Netflix, Prime Video or Disney+? Which Is the Most Popular Streaming Service?

Video streaming has definitely taken the world by storm, changing dramatically the way we watch shows and movies from the comfort of our home. With a current market size of over $674.25 billion and forecasted to reach $2.66 trillion by 2032, the number of streaming platforms continues to rise year after year. On-demand video subscription services have taken hold of our lives, and things are not going to change any time soon. Or will they?

In today’s article we are going to look at the top streaming services statistics of 2025 and learn more about who’s watching, what’s the future of the streaming platforms and publishers as well as analyze the trends that are shaping the industry. 

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Top Video Streaming Services Stats (2025)

• 40.3% of users prefer streaming services to normal TV.
• It is estimated that the global video streaming market has 1.4 billion users.
• Video streaming worldwide is estimated to have reached a revenue total of $108.50 billion.
• The global live streaming market is estimated to reach over $247 billion by 2027.
• 99% of American households are subscribed to one streaming service.
• With over 282.72 million users, Netflix is the most subscribed SVOD (Subscribed Video On Demand) platform.
• 26% of viewers admit to binge-watching at least once a week.
• 44% of viewers say they watch less TV as a result of live streaming.

How Many People Stream Online?

As of November 2024, the global video streaming market accounted for 1.4 billion users and the number is forecasted to reach 1.6 billion by the end of 2027. If we compare the data to previous years, there has been a stable increase in the SVOD users of 0.1 billion YoY since 2020.

Here’s a detailed breakdown on the results:

• 2017: 0.6 billion users.
• 2018: 0.7 billion users.
• 2019: 0.8 billion users.
• 2020: 1 billion users.
• 2021: 1.1 billion users.
• 2022: 1.2 billion users.
• 2023: 1.3 billion users.
• 2024: 1.4 billion users.
• 2025*: 1.5 billion users.
• 2026*: 1.6 billion users.
• 2027*: 1.7 billion users.
• 2028*: 1.7 billion users.
• 2029*: 1.8 billion users.

(* estimated)

Video Streaming Subscription Growth

The popularity of SVOD services is so high that 99% of American households have have subscribed to at least one streaming service. Of those, 72% stated that they are happy watching video on demand and 92% are planning on increasing their number of video subscriptions.

If we look at the big numbers, we can see how video subscription on demand services have experienced an explosive growth since 2015. As shown by Statista from 2015 to 2023 the share of consumers increased a whooping 31% (from 52% to 83%).

Here’s a breakdown of the results:

• 2015: 52%
• 2017: 64%
• 2018: 69%
• 2019: 74%
• 2020: 78%
• 2021: 78%
• 2022: 83%
• 2023: 83%

How Many Hours a Day Do People Watch Streaming Videos?

According to a recent report made by Forbes, Americans spend an average of 3 hours and 9 minutes a day streaming digital media. Looking at the big numbers, this translates to over 21 hours per week, which would be the equivalent to a part-time job.

These streaming hours can be distributed evenly throughout the week or during long sessions of binge-watching. According to CivicScience, 26% (1 in 4) users binge-watch on video streaming services at least once a week, while 20% admit to do it on a daily basis.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the binge-watching habits in streaming platforms:

• Pretty much every day: 19%
• At least once a week: 26%
• Several times per month: 20%
• Once a month: 14%
• Several times per year: 20%

Which Online Streaming Service Has the Most Subscribers?

With over 282.72 million users worldwide, Netflix positions itself as the leader in the streaming service market. In second position we find Amazon Prime Video, with over 200 million global users. Closing the top 3 we find Disney+, with 153.6 million users.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the results:

1. Netflix: 282.72 million users.
2. Amazon Prime Video: +200 million users.
3. Disney+: 153.6 million users.
4. Max: 99.6 million users.
5. Paramount+: 71.2 million users.
6. Hulu: 51.1 million users.
7. Peacock- 34 million users.
8. Apple TV Plus: 25 million users (estimated).
9. ESPN+: 24.8 million users.
10. Starz: 15.88 million users.

(Source: Digitaltrends)

However, not everything is good news for SVOD platforms. A recent report by Forbes states that 45% of users have cancelled a streaming subscription within the last year due the costs, with Disney+ being the most likely to drop if the price increases.

Here’s the data gathered by the survey:

1. Disney+: 44%
2. Hulu: 40%
3. ESPN+: 35%
4. Netflix: 33%
5. Amazon Prime Video: 32%
6. HBO Max: 21%
7. Apple TV+: 17%
8. AMC+: 13%
9. Paramount+: 10%
10. Starz: 9%

What is the Most Popular Streaming Service in the US?

According to Statista, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video lead as the most popular SVOD streaming services in the US, with both of them capturing 22% of the market share. Following close we have Max, Disney+ and Hulu, with 14%, 11% and 10% of the share respectively.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the data:

1. Netflix: 22%
2. Amazon Prime Video: 22%
3. Max: 14%
4. Disney+: 11%
5. Hulu: 10%
6. Paramount+: 9%
7. Apple TV+: 9%
8. Other: 3%

A recent survey made by Forbes Home confirms this data, with 36% or the respondents stating that Netflix is the streaming video platform that offers the best user experience. The numbers were followed closely by Prime Video (14%) and ESPN+ (11%).

What is your favorite streaming platform based on its interface?

• Netflix: 36%
• Amazon Prime Video: 14%
• ESPN+: 11%
• Disney+: 9%
• HBO Max: 7%
• Other: 23%

If we look at non-subscription streaming services however, things change. According to Nielsen’s The Gauge, the most popular streaming service in the US (counting subscription-based and free ones) would be YouTube, capturing a whooping 25.9% of the total share.

Video Streaming Services Revenue

Video Streaming has become one of the most popular ways to consume videos, with 40.3% of users choosing it over normal TV. According to Statista, the global revenue for 2024 has been $108.50 billion, experiencing a 13.2% change from 2023 ($95.88 billion). The video streaming market is also projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2024 to 2029. This will lead to an estimate of $155.50 by 2029.

Here’s a table displaying the revenue generated by the video streaming and the growth YoY:

• 2017: 27.86 billion / 
• 2018: 34.65 billion / 24.4%
• 2019: 44.16 billion / 27.4%
• 2020: 59.40 billion / 34.5%
• 2021: 73.86 billion / 24.3%
• 2022: 81.26 billion / 10.0%
• 2023: 95.88 billion / 18.0%
• 2024: 108.5 billion / 13.2%
• 2025*: 119.10 billion / 9.8%
• 2026*: 128.80 billion / 8.2%
• 2027*: 137.70 billion / 6.9%
• 2028*: 148.60 billion / 6.5%
• 2029*: 155.50 billion / 6.1%

(Source: Statista)

The same study also shows that the current average revenue per user is $73.51 and it is expected to reach $83.69 by 2027.

Here’s a breakdown of the results:

• 2017: $45.03
• 2018: $49.64
• 2019: $54.86
• 2020: $60.21
• 2021: $65.13
• 2022: $69.61
• 2023: $73.51
• 2024*: $76.58
• 2025*: $78.97
• 2026*: $81.33
• 2027*: $83.69

What Makes a Good Streaming Service?

A recent survey revealed that having an affordable cost, being easy to use and having a good variety of content are the top 3 features that users look for in a good streaming service. 

Here’s the full list of what video streaming users find important when considering subscribing to a video platform:

1. Cost: 84%
2. Ease of use: 81%
3. Variety/availability of content: 79%
4. Streaming/ playback quality: 77%
5. Speed to access content: 74%
6. Accessibility: 71%
7. Availability across devices: 58%
8. Resolution available (4K, Ultra HD, HD): 56%
9. Skipping ads: 52%
10. Ad-free: 48%
11. Content available for downloading/watch offline: 40%
12. Menu recommendations: 38%
13. Content available live: 37%

What is the Most Expensive Movie Streaming Service?

As of October 24, Netflix has the most expensive subscription plans among all video streaming services, with its premium ad-free tier costing $29.99 per month. On second and third position we find Max’s- Utimate Ad Free and Hulu – Ad free tiers, costing $20.99 and $18.99 respectively.

Here’s the monthly cost of the main video streaming services in the US:

• Netflix Premium: $22.99
• Max -Ultimate ad- free: $20.99
• Hulu – Ad free: $18.99
• Max – Ad free: $16.99
• Disney+ – Ad free: $15.99
• Netflix – Standard: $15.49
• Peacock – Ad free: $13.99
• Paramount+ – Ad free: $12.99
• Hulu – Ad supported: $9.99
• Disney+ – Ad supported: $9.99
• Max – Ad supported: $9.99
• Peacock – Ad supported: $7.99
• Paramount+ – Ad supported: $7.99
• Netflix – Basic with ads: $6.99

(Source: Statista)

Conclusion

There’s over 1.4 billion people using video streaming services on a daily basis, and this exponential growth is not going to change anytime soon. While the SVOD platforms are dealing with some handicaps such as surviving in a very competitive market, managing the increasing costs, as well as retaining the loyalty of its subscribers, it is expected that the market will reach 1.6 billion users by 2027.

Video streaming is stronger than ever, and the tendency is that it will get stronger year-over-year.