Which Canadian Streaming Service is Right for You?
Updated: Feb. 15, 2021
The streaming wars are in full swing, and with the launch of so many new platforms in Canada, deciding which service to subscribe to is more confusing than ever. From popular choices to niche alternatives, we break down the best streaming services based on your interests—and budget.
Apple TV Plus
What will I find on Apple TV Plus?
Unlike its competitors, Apple TV Plus features only original content—no re-runs of hit shows or recent blockbusters. Its current line-up includes news drama The Morning Show (starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell) and period black comedy Dickinson (starring Hailee Steinfeld). Apple TV Plus is also ignoring the popular “release-everything-at-once” approach—most shows on the platform will premiere new episodes weekly.
How much does Apple TV Plus cost?
Apple TV Plus costs $5.99 a month. Up to six family members can share on one subscription.
How long does the free trial last?
Seven days.
Which devices are compatible with Apple TV Plus?
Apple TV Plus is available on all Apple devices, newer Samsung TVs (2018 onwards), select Roku and Amazon Fire devices, and Safari, Firefox and Chrome web browsers.
Make sure to avoid these common iPhone mistakes.
Disney+
What will I find on Disney+?
A Disney+ subscription grants viewers access to the vast libraries of Walt Disney Studios, Twentieth Century Fox, Marvel Studios, Pixar, Lucasfilm, National Geographic and more—that amounts to 7,500 episodes and 500 films. In addition to the wide variety of content already available (30 seasons of The Simpsons, for instance), Disney will premiere more than 25 original series and 10 original films on the service within its first year of launch.
How much does Disney+ cost?
$8.99 per month—or $90 per year. Every account can stream up to four devices.
How long does the free trial last?
Disney+ currently does not offer a free trial.
Which devices are compatible with Disney+?
Disney+ is available on Apple, Android, Google, Sony and Microsoft devices, as well as Roku, Amazon, Samsung and LG TV.
Check out the best shows on Disney+ right now.
Netflix Canada
What will I find on Netflix Canada?
Arguably the driving force behind our binge-watching culture, Netflix Canada has enough content to please everyone: original productions (Stranger Things), popular American shows (The Office), British imports (Peaky Blinders), box office hits (Arrival) and indie oddities (Uncut Gems). The streaming giant was even able to convince the world’s most acclaimed director, Martin Scorsese, to ditch the studio system and develop a much-hyped movie exclusively for Netflix (The Irishman). Check out the highest-rated movies on Netflix Canada, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
How much does Netflix Canada cost?
$9.99 per month for the basic plan (which allows for streaming on only one device), $14.99 per month for the standard plan (streaming on two devices), and $18.99 per month for the premium plan (streaming on four devices).
How long does the free trial last?
Netflix Canada currently does not offer a free trial.
Which devices are compatible with Netflix Canada?
Netflix Canada is available on Mac, PC, Android and Apple devices, Blu-ray players, game consoles and streaming media players such as Apple TV, Chromecast and FireTV.
In the mood for a golden oldie? Here are 25 classic movies on Netflix Canada now.
Amazon Prime Video
What will I find on Amazon Prime Video?
Often compared to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video boasts an equally satisfying slate of original shows, including Jack Ryan, The Man in the High Castle and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Where Amazon Prime Video really shines, however, is showcasing films you’re not likely to see on any other streaming service, from cult classics (The Dead Zone) to arthouse fare (At Eternity’s Gate) and ’90s-vintage guilty pleasures (Ghost). More recently, they’ve added the entire run of Downton Abbey, so you can enjoy your favourite Downton Abbey quotes all over again. Whatever your mood, chances are there’s a film waiting for you on Amazon Prime Video.
How much does Amazon Prime Video cost?
If you already have an Amazon Prime membership ($79 per year), access to the streaming service is free. Non-members will have to pay $7.99 per month to use Amazon Prime Video. Streaming is available for up to three devices.
How long does the free trial last?
Thirty days.
Which devices are compatible with Amazon Prime Video?
Amazon Prime Video is available on Smart TVs, Amazon devices, mobile devices, games consoles, Blu-ray players, set top boxes and media players.
Find out more Amazon Prime benefits most people don’t know about.
Crave
What will I find on Crave?
Initially designed as an online complement for Bell TV subscribers, Crave offers a library of past and current hits from HBO (including Succession, The Sopranos and Game of Thrones) and Showtime, along with shows and documentaries from other providers. Users also have access to Crave original programs like Letterkenny and Snatch. (This collection of quotes from The Sopranos will remind you of how amazing it was.)
How much does Crave cost?
For $9.99 a month, users can access Crave’s basic plan: past seasons of HBO and Showtime content, as well as Crave originals. The Crave + Movies + HBO package, meanwhile, will cost you $19.98 a month and includes access to current HBO and Showtime content, newly released movies and six live streaming channels. Streaming is available for two devices on both plans.
How long does the free trial last?
Seven days.
Which devices are compatible with Crave?
Crave is available on iPhone, iPad, Android devices, PC, Mac, Apple TV, Samsung SmartTV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android TV and Chromecast.
CBC Gem
What will I find on CBC Gem?
Launched in 2018, CBC Gem offers both Canadian shows (The Great Canadian Baking Show, Anne with an E and Alias Grace, to name a few) and a curated selection of content from around the world (the popular Idris Elba-starring Luther). More than 100 acclaimed Canadian movies, as well as French-language programming from ICI Radio-Canada, are available on the platform, too.
How much does CBC Gem cost?
Good news: CBC Gem’s basic plan is free! With this membership, viewers can access current and past seasons of television shows (with ads), CBC TV (all 14 local channels across the country), and children’s programs. For $4.99 per month, viewers can access a premium membership: current seasons of shows (ad-free) and CBC News Network.
Which devices are compatible with CBC Gem?
CBC Gem is available as an app for iOS, tvOS, and Android phones and tablets. Gem is also accessible on PC or Mac, as well as Apple AirPlay and Google Chromecast.
Can’t get enough of CBC’s Schitt’s Creek? Relive the classic moments from all six seasons with this roundup of hilarious Schitt’s Creek quotes.
YouTube Premium
What will I find on YouTube Premium?
If you spend a lot of time on YouTube—it is, after all, the second-most visited website in the world—then YouTube Premium might be for you. Subscribers can access exclusive original content, download videos for offline viewing and stream everything on YouTube ad-free. Along with original series like Cobra Kai (a continuation of the Karate Kid franchise), YouTube Premium offers wide-ranging content from the platform’s top creators.
How much does YouTube Premium cost?
A YouTube Premium subscription will set you back $11.99 CAD per month. A Family Membership, meanwhile, costs $17.99 CAD per month and can be used by up to six family members in the same household.
How long does the free trial last?
One month.
Which devices are compatible with YouTube Premium?
YouTube Premium is available on the web, Smart TVs, streaming media players, gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, smartphones and tablets.
Nostalgic for the old-school programs you grew up with? Don’t miss our roundup of 10 classic TV shows that could only have been made in Canada.
BritBox
What will I find on BritBox?
Co-created by BBC Studios and launched in Canada in 2018, BritBox grants subscribers access to the largest collection of British television available on the market. Among the impressive catalogue of dramas is the popular soap Emmerdale, but Canadians may be most interested in the platform’s round-up of nostalgic classics: Doctor Who, Are You Being Served? and Fawlty Towers to name a few. (Don’t miss our roundup of the most inspiring Doctor Who quotes of all time.)
How much does BritBox cost?
BritBox is available to Canadians for $8.99 per month.
How long does the free trial last?
Seven days.
Which devices are compatible with BritBox?
BritBox is available on the web, Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Android devices, and Samsung Smart TVs (all models from 2016 or later).
Interested in exploring the BritBox lineup further? Check out these classic comfort food shows you can stream on BritBox now.
