5 Tips on How to Choose the Best Video Streaming Services According to Your Budget in Philippines
Video streaming services have saved us from having to pay huge cable bills and given us more ways to watch TV. The Philippines isn’t the most saturated region in terms of streaming services, but you can use a VPN to get more options.
You can use a VPN to broaden your content reach, i.e., a VPN to get YouTube TV in the Philippines or any other streaming service unavailable in the region. That said, your preferred streaming service(s) should align with your budget, and this guide has useful tips to make it easy for you.
Without further ado, here are five tips for choosing the best video streaming service according to your budget.
Take Advantage of Free Video Streaming Services
Free streaming services lack the choice and quality of paid ones, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find quality options. PBS Video is a great service for streaming live broadcasts of your local PBS station. On the other hand, Xumo and Pluto TV offer pre programmed content but require a VPN in the Philippines.
Peacock is one of the best streaming services, and a free account lets you watch some original NBC shows and productions. You can only watch the first few episodes of original shows, which can help you decide whether to subscribe or not.
Sports junkies on a budget can stream free events on Pluto TV, but these are reruns or highlights.
Streaming Services for Less Than $10
You’ll have plenty of options when choosing a streaming service for less than $10 because this is the starting price of most services.
Paramount Plus is one of the top streaming services in this monthly subscription price range, as you can watch live sports, news, and a local CBS station.
Disney Plus recently launched in the Philippines and brings together Nat Geo, Disney, Star Wars, Pixar, and Marvel shows and films. It’s a great option for whole family entertainment, but you might still want to use a VPN because the US library has the most content.
CuriosityStream is a great option for educational content and documentaries in many different categories, such as science, technology, nature, lifestyle, etc. Ovid.tv. is a favorite for movie lovers, especially indie and international film fans. Filmatique, on the other hand, has a tightly curated collection of movies.
Hulu’s ad-supported plan falls under this price range and has the most shows, especially after Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox shows. Prime Video is the best for original content in this $10 and under price range, but you can also get HBO Max (ad-supported) for $9.99.
You can also stream the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Brazil League, etc. Peacock has games from the English Premier League, WWE Pay-Per-View events, the IndyCar series, and Sunday Night Football.
Streaming Service for $25 and Below
Philo TV is the best for this price range especially if you’re looking for a live TV option with 60 plus channels including Food Network, AMC, Comedy Central, BET, etc.
At this price range, you can get Disney Plus and add CuriosityStream and the Netflix Standard plan. But you can substitute the Netflix Standard Plan for the ad-free Discovery+ plan and save some money.
Movie lovers have plenty of options, like HBO Max, which has an ever-growing library of 4K content, including the 2021 lineup of Warner Bros. films. A combination of Prime Video and The Criterion Channel works for a mix of classic, popular, and top-rated movies. Mubi TV is an alternative to the Criterion Channel, and you can even include the CuriosityStream 4K plan.
Sports enthusiasts can mix ESPN+ and Paramount+ Premium, and those who want it all can get the Hulu (ad-free), Disney+, and ESPN+ bundle.
Streaming Services for Less Than $50 Per Month
Spending $50 on a single subscription isn’t the best move because it’s impossible to get the most out of your account. If you’re willing to spend this much per month, then Sling TV Orange and Blue is the plan to go for.
Sports fans can combine Peacock Premium Plus, Paramount + Premium, and Prime Video too for Thursday Night Football. MMA and boxing fans can throw Showtime into the mix for total entertainment.
Streaming Services for $75 and Below
Those willing to spend as much as $75 can get the highest-rated live TV services like Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. The second one has more channels and better DVR features, but the first one has a whole library of movies and TV shows. In addition, the ad-free Hulu + Live TV plan is available for under $75.
Sports fans can add ESPN+ to their Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV, subscription. Hulu + Live TV, Disney +, and ESPN+ are options for whole family entertainment, or you can get YouTube TV and Prime Video.
Streaming Services for $100 and Below
$100 per month is a lot of money to spend on streaming services, and you can customize your subscription to get a service better than cable.
This means you can get the Entertainment Plan add-on for YouTube TV, which includes Starz, HBO Max, and Showtime. You can spend this money on a YouTube TV 4K Plus add-on for streaming live TV in 4K.
You can also get the Cloud DVR add-on for Hulu for additional DVR space from 50 to 200 hours and an unlimited screens add-on. Because it has a lot of RSN coverage, the DirecTV Stream Choice plan is a good choice for sports fans. Get YouTube TV if you don’t want to go the DirecTV Stream route and get the Sports Plus package. You’ll still pay less than DirecTV Stream if you throw ESPN+ into the mix.
Price Breakdown
The following table is a price breakdown of the mentioned streaming services:
| Streaming Service | Cost |
| Paramount + Premium | $9.99 |
| Disney+ | $7.99 |
| Filmatique | $4.95 |
| CuriosityStream | $2.99 |
| Ovid.tv | $6.99 |
| Hulu Ad-Supported | $6.99 |
| Discovery+ Ad-free | $6.99 |
| Peacock Premium Plus | $9.99 |
| Criterion Channel | $10.99 |
| Paramount + Premium | $9.99 |
| Prime Video | $8.99 |
| ESPN+ | $6.99 |
| Showtime | $10.99 |
| Hulu Ad-free | $12.99 |
| HBO Max | $14.99 |
| Philo | $25 |
| Netflix Standard | $15.99 |
| Hulu (ad-free), Disney+ and ESPN+ bundle | $19.99 |
Wrap Up
Using a VPN in the Philippines opens up a lot of streaming options, and the price is the only thing that dictates what you can watch. The main tip is to avoid spending your entire entertainment bill on a single subscription, so bundle the services to cater to your entertainment needs.
