Best streaming services: We compare Netflix, Hulu, Max, Disney+, and more

For anyone out there who might be thinking that their cable provider isn’t that bad, let’s play a little game to put things into perspective. Would you rather date someone who's clingy, makes you spend a ton of money on them, and bosses you around? Or someone who's super chill, lets you do your own thing, and always makes sure you're happy?

We’re guessing you’d probably opt for the latter.

Well, get this: The first relationship is the one you’re stuck in with your cable company right now. And the second relationship? That’s a cool collection of carefully curated streaming services, babe.

If you haven’t yet picked up what we’re putting down, we're talking about cord-cutting — a favorite term of the past few years that basically means breaking up with your cable company and only paying for the content you want without messing around with a cable box or satellite. After all, life is just too short to be tied down to an overpriced contract that doesn't even include all the stuff you actually want to watch.

What to consider when choosing a streaming service

We're sure you already have Netflix for binge-watching movies and some TV shows, and it's an amazing service for that purpose, but that's obviously not a complete replacement for cable and live television. The reality is that you might have to get more than one service to cover all of your needs. Then again, having every single streaming service isn't doable for everyone. After cutting the cord, there's no sense in loading yourself up with streaming subscriptions that total up to more than your cable bill ever was. So, you'll want to be very deliberate about which ones you end up subscribing to.

The streaming service market has grown exponentially over the past few years with almost too many plans and channel options to pick from, and you're probably panicking and wondering which streaming service is right for you. As per usual, the answer to that is entirely dependent on what you're looking for in your streaming service, what your TV-watching habits are, and your content preferences.

Here's what you'll want to take into account when browsing the vast buffet of streaming services you can choose from today:

• Your watching habits and tastes: It's a simple question. What do you like to watch, and how often? If you're into prestige television and film and nothing else, you'll want to look to services like Netflix and Max. More into sports and live events? Check out live TV streaming services like Sling or YouTube TV to stay in the loop. Our best advice is to incorporate a mix of the two so you get the best of both worlds, but that might not be sustainable for everyone.

• Your budget: How much are you able and willing to spend on entertainment? Once you arrive at your number, it's actually pretty easy to figure out which service (or services) you'll want to pick up. Fortunately, streaming services are way more upfront about pricing than cable companies have ever been, so you won't have to deal with hidden fees or anything like that.

• Device compatibility: Not every streaming service works on every device or smart TV immediately after its launch. For example, when Max first dropped (then called HBO Max), there was a period where the streaming app wasn't available for Fire TV and Roku streaming devices, and the workarounds ranged from frustrating to downright impossible. Eventually, it all got sorted out, but you’ll still want to heed the warning and make sure any streaming app you might want is compatible with your streaming device before you pony up the cash.

• Screen and profile limits: How many people are going to be using your streaming service or services? Just yourself? A whole family? Some platforms have a limit on how many screens or profiles can be connected to one account at the same time, so check that before you go giving everyone your login info.

• Cloud DVR options: Not all live TV streaming platforms have cloud DVR, but it's worth checking because having the ability to record and store live events and programming to watch later is a total game-changer in the cord-cutting landscape.

What are the best TV streaming services?

Because it can be overwhelming to pick from all the options out there, we're breaking down the benefits of all the best TV streaming services right here. Whether you're looking for live TV streaming or the latest trending original series that's exclusive to a big-name streaming service, this quick-reference guide should steer you toward the best ones to help you cut the cord with your cable company for good.