Apple TV Plus is a popular TV streaming service known for its exceptional production quality and growing collection of award-winning originals. However, with a subscription cost that’s higher than many competitors, does it really offer enough value for the price?
Apple TV Plus – Company Overview
Apple TV Plus, launched in late 2019, is the ultimate evolution of Apple's iTunes service. The streaming platform focuses on premium, original content and boasts an ever-growing library of high-quality TV shows and movies.
Pros
- High-quality content
- Ad-free
- Includes 4K HDR streaming and Dolby Atmos audio
Cons
- Relatively small catalog
- Expensive monthly subscription
- Relatively small catalog
Company Highlights:
Monthly Price Range: $9.99
User Profiles: 6
Number of Screens: 6
Highest Playback Resolution: 4K
Free Trial: 7 days (3 months with purchase of Apple device)
App Store Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Google Play Rating: 1.4 out of 5 stars
Since its launch, Apply TV+ has produced dozens of award-winning, big-budget films and series. The service has also branched out into live sports, giving customers access to Friday Night MLB baseball games.
Reviews for Apple TV Plus are generally positive among Apple device users. On the Apple App Store, the company has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 1.3 million ratings. However, the experience on Android is less favorable, with a rating of 1.4 out of 5 stars from 858 reviews.
Is Apple TV Plus Worth It?
Apple TV Plus is a unique streaming platform that is known for its well-written original programs featuring big names and big budgets. While relatively small, it is one of the best TV streaming services, with a library filled with high-quality programming – including critically acclaimed hit series like “Ted Lasso” and “Severance.” Baseball fans also get access to live streaming of MLB Friday Night Baseball.
For movie enthusiasts who value an exceptional viewing experience, Apple TV Plus delivers premium 4K streaming and Dolby Atmos sound. If you’re looking for a nice selection of high-quality TV shows, films, and documentaries with prominent actors and directors, the premium monthly subscription may be worth it.
The service is especially attractive for new Apple device owners, who receive three months of Apple TV Plus for free.
However, because Apple TV Plus focuses heavily on original content, you won’t find a large selection of older shows or content from other networks. Children’s programming is also limited. So, if you’re seeking a more affordable streaming service with a wider variety of content, Apple TV Plus may not be the best fit.
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Apple TV Plus Streaming
Plans & Pricing
Apple TV Plus' regular subscription costs $9.99 billed monthly, or $99.99 billed annually. This makes it more expensive than competitors like Netflix, which starts at $6.99 per month (with ads), or Hulu, which starts at $7.99 per month (also with ads). It's priced on par with Max's ad-supported plan.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Subscription Cost | $9.99/month or $99.99/year |
| Student Discount | $6/month |
| Free Trial Duration | 7 days (3 months with Apple device purchase) |
| Number of Screens | 6 |
| Playback Resolution | 4K HDR |
However, one of Apple TV's biggest perks is that it is completely ad-free. In contrast, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Max charge a premium for an ad-free experience. Apple TV also includes offline downloads, so you can download content to watch from anywhere, anytime.
There is a 7-day free trial for new customers. With the purchase of a new Apple device, you can get 3 months of streaming free.
For college students aged 16 and older, Apple offers a student discount on Apple TV Plus, bringing the cost down to $6 per month.
Apple One
Another option for saving on Apple TV Plus is through an Apple One subscription bundle. Apple One allows you to bundle up to six Apple services – iCloud+, Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, and Apple News+ – for savings of up to 43% compared to subscribing to each service separately.
| Apple One Plan | Monthly Price | Included Services | Storage Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $19.95 | iCloud+ (50 GB), Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade | 50 GB |
| Family | $25.95 | iCloud+ (200 GB), Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade | 200 GB |
| Premier | $37.95 | iCloud+ (2 TB), Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, News+ | 2 TB |
Apple One perks and pricing are as follows:
Apple One Individual – $19.95/mo.
The Individual Apple One plan includes iCloud+ with 50 GB storage, Apple TV+, Apple Music, and Apple Arcade.
Apple One Family – $25.95/mo.
The Family plan offers the same benefits as the Individual plan and boosts iCloud+ storage from 50 GB up to 200 GB. This plan can be shared with up to five family members.
Apple One Premier – $37.95/mo.
The Premier plan includes all of Apple's subscriptions: Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and 2 TB of iCloud+ storage. This plan also supports family sharing with up to five members.
Apple TV+ Channels/Categories
Apple TV Plus offers a variety of high-production films and TV shows from all genres. The library is constantly expanding, having reached over 240 since its launch. Here are some of the most notable titles:
Movies
Apple TV Plus produces movies with big-name talent, like Killers of the Flower Moon, directed by Martin Scorcese and starring Robert DeNiro and Leonardo DiCaprio. There's also WWII movie Greyhound with Tom Hanks, historical thriller Emancipation with Will Smith, and historical drama Napoleon with Joaquin Phoenix.
Other well-received films include biographical thriller film Tetris, coming-of-age movie CODA, drama film Causeway with Jennifer Lawrence, crime thriller Sharper, and period drama movie The Banker with Samuel L. Jackson.
If you want something more lighthearted, there's the family-centered comedy On the Rocks or the Christmas musical Spirited with Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell. Or, if you're into animated movies, you may want to check out Luck or The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
There are also quite a few documentaries, including nature doc The Elephant Queen and band bio-pics, like Beastie Boys Story and Billie Eilish: The World's A Little Blurry.
TV Shows
Apple TV+ delivers fresh content every month, with new episodes dropping weekly. Many shows debut with three episodes or even full seasons, making it perfect for binge-watchers.
Some great TV shows you can binge include award-winning sports comedy-drama “Ted Lasso,” and psychological thriller “Severance,” as well as 2024 Emmy-nominated dramas like “The Morning Show” and “Lessons in Chemistry.”
👉 Interested in Live TV? Learn about YouTube TV and Sling TV.
If you’re into thrillers, “Presumed Innocent” and “Tehran” will keep you hooked, while sci-fi fans can dive into “Foundation,” the alternate-universe drama “For All Mankind,” and the dystopian “Silo.” Apple TV+ also offers quality mini-series like the crime drama “Black Bird,” the war epic “Masters of the Air,” and the drama-thriller “Lady in the Lake.”
Apple TV Plus does not offer much children's content, but there are a few notable exceptions, like “Yo Gabba Gabba Land,” “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock,” and “The Snoopy Show.”
MLB Friday Night Baseball
Apple TV+ recently entered the realm of sports streaming, with weekly, live MLB baseball games, sports analysis, and highlights on Friday nights. At this time, this is the only live channel they offer.
How To Watch / Apple TV Plus App
- Access Apple TV+, Netflix, live TV, and more
- Thread mesh network compatibility
- High-quality 4K, HDR visuals
- Integrated with iOS devices
- 64GB or 128GB built-in storage options
To watch Apple TV Plus, you'll need a reliable connection from a reputable internet provider and a device that supports the app.
Here is a list of supported streaming devices:
- Apple TV
- Apple Vision Pro
- iPhones and iPads
- Android phones and tablets
- Android TV
- Google TV
- Roku smart TVs and streaming sticks
- Amazon Fire TVs, tablets, and streaming sticks
- Most Hisense, LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, VIDAA, and VIZIO smart TVs
- Microsoft Surface and other devices
- PlayStation (4 and 5)
- Xbox (One, Series X, Series S)
The Apple TV+ app comes preinstalled on new Apple iPhones, iPads, iMacs, and Macbooks. You can also download the Apple TV app for Android, Roku, Amazon, and Microsoft.
Once you download the Apple TV app, you'll need to log in to your Apple account to access content. If you purchase an Apple TV 4K streaming box, you can get 3 months of free streaming.
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Alternatively, you can log in to Apple TV Plus on your web browser to stream directly from your laptop or desktop computer.
How To Sign Up for Apple TV+
You must have an Apple account to sign up for Apple TV Plus. To sign up, you can visit the Apple TV Plus website and click on “Accept Free Trial.” From here, log in to your Apple account and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the signup process. You will not be billed until after the 7-day free trial ends and can begin streaming right away.
Another way to sign up for Apple TV Plus is through the app. From the app, you can redeem any eligible promotions (like 3 months of free service if your Apple device is new.) Or, you can begin the standard 7-day free trial. You may need to confirm your payment method or enter a new one to finalize the signup process.
How To Cancel
To cancel Apple TV Plus, visit the Apple TV+ website. Log in if you are not already. Then, click on the account icon at the top of the page. Go to ‘Settings,' scroll to ‘Subscriptions,' and click ‘Manage.' Then, select the option to ‘Cancel Subscription.'
You can also cancel Apple TV Plus on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro by opening the Settings app, tapping your name, and selecting ‘Subscriptions.' From here, select your Apple TV+ subscription, then tap ‘Cancel Subscription.'
Similarly, you can cancel Apple TV+ on your Mac by opening the App Store, navigating to Account Settings, and canceling from the ‘Subscriptions' tab. On Windows, you can also cancel your subscription through the Apple TV Plus app.
Customer Service Contact Info
For help with your Apple TV Plus subscription, you can search the Apple TV Plus Support page for answers to common issues. If you need further assistance, there are several ways to contact Apple Support.
The Apple Support app lets you connect to a real agent to help troubleshoot any issues you are having with Apple products. You can also submit a help request online.
What Customers Say About Apple TV+
Opinions are mixed online about Apple TV Plus. Some customers praise the content as worth the price. In a Reddit post, Worf_of_Wall_Street said:
On Trustpilot, customers are less satisfied, with an overall 1.4 out of 5 star rating across 325 reviews. Many negative reviews are focused on difficulties with canceling an Apple TV+ subscription.
Other dissatisfied customers complain about the user interface being difficult to navigate.
Is Apple TV Plus Worth Paying For?
Apple TV Plus' biggest selling point is its high-quality, premium content. If you're on the hunt for fresh, well-written content and don't mind paying a bit more for it, Apple TV+ might be what you're looking for.
However, its steep price tag and small catalog make it a tough sell for many. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly streaming service with a wider range of content, there are other options if you don't mind watching ads.
FAQs
You can watch Apple TV Plus on any device that supports the app. This includes all Apple products, Android phones and tablets, and most smart TVs and streaming sticks. You can also watch Apple TV+ on Playstation and Xbox gaming consoles, or through your web browser.
Apple TV Plus costs $9.99 per month. College students can get discounted pricing of $6.99 per month. Or, you can purchase Apple TV Plus as part of an Apple One bundle to save significantly.
No, all Apple TV+ content is ad-free.
No, but you get 3 months of Apple TV free with the purchase of an Apple TV 4K device.
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