Top 5 alternatives to Quikster and Netflix

By Nick Mead on 26 September, 2011

If you're disappointed by the Netflix recent decision to increase DVD rental prices and spin-off the DVD rental service into Quikster then don't get angry - go elsewhere. There are several other services out there that provide films on demand. Here's a selection of some of the best:

Hulu Desktop

Hulu Desktop allows you to watch television shows, video clips, and movies from the comfort of your desktop, without ever having to open a web browser. Even absolute video streaming beginners should have no difficulties browsing and watching the television shows and movies of their choice using Hulu Desktop. The movie choice doesn't compare with Netflix but if you upgrade to Hulu Plus you'll get a decent selection.

Voddler

What Spotify has done for music fans, Voddler promises to do for film lovers. Unfortunately, it's still only available in selected countries in Europe but a US launch is planned. Voddler has a huge catalog of movies which are free to watch although a subscription is required to watch more recent releases.

YouTube Rentals

YouTube has never exploited it's potential as a film medium until recently but US users can subscribe to a rental service which allows you to watch films for 2 or 3 dollars. You can also watch films for free via YouTube Movies although the selection is quite small and there are no major releases in there.

iTunes via Apple TV

If you own a Mac, iPhone, iPad or iPod then Apple TV has the latest instant HD movies. The only drawback is that you must pay $99 for the Apple TV box. Once you've got it, you can rent film via iTunes. However, part of Apple TVs movie rental service was affiliated with Netflix and the service is in flux right with no clear indicators of which direction its going.

Blockbuster

Blockbuster offers a similar pricing structure to Netflix with online rental deals ranging from around $4 up to as much as $20. It also offers Blu-Ray and game rentals and it has the advantage of having rental kiosks still available in the high street.

Comments

  • john mills john mills

    Tried to get voddler on my ipad2 in the uk but no luck so i signed up to get invite when voddler.com is available in uk and did get rapid reply so shows that they are on the ball.

    • Sent on 03 Oct 2011
  • Nick Mead Nick Mead

    @john mills, At the moment Voddler is still only available in Scandinavia although it's supposed to be rolled-out in Spain any day now. There's no date for a UK launch but they clearly aren't rolling it out in a hurry so it might be a while!

    • Sent on 03 Oct 2011
  • promytius promytius

    "it has the advantage of having rental kiosks still available in the high street." exactly which HIGH STREET are you on, dude?

    • Sent on 03 Oct 2011
  • promytius promytius

    So basically what you are saying by presenting this pathetic list of almost alternatives, is: pay Netflix and shut up.

    • Sent on 03 Oct 2011
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