The Best Streaming Services In Canada By Genre And Category 2025

After doing plenty of research that included comparing prices, reading reviews, and checking Canadian availability, we've come up with a list of the best options for streaming kids’ TV shows, comedy shows, dramatic sagas, reality contests, and much more.

Key Takeaways

• The overall best streaming service in Canada is Amazon Prime Video.
• The best TV streaming service for kids shows is Netflix.
• Netflix and Crave both have the best action shows.
• The best reality TV is on Discovery+.
• Britbox and Acorn TV have the best British television content.
• Sports lovers will find the best content on Sportsnet+ and DAZN.

The best streaming services by category

We’ve broken down the best streaming services for each genre or category – whatever you're into, we've got a recommendation for you.

How we picked the best streaming services

To evaluate streaming services, we analyze 20+ data points to generate a trustworthy Genius Rating. We consider all aspects of a streaming service, including monthly fees, variety of content, number of screens, the presence of ads, customer satisfaction, and promotions, to assess its overall value. Then, the streaming service’s features are rated based on how they stack up against other available options.

Best streaming service 2025 overall winner – Amazon Prime Video

The best streaming service of 2025 is Amazon Prime Video. With an extremely competitive monthly fee, Amazon Prime Video’s variety of original, exclusive, and live sports content is tough to beat.

The fact that it’s included with your Amazon Prime subscription is a huge bonus, and the free 30-day trial is great to have too. Amazon Prime Video undeniably has the largest amount of perks and extra services included in its package – from Amazon music to Amazon Reading, there’s something for everyone.

Here are a few of the top shows available through Amazon Prime Video:

• White Lotus
• Succession
• The Last of Us
• Pillars of the Earth
• Yellowstone
• The Handmaid’s Tale

Best TV streaming service for original content – Apple TV+

This was a very difficult choice, but we have to give props to Apple TV+ because absolutely all of its content is original. And it'll only cost you $12.99 per month. You can also get interesting package deals if you own other Apple products.

Here are a few of the top shows available through Apple TV+:

• Ted Lasso
• Shrinking
• Silo
• Severance
• Foundation
• Slow Horses
• Dickinson
• Bad Sisters
• Black Bird
• Hijack
• Mythic Quest
• Lessons In Chemistry
• For All Mankind
• Pachinko

A couple others come close

Netflix and Crave have both put in considerable effort to add original content to their libraries. In fact, Netflix was one of the first streaming sites to offer original content, so it's no surprise that these types of shows have become so popular.

Here are a few of Netflix's most beloved original programs:

• Stranger Things
• Wednesday
• Black Mirror
• Ozark
• The Crown
• Nobody Wants This
• Outer Banks

And here is the best of what Crave has to offer for original programming:

• Letterkenny
• Late Bloomer
• Canada's Drag Race
• Shoresy
• Disobey
• We're All Gonna Die (Even Jay Baruchel)

The best TV streaming service for romance – Netflix and Crave

If you're in the mood for love, the best streaming platforms to warm your heart are both Netflix and Crave. Not only do both of these platforms offer a long list of romantic shows, but there's quite a range of sub-genres to choose from too.

Crave has unique period piece romances, like:

• The Gilded Age
• Gentleman Jack
• Howards End

But also has shows and movies with a bit more of a modern flare, such as:

• The L Word: Generation Q
• And Just Like That
• The D Cut

Not to be outdone, Netflix has its own romance offerings, from steamy period pieces to teen dramas:

• Bridgerton
• Firefly Lane
• Virgin River
• Outlander
• Crash Landing On You
• Heartstopper

Have kids? Here's the best TV streaming service for them – Netflix

If it’s kids’ shows and movies you’re looking for, go with Netflix. It simply can't be beat. Other platforms, including Crave and Disney+, have long lists of highly-rated kids' shows, but they aren't anywhere near as popular as what Netflix has to offer.

For instance, here are a few of Netflix's most popular children's shows:

• PJ Masks
• The Baby-Sitters Club
• The Magic School Bus
• A Series of Unfortunate Events
• Paw Patrol
• LEGO Ninjago
• Green Eggs and Ham
• Daniel Tiger

But there is a solid backup option

Especially if you're required to watch these TV shows alongside your kids, Disney+ is a high-quality runner-up in this category. The fact that Disney+ has many of the childhood favourites beloved by millennials and Gen Z-ers definitely helps.

Take a look:

• Phineas and Ferb
• Schoolhouse Rock
• Darkwing Duck
• Boy Meets World
• Recess
• Adventures of the Gummi Bears
• Goosebumps

Of course, there are also popular shows for today's kiddos too:

• Doc McStuffins
• Bluey
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars
• Frozen

The best TV streaming services for action shows – Netflix and Crave

Yes, Netflix and Crave are tied again, this time for the availability and quality of their action TV shows. Whether you like superhero-style action, crime busters, or fantastical witches, warlocks, and magicians, these 2 streaming sites have what you need.

Netflix has these shows to pump you up:

• Squid Game
• The Gentlemen
• The Umbrella Academy
• Altered Carbon
• The Witcher
• The Walking Dead

But don't forget Crave – here are some action-packed faves from its library:

• Killing Eve
• Warrior
• Legion
• Peacemaker
• The Rookie

And here's the runner up!

Disney+ is a serious contender here thanks to its Marvel and Star Wars lineups. These TV shows and movies make for a paradise of action flicks:

• The Marvels
• Loki
• WandaVision
• The Mandalorian
• Hawkeye
• The Book of Boba Fett
• Obi-Wan Kenobi

The best TV streaming service for comedy favourites – Crave

Crave holds the title of the best streaming platform for comedy shows and sitcoms. However, this is not necessarily because of the popularity or even number of shows available, but because its shows are more highly rated than those on other platforms.

These are some of Crave's best comedy shows, including old and new favourites, all guaranteed to elicit belly laughs:

• The Big Bang Theory
• Letterkenny
• Friends
• Hacks
• 30 Rock
• Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
• A Black Lady Sketch Show
• Curb Your Enthusiasm
• How To With John Wilson
• Veep

The best TV streaming service for reality TV lovers – Discovery+

The best TV streaming site for reality TV shows is a hotly contested topic, but Discovery+ comes out on top.

Some folks will tell you that it's Netflix, thanks to fan favourites like Love is Blind and Selling Sunset. Others will proclaim their love for Crave shows like RuPaul's Drag Race and Love Island. And Amazon Prime Video is a contender too with shows like Hell's Kitchen and Big Brother Canada.

But it seems that Discovery+ has what it takes to win. Its lineup includes relationship shows, game shows, cooking shows, home improvement shows, and many more. Take a look at these top choices:

• 90 Day Fiance
• Alone
• Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
• Deadliest Catch
• Fixer Upper: Welcome Home
• Mythbusters
• Planet Earth
• Say Yes To The Dress

Discovery+ also has a list of highly-rated docuseries as well:

• Introducing, Selma Blair
• House of Hammer
• Keep Sweet
• Unprecedented
• Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed
• Ghost Adventures
• The Rise and Fall of LulaRoe

Here are a couple of runner ups

We've mentioned that both Crave and Netflix have fan-favourite reality shows, but we can't forget about the British options. Britbox has a significant lineup of highly-rated reality TV shows:

• Nigellissima
• Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares
• Gardeners' World
• Antique's Roadshow
• Make It at Market

The best TV streaming service for drama shows – Crave and Amazon Prime Video

It's a tie again for the best streaming service for drama, but this time it's between Crave and Amazon Prime Video. This is in large part due to Crave's library of HBO content and Prime's PBS shows.

These are a few of the top-rated drama titles from Crave in the drama category:

• The White Lotus
• Succession
• The Last of Us
• Euphoria
• Billions
• The Last of Us
• The Handmaid's Tale
• House of the Dragon

Not to be outdone, Amazon Prime Video has some impressive drama TV options as well:

• My Lady Jane
• Sanditon
• Daisy Jones & The Six
• The Summer I Turned Pretty
• The Man in the High Castle

In second place we have…

If your craving for dramatic TV is simply insatiable and you blow through all the amazing content on Crave and Prime, you can also check out Apple TV+. Here are a few of the best titles this platform has to offer in this genre:

• The Morning Show
• Severance
• Lessons in Chemistry
• *Disclaimer
• Dickenson
• Blackbird
• Silo

The best TV streaming service for watching British TV shows – Britbox and Acorn

Britbox and Acorn TV tied it up for the best streaming platform for British TV content. With both older and new programming, you can get your fix of British drama, comedy, sci fi, and just about anything else with either of these platforms.

Here are a few of Britbox's top shows:

• Blue Lights
• Vera
• Downton Abbey
• The Fall
• The IT Crowd
• Luther
• Sherlock
• Blackadder

If you're keen to try Acorn TV, here are a few of its best popular titles:

• Des
• The Long Shadow
• A Discovery of Witches
• Agatha Raisin
• Doc Martin
• The Other One
• Dalgliesh
• Midsomer Murders

Best TV streaming service for watching anime – Crunchyroll

Any true anime lover will tell you that Crunchyroll is the best TV streaming site for watching these shows. When Crunchyroll merged with Funimation in 2022, it bumped the site's library up to an incredible 1,300+ anime series, plus more shows and movies.

Here are some of the most popular anime shows on Crunchyroll:

• Naruto
• One Piece
• My Hero Academia
• Hunter x Hunter
• Attack on Titan
• Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
• Fruits Basket

The best TV streaming service for horror shows – Shudder

If you're looking for the best streaming platform for horror, you'll need a subscription to Shudder. There's no contest here because Shudder is all horror, all the time. None of the other streaming platforms we looked at had libraries this genre-specific.

Here’s a list of some of Shudder’s killer content:

• Creepshow
• Channel Zero
• A Discovery of Witches
• Hannibal
• The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs
• Cursed Films
• Eli Roth’s History of Horror
• Deadwax

The best TV streaming service for sports lovers – Sportsnet+ and DAZN

It's hard to choose the best TV streaming site for sports since sports fans usually prefer individual sports over others, and so we have to give the title to both Sportsnet+ and DAZN. On the one hand, DAZN has plenty of soccer and European football coverage, whereas Sportsnet+ has NHL coverage.

Among others, you can watch sporting events for these leagues with a Sportsnet+ subscription:

• NHL
• MLB
• NBA
• UFC

DAZN offers viewers access to these leagues and more:

• NFL
• MLB
• Bundesliga
• PFL
• UEFA Champions League

The best TV streaming service for music streaming - Amazon Prime Video and YouTube Premium

It’s rare that you’ll get a service that provides both original programming and access to a catalogue of music. When you get a subscription to Amazon Prime Video or YouTube Premium, you also get access to millions of songs, podcasts, and playlists.

And of course if you’re looking for solely a music streaming service, the most popular choices are Spotify and Apple Music.

Summary of the best streaming services in Canada

The best free streaming services in Canada

Here are the best free streaming services available in Canada:

• CBC Gem: This is Canada’s free streaming service with access to CBC’s live news and sports, TV shows, movies, documentaries, and exclusive Canadian content. The free tier has ads, but you can avoid them with a paid premium subscription.
• Tubi: This is a free, ad-supported streaming service with a large catalogue of movies, TV shows, and some Canadian content across a wide variety of categories. No registration is required, though you can make watchlists and get recommendations by making an account.
• Roku Channel: Available through Roku devices and online, enjoy a wide selection of free movies, TV series, and live news channels. Content is ad-supported.
• Pluto TV: Watch free, ad-supported live news and browse channels with movies and TV shows There are on-demand options and niche channels for categories like true crime, reality TV, classic sitcoms, and more.
• Twitch: Primarily geared toward live gaming content, Twitch allows you to watch live gameplay, eSports events, gaming talk shows, and other creative arts streamers for free. No subscription is needed, though some channels offer premium perks.
• Crackle: This is a mix of older movies, TV shows, and some exclusive content. It’s free, but content changes frequently and the library is pretty small compared to other options.
• Plex: Plex also offers free, ad-supported movies, TV shows, and live TV channels. Its content library includes classics, indie films, and niche genres.
• Filmrise: Find older movies, cult classics, and popular British series on this free ad-supported service.
• YouTube: This is a vast library of free videos across all genres, from news and music to educational content and entertainment. Watch live streams, follow channels, and enjoy free content on demand. Pay for YouTube Premium for additional content.

You should also check out:

• Hoopla: Available through most Canadian libraries, Hoopla offers free streaming of movies, TV shows, and audiobooks. You’ll need a library card from a participating institution.
• Kanopy: Enjoy a wide collection of documentaries, classic films, and independent films. Kanopy is free with a library card from a participating institution or library.

Can you bundle streaming services in Canada?

Yes, but bundling streaming services in Canada is a little different than in the U.S. For instance, Hulu doesn’t exist in Canada so you can’t bundle Hulu and Disney+ like the Americans.

With bundling, you access multiple services in one place for one fee.

In Canada, here are a few ways you can bundle services as add-ons:

• Amazon Prime: Bundle with StackTV, Starz, Paramount+
• Apple TV: Bundle with Starz, Paramount+, Acorn TV
• Crave: Bundle with HBO, Starz, and Showtime

Note that some utility providers like Bell, Rogers, and Telus will occasionally offer streaming bundles as part of their TV or Internet packages, with options like Crave, Netflix, and Disney+.

Cable TV vs. streaming: Is streaming really cheaper?

Streaming can be cheaper than cable if you only need a few streaming services and primarily watch content in the same genres. However, holding multiple subscriptions means the costs add up.

Here’s how the costs of each may compare based on your viewing habits:

Base cost: Streaming is cheaper

Individual streaming services may cost between $10 to $20 per month. Cable TV may cost between $50 and $100 per month. Cable offers more channels, however.

Add-ons: Tied

You can pay for premium add-ons in both cable TV and streaming services. If you’re focused on a specific genre, streaming may be cheaper. If you’re branching out, then cable might be more economical.

Contract flexibility: Streaming is better

A lot of streaming services include no-contract options, so you can cancel easily with no fees. Cable TV usually requires a long-term contract and you’ll be charged a cancellation fee.

What is the new tax on streaming services in Canada?

The Online Streaming Act is a new 5% tax on foreign streaming companies that provide content to Canadians in Canada.

Impact on viewers: You may notice a slight increase in the cost of your streaming service.

Impact on foreign streaming companies: Companies pay 5% of their revenues to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission for redistribution to support Canadian content (CanCon).

Impact on Canadian media: An estimated $200 million per year will be redirected to priority CanCon, including Indigenous content, French-language content, and local news.

This tax is only for companies that generate over $25 million in revenue in Canada and aren't affiliated with a Canadian broadcaster. That figure excludes any revenue from audiobooks, podcasts, and video games.