Apple TV Plus Review

Apple TV Plus is one of the newer streaming services launching in 2019. Given that Apple is one of the biggest tech giants, it seems inevitable that it eventually released its own streaming service. Apple took a very different approach to its streaming service than others have taken. While other streaming services have thousands of titles in their libraries, Apple TV Plus launched with less than a dozen. And even a few years later, it still has fewer than 100 titles. And while you might not seem worth the money for so few titles, nearly every show and movie on Apple TV Plus is an original that you can't find elsewhere.

Are you wondering whether Apple TV Plus is right for you? Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of Apple TV Plus, some of the top features, how it stacks up to the competition, and whether it's worth the money.

Apple TV Plus compared to other TV streaming services

*Streaming service package information accurate as of 01/13/2022

Wondering how Apple TV Plus stacks up to the competition? As you can see from the list above, Apple TV Plus is cheaper than many of its closest competitors, as well as one of the cheapest streaming services overall. It easily fits into nearly any budget. 

That being said, it is lacking in some areas -- specifically in the number of titles available. Apple TV Plus has come a long way from when it first launched with less than a dozen titles. But with still fewer than 100 titles in total, Apple TV Plus may have the smallest content library of any major streaming service.

How much does Apple TV Plus cost?

Apple TV Plus's cost is one of its biggest selling points. With a price tag of just $5/mo., the service has the lowest price tag you'll find just about anywhere. Of course, that low price comes with some trade-offs, such as a small streaming library. But it also comes with some perks you'd have to pay extra for elsewhere, such as ad-free streaming.

Apple TV Plus content and add-ons

Apple TV Plus may not have quite the content lineup that other streaming services have (in fact, it has thousands of fewer titles than most), but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. 

The first you'll notice when you log into Apple TV Plus is the number of big stars leading its hit shows. Its hit movies include Greyhound and On The Rocks, which star major actors like Tom Hanks and Bill Murray, respectively. And hit shows like The Morning Show and Ted Lasso have stars like Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell, and Jason Sudeikis.

If you're signing up for Apple TV Plus looking to stream some of your old favorites, you're out of luck. The service doesn't have the large lineup of popular movies and TV shows that other streaming services do. In fact, you'll find nearly all original titles on Apple TV Plus. But the good news is that just about everyone can find a show or TV show they'll love.

Apple TV Plus features

Extended free trial

One of the most notable features of Apple TV Plus is the extended free trials that are available. In fact, it's how many people have found the streaming service, altogether. When you sign up for the service, everyone has access to a seven-day free trial, which is plenty of time to get to know it. 

But when you purchase an Apple product such as an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV, or Mac, you'll get access to the streaming service free for three months. This provides major savings in your first year.

Simultaneous streams

Another area where Apple TV Plus really shines is in the number of screens you can watch at one time. The service allows for up to six simultaneous streams, which is more than you'll find with most other streaming services. This means that every member of your household can watch a different movie or television show without having to fight over who gets to choose what's on TV.

Downloads

If you're an Apple TV Plus subscriber, you can download your favorite titles and watch them later, even when you're offline. First, note that to download titles, you'll have to be on an iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Mac. You can also only enjoy your downloaded titles for a finite period of time. After 30 days, your downloads will expire.

Apple TV Plus supported devices

You can watch Apple TV Plus from many of your favorite devices. In fact, you probably already have a device in your home that allows you to stream this popular service. Apple TV Plus supported devices include:

• Apple TV (4K, HD, and third generation)

• iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

• Mac

• Roku streaming device

• Amazon Fire TV

• Android TV

• Google TV

• Samsung Smart TV

• LG Smart TV

• Vizio Smart TV

• Sony Smart TV

• Playstation

• Xbox

• Web browsers on Windows PCs, Chrome OS devices, or Android devices

While the list of supported devices includes most of the popular ones, it's worth noting that if you're an Android user rather than an iPhone user, you'll only be able to stream Apple TV Plus in your phone's browser, rather than in an app.

Is Apple TV Plus worth it?

Are you wondering whether it's worth adding Apple TV Plus to your lineup of streaming services? We'd say the service is worth at least trying out to enjoy some of the top content. First, with such an affordable price tag, there's really no downside to giving it a shot, even if you surpass your seven-day free trial. 

While Apple TV Plus doesn't include all of your favorite TV shows or movies, it has plenty of hits of its own like Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, CODA, Mythic Quest, and more. If you're in a streaming rut and need something new to watch, then it's worth signing up and viewing a few Apple originals. It's especially worth it if you're an Apple shopper since you'll get three months free when you purchase a new Apple device (for new subscribers only).