How Much Is Apple TV Plus and Is It Worth It?

Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

Once they find out Apple also has a streaming service, many people’s first question is: How much is Apple TV?

At just $4.99 per month, Apple TV+ is much cheaper than other streaming services, such as Disney+, Netflix and HBO Max. However, there are tradeoffs — including that its catalog is not as extensive as that of Netflix or HBO Max.

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Considering this, is Apple TV+ worth it? Does it have enough content to justify the price? Here’s a look at everything you need to know about Apple TV+.

What Is Apple TV?

Apple TV+, commonly known as Apple TV, is a streaming service that features Apple Originals.

There is plenty of content exclusive to Apple, including:

  • Dramas

  • Series

  • Kids’ entertainment shows

  • Comedies

  • Documentaries

  • And more

The company adds new Originals to the platform every month.

You can watch Apple TV+ on the Apple TV app, which is readily available on Apple devices. Simply open the app, tap Apple TV, and choose the content you want to watch.

Apple TV+ is also available on streaming platforms, AirPlay-enabled TVs and high-end smart TVs.

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How Much Is Apple TV Plus?

Many people wonder: How much is Apple TV a month? Is there anything free on the platform?

Apple TV Plus costs $4.99 a month, which is much cheaper than other streaming services.

Is There a Free Trial for Apple TV Plus?

You get a seven-day free trial before your subscription begins.

Alternatively, you can subscribe to Apple One, a plan that bundles Apple TV with five other services from the company, for $14.95 per month. Once your Apple TV subscription begins, you can share the account with your family.

Deals for Apple TV

If you purchase an Apple device, you’ll get Apple TV+ free for three months.

Likewise, if you have an Apple Music Student Plan, you’ll get free access to Apple TV+.

If you’re a university student, you can purchase the Apple Music Student Plan with your university or college email ID. It will automatically give you Apple TV+ for free, saving you up to $5 a month. The plan lasts for four years or as long as you have a valid .edu email address.

What Does Apple TV Offer?

Apple TV Plus has admittedly not been as popular as Netflix and HBO Max, but it’s slowly redeeming itself to become a reliable place to turn to for entertainment. If you compare its catalog to other streaming services, there is less content to watch.

However, many Apple Originals have been met with acclaim from critics and viewers alike, and Apple is constantly adding new shows to its library.

The most well-known example is Ted Lasso. The Morning Show is another classic Apple Original, with a star-studded cast featuring Steve Carell, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. Billy Crudup from the show has even won a Primetime Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a drama.

Other notable Apple Originals are:

  • Central Park, a musical series

  • Dickinson, an award-winning comedy

  • For All Mankind, a sci-fi drama

As for movies, Apple TV+ has its fair share of hits, including:

  • CODA

  • Boys State

  • The Elephant Queen

  • The Velvet Underground

If you buy the one-month plan from Apple, it will cost you $4.99. If you intend to use the service for a long time, it’s better to buy the annual plan at $49.99. It saves you $10 on your yearly subscription to the streaming service.

How Does Apple TV Plus Compare to Other Streaming Services?

Compared to other streaming platforms, Apple TV+ excels in giving users a top-notch experience with its simple interface and ease of use. But when it comes to the quantity and availability of third-party shows, the streaming service lacks substance.

Here’s how it compares to other popular streaming services.

Netflix

Netflix is a popular streaming service with an extensive library of TV shows and movies. It also has Netflix Original programs, more of which are added almost every other day. The service’s basic plan starts at $9.99, which is already much higher than Apple TV+.

Apple TV+ takes the win in terms of price point, but Netflix’s streaming library is much larger.

Amazon Prime

With thousands of films, Amazon Originals, and shows, Amazon Prime Video easily has the upper hand over Apple TV+ in terms of quantity of content. The Prime Video membership costs $8.99 a month, which is costlier than Apple TV, but reasonable compared to Netflix.

Since Amazon also offers several other services, such as music streaming and free delivery, it makes more sense to compare Amazon Prime with Apple One. At $14.99 a month, Amazon Prime gives you free delivery on your purchases from Amazon, access to the vast streaming library and free music.

On the other hand, at $14.95, Apple One gives you access to millions of songs, provides iCloud storage, offers Apple TV, and lets you play more than 200 games in Apple Arcade.

Apple’s One package is worth the price if you’re looking for more content and tech benefits from a higher-tier membership. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime is a better pick if you tend to shop a lot from Amazon.

Is Apple TV Plus Worth It?

Although Apple TV+ is nowhere close to dismantling other streaming services, it’s emerging as an exciting resource for entertainment.

Apple is adding a lot of Original shows and documentaries to Apple TV+, many of which are garnering public attention. Considering this and the lower price point, Apple TV+ is worth it, especially if Netflix’s extensive library overwhelms you.

Moreover, you can download shows for offline viewing, and the whole family — up to six members — can enjoy entertainment at a low price of $4.99.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much Is Apple TV Plus and Is It Worth It?

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