The Best Video Streaming Subscription for 2021: Netflix vs Disney+ vs Amazon vs HBO vs Viu & More

Walao… Where did the time go sia… I just Netflix-ed my whole weekend away.

Sounds familiar?

Oh, how popular video streaming subscriptions are, that they have become a verb you use unknowingly in your everyday life.

And ever since we all have to stay at home during this pandemic.

It’s not just my weekends that are being Netflix-ed away…

(Editor’s note: this girl has watched EVERY single Korean drama featuring Park Seo-Joon, at least twice)

While Netflix might be the most popular video streaming subscription service, it’s not the only one available in Singapore.

Depending on what’s your poison and how deep your pockets are, there’re options like Amazon Prime, HBO, Viu, HOOQ, meWATCH, and more.

So.

Which is the cheapest video streaming service right now?

And more importantly, are there any free trials?

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TL;DR: Comparison of Video Streaming Subscription Fees in Singapore 2021

It’s hard to find out which is the cheapest video streaming subscription fee because the various platforms offer different content.

But if you read the breakdowns below, I’ve included tips and recommendations for you to get the most bang for your buck!

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Netflix

Netflix is the video streaming service that pretty much made free-to-air TV obsolete.

And it’s not surprising given their diverse catalogue of award-winning TV series, movies, dramas, and Netflix Originals like Kingdom, Stranger Things, Money Heist, and Witcher.

Netflix Subscription Fees in Singapore

How to Get Netflix for Free

Unfortunately, there’s no legal way to watch Netflix for free but there’re some Netflix hacks to get the most bang for your buck…

(winks conspiratorially)

At the very least, there’s a 30-day free trial.

If you choose to continue, the cheapest plan is $12.98 per month.

Otherwise, you can choose to share your $21.98 plan with 4 people, making it about $5.50 each.

Amazon Prime Video

At $2.99 a month, Amazon Prime Video is the cheapest video streaming subscription in this list.

So I guess you can’t really complain if Amazon Prime Video does not offer as many TV shows and movies as say… Netflix does.

However, you’ll still find a healthy library of Amazon Originals like The Grand Tour, The Man in the High Castle, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, and Jack Ryan.

There are also some classics like The Office and Top Gun as well.

If you already have an existing Amazon Prime subscription (for groceries, for example).

Then you might want to consider getting Amazon Prime Video since it’s about the price of a plate of chicken rice for now.

Amazon Prime Video Subscription Fees in Singapore

How to Get Amazon Prime Video for Free

The only way is through the 30-day free trial, after that it’s $2.99 per month.

Apple TV+

Like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ has one of the smallest libraries amongst all the video streaming services.

But as with anything new, you have to give them time to accumulate stuff which people will want to watch.

Some Apple Originals include Oprah’s Book Club, The Morning Show (starring Jennifer Aniston), and See (starring Jason Momoa).

Critics have been pretty savage with the last two shows but I guess you have to watch it yourself to be the judge…

Apple TV+ Subscription Fees in Singapore

How to Get Apple TV+ for Free

If you buy a new Apple device, you can get a three-month subscription of Apple TV+.

You just need to activate the subscription after setting up your device.

Other than that, the other way is to get a free seven-day trial, after which you have to pay $6.98 to continue your subscription.

Pro-tip: to save big, you can share the monthly subscription of $6.98 between five different family members or friends — each with their own unique Apple IDs — through Family Sharing.

Disney+

After Netflix, Disney+ is probably the next biggest household name.

It’s got tonnes of movies and shows from Disney, Marvel (meaning ALL the Marvel movies…), National Geographic, Pixar, Star Wars, The Simpsons, and 20th Century Fox.

And on top of this, you’ll also get access to original content like Soul, which is a very wholesome movie with various teachable moments.

Disney+ Subscription Fees in Singapore

How to Get Disney+ for Free

Disney+ does not offer any free trials, but you can get a free subscription from bundle deals offered by other subscriptions, such as Starhub’s Fibre Broadband package.

hayu

If you love trashy reality TV, then you’ll love hayu.

You can choose from over 200 shows which are available on the same day as they are available in the US.

From Real Housewives to Keeping Up With The Kardashians, hayu is sure to give you your daily dose of gossip and drama.

hayu Subscription Fees in Singapore

How to Get hayu for Free

The only way to watch hayu for free is through the seven-day free trial.

HBO GO

HBO GO is an on-the-go streaming version which gives you access to the latest Hollywood blockbusters and movies through Cinemax, HBO, HBO Family, HBO Hits, HBO Signature, and Red by HBO.

And it’s available through Singtel, StarHub or meWATCH, without needing to get a cable TV subscription.

HBO GO also gives you access to HBO original series such as Game of Thrones, Watchmen, and Westworld.

If you’re not into those, then you’ll probably be catching up on blockbusters you missed throughout the years or rewatching old favourites like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.

HBO GO Subscription Fees in Singapore

How to Get HBO GO for Free

You can get a 7-day free trial on meWATCH.

Otherwise, you can get 2 months of HBO GO free if you subscribe to a 12-month contract on Singtel CAST.

iQiyi

iQiyi is a platform that is well-loved by fans of Chinese and Korean dramas and movies.

They offer on-demand streaming services for pan-Asian entertainment, including iQiyi originals, variety shows and anime.

iQiyi Subscription Fees in Singapore

How to Get iQiyi for Free

iQiyi does not offer any free trials, and the only way to get it for free would be by signing up for a Standard TV+ pass, which offers a 2-month free trial as an add-on.

meWATCH

If you’re wondering what’s meWATCH, it’s basically Toggle, only it has been renamed since 30 January 2020.

With a meWATCH subscription, you can also add-on subscription plans like tvN (for Korean movies and blockbuster hits) or HBO GO.

meWATCH Subscription Fees in Singapore

How to Get meWATCH for Free

I’m not a big fan of local TV but it’s nice that meWATCH is available for free.

But if you can’t wait till the next episode of whatever Mediacorp drama it is that you’re chasing, pay for meWATCH Prime and you’ll be able to catch it in advance.

Viu

Ah… the Asian equivalent of Netflix.

Here you can find Korean dramas like Hotel Del Luna and Korean variety shows like Running Man.

Viu Subscription Fees in Singapore

How to Get Viu for Free

The basic tier can be assessed for free.

But if you want HD viewing and an ad-free experience, then you’ll have to pay for Viu Premium.

And your best option would be the Singtel – Viu Premium (No Contract Plan) which gives you a 3-month free trial.

After that, it’ll cost you $7.98 per month.

If not, the 6-month contract will offer a 2-month free trial, and costs just $5.90 per month afterwards.

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So… What About Singtel and StarHub?

Since there’re so many video streaming subscription options available.

Does it still make sense to subscribe to traditional cable TV with service providers like Singtel and StarHub?

Let’s find out!

Singtel TV GO

With Singtel TV GO you get access to over 130 live channels and 30 catch-up channels including Discovery, HBO, Fox, KBS World and tvN.

Singtel TV GO Subscription Fees

Singtel CAST

Singtel CAST consolidates all other video streaming platforms like HBO GO, Netflix, and Viu Premium in one app.

They also promise lower monthly subscriptions and everything is consolidated in one Singtel bill.

Customers can subscribe to curated CAST packs, including Sports Plus, Lifestyle Plus, and Chinese Plus.

Singtel CAST Subscription Fees

StarHub TV+

If you’re a StarHub customer, you can sign up for StarHub TV+.

StarHub TV+ Subscription Fees

One thing that’s cool is that you’d get to enjoy data-free streaming on StarHub Mobile.