Apple TV+ offers original shows and films you cannot watch anywhere else, plus it costs less than most other streaming services

Apple TV+ is a subscription streaming service that costs $9.99 per month (or $99 per year if you pay upfront). You watch on any device — iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV box, smart TV, Roku, Fire Stick, PlayStation, Xbox, or web browser. The main reason to subscribe is the original content: shows and films made by Apple that do not appear on Netflix, Disney+, or any other platform.

The service has been running since November 2019, so it has built a library of completed series alongside new releases. If you already own an Apple device, you may have a free trial period included with your purchase, which gives you a month or three months to test it before you pay.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple TV+ costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year, making it cheaper than Netflix's standard plan and comparable to Disney+ and Max.
  • The service focuses on original shows and films rather than licensed content from other studios, so the library is smaller but more curated.
  • You can watch on almost any device — phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming boxes — and share your account with family members in your household.
  • Apple TV+ includes no ads on any plan, unlike Netflix's cheaper tier or Disney+ and Max, which offer ad-supported options at lower prices.
  • New shows and films release on a weekly or all-at-once schedule depending on the title, so you do not get the full library all at once like older streaming services.

What shows and films are actually on Apple TV+

Apple TV+ produces drama series, comedies, documentaries, and films. Some titles that have drawn viewers include Ted Lasso (a comedy about an American football coach hired to manage a British soccer team), Severance (a thriller about employees whose work memories are surgically separated from their personal ones), The Morning Show (a drama about television news), and Slow Horses (a spy series). The service also released films like CODA, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2022.

The library is smaller than Netflix or Disney+. Apple does not license old sitcoms or movies from other studios the way those services do. Instead, it invests in original content, which means fewer total titles but a higher proportion of recent, high-budget productions. If you subscribe mainly to watch back catalogs of classic television, Apple TV+ will disappoint you. If you want new, original storytelling, it is worth exploring.

You can browse the full catalog free before you subscribe. Open the Apple TV app on any device, search for "Apple TV+", and scroll through available shows and films without signing up. This lets you decide whether the current lineup appeals to you.

How much it costs compared to other services

Apple TV+ is $9.99 per month with no ads. Netflix's standard plan (which allows two simultaneous streams) costs $15.49 per month. Disney+ costs $7.99 per month with ads or $13.99 without. Max (formerly HBO Max) costs $9.99 per month with ads or $19.99 without. Hulu costs $7.99 with ads or $14.99 without.

If you bundle Apple TV+ with Apple Music and iCloud+ storage, the cost drops to $19.95 per month for all three — a savings if you use all three services. You can also get Apple TV+ free for three months when you buy a new Apple device like an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV box. Some carriers including Verizon offer free Apple TV+ as part of certain phone plans.

The yearly plan costs $99 upfront, which works out to $8.25 per month if you commit for a full year. This is the best rate if you know you will keep the subscription.

Picture and sound quality on different devices

Apple TV+ streams in 4K resolution on devices that support it, with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos sound on compatible hardware. This means the picture and sound can be as good as the best streaming services offer — but only if your device and internet connection support it. A standard HD television or older smart TV will display the service in 1080p or lower, which looks fine but not exceptional.

The app itself is straightforward: you search for a show or film, tap play, and it starts. You can read episodes to watch offline on phones and tablets, which is useful for travel. The service remembers where you stopped watching and resumes from that point on any device.

Whether Apple TV+ is worth the money

Apple TV+ makes sense if you want to watch at least two or three of its original shows or films per year. At $9.99 per month, that works out to roughly $4 per title if you watch three things annually. If you watch one show per month, the cost per title drops to about $2.50. Most people who subscribe watch more than that.

It does not make sense if you have no interest in the current lineup and do not plan to watch new releases as they come out. The service does not have the deep back catalog of older content that Netflix or Disney+ offer, so it is not a "set it and forget it" subscription. You subscribe because something specific is airing now or coming soon.

If you already pay for Netflix, Disney+, and Max, adding Apple TV+ means another $9.99 per month. That is a real cost. Decide whether the shows you want to watch are worth that amount. Many people rotate subscriptions — they subscribe for a month or two to watch a specific series, then cancel and resubscribe later when new content arrives.

How to watch with family members

Apple TV+ allows up to six family members to share one subscription through Family Sharing on Apple devices. Each person gets their own profile, watch history, and recommendations. If you use an Apple ID, you can set up Family Sharing in Settings, add family members, and they can watch on their own devices without needing your password.

On non-Apple devices like Roku, Fire Stick, or smart TVs, you log in with your Apple ID once, and anyone using that device can watch. They will see the same watch history and recommendations unless you set up separate profiles on the device itself (which varies by device). This is less flexible than Family Sharing on Apple devices but still allows multiple people to use the service.

Free trial and how to cancel

If you buy a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV box, you typically get three months of Apple TV+ free. Some older devices come with one month free. Check your device's settings or the Apple TV app to see if a free trial is available to you.

To start a paid subscription, open the Apple TV app, go to the Account tab, and select "Subscribe to Apple TV+". You will be asked to confirm your payment method. Your subscription renews automatically each month or year depending on which plan you chose.

To cancel, open the Apple TV app, go to Account, select your subscription, and choose "Cancel Subscription". You will keep access until the end of your current billing period. Apple does not charge a cancellation fee, and you can resubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Apple TV+ on my smart TV?

Yes. The Apple TV app is built into most newer Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio smart TVs. If your TV does not have it, you can use a Roku, Fire Stick, Chromecast, or Apple TV box to stream Apple TV+ to your television. Check your TV's app store to see if the Apple TV app is available.

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

You lose access to Apple TV+ when your current billing period ends. Your watch history and profiles are saved, so if you resubscribe later, your information is still there. You are not charged again unless you manually resubscribe.

Does Apple TV+ have ads?

No. Unlike Netflix, Disney+, and Max, Apple TV+ does not offer an ad-supported plan at a lower price. Every subscription includes ad-free viewing. This is one reason the service costs slightly more than some competitors' cheapest tiers.

Can I read shows to watch offline?

Yes, on phones and tablets. Open the Apple TV app, find a show or film, tap the read icon, and it saves to your device. You can watch it without an internet connection. Downloads expire after 30 days, and you must re-read them to keep watching.

How often does Apple TV+ add new content?

Apple releases new shows and films throughout the year, but not on a fixed schedule. Some weeks bring multiple releases; other weeks bring none. Check the "Coming Soon" section in the app to see what is arriving in the next few weeks.