Streaming services have completely transformed the way the world perceives entertainment today – especially home entertainment. Easy access to a vast variety of content, both local and international, makes streaming an easy way to not only spend leisure time (alone or with loved ones) but also to deal with stress.
Canadians are part of the world’s population that enjoys streaming just as much as anyone else. The following statistics by Reviewlution about streaming in Canada prove that:
- The streaming business is rapidly growing in Canada at a rate of 6.4%.
- The COVID-19 pandemic drove subscribers to streaming services at a hitched rate of 22%.
- Canada is the fifth-largest subscriber of streaming services, the distribution rate being 74% in 2019.
This number of streaming services in the market today can make it quite difficult for Canadians to opt for a particular streaming service most suited to their needs.
Therefore, below we’ve listed down the four best streaming services that you can subscribe to in Canada depending on your interest, budget, and other requirements. If you’re already subscribed to any of the following but are unable to access them because you’re traveling outside Canada, follow Screenbinge for the best guides on unblocking geo-restricted content.
1. Netflix Canada
Inarguably the most popular name in the streaming industry since the past five years or so, Netflix is clearly a pioneer of the culture of binge-watching many of us are now slaves to.
The best thing about Netflix is that it has something for everyone: Originals and exclusives, indie oddities, popular British and American classics, box office hits, and whatnot.
Most popular shows and movies:
- The Witcher.
- Schitt’s Creek
- Squid Game.
- Money Heist.
- Prison Break.
- Lost in Space.
- Vikings.
- You.
- The Irishman (2019)
- The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
- Roma (2018)
- Bird Box (2018)
- Sorry To Bother You (2018)
- Da 5 Bloods (2020)
- The Old Guard (2020)
Cost:
The basic plan for $9.99 a month, the standard plan for $14.99 a month, premium plan for $18.99 a month.
Free Trial:
Netflix Canada does not offer a free trial (currently).
Compatible Devices:
Following are the devices this streaming service is compatible with:
- Mac
- PC
- Android and Apple devices
- Blu-ray players
- Apple TV
- Chromecast
- FireTV.
2. Crave
Owned by Bell Media, Crave is a Canadian subscription video-on-demand service. Other subscription-based over-the-top streaming services operating in Canada, mostly American-based services such as Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video, compete directly with the service.
Most popular shows and movies:
- I Still Believe (2020)
- All My Life (2020)
- Valley Girl (2020)
- Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005)
- Space Jam (1996)
- Tenet (2020)
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
- Framing Britney Spears (2021)
- The Handmaid’s Tale.
- Big Little Lies.
- Yellowjackets.
- I May Destroy You.
- Euphoria.
- The Girlfriend Experience.
- I Know This Much Is True.
- Sharp Objects.
Cost:
The basic plan for $9.99 a month, Crave + Movies + HBO package for $19.98 a month.
Free Trial:
Seven days.
Compatible Devices:
Following are the devices this streaming service is compatible with:
- iPhone
- iPad
- Android devices
- PC
- Mac
- Apple TV
- Samsung SmartTV
- Xbox One
- Amazon Fire TV Stick
- Android TV
- Chromecast.
3. CBC Gem
Launched in 2018, CBC Gem is a Canadian digital video streaming service that offers 100 plus acclaimed Canadian movies French-language programming from ICI Radio-Canada.
Most popular shows:
- Strays.
- Murdoch Mysteries.
- War of the Worlds.
- Sherlock.
- Diggstown.
- Ghosts.
- Travel Man.
- Freaks & Geeks.
- Schitt’s Creek.
Cost:
The basic plan (with ads, of course) is free; the premium plan is for $4.99 a month.
Compatible Devices:
Following are the devices this streaming service is compatible with:
- iOS
- tvOS
- Android phones and tablet
- PC/Mac
- Apple AirPlay
- Google Chromecast.
4. Disney+
If you want to gain access to 7,500 episodes and 500 films by Pixar, Walt Disney Studios, Marvel Studios, Twentieth Century Fox, National Geographic, Lucasfilm, etc., subscribe to Disney+.
Launched in both Canada and the US in November 2019, Disney Plus has a similar catalog in both countries, so you can enjoy the below-mentioned titles from Canada easily.
Most popular movies and shows:
- Cinderella
- Fantasia
- 101 Dalmatians
- The Lion King
- The Little Mermaid
- Beauty and the Beast
- Zootopia
- Moana
- Frozen
- The Falcon And The Winter Soldier.
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
- The Simpsons.
- The Mighty Ducks: Game Changes.
- Bluey.
- Jessie.
- Star Wars: The Mandalorian.
- Puppy Dog Pals.
Cost:
$8.99 per month—or $90 per year. Every account can stream up to four devices.
Free trial:
Disney+ currently does not offer a free trial.
Compatible Devices:
Following are the devices this streaming service is compatible with:
- Apple
- Android
- Sony
- Microsoft devices
- Roku
- Amazon
- Samsung
- LG TV.
Conclusion
Be it a movie, series, or documentary, some title or another on a popular streaming service like Netflix, Hulu, or Disney Plus is always becoming the talk of the town and taking the internet by storm. Those that aren’t that popular yet are actively working to rise and come to the surface.
The good thing about these streaming wars among streaming service providers is that owing to the intense competition in the market, they’re always trying to come up with the best offer – and as a user, you should be able to benefit from that.
Hopefully, this guide will help you choose the best streaming services if you are in Canada and wish to get your hands on the best home entertainment options.
