10 TV streaming services in Singapore: Netflix, Disney Plus & more

Life is boring without TV streaming services. As a mom of a 2-year-old toddler, my saving grace is having "me time" after a day's worth of writing tasks, house chores, and negotiations with my daughter. I must admit that Netflix is tucked in my phone's entertainment apps folder.

Luckily, other competitive TV streaming services in Singapore offer different shows-from Disney Plus to HBO Go, Viu, and more.  

If you need Netflix alternatives and a list of streaming services, I did the heavy lifting for you. Here's a helpful comparison of what's available. Don't forget the popcorn!

1. Netflix - from S$13.98 monthly - S$25.98

Plan	Price	Things to note
Netflix free trial	$0	Valid for 30 days only
Netflix Basic	S$13.98 monthly	720p (HD) 1 user only
Netflix Standard	S$19.98 monthly	1080p (Full HD); up to 2 users
Netflix Premium	S$25.98 monthly	4K (Ultra HD) + HDR; up to 4 users for simultaneous viewing and 6 devices for downloads

Netflix needs little introduction — it's literally the American streaming service that disrupted the TV scene. It's popular for its wide, diverse catalogue of movies and dramas, including Netflix Originals like Stranger Things, Black Mirror, Money Heist, Lupin, and more.

Netflix has its own spot on my mobile device because of Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Modern Family, and Al Pacino's movies. 

There's a 30-day free trial for you if you're not yet ready to pay upfront-simply opt-in on the website with your email address and credit card details. You will only be charged after your trial.

Binge-watch all you want and enjoy Money No Enough 3, Lion Mums, Dance Dance Dragon, and I Not Stupid Too.Should you decide to continue the TV streaming service, the basic plan starts at S$13.98 monthly, including one screen in 720 HD. Meanwhile, the Netflix Premium supports up to four users concurrently and 6 devices for downloads. 

2. Disney Plus - S$12.98 per month or S$129.98 per year

Plan	Price	Things to note
Disney+ Standard (monthly)	S$12.98 monthly	Up to 1080 HD Full HD video, 2 concurrent streams, and 10 devices for downloads
Disney+ (annual)	$129.98 a year	Same as above with + 16per cent savings
Disney+ Premier Access	S$15.98	Up to 4K UHD & HDR video, 4 concurrent streams, and 10 devices for downloads

In 2021, Disney Plus was launched in the market, making it a lifesaver for parents running out of entertainment ideas for their kids.

With shows like the Star Wars spinoff The Mandalorian and Marvel TV series such as The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Wandavision, and Loki, there is enough content to entertain probably everyone under the age of 40. Each Disney+ subscription allows up to two concurrent streams (and plenty of parental control options, of course).

Unfortunately, there's no free trial for Disney+, but I'm sure that's not a dealbreaker for you if kids are entertained for an hour or more so you can finish some chores. 

If you have a really fancy TV that shows super clear pictures (4K) and special speakers that make sound come from all around you (Dolby Atmos), the Premium plan might be a good choice, even if it costs a bit more. But for regular shows with a typical sound and a decent screen in full HD, the standard plan is all you need.

3. Apple TV+ - free with device or S$13.98 per month

Plan	Price	Things to note
Apple TV+ (with device)	Free	Valid for three months; only with eligible Apple devices
Apple TV+ free trial	Free	Valid for 7 days
Apple TV+	S$13.98 a month	Bundled up with other subscriptions (iCloud+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade

Got a new iPhone, iPad, or Mac? You have a 3-month free access to movies and shows with AppleTV+ as long as your device can activate this offer. Watch YoGabba Gabbaland with your tots, or grab a bowl of popcorn to get in action with The Instigator and Presumed Innocent. The other biggest hits are Billie Eilish documentary and M. Night Shyamalan's Servant TV series.

There's a 7-day free trial, after which you can subscribe for S$13.98 a month. It's bundled with other subscriptions like iCloud+, Apple Music, and Apple Arcade. 

The shows aren't fascinating, though. When I bought a new iPhone, I got free access for three months, but the entertainment library is not as comprehensive as Netflix.

I just finished the free trial, and it's not really worth paying for as an add-on. But if you're an Apple fan and want to take advantage of the other services, this may be a good option.

4. Amazon Prime Video - free or $2.99 a month

Plan	Price	Things to note
Amazon Prime (includes Prime Video access)	S$2.99 monthly	All-in-one subscription with Amazon Prime, up to 3 devices at once

If you're budget-conscious, Amazon Prime Video is the best candidate for the most affordable option on this list and has never changed its price for the past three years. This is part of the Amazon Prime subscription that costs S$2.99 per month.

If you're not yet ready to pay, the good news, you can binge-watch for your first 30 days for free. Looking at the movie library, I probably wouldn't sign up for Amazon Prime Video just for the shows. But that's okay if you already have an Amazon Prime subscription for your grocery shopping. 

Oldies but goodies like The Office and Parks and Recreation, the Amazon catalogue is a but "cui" — largely old B-list movies that are probably available on FMovies. 

5. HBO Go - S$14.48 monthly

Plan	Price	Things to note
HBO Go (monthly)	S$14.48 monthly	—
HBO Go (every 3 months)	S$29.98 for 3 months	3-month plan; billed every 90 days
HBO GO SingTel Cast	S$14.48 a month	Free 1 month; no contract, and pay with your Singtel bill or use a credit card
HBO GO Singtel Cast	S$29.98 for 3 months	3-month plan billed every 90 days
HBO Pak (StarHub add-on)	S$14.48 monthly	Includes HBO GO and other HBO channels like HBO Family, HBO Signature, HBO Hits, and Cinemax

HBO GO doesn't need an introduction for its Game of Thrones, but a few other shows, like Westworld, Birds of Prey, and The Crimes of Grindelwald, are worth watching.

If you want access to thousands of hours of movies and Asian dramas, you can stream or download them on your device for your pleasurable entertainment. 

Previously, you could sign up for HBO GO directly and subscribe via Apple Store or Google PlayStore. As of this writing, you can actually access the plans-with an additional charge if you are a current subscriber-on Singtel or StarHub. 

Depending on your choice and mode of payment, you can pay monthly or every 90 days. Pricing is a dealbreaker for some, given that Netflix offers a lower price with more varieties of shows and movies. 

6. Viu Free - Premium and free versions available

Plan	Price	Things to note
Viu Free	S$0	Non-HD, limited shows, not TV-compatible, watch with video ads, limited to 1 download
Viu Premium — free trial	S$0	Valid for 7 days only, with the full features of Viu Premium
StarHub TV+ Asian+ plan— Viu Premium	S$0	Complimentary if you subscribe to the Asian+ 24-month  worth S$30.56 per month
Viu Premium	S$8.98 monthly	Full 1080 HD, full range of shows, unlimited downloads, and compatible with TV apps and TV casting; stream in 3 devices simultaneously

When it comes to Korean shows, Viu is like a modern-day Pandora's box that will subtly trigger those tear ducts in your eyes or make you laugh. There's a free version, though, but you'll have to be patient with video ads from time to time until the next exciting scene comes.

You can watch popular dramas like Hotel De Luna, Doctor John and Shady Mom-in-law, and variety shows like Little Forest, Running Man and The Return of Superman.

You can subscribe to Premium, which is ad-free, and that's hours of uninterrupted K-dramas for you, and compatible with TV casting. Viu also offers the current shows as soon as 8 hours after their original telecast, while the free one requires you to wait at least 72 hours more.

If you are an existing StarHub TV+ subscriber with an Asian+ plan, Viu Premium is a complimentary pass. For Viu Free, you can only watch on your phone, tablet, or laptop at 480p.

7. meWatch - free version with add-ons

Plan	Price	Things to note
Animax (monthly)	S$1.49 monthly	Japanese anime; monthly renewal
Animax (annual)	S$12.59 yearly	Japanese anime; annual renewal
CinemaWorld (monthly)	S$3.99 monthly	Award-winning movies, classics and box office hits; monthly renewal
CinemaWorld (annual)	S$29.99 yearly	Award-winning movies, classics and box office hits; annual renewal
HBO GO	S$14.24 monthly	For HBO shows (see above)
meWatch Prime (monthly)	S$9.90 monthly	Early access to MediaCorp dramas, billed every month
mewatch Prime (6-month plan)	S$35.64  monthly	First 6 months is prepayment of S$35.64; 7th month will be charged S$9.90 onwards
ROCK24/7	S$3.05 monthly	Live and express U.S. and U.K. shows
Simply South (monthly)	S$5.00 monthly	Tamil entertainment
Simply South (annually)	S$40.64 annualy	Tamil entertainment
TVB Wow (monthly)	S$4.02 monthly	TV dramas like romance, action and mystery
TVB Wow (annually)	S$38.59 annually	TV dramas like romance, action and mystery

MediaCorp's meWatch, formerly known as Toggle, is another streaming service that appeals to millennials and oldies who may still watch local TV. If you're an anime fan like my hubby, you can choose from on-demand plans that you can cancel anytime, starting from S$1.05 per month. 

If you love American's CBS Orignal like NCIS and documentary shows like David Beckham's Infamous, the Rock 24/7 offers you a mix of classic and indie films.

Simply South gives you Tamil entertainment like drama series-Saj and Kumar and Kalatta Kalyanam-and crime and investigation show Kutra Kannkaanippu 2024.

You can download meWatch and watch MediaCorp dramas for free. Interestingly, the meWatch Prime monthly plan has decreased for about S$0.08 for the past three years (previously at S$9.98/mo in 2021), which is unlikely for most streaming services, which often increase prices every year. Top up and subscribe to specific types of shows, and let the binge-watching begin!

8. Singtel TV Go - $7.90 a month

Plan	Price	Things to note
Singtel TV Go — plan 1	S$7.03 monthly	1 device only

Telcos are getting smart now as they adapt to TV streaming services. Singtel is one of them. While most streaming services want the eyeballs of different age groups, this telco offers competitive packages aimed at the younger, more tech-savvy crowd.

If you want a good, generic mix of over 130 channels for sports, news, entertainment, K-dramas, etc., the Singtel TV Go plans are pretty value for money. At just S$7.03, you get access Mediacorp channels and express shows from China.

If you're always on the go with your mobile device, this can be a good option for you, which is almost half of Netflix's monthly plan. 

9. StarHub TV+ - from S$5.08 a month

Plan	Price	Things to note
Starter+ Pass	S$5.08 monthly	Entry-level subscription with limited shows; concurrent streaming of up to 2 devices; 3 months free access to Amazon Prime membership
Malay+ (24-month plan	S$15.28 monthly	Get with 2 TV Passes and Disney+ Premium; promo till 31 Mar 2025; 3 months free access to Amazon Prime membership
Filipino + (24-month plan)	S$15.28 monthly	Access to iWantTFC for Filipino shows; Get with 2 TV Passes and Disney+ Premium; promo till 31 Mar 2025; 3 months free access to Amazon Prime membership
Indian+ (24-month plan)	S$15.28 monthly	Watch Tamil and Hindi shows; get 2 TV Passes and Disney+ Premium; promo till 31 Mar 2025; 3 months free access to Amazon Prime membership
Asian+  (24-month plan)	S$30.56 monthly	Latest dramas and variety shows across Asia and access to Viu Premium; get with 2 TV Passes and Disney+ Premium; promo till 31 Mar 2025; 3 months free access to Amazon Prime membership
Sports+ (24-month plan)	S$25.46 monthly	24-month contract (with 2 TV Passes and Disney+ Premium; promo till 31 Mar 2025
Entertainment+	S$30.56 monthly	English shows, kids shows, LIVE news, get with 2 TV Passes and Disney+ Premium; promo till 31 Mar 2025; 3 months free access to Amazon Prime membership
Sports+ (no contract)	S$45.83 monthly	Sporting events from MotoGP, Golf, Tennis, etc.

In July 2023, StarHub Go was discontinued and replaced by StarHub TV+ and offers eight major plans with inclusions Viu Premium and Disney+ Premium via a 24-month contract. They have great deals, but they are not as cheap as you expect.

With inclusions and concurrent streaming across devices, the whole family will be delighted to watch a variety of shows. If the plans above are way beyond your budget, you can opt for StarHub TV+ Pass, an entry-level plan that allows you to watch classic Hong Kong movies, the latest Asian dramas, and documentaries.

If you have a StarHub TV+ box, you can watch it on your big screen or your mobile devices. Interestingly, this entry plan is presented on the website in a not-so-obvious way to you, not unless you go through the entertainment plans and scroll from left to right as you'll see more of the high-tiered plans like Sports+ and Entertainment+.

10. EazieTV - from S$19.98 a month

Plan	Price	Things to note
For M1 customers (monthly)	S$19.98 monthly	Access 75+ TV channels; concurrent streaming of up to 4 devices; for postpaid, broadband and Maxx customers
For non-M1 customers (monthly)	S$24.28 monthly	Access 75+ TV channels; concurrent streaming of up to 4 devices; for postpaid, broadband and Maxx customers

In August 2023, M1 partnered with startup EazieTV, so this is a new kid on the block in the TV streaming service. I've browsed the movie categories and shows, and they are also available on other streaming platforms mentioned above.

If you're watching the big screen, you can switch from one channel to another from its 175+ channels. What sets this streaming service is that there is no set up fee on the TV box, and you have the option of not locking into a contract like StarHub.

You can download the EazieTV app on your Android and iOS devices and, on top of that, watch on your computer's web browser and smart TVs.

[[nid:688547]]

This article was first published in MoneySmart.