With the number of streaming services out there, it can be hard to figure out which is right for you. There’s Netflix, HBO, Hulu, STARZ, and Prime Video to name a few. In this article, we’re going to compare two of what we think are the best streaming services – STARZ and HBO Now.

(Hint: STARZ gives you the best bang for your dollar! You can get STARZ here.)

At a Glance:

Comparing STARZ and HBO Now

STARZ 

Why We Love It:

STARZ not only has incredible original series like Power and American Gods, but it also has the most extensive movie catalog out there, including recent popular films, old classics, and kids favorites. It’s also the most affordable of the two options at only $8.99/month after your 7 day free trial. Can’t get better than that!

Movie Catalog:

Currently, STARZ has well over 1200 movies in its catalog, which is one of the primary reasons we love STARZ so much. It’s one of the few still movie-centric streaming services even though most others are moving away from this model, HBO included. More than that, STARZ’s movie catalog has something to offer everyone – kids and film lovers alike. For kids, (at time of writing) STARZ has Frozen, Up, Toy Story 3, Jumanji, Tangled, Monsters University, Brave, and Inside Out to name a few.

Film lovers will love old classics like Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Dirty Dancing, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, Brokeback Mountain, Mississippi Burning, and Godzilla (among many others).

STARZ also has an extensive collection of recent hit movies such as Venom, Equalizer 2, The Girl in the Spider’s Web, Just Go With It, Grown Ups, Apollo 13, The State of Marriage, Raising Arizona, The Last Song, Prince of Persia, Into the Woods, White Boy Rick, and Salt. Finally, STARZ boasts an extensive array of international films and an entire section for films in Spanish (as well as an insane number of James Bond movies).

Original Series:

STARZ may not have quite as an extensive catalog of original series as HBO, but the shows it does have are high quality.

Power is a fan favorite with its drama, suspense, and action as it follows Ghost as kingpin of a massive drug empire and owner of a hot new nightclub (plus it features 50 Cent!).

American Gods has a cult-like following and is based off the novel of the same name written by Neil Gaiman. A fantasy drama, American Gods follows a man named Shadow Moon as he navigates a world of magic he didn’t know existed in a battle between the Old Gods and the New Gods.

For those who like steamy historical dramas, STARZ comes through with Outlander, in which Claire finds herself between two vastly different worlds and two vastly different men – one an Oxford historian in WWII era Scotland and one a Scots warrior in 1743.

There’s also Vida for those looking for a critically-acclaimed new series about two estranged sisters who are forced to return to their childhood home after their mother dies, forcing each sister to confront their past, present, and future and relearn the meaning of family, home, and love.

HBO Now

Why We Love It:

HBO has some incredible original series (and is well-known for its high-quality series). Game of Thrones, Ballers, and Boardwalk Empire are just a small sampling of the extensive original series collection housed on HBO’s app. However, the cost of all these knockout original series comes at a steeper price tag of $14.99.

Movie Catalog:

HBO has a wide array of movies across genres, including foreign films. Notable films include Deadpool 2, Date Night, Halloween, Crazy Rich Asians, Bad Times at the El Royale, The Predator, The Darkest Minds, Mean Girls, Steve Jobs, and The BlacKKKlansmen.

Kids titles on HBO include Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London, Air Buddies, Smallfoot, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Holes, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and The Lego Ninjago Movie. HBO, unlike STARZ, has a far less extensive movie collection especially when it comes to older, more classic films.

Original Series:

You’re probably familiar with most of HBO’s original films (and for good reason).

Game of Thrones has captivated fans since its season 1 premiere to its final episode with its incredible and constantly twisting plot, high quality cinematography and complex characters.

Ballers, with Dwayne Johnson as the star, follows Spencer as he monetizes his friendships with star athletes as their financial adviser – only his role in their lives becomes much bigger than he initially anticipated.

Boardwalk Empire is another fan favorite as it transports viewers to organized crime in Prohibition-era Atlantic City.

Big Little Lies, a suspenseful drama, has a star-studded cast and an equally impressive storyline as it follows the lives of several women in a tale of murder and mystery set in picturesque Monterey, California.

And, to cap it off, relative newcomer Chernobyl has earned its fair share of praise for accurately depicting the tragedy of the nuclear meltdown of the same name in 1986.

Other notable series include Gentleman Jack, Entourage, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. With Game of Thrones now over, time will tell if any of HBO’s new series will have the same following and acclaim that its flagship series did.

The Outcome:

Given STARZ’s unbeatable price for a premium streaming service, its impressive array of movies that cater to all interests, and its good (and growing) selection of original series, STARZ is by far the best bang for your dollar. HBO Now with its higher price tag and smaller, less diverse movie catalog is by no means a bad choice considering the original series it hosts, but we know that with STARZ we’re never at a loss for something to watch even when our favorite series ends.