The market is saturated with streaming services in this era of subscription-based media, but the biggest debate centers on the head-to-head competition between the newcomer, Disney+, and the seasoned veteran, Netflix. There are many aspects to consider when deciding which streaming service is better. Now that Disney+ has been live for a month, the two options can be properly compared.

Since so much buzz is hanging around Disney+, everyone is curious to see how it compares to Netflix, the king of streaming services. A reported 15 million subscribers signed up for Disney+ within its first five days of launch, but a large portion was from free trials. Subscribers might need more evidence to convince that Disney+ is worth paying for.

Cost & Value For Money

One of the biggest factors that could potentially sway subscribers into picking one service over the other is cost, especially in the long term. Netflix has been tinkering with the costs of its streaming plans for the past few years. As of now, the streaming service offer three different plans. First is the basic plan ($8.99/month) that allows streaming on one device in standard definition. Next, it offers the standard plan ($12.99), allowing two subsequent streams, including high definition content. The third option is the premium plan ($15.99/month) that gives subscribers the opportunity to stream on up to four devices at the same time in HD or Ultra HD.

Disney+, on the other hand, offers one type of plan that allows up to four subsequent streamers on one account, with content ranging from HD and 4K when available. The price is $6.99 a month or $69.99 for the year which breaks down to $5.83 a month. Disney+ is currently the better option of the two financially, considering its low cost, the number of devices that can be used, and the picture quality.

Netflix recognizes that Disney+ has the advantage when it comes to price, so it is currently testing a yearly subscription offer for its premium plan that will cut the cost to $7.99 a month (approximately $96 for the entire year). Even with that plan, Disney+ still has the edge on its competition regarding cost — but this is not the case for all categories.

Original Content

Netflix holds a clear advantage when it comes to original content, considering its exclusive titles started as early as 2012. Lilyhammer served as Netflix’s first original program, but some don’t consider it as the service’s first exclusive title since it aired on another network in Norway. If that’s the case, then House of Cards is the first entirely exclusive title to Netflix, having made its debut in 2013. Since then, Netflix released dozens upon dozens of original content spanning all types of genres aimed at viewers of all ages. The most popular include Stranger Things, Orange Is the New Black, The Crown, Grace and Frankie, GLOW, BoJack Horseman, Dark, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, and many others.

Netflix subsequently released stand-up comedy specials around the same time that new shows started to roll out. The service then expanded its original content by developing exclusive films beginning in 2015. Over time, Netflix continued to grow the film library and succeeded in producing must-watch titles. Netflix has managed to acquire well-known filmmakers and big-name actors at the focus of some of their more recent titles. The quality of films has greatly increased, and that’s being recognized through high-profile award nominations. The Netflix original Marriage Story and other 2019 titles will join Mudbound and Roma as the Netflix films to garner major award nominations.

Considering Disney+ just launched in mid-November, the service is clearly at a disadvantage when it comes to the original content. When the service launched, it only presented two scripted series, four nonfiction series, four short series, and two original films. Even with its limited original content, The Mandalorian became one of the most popular series of the year. It’s also important to note that Disney+ has a heavy slate of original programming on the way. Many of those programs stem from Star Wars, Marvel, and other Disney properties, but even with those highly-anticipated titles, Disney+ can’t compete with Netflix just yet.

Back Catalog

It’s difficult to determine a clear winner when comparing the back catalogs of Netflix and Disney+. Each streaming service has its own strengths and weaknesses in terms of the overall library of content. One of Disney+’s major selling points was the fact that it featured well over 300 movies and 7,000 TV episodes at launch. That said, most of those titles were comprised of Disney Animated Classics, Disney Channel Original shows or movies, or other content aimed at younger viewers. Due to Disney’s goal of offering “family-oriented” content, it doesn’t offer R-rated films or TV-MA series. Many viewers may consider this a limiting aspect when searching through Disney+’s catalog.

Netflix features a back catalog of content for viewers of all ages, including a hefty category of programming aimed at adult viewers. Since the streaming service has been around a lot longer, it’s easy to assume that it has a better library, but it really depends on what the subscriber is searching for. Even since Netflix turned its focus on original content, it has been losing a large percentage of its movie library. In fact, it’s been stated that Netflix’s movie library is 40% smaller than it was five years ago. Losing rights to competitors has also affected its back catalog. Thus, one streaming service’s back catalog is not the clear superior to the other, since it really depends on viewer preferences.

User Interface & Experience

Netflix has had its fair share of issues with user interface and experience over the years. One of the biggest criticisms focused on the streaming service’s algorithm and how it had a tendency to bury newly-released content. The streaming giant listened to its users and has attempted to roll-out a better method of advertising new releases. As for the format, Netflix has made searching and organizing content pretty simple. They also understand the importance of “continue watching” options and “next episode” autoplay features.

It’s understandable that Disney+ experienced a few hiccups with their user interface following its launch, including issues with hacked accounts. But considering the power Disney holds and the time it spent rolling out the streaming service, the app seems lackluster at best. The accessibility is simple, but it doesn’t have a unique touch. Subscribers have been outspoken about what Disney+ was missing and the service quickly listened. The platform added additional features like a “continue watching” row and a few new features, but it hasn’t made its way across all devices just yet. It still needs work in putting some of its movie franchises and TV shows in the correct viewing order. Even with those fixes, Disney+ seems a little empty compared to other interfaces. It’s possible that Disney+ will overcome these growing pains, but for now, Netflix is the winner in the interface department.

Which Streaming Service Is Better

When considering all of the specific aspects discussed above, Netflix currently stands as the better option when compared to Disney+. Disney might be the better value option, but Netflix has more bang for its buck due to its extensive original programming and variety. Unless a subscriber is focused on family-friendly content or nostalgia, Netflix features the most content across all genres. The fact that Netflix is exploring options to make its plans less expensive means it recognizes what could potentially be deterring subscribers despite its library. Costs might be driving away a segment of subscribers, but as long as Netflix continues to deliver high-quality programs and films, it can justify its prices.

Once The Mandalorian season 1 comes to end, Disney+ won’t have much to advertise in terms of must-see content. The streaming service has the potential to grow to Netflix’s level, but it still has some work to do. It’s very possible that Disney+ will become the better option in the future, but its content limitations might continue to hold the service back. It will be exciting to see what Disney+ has in store in the years to come as it battles it out with Netflix.

Next: Disney Theatrical Movies We Think Could Move To Disney+