Every major streaming service at ad-free prices totals $199.82/month - that is $2,398/year. More than cable TV ever cost. Here is the full breakdown.
Here is what it would actually cost to subscribe to every major streaming service in the US at their standard ad-free tier. Watch the total climb.
*Includes standard ad-free tiers. Some services like Netflix and Max offer even pricier premium/4K tiers. Amazon price reflects $8.99 base + $2.99 ad-free add-on. Live TV services (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling) not included - those would add another $65-83/month.
Cord-cutting was supposed to save money. And it still can - if you are disciplined. But subscribing to everything now costs more than cable ever did.
The sweet spot is 3-5 services. At 8+ services, you are approaching cable costs. At all 14, you are paying significantly more.
You do not need all 14 services. Most content overlap studies show that 3 well-chosen services cover roughly 80% of the most-watched content. Here are the optimal combos for different viewer types.
Kids content, animated movies, broad appeal
Save $152.85 vs all services
Covers the widest range of family content: Netflix originals, Disney/Pixar/Marvel, and Peacock for Universal titles and live sports.
Award-winning dramas, premium content
Save $154.85 vs all services
The trifecta of quality: Netflix originals, HBO/Max prestige series, and Apple TV+ award contenders. Covers most Emmy nominees.
Maximum content per dollar (ad-supported)
Save $173.85 vs all services
Under $26/month for three massive content libraries. Netflix and Hulu combined cover most popular shows. Prime adds movies and originals.
Anime, international, and genre-specific
Save $162.85 vs all services
Netflix for mainstream plus international content, Crunchyroll for the deepest anime library, Discovery+ for reality, nature, and documentary content.
Using bundles and ad-supported tiers strategically, here are the best ways to maximize content while minimizing cost.
That is 6 major services for 71% less than subscribing to everything. You get Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Prime Video, and Peacock.
Instead of subscribing to everything at once, rotate 2-3 services each month. Subscribe for a month, binge the new releases, then swap.
Keep: Netflix, Disney+
Add: Max
Cost: $50.97
Keep: Netflix, Disney+
Swap in: Apple TV+
Cost: $43.97
Keep: Netflix, Disney+
Swap in: Paramount+
Cost: $47.97
Average cost: $47.64/month. Over a year, you access 5+ services for the price of 3. This strategy works best for services with smaller content libraries.
The cost of subscribing to every major streaming service has risen 62% since 2020. Here is how the total has climbed year by year.
The total has increased 62% since 2020 ($123 to $200). At the current pace, it will exceed $230/month by 2028.
Monthly cost of all streaming services
14 major services at ad-free tiers. That is $2,398 per year - more than the average cable TV bill.
With ads (cheapest tiers)
The all-ads version saves $72/month but still costs more than most cable packages.
Best budget 3-service combo
Netflix (w/ ads) + Hulu (w/ ads) + Prime Video covers the most content for the least money.
Total cost increase since 2020
Up from ~$123/month in 2020. The total is projected to hit $230+ by 2028 based on current trends.
Subscribing to all 14 major streaming services at their standard ad-free tiers costs $199.82 per month ($2,398 per year) in 2026. At premium tiers with 4K and family plans, the total exceeds $232 per month. At the cheapest ad-supported tiers, it costs approximately $127.84 per month.
Yes. All streaming services at ad-free prices ($199.82/month) exceeds the average cable TV bill of $120-150/month. However, 3-5 streaming services ($40-65/month) remains significantly cheaper than cable. The crossover point is approximately 8-9 services.
Use bundles and ad-supported tiers strategically. The Disney Bundle ($16.99 with ads) gives you three services for the price of one. Add Netflix with ads ($7.99) and Amazon Prime Video ($8.99) and you have five major services for under $34/month. Alternatively, rotate services monthly to access more content over time.
For families: Netflix + Disney+ + Peacock ($46.97/month). For prestige TV: Netflix + Max + Apple TV+ ($44.97/month). For budget: Netflix with ads + Hulu with ads + Prime Video ($25.97/month). Three well-chosen services cover approximately 80% of the most-watched content.
The total cost of all streaming services combined has increased 62% since 2020, from approximately $123/month to $199.82/month in 2026. Every major service has raised prices at least once, with Disney+ seeing the steepest increase at 129% since its 2019 launch.
The cheapest tier for every major streaming service totals approximately $127.84 per month, saving about $72 versus all ad-free tiers. However, not every service offers an ad tier (Apple TV+, Starz, MGM+, BET+ do not), so those are counted at their standard prices.
You do not need all 14 streaming services. But which ones are you actually using? Subcut tracks every subscription, shows you what you are really spending, and helps you cut the ones that are not worth it.
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