Back in the dark ages of the internet, if you wanted streaming video you had to deal with too few options and too many janky browser interfaces. But we’ve entered a golden era of streaming; almost every major provider has tablet and phone-friendly apps, meaning you never have to suffer through the malaise of being without on-demand television and movies anywhere you go.
But with so many of these streaming apps out there, just keeping track of them all can be a task in and of itself—forget finding the time to actually watch anything. So just for you, dear reader, we’ve compiled and organized every (major) streaming, full-video-offering mobile app this big, beautiful world has to offer. Free, subscription-only, internet-specific, it’s all there. Now, we take no responsibility for the hours you’ll likely lose—but at least they’ll be more enjoyable.
Cable Providers
AT&T U-Verse
What it does: In addition to some on-demand shows, you can manage DVR, schedule recordings, and browse channel listings
Content: TV, Movies
Full video: Yes w/ U-verse plan
Cost: Starts at $19/month
Cablevision
What it does: Stream content from all channels you’re currently subscribed to—only when you’re connected to your home network, though. Also functions as a DVR manager and remote
Platform: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Content: Live TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Starts at $25/month
Cox TV Connect
What it does: Stream content from all channels you’re currently subscribed to—only when you’re connected to your home network, though. Also functions as a DVR manager
Content: Live TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Starts at $24/month
DirecTV
What it does: Stream live TV, watch movies and TV shows on demand, and access and manage your DVR library
Content: TV, Movies
Full video: Yes
Cost: Starts at $16/month
DISH Network
What it does: Manage and watch DVR recordings, stream live TV, watch movies and TV shows On Demand
Content: TV, Movies
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free with subscription, starts at $20/month
Time Warner
What it does: Watch certain live TV shows, On Demand when on WiFi
Content: TV, Movies
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free with subscription, starts at $23/month
Verizon FIOS
What it does: Watch certain live TV shows, On Demand when on WiFi
Content: TV, Movies
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free with subscription, starts at $23/month
Free Networks
ABC
What it does: Live streaming in Philadelphia and New York City only.
Platform: iOS, Kindle Fire
Content: TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free with eligible TV provider
ABC Family
What it does: Stream full episodes of popular shows, updates about 24 hours after original airing
Platform: iOS, Kindle Fire
Content: TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free
CW
What it does: Stream shows the morning after original broadcast, view CW schedule and set reminders for shows
Content: TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free
CBS
What it does: Stream shows either 24 hours or 8 days after original broadcast, create personalized show lists
Platform: iOS
Content: TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free
Discovery Channel
What it does: Stream clips and some full episodes
Content: TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free
Disney
What it does: Stream and watch live select full episodes
Platform: iOS, Kindle Fire
Content: TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free with AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast XFINITY, Cox, Midcontinent Communications, and Optimum
ESPN
What it does: Watch live streaming feeds from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, and ESPNU
Content: TV, movies
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free with participating cable provider
Free Networks Cont’d
Lifetime
What it does: Watch select TV series and movies, adjust Watchlist, view programming schedule
Content: TV, movies
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free
MTV
What it does: Watch full episodes of select MTV shows
Platform: iOS
Content: TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free with participating cable provider
NBC
What it does: Stream select shows, see previews of upcoming episodes, view upcoming schedule
Platform: iOS
Content: TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free
Nick
What it does: Watch select, recent episodes and animated shorts, play games
Platform: iOS
Content: TV, Original Content
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free, access to full episodes only with participating cable provider
PBS
What it does: Stream popular PBS shows, view scheduling, purchase other episodes and seasons
Platform: iOS, Kindle Fire
Content: TV, original content
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free
TBS
What it does: Watch full episodes of TBS series, view show schedules
Platform: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Content: TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free
TLC
What it does: Watch full episodes of select TLC shows
Content: TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free
TNT
What it does: Watch full episodes of TNT series and movies, view show schedules
Content: TV, movies
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free
Subscription-Only Networks
HBO Go
What it does: Watch all HBO series and movies, stream directly from Apple devices to TV with AirPlay integration, series passes send new episodes straight to your HBO watch list
Content: TV, Movies
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free with HBO subscription, varies by cable provider
MAX Go
What it does: Watch all Cinemax series and movies, stream directly from Apple devices to TV with AirPlay integration
Content: TV, Movies
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free with Cinemax subscription, varies by cable provider
Showtime Anytime
What it does: Watch Showtime’s entire library of movies and original series, stream live TV feeds, and subscribe to certain shows to add new episodes to your My List as they premiere
Content: TV, Movies, Original Content
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free with Showtime subscription, varies by cable provider
Starz Play
What it does: Watch movies and all previous seasons of Starz original series, watch new shows day after they premiere
Content: TV, Movies
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free with Starz subscription, varies by cable provider
Internet-Only Subscription Networks
Amazon Instant
What it does: Stream Prime Instant Video’s entire library of movies and TV series, download purchased and rented videos, resume watching where you left off on any other device
Platform: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?tag=gizmodo08c-20
Content: Movies, TV, Amazon Original shows
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free with Amazon Prime, $79 per year
Hulu Plus
What it does: Stream Hulu Plus’ entire library of movies, TV series, and Hulu original content, resume watching where you left off on any of your other devices
Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Kindle Fire
Content: Movies, TV, Hulu Original shows
Full video: Yes
Cost: $7.99/month
Netflix
What it does: Stream Netflix’s entire library of movies, TV series, and original series
Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Content: Movies, TV, Netflix Original shows
Full video: Yes
Cost: Subscriptions start at $7.99/month
Redbox Instant
What it does: Stream Redbox Instant’s entire library of movies and TV Series, reserve movies at Redbox locations
Content: Movies, TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Subscriptions start at $8/month
Vudu Player
What it does: Stream movies and TV shows, no subscription required—instead you pay per movie rented/purchased
Content: Movies, TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Rentals start at $1, Movie purchase starts at $5, TV season starts at $17
Internet-Only Free Services
Crackle
What it does: Watch movies and TV series from Sony Pictures
Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Kindle Fire
Content: Movies, TV
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free
YouTube
What it does: User-uploaded content, occasionally can find full movies and TV series
Platform: iOS, Android, BlackBerry
Content: TV, Movies, Original Content
Full video: If you’re lucky
Cost: Free
Funnyordie.com
What it does: Stream Funny or Die’s entire library of comedy videos/comedy series
Content: Original skits and sketches
Full video: Yes
Cost: Free
