun on Disney Plus, Adolescence on Netflix and the best of HBO on Max.
There's also Apple-produced films that make theatrical releases like Fly Me to the Moon and Killers of the Flower Moon. Unfortunately, while you'd expect them to arrive on Apple's streamer quickly, these movies don't come to Apple TV Plus any faster than they become available for rent Prime Video.
Well, if they're successful. Napoleon arrived relatively quickly after a rough performance at the cinemas. There's also Apple TV Plus original films like Tom Hanks' Finch and Greyhound, Spirited, The Greatest Beer Run Ever and the Oscar-winning CODA – which you should definitely add to your watchlist if you haven’t already seen it.
Still, if you're someone who wants to watch something every night, Apple TV Plus is a little hard to recommend as your sole service. Unless you've been stockpiling the best Apple TV shows for binging, you've been keeping up with its best shows, there simply isn't a varied library comparable to offered by Netflix, Prime Video or Disney Plus.
Depending on what you've seen though, there's a ton of excellent shows to watch. And, If you haven't already watched them, you should try the following Apple TV Plus content as soon as possible: Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Slow Horses, Silo, Black Bird, Severance, Presumed Innocent, The Studio, Bad Monkey, Bad Sisters and Masters of the Air.
Verdict: 4/5
Best new content coming to Apple TV Plus in April:
There's not too much to enjoy on the new content coming to Apple TV Plus in April, with new episodes of The Studio, Surface and Dope Thief all airing throughout. However, there are a few key releases to watch out for.
Your Friends and Neighbors is a drama that stars Jon Hamm, premiering with four episodes on April 11. In this series, Hamm plays a financial titan who suddenly finds himself divorced and without a job – so he starts robbing his own social circle.
Then, on April 16 comes Government Cheeses – a comedy where a man recently released from prison (David Oyelowo) attempts to win back his family while fighting off his past. And, on the last day of the month comes the premiere of Carême, a drama following the thrilling story of the world's first celebrity chef Antonin Carême.
Disney Plus has done a lot of growing up in recent years, making it a very appealing option for Australians of all ages and viewing habits. However, it's a touch harder to recommend as a primary streamer.
While it performs better as a sole service than Apple TV Plus, Disney Plus still works much better in collaboration with another service like Netflix – using Netflix for your regular viewing and popping into Disney Plus for specifics like New Girl, Frozen or Daredevil: Born Again.
That's not to say Disney Plus can't be your only streaming platform, boasting a large, diverse library that earns it the number four spot on this list. Still, it's best suited for fans of Marvel and Star Wars and is a front-runner as the best streaming service for kids.
The little ones – or young at heart – can enjoy the full suite of Pixar and Disney films from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves to Inside Out 2 and Mufasa: The Lion King. There are also series like Percy Jackson and the Olympians and 90's classics such as Cool Runnings – plus Disney Channel originals like Hannah Montana, High School Musical, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Kim Possible.
Marvel fans can enjoy a huge range of superhero-themed content, from the MCU to the older X-Men films and new series like Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. The same can be said for Star Wars fans, who can enjoy the original trilogy, prequels and sequels, along with original shows like Andor, The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Disney Plus is no longer just for fans of the above, and that's thanks to the addition of the Star content hub, offering originals and content from the likes of ABC in the US, FX and 20th Century Studios. This lets you enjoy shows like The Bear, Shōgun, Only Murders in the Building, Good American Family, A Thousand Blows and The Kardashians, plus movies like Nightbitch, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, The Menu, Avatar: The Way of Water, Deadpool & Wolverine, A Real Pain, Ford v Ferrari and others.
That's not all. As reported by our friends over at Tom's Guide, Disney Plus subscribers also gained access to ESPN from March 26, 2025 – letting them watch the MLB, NBA, NFL and more live sport, 30 for 30 docos and sports talk shows like The Pat McAfee Show.
All this content now comes at a more expensive price point, however. In March 2025, Disney Plus increased the price of its two subscription tiers in Australia, with Standard now costing AU$15.99p/m and Premium coming in at AU$20.99p/m. Premium adds 4K resolution, Dolby audio and four concurrent streams, while the Standard tier only offers two concurrent streams, HD quality streams and standard audio.
Verdict: 4/5
Best new content coming to Disney Plus in April
The April 9 finale of Daredevil: Born Again isn't the only thing Disney Plus subscribers should be marking in their calendar this month.
On April 12, Doctor Who returns for a second season with Ncuti Gatwa continuing as the fifteenth Doctor, and a new series starring Michelle Williams, called Dying for Sex (landing on April 4) looks like it's well worth a watch. Much like Max, though, there's really just one release worth getting excited about – Andor.
Premiering on April 23, the best piece of Star Wars content since 1983 is finally back. We’ve broken down the upcoming season of Andor before, but to give you a taste, season two follows Cassian Andor and the emerging Rebel Alliance over the climactic four years – ending with the discovery of the Death Star and leading into the days before Rogue One.
Promising tested relations, risen stakes, betrayals and sacrifices, we think it's a must-watch, whether you're a Star Wars fan or not.
Prime Video should be going toe-to-toe with Netflix for the best streaming service title in Australia. Like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video has its own set of awesome original series – Fallout, All or Nothing, Reacher, Bosch, Beast Games, Fleabag, Invincible and The Boys just to name a few.
There's also a heap of Amazon original films that land exclusively on Prime Video like The Covenant, Red, White and Royal Blue, The Voyeurs, Ricky Stanicky, Sound of Metal, Without Remorse, Goodnight Mommy and more.
With its massive library – the biggest of any streaming service in Australia – Prime Video should be sitting neck-and-neck with Netflix at the top of the list. But what holds it back is its user experience. The Prime Video app is frankly difficult to use no matter what device you're on. While it's fine if you know what you want to watch, a cluttered front page with Prime originals and exclusives mixed in with what's available on other services make it very hard to explore.
This is because you can subscribe to Apple TV Plus, BritBox, Shudder, Paramount Plus and other streaming services through Prime Video – turning it into a hub for all your streaming channels, allowing you to install fewer apps.
While it is a key issue, it's really the only one. From a content standpoint Prime Video stands to be the best streaming service in Australia, and you can also rent or buy all the big releases once they hit streaming like you can through Apple TV Plus.
The big point of difference between Prime Video and other streaming platforms is the value it provides at its price point. Included as part of your Prime membership – which nets you free delivery and exclusive discounts on Amazon – it’s a great subscription to have if you’re a frequent online shopper. You can opt to pay an additional AU$3p/m to go ad-free after Prime Video introduced ads in Australia on July 2, 2024.
In addition to Prime Video, subscribers can also access Amazon Music – one of the best music streaming services – Prime Reading and Prime Gaming.
Right now, if you're looking for something to watch on Amazon Prime Video as part of your subscription, check out The Iron Claw, Invincible, Reacher, F*** Marry Kill, Little Women, Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Last Duel, Strange Darling, Picture This, Secret Level, Here and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
Verdict: 4/5
Best new content coming to Prime Video in April:
Starring Jacob Elordi as a young Dorrigo Evans and Ciarán Hinds as his older self, coming to Prime Video on April 18 is The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Described as "savagely beautiful", this five-part series follows Evans through his love affair with Amy Mulvaney, his time as a POW and his later years as a surgeon and war hero.
Streaming on April 10, G20 stars Viola Davis as President Danielle Sutton, who becomes a target during a siege at the G20 summit. The Bondsman (April 4) stars Kevin Bacon as a bounty hunter resurrected by the Devil to trap and send back demons that have escaped from their hellish prison, while Marked Man comes to Prime on April 3 – starring Sydney Taylor and Chase Stokes as a pre-med student and tattoo artist whose friendship is tested after an uninhibited night together.
Also coming to Prime Video this month is Étoile, Happy Family USA, Mobile Suit Gundam Gquuuuuux, Ash, Never Let Go and Terrifier 3 – one of our nine favourite horrors of 2024. Coming to rent or buy are The Brutalist and Mickey 17.
Australia’s very first streaming service – releasing way back in early 2015 – Stan has always been an incredibly popular streaming option, even when it looked drastically different to what it does now. And it's always been Australia-first, even launching on Australia Day.
It’s undergone some major changes in the last 9 years, though. Its library has completely evolved with international partnership, a solid amount of Aussie content and hit-series like Better Call Saul. Its prices have changed to mirror its improved content, too. In March 2024 Stan's Basic plan jumped from AU$10p/m to AU$12p/m, and in October Stan joined Binge in increasing its prices, with a AU$1 hike to its Standard and Premium tiers.
Stan's three tiers now cost AU$12 p/m, AU$17p/m and AU$22p/m and offer one, three and four simultaneous streams respectively, with the devices you can download to numbering one, three and five. For 4K, you'll have to shell out for the Premium tier, with the Standard tier offering 1080p HD and basic dropping you down to 720p
Boasting a reported 2.2 million subscribers, Stan hosts all-time great and popular shows that are exclusively on Stan in Australia, with exclusives that include The Walking Dead: The Return, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol, Yellowstone, Your Honor, Dr Death, Better Call Saul, Power, From, The Great, Billy The Kid, Gangs of London and more.
Stan also boasts an impressive set of Stan Originals, which span across both movies and TV, and are mostly Australian or at least based in Australia. This includes shows like Bump, Black Snow, The Tourist, Gold, Ten Pound Poms, Totally Completely Fine, Good Cop / Bad Cop and Hotel Cocaine, as well as movies like Windcatcher, Nugget is Dead, Transfusion, True History of the Kelly Gang and Relic.
Stan can also brag about a healthy stream of documentaries and stand-up comedy through its Revealed docos – which most recently provided an insight into Melbourne Storm rugby league coach Craig Bellamy – and its One Night Stan comedy shows.
While it might not beat out Netflix for the top spot – Stan is basically a smaller, more Australian-focused Netflix. It works well as a primary service, offering a ton of both legacy content, Aussie originals and fresh new series, providing something for every subscriber whether they love serious drama films, true crime, reality TV or comedy.
And, if that's not enough, Stan sets itself apart from most of the best streaming services by offering a sports add-on for an extra AU$15 per month. Stan Sport is worth checking out for any UEFA football, rugby union and tennis fans. Subscribers can watch every game in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League in Football, Super Rugby Pacific, Super Rugby W, Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup and all four tennis Majors, with select matches streaming in 4K.
Verdict: 4/5
Best new content coming to Stan in April
It might not compete with Disney Plus, Netflix or Max this month, but there's plenty for Stan subscribers to enjoy – led by a new season of Hacks on April 11. Though it doesn't have the exclusivity it claims, as Hacks season four will also premiere on Max.
Coming on April 6 is the third season of Love Triangle, in which singles choose their partner love match from two options after only texting with them – then move in after one date, with the rejected match also moving in. Then on April 17 Scrublands returns for its second season as Martin tries to uncover the truth behind the death of a loved one.
More notable releases on Stan this month are the fourth season of Godfather of Harlem, Sullivan's Crossing season 3 and an all-new documentary called My Sugar Daddy and Me airing on April 13, 28 and 24 respectively.
No other streaming service in Australia has undergone such a rapid transformation as Binge in just the past month, and unfortunately it's not a positive change. With the launch of Max in Australia as of March 31, 2025, the Foxtel Group-owned streaming service is in some strife – falling from #2 on this list.
Already receiving a bad wrap for its clunky user experience, it was easy to ignore the small issues when it was the only platform in Australia where you could watch shows like The White Lotus and The Last of Us. That's no longer the case though, with HBO now residing on Max – and we're not sure where Binge goes from here.
Binge increased the price of its Standard plan in October 2024, but its cheapest Basic plan costs just AU$10p/m and comes with ads. Standard now costs AU$19p/m, offering ad-free viewing in 4K for up to two devices while Premium gives you four simultaneous streams in 4K for AU$22p/m.
Binge isn't that it has lost its main drawcard in HBO content. It's not completely bare of enticing movies and TV shows, but to try and draw subscribers, it has partnered with Netflix. With Binge x Netflix bundles, you can save up to AU$10p/m over 12 months. This offer ends on April 30, 2025.
Without HBO Binge's content library is considerably less appealing – but there's still plenty to watch. Shows like Mr Inbetween and Colin From Accounts are there to stay, as well as Aussie reality TV like F Boy Island.
That's just the beginning, though. You can still watch originals like The Twelve, Strife, High Country and The Last Anniversary, movies like Venom: The Last Dance, I Saw the TV Glow, It Ends With Us and Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga.
While Binge has certainly taken a hit with the removal of HBO content, it's still a worthy subscription service – especially if you're into reality TV. However, shelling out for the premium tier might not be worth it for most people.
Verdict: 3.5/5
Best new content coming to Binge in April
Landing on April 2 is the 30th season of The Daily Show, with new episodes dropping from Wednesday to Saturday at 8:30pm. This is a satirical American news show hosted by Jon Stewart, using recent news stories, political figures and organisations to have a laugh.
April 1 sees the first season of The Listeners – where an English teacher's life unravels as she becomes obsessed with a low humming sound that only she – and one of her students – can hear.
Seasons one to six of Line of Duty also lands on Binge on April 4. A very popular British crime drama, This wildly popular cop corruption drama follows DS Steve Arnott as he joins a controversial police unit dedicated to rooting out corruption after he refuses to participate in a cover-up.
As well as those two shows, also landing on Binge this month are The Wild Robot (April 18), Speak No Evil (April 4) and Jesus Christ Superstar (April 1).
Launching Down Under as 10 All Access in 2018, Paramount Plus hoped to draw people in with the promise of exclusive shows and blockbuster releases soon after their theatrical debuts. And, even once its name changed to Paramount Plus in 2021, that promise was still mostly unfulfilled – offering a mixture of CBS and 10 programming.
In fact, Paramount Plus boasts some of the best exclusive TV shows available right now, like Dexter: Original Sin, Landman, 1923, Yellowjackets, Lioness, The Agency, Mayor of Kingstown. Subscribers also gain access to blockbuster films like Oppenheimer.
That content only gets more enticing when it's paired with Paramount Plus's subscription costs. Its ad-supported tier comes in at AU$7.99p/m, and Paramount Plus with Showtime costs AU$12.99p/m. Add the fact that subscribers can even watch live sport – like the A-leagues, Socceroos, Matildas and AFC Champions League, plus the biggest headlines from around the world 24/7 with CBSN.
Paramount Plus can also be added as a channel in your Amazon Prime Video subscription, and you can even find a deal on the service through Amazon Prime Video on the odd occasion as well.
If you're looking to try it out, like the sound of one or two shows or aren't sure if Paramount Plus is for you, Paramount Plus's low entry price and free trial makes it easy to experiment with.
Verdict: 3.5/5
Best new content coming to Paramount Plus in April
There are a handful of new movies coming to Paramount Plus this month, with titles like Unforgiven, The Truman Show, Moneyball, Rounders, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Cop Land and Arrival all joining the service.
There's really nothing truly new content coming to Paramount Plus in April, with Guy Ritchie's Tom Hardy-led Mobland series landing on March 30.
During April, some shows worth watching out for are Sumotherhood, Teen Mom UK: Next Generation season two and – for the kiddies – Paw Patrol Big Truck Pups and Baby Shark’s Big Show season three.
For years, access to Foxtel required users to sign up for a traditional pay TV subscription – that meant getting technicians over to install a box in your living room.
That all changed with Foxtel Now – a simple streaming service that only requires an internet connection and a device to stream on.
Foxtel Now is a Netflix-style, streaming-only Foxtel package that lets you watch all of the service's catch-up content, as well as its live TV streams.
All you have to do is sign up online, choose your streaming packages, download the app and away you go. Best of all, you don't have to sign any contracts and you can cancel anytime.
It must be said that if you want everything that Foxtel Now has to offer, you'll have to pay quite a bit. Foxtel Now starts at per month for the mandatory Essentials base pack, which includes over 30 channels.
You have the option to build your own bundle, selecting only the content that matters to you. However, right now you can get the Sport, Drama and Entertainment packs bundled together for just AU$65p/m down from AU$103p/m. This gets you live cricket in 4K Ultra HD plus 50 other live sports, drama, lifestyle, reality and other channels and multi-screen functionality, without the set-up costs a regular Foxtel box would give you.
That said, it's hard to argue with Foxtel Now's enormous content library, and the inclusion of streaming access to Foxtel's live TV channels will certainly appeal to many. However, the amount of HBO content as part of your subscription is likely to change. One of the key terms of the new agreement between Foxtel and Max is that Foxtel subscribers with internet-connected iQ3, iQ4 or iQ5 devices can access the 'Basic with Ads' Max plan for free via the Max app within Foxtel. This is not the case for Foxtel Now subscribers. HBO and Max series will no longer be available on Foxtel Now, though series that have already premiered – The White Lotus – will complete their run.
With a large variety of channels, there’s something for everyone on Foxtel Now. However, there's no doubt that the elimination of HBO content on Foxtel's streaming service is a massive loss. Still, between sport, movies, kids and entertainment, there's plenty of value to be found at the current deal price. You can even try it out for free with Foxtel Now's 10-day free trial.
Verdict: 3.5/5
Specialty services
Undoubtedly the best streaming service in Australia when it comes to watching sport, Kayo Sports is a terrific option for those who want to avoid a traditional Foxtel subscription. With it, you pay only for what you want – a ton of sport.
Kayo is owned by the Foxtel Group which was recently acquired by DAZN – a global leader in sports streaming. While we're yet to see the impact of this acquisition, the CEO of Foxtel Group Patrick Delany stated it would allow it to "remain an Australian-based business, with an Australian team and the sport, drama and entertainment that Australians love". Delany also went on to say that the Foxtel Group would benefit from DAZN's "global scale… technology and their track-record in innovation that will allow us to… compete with the global giants".
Kayo does a remarkable job of providing instant streaming access to over 50 different sports, although the content is nearly identical to what you'll find on Foxtel's services – which shouldn't be a surprise, as Kayo retains the same broadcast and streaming rights as its pay-TV big brother.
You’ll get access to all seven of the Fox Sports channels, plus the Fox Sports news stream, three beIN Sports options and two ESPN channels offered by Foxtel. That's not to say that Kayo offers everything you could possibly want, as there are some noticeable omissions in the service's content offering. Unfortunately, Kayo doesn't provide access to the three Premier League Club channels (Liverpool TV, Chelsea TV and Manchester United TV), Sky Racing channels or Eurosport. Tennis fans will also not have access to any grand slam.
If that isn't too much of an issue, there's plenty of other sports to choose from, including NBA, NFL, the NRL, international cricket, World Surf League, Formula 1 and more. And that's just the live sport. There's an abundance of documentaries, talk shows, condensed matches and plenty more for sports lovers to enjoy.
Additionally, Kayo offers several unique and useful streaming features, such as picture-in-picture video, a 'key moments' feature that shows just the highlights, the ability to block spoilers for a match you haven't watched yet and a customisable playback speed.
Kayo recently increased its prices, and changed the names of its two subscription tiers to Kayo Standard and Kayo Premium. The latter of which, offering 2 simultaneous streams and 4K resolution, has increased its price to AU$40p/m, while Standard costs AU$30p/m for one stream and 720p resolution.
With the NRL, AFL and F1 2025 seasons getting into full swing, Kayo is the service to have. You can learn more about the NRL on Kayo, and what you'll miss without it.
Verdict: 4/5
The brainchild of two major British broadcasters – ITV and BBC – BritBox is a streaming platform dedicated to delivering everything good about British TV outside the UK, including Australia.
As you can probably tell by the name, BritBox provides exclusively British content. This includes shows such as Luther, Line of Duty, All Creatures Great and Small and Prey. Unfortunately, Doctor Who is no longer available on the platform, so you'll have to head to Disney Plus for the latest from The Doctor.
BritBox had a price increase in 2024, jumping up to AU$9.99 per month along with the annual subscription now costing AU$99.99 per year. However, it's still one of the better-value streaming services on the market, and you can even snag a 7-day free trial – though this trial period disappears during promotional periods.
Features of this service include up to four simultaneous HD streams as well as a wide range of devices including Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fetch TV, Telstra TV and Google Chromecast, with apps available for LG and Samsung smart TVs, Android TV, Windows 10 and Chrome OS.
Plus, you can add BritBox as a channel to your Amazon Prime account, so you don't have to switch between apps to catch some good British TV.
Verdict: 4/5
Best new content coming to BritBox in April
Most notably arriving on Britbox in April is the 13th season of Vera. Landing on the fourth, this season sees Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope once again investigate dark and complex crimes in Northumberland determinedly.
On April 11 comes Boat story, a 2023 thriller series that follows two strangers who discover a haul of cocaine on a washed-up boat...and a Mob boss comes looking for what's his. Then Moonflower Murders season two arrives on April 15 – an adaptation of the novel by the same name starring Tim McMullan and Lesley Manville.
Last, but certainly not least – Beyond Paradise seasons one and two arrive on Britbox on April 24, following Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman in the quiet, sleepy Devon town of Shipton Abbott.
DAZN has taken over the world of boxing, and now it's a whole lot bigger – and only growing.
DAZN service first launched in Austria, Germany, Japan and Switzerland back in August 2016 but soon expanded into Canada. Building on this success, DAZN has since launched in the US, UK, Italy, Brazil and Australia, and is now available in more than 200 countries.
While Boxing was the service’s main focus at first, the service's expansion has coincided with winning the rights to show wide and varied sports coverage from territory-to-territory. Its live broadcasts have included Premier League, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, F1 - yet despite its rapid expansion. And, while its seven day free trial is no longer available, it still offers considerable value compared to other alternatives and the old pay-per-view system.
However, while many events are available to subscribers for the AU$29.99 monthly fee, add-on events like big boxing matches, NFL Game Pass and other channels still require an extra fee.
Still, if you’re tired of overpaying to watch the next big match or are considering cutting the cord on cable all together, DAZN could be worth a look for big sports enthusiasts. While it's a pricey monthly price, with so much value inside whether it's worth it or not depends on how much you use it.
Biggest events on DAZN during April
While there's no major events on DAZN this month – with May looking like a very exciting month for boxing fans, there's still plenty of content to enjoy.
Super League Basketball, National League football, LIGA F, Women's Elite Rugby, Lega Basket Serie A, UEFA Women's Champions League and several smaller Boxing matches will be available on DAZN.
A streaming service that's strictly for horror fans, Shudder offers a vast selection of frightening flicks, both old and new, along with a growing library of original films, TV shows, documentaries, podcasts and live-streaming events.
Shudder Originals include FX guru Greg Nicotero's Creepshow TV series, the blood-drenched cult flick Revenge, the Indigenous zombie film Blood Quantum, and the critically adored movie Host, which sees a demonic presence infiltrate an online séance.
Admittedly, Shudder has some work to do when it comes to competing with the big streaming players. For one, its maximum streaming resolution is 720p (with many older movies available in standard definition only). And while its device compatibility has come a long way since its US launch, there's no Shudder app for gaming consoles and many TV brands.
That said, you can't argue with Shudder’s price, which is set at a very reasonable AU$6.99 per month (and even cheaper at its yearly rate of $69.99, essentially netting you two free months of the service).
If you're a horror aficionado with a thirst for (fake) blood, you can test the Shudder waters with a free 7-day trial, with the option to add it on as a channel through Amazon Prime Video as well.
At the end of 2024, Shudder subscribers got a tonne of blood-curdling content. In a Violent Nature finally found its way to the horror streamer, alongside The Demon Disorder – an Australian horror that follows Jake and Phillip Reilly and their dead father, whose garage becomes the site of revenge after a family secret is uncovered – and more. Then there were the additions of Horror's Greatest which is a deep dive into everything horror, Oddity, Candyman (1992) and Salem's Lot.
Some high quality content that we think is worth checking out on Shudder are: Terrified, When Evil Lurks, The Dark and the Wicked, Host, Z, Dead Stream, What Josiah Saw and Moloch.
Best new content coming to Shudder in April
Mute Witness and Vesper arrive on April 1, leading the new additions to the Shudder catalogue. The first follows a mute make-up artist working on a film, where she witnesses a brutal murder and must escape, while Vesper is a sci-fi flick about a 13-year-old girl who must survive using her wits, strength and bio-hacking abilities.
Gateway arrives on April 4, sporting 89% on Rotten Tomatoes. In it, four criminals confront their darkest thoughts in a mysterious locked room within an abandoned house. And, alongside the Aussie classic The Tunnel – in which a film crew learns of a government cover-up about the abandoned train tunnels beneath the heart of Sydney – is a documentary titled The Tunnel: The Other Side of Darkness.
Also worth looking out for are Final Cut – a film crew shooting a low budget zombie flick when they're attacked by real zombies – and Infested, which is about an exotic animal lover losing their venomous spider and unleashing an army of deadly arachnids.
If you're the type of sports fan who's absolutely obsessed with football (better known to Aussies as soccer), then Optus Sport is the streaming service for you.
While Kayo or Stan Sport may offer a more rounded sports-watching experience, Optus Sport is dedicated to providing access to every type of soccer coverage imaginable.
For AU$24.99 each month or AU$229 per year, Optus Sport brings you unlimited access to the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, J.League, UEFA EURO 2020, Internationals and FA Women's Super League games, meaning you'll never be short of football content to park yourself in front of.
Additionally, a subscription to Optus Sport also grants you access to the service's fitness content, allowing you to work out alongside handy training videos in a number of areas, including HIIT, yoga, cardio, pilates, core, dancing and more.
Boasting excellent device support and an affordable price point, Optus Sport is a terrific option for football junkies. That said, some areas could see improvement. For instance, while subscribers may register up to four devices, only two can be streamed concurrently and the second device must be a Fetch TV box.
Picture quality is good, although the resolution junkies out there will quickly notice that Optus Sport's maximum 1080p resolution isn't true 1080p. The service's feeds are received at 720p and upscaled. Additionally, the service no longer offers a free trial period and costs AU$24.99 per month, but existing and new Optus customers can bundle the service for only AU$9.99p/m through SubHub.
Having trouble Keeping Up with the Kardashians? Well, you're in luck, because the streaming service Hayu not only has every single episode of theirs available to watch instantly, but it also provides access to hundreds of other reality shows.
That isn't an understatement – pick a city at random and chances are that Hayu has a Real Housewives show that's set in that very location*.
*We don't mind a touch of exaggeration, okay?
That's not all – while Hayu's junk food menu is undeniably extensive, the service also offers more serious content on its menu, including many true crime docu-series, such as Up and Vanished, In Ice Cold Blood (hosted by Ice-T, no less) and much more.
Priced at only AU$6.99 per month, AU$33.99 for 6 months or AU$61.99 per year, with decent device support, offline viewing for phones and tablets, no lock-in contracts and no ads whatsoever, Hayu is a reality television fan's dream come true. If that sounds like you, then be sure to check out Hayu's free 7-day trial.
Catch the following popular reality TV titles and more on Hayu: Below Deck Mediterranean, Million Dollar Listing, Made in Chelsea, Vanderpump Rules Reunion, The Real Housewives and Queer Eye.
FAQs
What is the most used streaming platform in Australia?
According to the Australian Subscription Entertainment Study by Telsyte, Netflix is by far the most used streaming service in Australia as of June, 2024. Sporting 6.2 million subscribers, Netflix boasts 1.4 million more than the next most popular streaming platform, Amazon Prime Video at 4.8 million.
However, Prime Video is Australia's fastest growing streaming service, up 7% in 12 months. Disney Plus comes in at 3.1 million, with Stan, Paramount Plus and Kayo supporting 2.6 million, 1.8 million and 1.6 million respectively.
Is Binge better than Netflix?
While there was once an argument for subscribing to Binge over Netflix, with the arrival of Max in Australia – and the subsequent removal of HBO content on Binge – Netflix is now the clear winner in this battle.
What is the best streaming service for kids?
Most of the best streaming services in Australia – apart from Shudder – have some kids content, so there's something for the little ones no matter which you choose.
That said, Amazon Prime Video holds the largest library of content rated G and below, followed by Netflix and Disney Plus. But, quantity doesn't equal quality and Disney Plus holds a ton of content for kids through its Disney, Disney Channel, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars worlds.
If you want a service that is entirely directed at your little one aged seven or younger, it's hard to go past Noggin. From Peppa Pig, Blue's Clues and Dora the Explorer to the digital pre-school classroom show Noggin Knows, Noggin also provides more learning through a library of books and games.
And, of course, when talking about the best streaming service in Australia for kids, it's hard to look past ABC iview and its library of ABC Kids shows like Bluey, Play School, Peppa Pig, Sesame Street, Octonaughts, Thomas and Friends and more.
Crunchyroll vs Netflix: which is the best anime streaming service?
When it comes to anime, Crunchyroll is likely the first streaming service you think of. We actually think Netflix can compete with it for anime fans though – and not purely because of its large library.
Where Netflix excels in the anime space is with excellent original content like Beastars, Castlevania, Aggretsuko, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Devilman Crybaby – combined with a library of classics including those from Studio Ghibli, Yu-Gi-Oh!, My Hero Academia And Pokemon. Not to mention the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender movie.
However, for hardcore anime fans and those looking to watch (and re-watch) the classics, CrunchyRoll is more than just a viable option. Its library includes shows such as Attack on Titan, Death Note, FLCL, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Hunter X Hunter, One-Punch Man and several Naruto series.
No matter what you choose to go with, these two streaming services deliver plenty of anime to keep you entertained.
What is the best platform to watch documentaries?
Netflix and Prime Video dominate the documentary landscape thanks to the sheer number of docos they both provide.
While there's undoubtedly some low-quality content, you're certain to find a plethora of interesting movies and series no matter what you're into. But, if you're looking for something a bit more off the beaten path, Kanopy is an awesome streaming service.
Free with a library card or through your university email address, Kanopy has a large library of lesser-known classic movies, foreign film, documentaries and more that are hard to find anywhere else.
Another streaming service to watch out for on the documentary front is Disney Plus because of its National Geographic content, as well as Star originals like Brats.
Where can I watch true crime in Australia?
Luckily for true crime fans, there's a healthy stream of solid content from all the major streaming services in Australia. However, Netflix is once again king.
It’s got documentaries, true-story crime dramas, docu-series and everything in between. With titles like What Jennifer Did, Dahmer, the Conversations with a Killer series and American Nightmare, you'd almost need to devote an entire lifetime to get through all the true crime on Netflix.
That doesn't mean Netflix is the only option when hunting down the best streaming service for true crime. Both Binge and Stan make strong arguments for themselves with the likes of Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, Louis Theroux, Confronting a Serial Killer and the dramatised Dr. Death.
What's the best music streaming service in Australia?
While Spotify and Apple Music are the Spartan-style two kings of the music streaming industry, and the clear answer depending on your preference, apps like Qobuz, Youtube Music, Amazon Music and Tidal are worthy competitors that might be better suited to some individual tastes.
Qobuz and Tidal are for the audiophiles. The former is a French streaming service that combines a huge library of new and old hits with studio-quality audio streaming and an attractive mobile app. If sound quality is make or break for you, Qobuz could be your best music service.
On the other hand, subscribers to Tidal HiFi can listen to music at near-CD level sound quality, with tracks mixed in more immersive formats like Dolby Atmos and Sony 360.
More of a true competitor to Spotify and Apple Music, YouTube Music offers an excellent user experience – the search feature is great, there's regular new additions to its library and there's a significant number of live recordings. If you love music videos and listening to live performances, YouTube music might be the best music service for you.
As for Amazon Music… There aren't many reasons why you would choose it over Spotify or Apple Music. However, if you love getting mixes filled with new music made for you, then Amazon Music might just be the choice for you.
Which streaming service has unlimited devices?
Even at the premium tiers of Australia's best streaming services, you usually won't find an unlimited number of devices available to be connected to the same account at any one time.
Stan allows you to watch on four devices simultaneously, and download content on up to five tablets or phones, while Apple TV Plus allows for a whopping six devices to be watching content at the same time.
Kayo Sports allows you to register several devices to a single account but you will be restricted to the one or two simultaneous streams your plan allows for. While Youtube TV does allow for unlimited concurrent streams, it is only available within the US.
How much are all the streaming channels?
Every streaming service provides subscribers with something unique, whether its original content, a category they excel in, like documentaries, or a brand-new show you don't want to miss.
If you were to subscribe to the cheapest possible tier of the seven main streaming services (excluding Foxtel Now) listed above, it would cost AU$81.96 per month, adding up to a whopping AU$983.52 over 12 months. If you were to subscribe at the highest tier of each service, you'd pay well over AU$1,000 a year.
When streaming 'channels' through Amazon Prime Video, subscriptions like Shudder, Paramount Plus, Hayu, BritBox, AMC Plus, MGM and Lionsgate Plus will rack up AU$53.93 in addition to your normal Prime Video subscription, and there's still several other channels to choose from.
Are there any free streaming services in Australia?
Yes! There are a few free streaming services, or at least free tiers of streaming services, including Brollie and Crunchyroll.
However, if you're looking for the best free streaming service, it's hard to look past Kanopy. Available through a library card or your university email,
Kanopy has a significant library of movies, documentaries and TV shows that you aren't likely to find on other streaming services. Foreign films, independent movies, classic cinema and rare documentaries, Kanopy is perhaps the best streaming service for those looking for more thoughtful, niche or educational content. There's also just some incredible movies on there.
Is there a streaming service that has everything?
Depending on what you mean by everything, there are a few streaming services that could be for you. Foxtel Now has everything that Foxtel provides, from live TV and news to sports and movies.
Meanwhile, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have more movies, documentaries and TV series than you could ever watch. If you're looking for something that covers all your entertainment bases, we recommend one of those three.
Are Binge and Stan the same company?
They are both true Australian streaming services, as opposed to services that started overseas and made their way Down Under. However, Binge and Stan don't sit under the same umbrella.
Binge is owned by Hubbl, which is owned by the Foxtel Group, which was recently acquired by DAZN. Stan, meanwhile, was previously owned by a 50/50 partnership between Fairfax Media and Nine Entertainment Co., but has been wholly owned by Nine Digital, a subsidiary of Nine Entertainment Co. since 2018.
