Sick of reruns and reality TV? Increasingly, the best television is ending up on streaming services rather than the free-to-air networks of old. Whether you want to watch Game of Thrones, Tiger King, The Grand Tour, or the newest season of The Bold Type, you'll want to sign-up to one of the major five services on offer down under.
In Australia, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to streaming options. Netflix and Stan are the two big players, but they're not your only choices. You've also got Foxtel's online-only offering - Foxtel Now, Amazon Prime Video and the newest addition Binge.
How do you pick? Do you just get all of them? Here's what you need to know.
In this Guide- Binge
- Foxtel Now
- Netflix
- Stan
- Amazon Prime Video
- Device compatibility
- Which should I pick?
- Finding the best broadband plan for streaming
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| Price | From $10 per month | From $25 per month | From $9.99 per month | From $10 per month | From $6.99 per month |
| Quality | 1080p | 1800p | 4K | 4K | h |
| Offline Downloads | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 14 days | 10 days | No | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Parental Controls | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Binge
What's good?
- The largest library of HBO content in Australia
- Heaps of content otherwise unavailable in Australia
- Will have more features coming out soon
What's not so good?
- 10,000 hours of still less content than other services
- Short trial period
- You can't download shows or movies for offline viewing
- No 4K content
- Won't work when you're travelling outside of Australia
What is Binge?
Binge is Australia's newest streaming service offering the best of drama, reality TV and movies on demand. Love child of Foxtel, and known as Kayo's sibling, Binge is the best way to access some of Foxtel's library at an affordable price.
How much does Binge cost?
Binge starts from just $10 per month for a Standard Definition viewing experience, and goes to $14 for High Definition. For $10 you can watch on one screen in SD, $14 gets you two screens and HD while $18 yields four screens of HD viewing.
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What devices are supported by Binge?
Binge is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Telstra TV 3, Android TV, and Chromecast.
Binge exclusive content
While all content on Binge is also available through Foxtel, Binge is the most affordable Australian streaming service with HBO shows such as Game of Thrones, Silicon Valley, and Westworld.
What else can I watch on Binge?
Can't work out watch to watch? Here our some of our Binge favourites:
Foxtel Now
What's good?
- Large library of HBO programming such as Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, The Wire, and Rome
- More new release movies than other services
- Live sports
What's not so good?
- More expensive than other services, especially since content is segregated into packs
- Sport and Movies aren't available without a basic subscription
- You can't download shows or movies for offline viewing
- No 4K content
- Won't work when you're travelling outside of Australia
What is Foxtel Now?
Foxtel Now is Foxtel's take on a streaming service. Born out of the ashes of Foxtel Play, Foxtel Now is a digital alternative to a traditional Foxtel subscription. Live TV is still available through Foxtel Now, which is especially relevant if you're hoping to enjoy the service's sport offering.
While other streaming services available in Australia give you access to all of their content regardless of how much you're paying, the shows and movies you're able to watch on Foxtel Now depend on what channel packs you subscribe to.
How much does Foxtel Now cost?
Much like Foxtel proper, Foxtel Now requires you to build your own package based on different channel packs. These start at $25 per month but will cost you as much as $104 per month if you want everything Foxtel has to offer. You'll pay $25 per month for the Pop & Lifestyle starter pack, after which you can add on extras like sports and movies.
A 10 day free trial is available for new Foxtel Now subscribers.
What devices are supported by Foxtel Now?
Foxtel Now is available on iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, Google Chrome on Windows and Mac, Telstra TV, Chromecast, Foxtel Now Box, and Apple TV through Airplay.
Foxtel Now exclusive content
Foxtel Now is one of two Australian streaming service with HBO shows such as Game of Thrones, Silicon Valley, and Westworld. Live sport is Foxtel's other major drawcard.
What else can I watch on Foxtel Now?
Can't work out watch to watch? Here our some of our Foxtel Now favourites:
Read more about Foxtel Now here.
Netflix
What's good?
- Works almost anywhere in the world, so you can still watch when travelling (although content may differ)
- You can download content to your phone or tablet for offline viewing
- Large content library
- Netflix Originals tend to be high quality
- Works on almost any devices
What's not so good?
- Streamable movies tend to be older
- TV content is becoming dominated by Netflix Originals
What is Netflix?
Netflix is often credited with kickstarting the streaming revolution; it's the brand everyone else is trying to beat. One of the big benefits of taking up Netflix is that the app is available almost everywhere, whether you want to watch on a game console, smart TV, smartphone, PC, or tablet.
While Netflix's Australian library pales in comparison to its international offerings, a large cornerstone of the service's library is now made up of inhouse content - dubbed Netflix Originals - such as BoJack Horseman, Stranger Things, and Narcos.
How much does Netflix cost?
Netflix starts at $9.99 a month and is available in three price tiers. Content is the same across all three plans; how much you pay instead determines the quality you can watch at, and how many devices can stream content simultaneously.
- $9.99 per month: Standard definition, stream on one device, offline viewing on one device
- $13.99 per month: High definition, stream on two devices at once, offline viewing on two devices
- $19.99 per month: 4K, stream on four devices at once, offline viewing on four devices
What devices are supported by Netflix?
Netflix is available on pretty much every device you can think of; it's almost surprising your fridge can't run it. These include iOS, Android, Windows Store, web browsers on PC and Mac, most smart TVs, Apple TV, Telstra TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Wii U.
Netflix exclusive content
Netflix has been producing its own original content since 2013, which has resulted in shows such as Stranger Things, Orange is the New Black, BoJack Horseman, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. While these shows sometimes end up on iTunes or on Blu-Ray, Netflix is the first place you're able to watch them, and the service tends to drop every single episode in a season on day one.
In addition to episodic content, Netflix has also commissioned a large number of stand up specials, documentaries, and is starting to get into feature films.
What else can I watch on Netflix?
Can't work out watch to watch? Here our some of our Netflix favourites:
- The best movies on Netflix Australia
- The best TV shows on Netflix Australia
- The best horror on Netflix Australia
Read more about Netflix Australia here.
Stan
What's good?
- You can download content to your phone or tablet for offline viewing
- Large content library with a number of Australian firsts
- Good amount of Australian shows and movies
What's not so good?
- You have to redownload content for offline viewing when it expires
- No support for HDR (high dynamic range) content
- Won't work when you're travelling outside of Australia
What is Stan?
Stan is an Australian streaming service co-owned by Channel 9 and Fairfax (the publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Australian Financial Review). In addition to a healthy amount of Australian content - including a couple of original series produced by Stan itself - the service has managed to shore up a number of international partnerships which have resulted in a great deal of first run content, such as Better Call Saul and the new season of Twin Peaks.
How much does Stan cost?
Stan starts at $10 a month, and is available in three price tiers. Content is across the same across all plans; how much you pay determines the quality you can watch at, the number of devices you can use for offline viewing, and how many devices can be streaming simultaneously.
High definition used to cost $10 per month, but recent changes mean new subscribers will now pay $12 per month for increased stream quality. If you're an existing subscriber, your monthly bill will change in August.
- $10 per month: Standard definition, stream on one device, offline viewing on one device
- $14 per month: High definition, stream on three devices at once, offline viewing on three devices
- $17 per month: 4K, stream on four devices at once, offline viewing on five devices
A 30 day free trial is available for new Stan subscribers.
What devices are supported by Stan?
Stan is available on iOS, Android, Windows Store, web browsers on PC and Mac, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Apple TV, Telstra TV, Chromecast, and select smart TVs.
Stan exclusive content
Stan's wrangled a number of international partnerships that have seen it bring more than a few new release TV series to Australia. One of Stan's major agreements is with US network Showtime, encompassing programming such as Twin Peaks, Billions, and I'm Dying Up Here. Other "First on Stan" shows have included Better Call Saul, Community's last season, and new episodes of Sherlock.
Stan is also investing in its own original content, which has so far included black comedy No Activity, a Wolf Creek TV series, and a series of Australian stand up specials.
What else can I watch on Stan?
Can't work out watch to watch? Here our some of our Stan favourites:
What's good about Stan?
Amazon Prime Video
What's good?
- You can download content to your phone or tablet for offline viewing
- Cheaper than its competitors
- You can download content to your phone or tablet for offline viewing
- 4K content not locked behind a higher price point
What's not so good?
- Movies tend to be older
- Only available with an Amazon Prime subscription
What is Amazon Prime Video?
As the name might suggest, Amazon Prime Video is Amazon's streaming service. While Prime Video's library was a little bit limited when it first launched in Australia, how has a wealth of content and a surprisingly cheap price. The service has some big name exclusives - including The Grand Tour and American Gods - and is included with an Amazon Prime membership.
How much does Amazon Prime Video cost?
Amazon Prime Video is part of Amazon Prime. An Amazon Prime membership will set you back:
- $6.99 per month (sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime)
- $59 per year, if paid upfront
Even so, Netflix, Stan and Foxtel Now subscriptions all currently start at $10 per month. This makes Amazon Prime Video the clear winner on price, particularly when you consider that with your Prime Video membership, you can stream on up to three devices simultaneously and stream 4K content. Both Netflix and Stan charge up to $8 extra per month to access these features.
Customers to Amazon Prime can take up a 30-day free trial. If you take up a month-to-month membership, it's on a no contract basis – cancel at any time. However, if you pay upfront for the year, you won't be able to leave early.
Sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime
What devices are supported by Amazon Prime Video?
Amazon Prime Video is available on iOS, Android, web browsers on Windows and Mac, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and select smart TVs.
Amazon Prime Video exclusive content
Much like Netflix, Amazon is producing original content. The biggest series available on the service is arguably The Grand Tour, the new show from the Top Gear blokes. Other key exclusives include American Gods, and every single episode of Seinfeld.
Device compatibility chart
Want to get your favourite streaming service on your TV? Here is a quick overview of which devices are compatible with the major streaming and catch-up TV services available in Australia.
Streaming Device Compatibility
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| Apple TV (2015+) | * | |||||||||||
| Telstra TV 3 | ||||||||||||
| Fetch TV | ||||||||||||
| Foxtel Now Box | ||||||||||||
| Chromecast | ** | |||||||||||
| Amazon Fire TV | ||||||||||||
| PlayStation 4 | ||||||||||||
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| Xbox 360 |
* Foxtel Now is only available through Airplay, and not as a standalone app.
** Foxtel Now is streamed through the Foxtel GO app.
Legend
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Netflix -
Stan
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Foxtel Now
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Prime Video
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ABC iview
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9Now
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Tenplay
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7plus
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SBS On Demand
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Kayo Sports
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Disney+
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Binge
Streaming Device Compatibility
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* Foxtel Now is only available through Airplay, and not as a standalone app
Legend
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Netflix
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Stan
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Foxtel Now
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Prime Video
So, what streaming service should I pick?
When it comes to actually picking a streaming service, there's no real right or wrong answer; it all comes down to what you want to watch. You might go with Foxtel Now if you want live sport, Netflix to keep up to date with Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, or Stan for the latest season of UnREAL.
If you can't make up your mind, your best bet is to sign up for a free trial to check out what each of the services have on offer - just make sure you cancel them before you're billed. And if you still can't make up your mind, there's nothing stopping you from taking out two or more subscriptions.
None of these services require you to sign a contract either, which can make subscribing just for one show a little easier. For example, it's possible to sign up to Foxtel Now for a few months while Game of Thrones is airing, and cancel when the series is over with no penalty or early exit fees.
If you're having trouble getting started, here's a short list of some of the reasons you might pick a particular streaming service.
You just want the cheapest streaming service
Amazon Prime Video is $6.99 per month, which makes it the cheapest major streaming service available in Australia. Despite the budget price, you get access to over 2,800 titles.
You want to watch Game of Thrones
If you want to keep up (or catch up) with all of sex and murder going on in Westeros, Binge is the streaming service for you. Binge is Australia's cheapest HBO option, but Foxtel Now is another service you can use if you'd prefer.
You want a streaming service you can use while travelling abroad
If you want to keep on streaming while travelling outside of Australia, Netflix is your best option. Netflix is available everywhere in the world but China, North Korea, Syria, and Crimea. The content you can watch will vary from country to country, but the same login you use to watch Australia will work almost anywhere.
Are you on the right broadband plan for streaming TV?
Streaming is one of the most data intensive things you can do online, so it's important to consider what broadband provider you're with and what plan is best for you. If you're not careful, Netflix, Stan, Foxtel Now or Amazon can make a serious dent in your monthly data allowance. But if you pick the right plan, you can binge endlessly without having to keep one eye on your broadband bill.
Most services offer up to four quality settings for when you're streaming in your web browser, on your smart TV, or on your game console. These are as follows:
Streaming data usage
| Stream Quality | Data Usage Per Hour | Data Usage For 30 Hours |
| Low | 0.57GB | 17.1GB |
| Medium (SD) | 1.13GB | 33.9GB |
| High (HD) | 2.89GB | 86.7GB |
| Ultra (4K / UHD) | 7GB | 210GB |
If you're streaming on high, streaming a single feature length film on Stan, Netflix, Foxtel Now or Amazon will use somewhere around 6GB. So if you're streaming on a regular basis, we tend to recommend plans with at least 500GB as a minimum to ensure you've still got enough data left for everything else you want to do online.
NBN 50 Plans
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