May 31, 2023, 2:46 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
All conceivable streaming services in a single subscription at a “discount” price? That’s at least the promise of the German streaming provider Cliq. TECHBOOK knows the strengths and weaknesses of this alternative to Netflix and others.
Cliq aims to be an all-in-one streaming service. And by streaming, the Düsseldorf-based company means not just movies and series, but also music, audiobooks, and games. The idea: Why have multiple subscriptions with Netflix, Audible, Disney+, Spotify, Sky, and WOW when a single provider offers all these forms of streaming content bundled together? Movies, music, sports, audiobooks, and games are the main pillars of Cliq’s current offering. At 6.99 euros per month, this seems like a promising start for the young streaming provider. Unlike the competition, there are no different plans–for simplicity’s sake–and account sharing is explicitly supported.
Overview
Lower Costs, Less Content
What sounds almost too good to be true reveals some weaknesses upon closer inspection: Starting with the film and series category, Cliq only offers a mediocre selection. A few classics, some blockbusters, and noteworthy independent productions are included, but the offering can’t be described as cutting-edge. Especially series fans will have to settle for an unusually narrow selection from the past ten years.
Unlike the major streaming providers, Cliq only offers licensed content and does not produce its own originals. So, anyone who wants to use Cliq as an alternative to Netflix, Disney+, and others will have to forgo many popular series and movies without receiving other exclusive content in return. However, those looking for lesser-known productions and who can do without the latest releases will find some surprises on Cliq.
Cliq tries to bridge the gap in originals and major current titles with rental movies. Similar to Amazon Prime, certain films, many from Disney, can be rented in addition to the standard offering. Subscribers have a monthly rental credit that allows them to rent one movie per month for free–anything beyond that costs between 3.99 euros and 4.99 euros.
Strong Audiobook Offering
Cliq scores with its audiobook offering, which ranges from literary to popular fiction, from children’s books to crime novels, offering much that is exciting and current. Here, browsing is worthwhile for both young and old. The only drawback is the rudimentary filter function, which runs through all categories.
In the music area, Cliq mainly offers concert recordings and playlists by genre or occasion–good mood, air guitar, cardio. Those who prefer to compile their own playlists will not be happy here. However, Cliq sticks to its motto: making streaming as simple as possible without long scrolling. Consequently, the company itself decides which songs belong in an ’80s hit list or are best suited for children’s karaoke.
Read also: The Best Alternatives to Audiobook Platform Audible
Soccer and eSports
In the sports category, the focus is on soccer, motor, and extreme sports. Fans of sports documentaries and series will find something, but here too, there’s room for improvement in terms of current content. Cliq also focuses on live broadcasts and offers eight sports channels, including Sport+1, More Than Sports TV, and Sportdigital FUSSBALL.
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In the gaming section, Cliq’s rich offering is mainly aimed at a young audience. Lego and Disney are strongly represented with their popular protagonists, but there are also some gems for adults. In this sense, Cliq offers a nice addition for gamers, but certainly not a comprehensive alternative.
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Is a Subscription to Cliq Worth It?
Behind the streaming service Cliq is the company of the same name, Cliq Digital, which launched the new streaming platform at the end of 2022. Overall, Cliq attracts with low prices, account sharing, and very diverse streaming content. However, the currency and size of the offering leave something to be desired, so a subscription is only worthwhile with some caveats. According to the company’s own information, 1.2 million people in over 30 countries use the still young streaming provider. In comparison, Netflix has 232.5 million users–so there’s still room for growth for the Düsseldorf newcomer.
Sources
- Cliq: Watch, Listen & Play (accessed on 05/30/2023)
- Statista: Streaming Subscribers of Netflix Worldwide (accessed on 05/30/2023)