The 10 Best Streaming Apps in 2020

What are the best ten streaming apps? Traditional TV is looking less and less like a promising commitment and more like a one-trick pony. The future of TV lies with streaming services and their apps. How many cable cancellations have to be made before it dawns upon viewers that they need to turn to streaming apps. Kill the boredom, pay less, and enjoy more with some of the best online streaming apps. Online streaming services beat cable to 4K content, HDR content, and other futuristic features. Without further ado, here is our list of the ten best streaming apps.

10 Best Streaming Apps

The number of people who have ditched cable and satellite only to subscribe to major streaming services is unbelievably high. This goes to show one thing; streaming is a huge deal. Cable and traditional TV are starting to lose customers as streaming services rise in popularity. The fact that many people have shifted towards streaming created a need for flexibility.

Well, that need was translated into applications. Now, people can enjoy online content from movies to series through streaming apps at their own convenience. Let’s take a look at the best ten streaming apps that have taken the world by storm.

Netflix

Who doesn’t know Netflix? Their originals are their strongest element, and the reason they rose to fame. Originals such as The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Haunting on Hill House, and of course, the very first one, House of Cards put Netflix on the map. Now, with more focus on original content, Netflix has become the powerhouse streaming service it is today.

It’s available in most countries, has a diverse range of titles, excellent original series content, and support for 4K. As of today, Netflix has more than 151.5 million Netflix subscribers. Its best version is the American Netflix, which is only available for US residents.

However, it can be accessed outside the US with a VPN. Learn about the best VPN for American Netflix in this article. The Netflix app is virtually available on all streaming devices.

Recently, Netflix bought the rights to show all Seinfeld 180 episodes. I guess this could be an excellent replacement for Friends if the streaming giant decided to export the show from its catalog.

In case you’re wondering what type of shows US Netflix has within its catalog, here’s a couple of titles to get you started:

Amazon Prime Video

Prime Video is Amazon’s video streaming service. It includes various channels, such as HBO, Anime Strike, and others.

Amazon Prime Video is a subscription-based channel that allows users access to a wide range of video/music content and other benefits for a monthly or yearly fee. So far, the service has more than 75 million subscribers around the world. It’s expected to reach 100 million by the end of 2020. Amazon Prime Video is part of the Amazon subscription. Now, if you want the American version of Amazon Prime Video, you’ll need to subscribe to a VPN, and here’s where you can read all about it.

This service usually costs extra, but it’s an excellent service when you include the other stuff. Disappointingly, it’s the only video streaming app on this list without Chromecast support.

That’s because Amazon and Google still have issues to resolve. In case you didn’t know, Amazon doesn’t advertise Google merchandise and vice-versa. So, if you’re not a Chromecast user, here’s what you get if you subscribe to Amazon Prime.

YouTube

Youtube is the biggest video streaming apps in the world. It comes by default. Its content is only getting better, including its YouTube Red Originals, which can be entertaining for some people.

This service offers music videos, tutorial videos, movie trailers, and contains over 40 channels. You’ll also find a live TV feature, which YouTube added a while ago to compete in the streaming industry (As if it needed to). The streaming giant has more than 2 billion monthly active YouTube users. I mean Despacito has more than 6 billion views so far. That pretty much sums it.

This service might not be available in some countries with high levels of censorship like China.

Some videos on Youtube are only available in certain regions. To get around these restrictions, you’ll have to use a VPN. Apart from the Amazon Fire TV, the Youtube app can be installed on any streaming device you can think of.

Youtube is a very nice way to keep up with every single genre created today. Now, gaming has gone viral, and millions of viewers are tuning in to the top Gaming channels on Youtube. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, I suggest you visit one of those:

Hulu

Hulu is one of the most diverse video streaming services in the United States. It originally started as a video-on-demand service that focused mainly on American TV shows.

Since then, it has expanded significantly. Hulu also allows users to watch live TV provided they subscribe to the Hulu+ Live feature. With a valid subscription, you can stream over 50 channels live via the Hulu app.

Similarly to Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime, Hulu’s application can be used on several streaming platforms such as Fire Stick, Apple TV, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox, Android, iOS, PC, and Mac.

Unfortunately, American expats can’t access their Hulu subscription abroad unless they spoof their online location first with the help of a VPN. But still, despite being only available in the US, the channel has amassed a subscriber base of 28 million users in the country alone. Maybe it’s because of the quality of the shows it offers. Let’s take a look:

BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer is an internet streaming, catchup, television, and radio service from the BBC based in the United Kingdom.

It allows you to stream high-quality TV and radio shows and is available on a wide range of devices, including mobile phones and tablets, personal computers, and smart televisions.

However, it is geo-blocked outside the UK, and people in other countries will need a VPN to access it. What’s the best VPN for BBC iPlayer, find out in this article.

Despite that, BBC iPlayer is very popular around the world. In the United Kingdom, the channel gets an estimated average of 9.9 million successful requests per day. However, the shocking part is that there are 65 million users abroad who access the channel using VPNs or proxies. So, you can tell how popular the streaming service has become on a global scale.

Let’s take a look at what makes BBC iPlayer one of the best streaming channels in the world:

HBO

The home of Game of Thrones, you can’t watch this epic series elsewhere. HBO has two versions, HBO Go and HBO Now. While HBO Go requires a cable subscription, HBO Now is a standalone app deemed perfect for cord-cutters.

HBO seems to have captured the attention of a wide enough audience with its unique content. Well, if you want me to be exact, there are more than 140 subscribers enjoying premium content on HBO.

It’s a bit pricey, but its selection of shows it has makes up for it. For 14.99$, you get unlimited access to all of HBO’s content across three concurrent streams. American expats cannot access HBO Go outside the US unless they make use of a VPN.

Still, a VPN won’t get you passed the subscription phase. So, if you’re using HBO Go, you have to sign in with a cable provider such as Xfinity, Horizon, Spectrum, DISH, or DirecTV. Once that’s out of the way, you can watch the best US content. Here are a couple of titles:

Hotstar

Hotstar is India’s biggest premium streaming service as it offers more than 100,000 hours of drama & movies in 17 languages. It also provides coverage of all the major global sporting events.

It has over 300 million active users every month, which makes the Disney-owned channel one of the biggest go-to channels in the world.

Hotstar has a contract with HBO and Disney, which means it can show those two channels’ content on its platform. This adds to Hotstar’s appeal. You know what that means right? Hotstar is the only channel in India that shows Game of Thrones.

In addition to having all the content that movie buffs, TV bingers, and sports enthusiasts could ask for. You can watch Hotstar in the USA if you get a change in IP by using a VPN. 

Can’t figure out what Hotstar has in its library in terms of content, here’s a quick glimpse.

Twitch

Twitch is gamers’ paradise, that’s what it is. It’s a live streaming video platform dedicated to “everything gaming”. It offers live broadcasts of hundreds of gamers playing online.

This service also allows live communication between the players and the viewers. What makes Twitch interesting is the community it creates from the very different personalities using it.

It is still the number one streaming channel for the gaming community. But how did it get that much success? Well, Twitch reached 55 million viewers.

So it was a matter of time before the streaming juggernauts came sniffing around. And that’s exactly what happened back in 2014 when Amazon bought the platform. 

Twitch might be blocked in workplace environments and schools, so you’ll have to use a VPN to access it, so here’s the best VPN for Twitch.

There’s a lot of ground to cover on Twitch, you just have to know which channel to follow. So, whatever the game is you’re looking for, here are the top channels on Twitch:

FuboTV

One of the main issues that keep traditional cable subscribers from cutting the cord is the absence of reliable sports streaming services online. That all changed with the launch of FuboTV.

If you’re a sports fan, then FuboTV is the app for you. FuboTV offers over 70 channels, 30 and more of them are dedicated to live sports.

Get CBS, CBS Sports Networks, FOX, NBC, regional sports networks, FS1, NBCSN, NFL Network, and beyond with this app. That’s probably why it has more than 250,000 paid subscribers.

The FuboTV app can also be installed on all popular streaming platforms, including Apple TV, Roku, FireStick, Android, and iPhone. Obviously, FuboTV is intended for the American audience and is therefore geo-blocked outside the USA.

You’ll have a lot of options to choose from when it comes to Fubo’s subscription. If you’re a die-hard sports fan,  Fubo’s Sports Plus is your best bet. It includes dozens of sports channels for 8.99$ (extra). Now, with that said, let’s take a look at some of the channels you’ll be getting with Fubo TV.

Spotify

A TV is not the only thing you can stream online, how about some music too? No one can go without listening to music from time to time, which is why they’ll need an app that offers a wide selection of music- of different genres- on the go.

There are millions of songs on Spotify, which is why it’s the most popular music streaming app. You can find the latest hits, the newly released, and even the timeless classics on Spotify.

As of July 2019, Spotify amassed over 232 million active users, including over 108 million paying subscribers. The premium version gives you more options in terms of commands, control, and features. However, both versions have the same catalog of songs.

Unfortunately, the songs you can listen to differ from one region to another. To unblock Spotify region-blocked songs, you’ll have to use a VPN service provider.

Its interface is more than inviting as everything is displayed in the form of high-quality album art. This is an app you would definitely want to have.

In case you’re not looking for a big application to install on your device, you can always opt for the Spotify Lite version. It’s simpler and lighter on your device’s storage.

Top Streaming Channels – Global Access

I’ve given you certain hints on where the services are available and the fact that you can use a VPN to unblock them. But let me help you out a bit more.

First, let me tell you what a VPN is. A Virtual Private Network is a tool that can hide your true identity and shift your online location to a gateway city of your choosing.

Once the connection is established, your traffic will appear to be coming from that region, and you’ll obtain an IP address there as well. If a channel is restricted to that territory, then you’ll have no problem accessing it as you have the required IP now.

For example, Hulu is only available in the US. So, all you have to do is connect to a VPN server in the United States, obtain a US IP address, and Hulu will be accessible no matter where you physically are.

The Steps

Here’s a more comprehensive look at the matter.

1. Subscribe to a VPN provider that has servers in the country where your selected service is available. I recommend ExpressVPN as it covers around 94 countries.
2. Download and install the VPN provider’s application on your device.
3. Launch the VPN client and log in with your newly created account.
4. Connect to a server where the channel is available:
   • US server for Hulu or Netflix.
   • UK server for BBC iPlayer.
   • Indian server for Hotstar. (The list goes on).
5. Wait a few seconds and activate the channel’s app or visit their website.
6. Stream the top content in the world wherever you are.

ExpressVPN is one of the top VPN services in the world. It boasts more than 3000 servers in 160 locations, so you won’t running out unblocking options at all. As for security and privacy, the VPN provider shields your data with tough AES-256 encryption.

Not to mention an automatic kill switch in case the VPN connection takes a sudden drop. That’s my recommendation. If you’re looking to dig deeper into the VPN industry, you can check the following best VPNs for streaming.

Best Streaming Apps

We have new technology to thank for this TV miracle. With streaming apps, we get to enjoy movies, shows, and series whatever we want on any device on the go. Brilliant, just brilliant. This eliminates the need for us to push dates and avoid chores so that we won’t miss an episode of our favorite TV series.

We don’t have to slouch on the couch all day in front of the TV anymore. We don’t have to unwillingly watch something we don’t like just because nothing else is on. With streaming apps, we can watch whatever, whenever, and wherever we want. What do you think of our top 10 streaming apps? Feel free to share your thoughts below.