OTT apps or video streaming platforms are one of the best alternatives one can go to spend your time during pandemic and on weekends.
From the best web series to your favorite movies, you can binge-watch any of them to entertain yourself.
You’ll encounter more than a dozen options when you start looking for the best OTT platforms for Android and iOS. To simplify your task, here we have curated a list of the best over-the-top apps you can rely on to watch your favorite shows and movies.
Netflix
Netflix has emerged as one of the most popular OTT apps and has made its place on almost everyone’s smartphone. This app has crossed more than a billion downloads on Google Play. Netflix offers you a plethora of original shows, movies, and other stuff.
From famous shows like Peaky Blinders, Stranger Things, and Sacred Games, to your favorite Hollywood and Bollywood movies, you will get everything on Netflix.
The best part about the app is that it is completely ad-free. It offers you five different subscription plans to choose from. The most pocket-friendly one is the Mobile-only plan that offers a single mobile screen at Rs 199 a month. Next is the Basic plan; it offers one screen on Mobile or PC available at Rs 499 per month.
After that comes the Standard plan, which provides two screens at a time and is available at a price of Rs 649 a month. The Netflix premium plan comes at the cost of Rs 799 a month and offers four screens at a time along with Ultra HD streaming.
Last month, Netflix also rolled out a new Rs 349 plan that offers a single big or small screen for a month. The best part about this Mobile+ plan is that it offers HD streaming that is only available in the Standard and Premium plans.
Amazon Prime Video
Prime Video by Amazon offers various original shows and movies to binge-watch. It is divided into different sections, including Bollywood and Hollywood. In addition to that, you also get an originals section in which the platform offers all the original movies and shows.
The service offers two different subscriptions, including the monthly and annuals that are available for Rs 129 and Rs 999, respectively. Apart from the streaming service, Amazon also offers you access to its music app and quick delivery on any order at the Amazon online store.
Disney+ Hotstar
If you are more into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) or want to binge-watch Game of Thrones, then Disney+ Hotstar is the best fit for you. The platform offers all Disney original shows and a vast collection of movies.
The most amazing part about this OTT app is that it offers you a first-day first show feature in which you will get exclusively launched movies on the platform that are available nowhere. In addition to that, you don’t need to worry about the kids as the Disney+ Hotstar has a dedicated kids mode. You can even create different profiles for different users so that your watch history remains at the same point where you left it.
The only drawback with the app is that you don’t get the multi-screen streaming options. It offers two subscriptions, including VIP and Premium, available at Rs 399 and Rs 1499 annually.
Sony LIV
If you are a fan of daily soaps or comedy shows available on various Sony channels, then Sony LIV is the perfect OTT app for you. It offers all the shows without any subscriptions, and you can also stream the Sony channels on the app too. However, if you are playing the videos without a subscription, then you need to go through a lot of ads.
To avoid ads and get access to more than 100s of original shows and short films, you can go for the available subscriptions. The app offers three subscriptions, including the monthly one at Rs 299, half-yearly at Rs 699, and the annual subscription available at Rs 999.
ZEE5
ZEE5 has made its place as one of the most prominent OTT apps available as of now. The app offers you 100s of movies and shows to stream for free. You can also watch live news on different new channels available on the platform, and it has a kids’ entertainment section too.
The app offers two subscriptions, including the monthly plan for Rs 99 and the annual plan that costs around Rs 999. If you are a Vodafone or Airtel user, then you don’t need to buy the subscriptions for ZEE5 as you can get it with most of the prepaid and postpaid plans.
JioCinema
Jio users can access loads of local and international content through JioCinema. Its vast collection includes top-performing web series, a wide range of Bollywood titles, best TV shows, HBO shows, and Paramount content.
The best part is live streaming sports content, in addition to highlights of IPL, FIFA, Championship League, etc., at 4K UHD without any extra cost.
The base tier of JioCinema is free. Its premium subscription is mostly about adding top-notch Hollywood content and retails for INR 999 a year.
MX Player
Started as a media player, MX Player has transformed into a mini entertainment hub.
It offers a balanced mix of regional and international shows and movies. Especially the foreign collection is heavily centered around Korean content.
Its MX Gold subscription retails for INR 499 per year, with an option for quarterly payments. It hosts premium content, including some binge-worthy Hollywood titles. Another good thing about MX players is Hindi-dubbed English movies and shows.
However, the overall collection seems small and dated, with the least focus on the latest stuff.
HoiChoi
Made in Bangladesh, HoiChoi serves the Bangla people around the world. However, it has a “Watch in Hindi” section dedicated to the Indian national language as well.
Honchoi collection is nicely segregated as it is with any other streaming application. You can watch some of the trending stuff, national awards, rom-com, horror movies, etc. Besides, there are separate segments dedicated to a few legends, including Satyajit Rai, Uttam Kumar, and Rituparno Ghosh.
Honchoi also has some movies exclusive to the platform.
There is an abundance of free content. Still, there is a paid plan (it wasn’t working as of this writing) for hardcore Bengali people.
Conclusion
You can rely on the above-mentioned OTT apps for binge-watching, as all of them have something unique to offer. Movies, web series, daily soaps, and day-to-day news, you will get everything here and can choose any of the apps according to your preference.