July 17, 2025, 6:33 am | Read time: 13 minutes
Netflix long held the title as the unbeatable leader in streaming. But the competition hasn’t been idle and has positioned itself strongly in recent years. New platforms continue to emerge. This competition means plenty of new content for movie and series fans, but it also becomes increasingly fragmented, making it harder to keep track of the growing offerings. What does each subscription cost, what can you watch there, and does the offer meet my needs? TECHBOOK has compared the major streaming providers on the market.
Streaming Services Compared
In recent years, the range of well-known streaming providers in Germany has expanded significantly. Netflix is still the leader for many users, but with Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Wow from Sky, there are other major services. Platforms like Paramount+ and Apple TV+, as well as native German offerings like Joyn or RTL+, should not be overlooked.
All these providers typically offer multiple subscription models for different user needs. They differ not only in streaming quality, the number of possible streams and accounts, but also in price. Another factor that is now almost indispensable: the advertising subscriptions of the providers.
Netflix – the Leader in the Streaming Market
Netflix offers users one of three possible subscription models, which differ in streaming quality and sometimes in content. Generally, subscriptions can be divided into those without ads and the ad-supported subscription, which is the cheapest.
Netflix is also known for its numerous original productions. These include series like “Stranger Things,” “Squid Game,” “Bridgerton,” or “The Witcher,” as well as movies like “Kissing Booth,” “Roma,” or “The Snow Society.” Netflix also buys blockbusters on a large scale, which may disappear from the offering after some time but are always available in a wide range.
To access Netflix content, a subscription is required. The cheapest entry is the Standard Subscription with Ads, which costs 4.99 euros per month. Here, users not only see short ads, but some content is unavailable due to licensing reasons. Those who don’t want to see ads must pay at least 13.99 euros per month. That’s the cost of the Standard Subscription at Netflix. The other parameters do not differ from those of the ad-supported offer. The Premium Subscription makes a qualitative leap forward, but at 19.99 euros per month, it is also significantly more expensive. The program is available here in Ultra-HD quality, and instead of two parallel streams, up to four are possible.
Important: Sharing an account with friends has been prohibited by Netflix. Parallel streams are now only allowed within one household. However, additional members outside the household can be added to the Standard or Premium Subscription. Netflix charges 4.99 euros for each.
Since its launch in Germany in 2014, the application has been implemented in many smart TVs, consoles, and more. This generally ensures a smooth and seamless stream. Netflix has now placed a strong focus on its own productions. Online games are also increasingly in the spotlight for the provider.
The sometimes monotonous algorithm that suggests new streaming options to users has gained a dubious reputation. However, the provider is perfect for binge-watching various series. It’s no wonder the verb “to Netflix” has become established among many.
Amazon Prime Video – the Complete Package
The second major provider in the streaming market is Amazon Prime Video. Unlike Netflix, there is no pure streaming subscription. Instead, the video streaming portal is included in the price of the Amazon Prime membership. Through the Prime subscription, users can stream several thousand movies and series. Additionally, nearly 30,000 titles can be purchased or rented through Amazon. This option is also available to non-Prime customers. Amazon also produces its own streaming content, such as the successful series “The Man in the High Castle,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “The Wheel of Time,” or “Carnival Row.” The “Lord of the Rings” spin-off “The Rings of Power” also comes from Amazon.
An Amazon Prime membership costs 8.99 euros per month, with the annual subscription totaling 89.90 euros (approximately 7.49 euros per month). There is a 50 percent discount for students and low-income households.
Amazon has also introduced ads on Prime Video. To disable them, a additional subscription for 2.99 euros per month is required since 2024. With Freevee, the company also offered a free, ad-supported service. However, this has since been discontinued, and the content has been transferred to Prime Video.
The offering is significantly more extensive than Netflix and other competitors. Targeted searches for content are thus more successful, although some movies and series, as mentioned, are not included in the subscription. The range of original productions is also being improved. While Amazon cannot compete with major producers like Netflix or Disney+ in terms of quantity, it has improved in terms of breadth and blockbuster potential with series like “The Rings of Power.”
Sky and Wow – for Fans of American Productions
The major media company Sky offers Wow as its own streaming portal for movies and series. Users can decide whether to use Wow’s more flexible streaming offering or additionally access the provider’s complete TV offering. Sky offers two solutions for this: Sky Q via cable or satellite, or Sky Stream, available in Germany since summer 2024, which is realized over the internet.
Read also: Sky Stream in Test – what the platform can do and where it falters
Wow offers different packages, which can be booked as monthly or annual subscriptions: Movies & Series from 5.98 euros (year) or 9.98 euros (month), Live Sports from 29.99 euros (year) or 35.99 euros (month), or the complete package of series, movies, and sports from 34.97 euros. The latter is called “All from Wow” and is only available as a monthly subscription.
The offering of series and movies mainly includes many well-known formats from the U.S. – not surprisingly, the fantasy epic “Game of Thrones,” one of the most successful series of all time, aired on Sky. However, like many other highlights on Sky and Wow, the series comes from HBO. As the studio is soon launching its own streaming service in Germany, the series segment of Sky could be significantly reduced. In the sports sector, Sky holds the rights to the Bundesliga until 2029. The platform also broadcasts Formula 1 races, tennis, ice hockey, and other sports.
Additionally, there is a live stream function with a fixed program. Sky Q or Stream are more comprehensive and each includes the corresponding receiver, which provides access to Sky’s complete TV offering. The Sky Go app is available as an extension. Sky Q is not a pure streaming offering.
Sky is particularly suitable for fans of major American blockbusters. HBO fans in Germany have hardly been able to avoid the provider – although this may change in 2026. With Wow, movies and series can be streamed independently of Sky channels if desired. Compared to the competition, Sky’s offering is less extensive, but Wow has improved pricing, and U.S. content often lands first on Sky after its theatrical release before being available elsewhere online.
Disney+ – the Major Streaming Competitor
Since 2019 (early 2020 in Germany), Disney+ has been another well-known competitor. The streaming service combines major brands like Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic. Initially aimed primarily at families, Disney+ significantly improved in 2021 with the “Star” section. This led to a shift in the streaming market, not least because many blockbusters migrated from Netflix.
Disney+ now offers a selection of different subscriptions. Three are available: The Standard Subscription with Ads costs 5.99 euros per month, and those who want to avoid ads pay 9.99 euros per month or 99.90 euros per year for the Standard Subscription. Both subscriptions offer two parallel streams in Full-HD, and the Standard Subscription also allows downloads. The Premium Subscription for 13.99 euros per month or 139.90 euros per year is the most comprehensive package. It includes the download function, four parallel streams, Dolby Atmos, and 4K.
Those who want to share their subscription with someone outside their household can do so with an additional subscription. This costs 4.99 euros with ads and 5.99 euros without ads (Standard and Premium).
With series like “The Mandalorian” or “WandaVision,” Disney+ now produces sought-after originals from its studio universes, exclusively available on the portal. New movie blockbusters like “Lilo & Stitch” or “Mufasa” also launch promptly on the portal.
Disney+ has become a major Netflix rival in the streaming market. After expanding with Star, the platform lost its purely family-oriented image. Initially, availability was lacking, functioning primarily in the browser or as a mobile app, but Disney+ is now usable on almost all current devices.
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Paramount+ – with a Studio Backing
Another streaming service with a plus in the name – and otherwise, Paramount+ can be compared to Disney+ in many areas. The streaming service is also tied to a well-known studio, in this case, Paramount Pictures. Thus, well-known film series like “Mission: Impossible” or “Top Gun” land on the platform.
Content-wise and technically, the service has caught up somewhat since its launch in Germany in December 2022. Some originals appear monthly, and the service offers many blockbusters exclusively and promptly after their cinema release. Highlights include the complete “Yellowstone” saga, the “Sonic” series, and “Indiana Jones.”
Initially, there was only one subscription model, but that has since changed. Paramount+ now offers the following subscriptions: Basic with Ads for 5.99 euros per month, the Standard Subscription for 9.99 euros per month (existing customers sometimes still pay 7.99 euros), and Premium for 12.99 euros per month.
Paramount+ covers a wide audience from families to series fans with content from Paramount Pictures, CBS, Showtime, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and more. The platform is particularly strong in popular franchises like “Star Trek,” “SpongeBob,” “PAW Patrol,” “Dexter,” or “Halo.” Many current movie hits land on the streaming service shortly after their cinema release.
Apple TV+ – Small but Mighty!
Apple TV+ makes it very easy for users in the streaming comparison, as there is only one subscription. Apple’s own streaming service focuses almost exclusively on self-produced content and promises new, exclusive originals every month. For 9.99 euros monthly, acclaimed film and series productions like “The Morning Show,” “See,” or “Foundation” are available.
Oscar-winning productions like “Coda” now come from Apple. Up to six people can use such a subscription; however, only so-called “Family Sharing Groups” receive approval according to Apple’s Family Sharing. In terms of availability, Apple has significantly improved in recent years. Initially, the streaming service ran primarily on its own devices, but users can now stream Apple TV+ on new TVs with Android TV, the Fire TV Stick, Google’s Chromecast, the PlayStation, and many other current devices.
Apple TV+ has now at least qualitatively caught up with the competition through its extremely high-quality and exclusive original productions. In terms of scope, the streaming provider cannot yet compete, but customers pay somewhat less compared to most streaming providers. Most content is also available in high-quality 4K HDR resolution alongside at least Dolby Vision sound.
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Joyn – the Freemium Model
Joyn is backed by a freemium model from several German media companies, including ProSiebenSat.1 and Discovery. In the free version, users can access all content that also airs on linear television – either simultaneously in the live stream or later in the media library. This also applies to older seasons of well-known formats like “Germany’s Next Topmodel.” Additionally, there is access to various exclusive content and original productions, which are also called Joyn Originals.
With the paid “Joyn PLUS+” subscription for 6.99 euros per month, users can also stream major U.S. series like “Grey’s Anatomy” or German productions like “Jerks.” Additionally, the moderate advertising from the free version is removed in Joyn PLUS+. There is also a Joyn app, which sometimes runs a bit clumsily.
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RTL+ – German Streaming Competition
RTL+, formerly TV Now, belongs to the RTL Group. Thus, it includes the channels RTL, Vox, NITRO, and more. Many content is available in the Free Account for free and with few ad interruptions, either simultaneously with the TV program or later in the media library. However, some exclusive content is only available to paying customers: RTL+ Basic is available for 5.99 euros per month, with ads shown before and after a video. However, subscribers must do without downloads or live TV. These functions are available with RTL+ Premium for 8.99 euros. Here, ads are only shown before a video.
The most comprehensive package is Max for 12.99 euros per month. It comes without ads, allows two simultaneous streams, downloads, and live content. In addition to video content, a now quite extensive music and podcast offering is included.
Successful formats of German television like “The Bachelor” can be watched in advance with the Premium subscription. RTL+ also offers the provider’s original productions and well-known movies and series like “O.C., California.”
Compared to Joyn, RTL+ has few drawbacks in terms of scope, but the content is aimed at a slightly different target audience, like the channels themselves. The decision therefore depends on the viewing habits of the users: Do you prefer to watch “Let’s Dance” or “Germany’s Next Topmodel”? In the area of original productions, RTL+ has made significant progress. RTL+ is primarily available as an app on current devices, via Fire TV, Chromecast, and of course in the browser or as a mobile app.
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Which Streaming Service Is Worth It?
There are now many streaming portals. While most now have a fairly similar subscription and pricing structure, there are sometimes significant differences in content. As is often the case, it depends on what users want to stream.
While Netflix is a leader in the series sector and original productions, Amazon Prime Video offers the largest selection overall. Users can find almost everything here, although not always included in the subscription. Major American productions are mainly available on Sky, where Wow offers flexibility but is comparatively expensive for the overall smaller offering. Disney+ is now the biggest Netflix competitor for many. Here, users get all content from Disney, Marvel, formerly Fox, and more, mostly exclusively.
Paramount+ still needs to establish itself in the market. The studio’s own content certainly helps. However, it must be said that the service has caught up in terms of content and technology. Apple also needs to significantly expand its offering but is interesting mainly because of the high-quality original productions already released and planned. Joyn and RTL+ are direct competitors in the German market: Both operate as freemium models at a similar price. Here, it simply depends on which content or channels are more interesting.
Depending on viewing habits, one of these services may already be sufficient. However, as streaming providers increasingly release original productions, film and series enthusiasts must subscribe to multiple services to see everything. Most originals still run only on their home platform.