The Best Streaming Services in Australia: Netflix vs. Stan vs. Amazon Prime vs. Foxtel Now

With free-to-air TV going the way of the Dodo, Aussies have switched to streaming in droves. According to Deloitte, 81% of Australians subscribe to at least one streaming service.

It’s not hard to see why. Reasonable prices, large content libraries, on-demand programming, and an intuitive user interface make streaming vastly superior to regular TV.

While Netflix once ruled the roost, numerous competitors have thrown their hats into this fiercely competitive ring. In this post, we’re comparing the four biggest brands battling it out in Australia today.

Netflix vs. Stan vs. Amazon Prime vs. Foxtel Now: A Quick Overview  

Unsure which streaming service to sign up for? Here’s how the top players stack up.

Netflix: Best Overall

As the OG streaming superstar, Netflix transformed our media landscape forever upon launching in 2015. Although content quality has dropped and prices have skyrocketed since its heyday, Netflix continues to lead the industry—at least for now. Recent hits like Baby Reindeer prove the global media behemoth can still produce epic original content.

Netflix implemented a controversial anti-account-sharing policy in 2023. Watching content from the same account in a different household is still possible for an extra fee. You can also use the service to watch content without an internet connection.

Netflix Plan	Monthly Price (AUD)	Resolution	Simultaneous Streams	Offline Downloads	Additional Members	Ads
Standard with Ads	$7.99	1080p	2	Yes, on 2 devices	Not available	Yes
Standard	$18.99	1080p	2	Yes, on 2 devices	1 extra member for $7.99/month	No
Premium	$25.99	4K	4	Yes, on 6 devices	Up to 2 extra members for $7.99 each/month	No

Stan: Best for Australian content

Stan became our first-ever streaming service when it arrived on Australia Day, 2015. Despite Netflix launching two months later, Stan remained relevant by padding out its library with original and classic Australian-made content. In addition to domestic favourites like Bloom, Romper Stomper, and Wolf Creek, the streaming service now has a solid selection of international hits. Highlights include Gossip Girl, The Office, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and The O.C.

Starting at $12, Stan is probably the best value streaming service in Australia, making it a top contender for cash-strapped Aussies feeling the cost-of-living crunch.

Plan	Monthly Price (AUD)	Resolution	Simultaneous Streams	Offline Downloads	Ads
Basic	$12	Standard Definition (SD)	1	1 device	No
Standard	$17	High Definition (HD)	3	3 devices	No
Premium	$22	4K Ultra High Definition (UHD)	4	5 devices	No

Amazon Prime: Best for Hollywood blockbusters

This ginormous American retailer established itself in Australia as a major media streaming player through Amazon Prime Video. Top-rated original series like Mr & Mrs Smith, Fall Out, and The Boys have helped propel its popularity, not to mention original movies like Road House. For many punters, however, Amazon appeals for its arsenal of classic Hollywood blockbusters.

Amazon Prime Video lets you sign up for third-party streaming services—Paramount Plus, AMC+ and Shudder—to avoid the hassle of multiple accounts and apps. The streaming service lets you choose HDR/UHD/4K resolution, download offline content, and stream up to three simultaneous devices.

Amazon Prime Video must come with a monthly or annual Amazon Prime subscription. This excellent-value bundle also includes Amazon Music Prime, Prime Reading, Prime Gaming, expedited delivery on eligible Amazon Australia orders, and free delivery on eligible international orders over $49—it’s quite the bargain.

Plan	Cost
Monthly Plan	AU$9.99/month
Annual Plan	AU$79/year (AU$6.58/month)
Ad-Free Add-On	+AU$3/month

Foxtel Now: Best for live sports

Foxtel once required a pricey physical installation and ongoing satellite subscription. But the company has swapped the old-school set top box for a digital on-demand streaming service with Foxtel Now.

Though it doesn’t come cheap, Foxtel Now boasts one of the biggest media libraries in the industry. Build your own library or opt for the lot with the Ultimate Bundle, which includes the entire Binge collection. Foxtel Now favourites span Succession, House of the Dragon, Below Deck, and Bluey. And just like the good old days, the company still offers the best way to watch live Australian sports at home.

Bundle	Monthly Cost
Starter Pack	AU$35
Sports + Movies Bundle	AU$84
Ultimate Bundle	AU$104

A Streaming Service Comparison: Amazon Video Prime vs. Netflix vs. Stan vs. Foxtel Now

Here’s how our four featured streaming services stack up against each other.

	Netflix	Stan	Amazon Prime	Foxtel Now
Content Library	Largest in the world, mostly US content.	Small but varied, with an emphasis on Australian content.	Huge library of Amazon originals and licensed content, mostly American.	An extensive mix of live programming, sports, and on-demand content.
Cost in tiers (AUD)	AU$7.99 – $25.99 per month	AU$12-22 per month	AU$9.99 per month or AU$79 per year	AU$25 – $59 per month
Famous for	Original series like Stranger Things, Squid Game, Baby Reindeer, and The Crown.	Australian content and exclusives like No Activity.	Blockbuster movies and original series like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.	Live sports and HBO.
Best TV shows	Stranger Things, The Crown, Black Mirror.	Breaking Bad, Mad Men, No Activity.	The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Jack Ryan.	Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead.
Best movies	The Irishman, Bird Box, Marriage Story.	The Second, Relic, True History of the Kelly Gang.	Manchester by the Sea, The Big Sick, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.	Joker, Ford v Ferrari, Bohemian Rhapsody.
User interface	Flashy, user-friendly UI with personalised recommendations.	Simple but easy enough to use.	Somewhat fiddly but has great integration with other Amazon services	Less user-friendly than other platforms.
Parental controls	Profile-based controls with PIN protection.	Age restrictions and customisable profiles.	PIN-protected viewing restrictions.	Strong parental controls for all content

Is Netflix Better Than Prime Video? A Content Comparison

Avid TV enthusiasts (AKA couch potatoes) often wonder if Amazon Prime Video is better than Netflix.

While Netflix has a larger library and better original content, some prefer Amazon Prime Video for its superior collection of recently released blockbuster films and shows. When comparing the costs, remember that Amazon Prime includes various other benefits.  

The good news is that both streaming behemoths have a 30-day free trial, so you can see for yourself risk-free.

How to Choose the Best Streaming Service for You

Work out which streaming service offers the best collection of content that interests you, then sign up for its free trial.

Maintaining multiple active accounts can get exxy, so consider cycling through your favourites—e.g., sub to Netflix for a few months then cancel and sign up to Amazon Prime Video.

How to Setup a Streaming Service

If you’re having trouble configuring a streaming service or your smart TV, contact Geeks2U. Our friendly technicians will provide personalised assistance and teach you how to operate your newly configured setup.

FAQ

• What is the best streaming service in Australia?

  Despite its shortcomings, many people still feel Netflix is the top streaming service in Australia.

• Where do I find the best movies for streaming in Australia?

  Most people agree Amazon Prime Video and Foxtel Now have the best movie collections, especially for new releases and big blockbuster films

• What is the most affordable streaming service?

  Stan offers the lowest ad-free rates for streaming in Australia. Netflix is cheap if you don’t mind ads.

• What’s better, Netflix content vs. Amazon Prime Video?

  Netflix has a larger media library and better original content, though Amazon Prime Video has a better selection of new-release films.

• How do I choose between Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime, and Foxtel Now?

  Read our reviews to see which streaming service best suits your personal taste.