The Sony PlayStation 4 is a terrific all-around media hub. Whereas most streaming devices such as the Apple TV or Roku only do just that, stream content, the PS4 can play games and Blu-rays as well. As such, the PlayStation 4 delivers a top-notch multimedia experience. If you want to get the most out of your PlayStation, you’ll want to have the right apps installed. Check out the best PS4 streaming apps for everything from movies and TV shows to music!
What Streaming Apps are Available on PS4?
There are loads of streaming apps for the PlayStation 4. You can find a variety of apps for streaming everything from on-demand movies and television shows to music and even live TV. A mix of paid, over-the-top (OTT) streaming-video-on-demand (SVOD) services, free streaming sites for movies and TV, and music streaming platforms are all available on Sony’s PlayStation 4. Whereas most Blu-ray players don’t feature many streaming apps besides Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video, the PS4 will let you download streaming apps and play Blu-ray discs. This makes is a fantastic media center and game console combo.
Netflix
While Netflix originally began as a DVD-by-mail service (which you can and should subscribe to), an offering that Netflix still maintains, it quickly rose to prominence as a streaming-video-on-demand platform. With its superb lineup of syndicated and original content, Netflix is a must-have. It’s one of the best movie streaming apps on the PS4 and boasts an awesome library of original movies and television shows ranging from “Stranger Things,” “Orange is the New Black,” and “The Haunting of Bly Manor,” to “Da Five Bloods.” At this point, Netflix has effectively become a utility. You know you’re going to maintain that subscription. Although the PlayStation 4 lacks a 4K UHD (ultra HD) Blu-ray drive and is therefore limited to standard 1080p Blu-ray playback, it can output games and streaming video in 4K. As such, you can stream in 4K UHD on a PS4 Pro, although the non-Pro and Slim variants are capped at 1080p.
Amazon Prime Video
Because of its Amazon Prime Video library, an annual Amazon Prime subscription is totally worth the cost. You’ll enjoy free two-day or one-day shipping on tons of products, plus with Prime Video there’s an enormous selection of movies and TV shows to stream on the PS4. In addition to syndicated videos, Amazon Prime Video hosts original content like “Jack Ryan,” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Free, fast shipping makes an Amazon Prime subscription worth the cost. Throw in Prime Video, and it’s a no-brainer. And Amazon Prime Video is one of the best streaming apps for PS4 owners.
Disney+
Sporting an impressive catalog of movies, TV shows, and a bevy of original productions, Disney+ is a must-subscribe. With Disney+, you can watch everything from classic house of Mouse cartoons and Disney Princess flicks to live-action gems including “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs) such as “Smart House,” Star Wars movies and shows, Marvel content, and more. It’s an overwhelmingly varied roster of videos. Disney+ boasts renowned original shows and movies such as “The Mandalorian,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” and “Mulan.” With a varied smorgasbord of movies and TV shows at your fingertips, Disney+ is one of the best PlayStation 4 streaming apps for all ages.
Hulu
Although the PS4 is great for gaming and movie-watching alike, there’s one area where it falls short: live television. Many cable replacement alternatives such as Sling TV, Fubo TV, YouTube TV, and AT&T NOW aren’t compatible with the PlayStation 4. But Hulu is available on the PlayStation 4 in both its on-demand as well as live television tiers. As such, Hulu + Live TV (our review) lets you stream television such as sports on the PlayStation 4. It’s an excellent solution that lets you essentially transform your game console into a cable box. Or, stick with the SVOD-only plan. Either way, you can access loads of syndicated movies and TV shows in addition to Hulu exclusives such as “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Books of the Blood.”
HBO Max
Living up to its name of Home Box Office, HBO Max will broadcast the entire 2021 slate of Warner Bros. movies straight to streaming. It’s got a solid lineup of new releases as well as older titles. For cinephiles, HBO Max is a must-have. Luckily, HBO Max is available for the Sony PlayStation 4, and with its particularly strong film offering, HBO Max is hands-down one of the best PS4 movie streaming sites.
Funimation
For anime fans, Funimation is a fantastic streaming service. You can watch both anime dubs and subs of popular series such as “My Hero Academia,” and “Attack on Titan,” in addition to cult hits including “Serial Experiments Lain.” For serious anime enthusiasts, Funimation is a veritable treasure trove of animated movies and TV shows.
Crunchyroll
You can watch tons of anime movies and shows on Crunchyroll, completely free and legally. There are tons of movies and TV shows like “Attack on Titan,” “My Hero Academia,” and “Berserk.” While there is a paid tier, the ad-supported no-cost plan lets you watch free movies and television on the PS4. Upgrading to a paid plan lets you watch ad-free and in high definition. Overall, Crunchyroll is a great value whether you’re using the free or premium option, and it’s an excellent source of TV on the PS4.
Crackle
With Crackle, you can stream an enormous library of movies and television shows at no cost. In addition to tons of syndicated movies and shows from a variety of genres, Crackle delivers original content including “Extraction” which stars Danny Glover, “Angel of Death,” and “Throwaways.” Since everything is ad-supported and you don’t have to sign up, Crackle is one of the best free streaming apps for PS4.
Plex
Originally Plex began as purely a media server software option. While media server functionality remains the core of Plex, it’s since blossomed into a strong overall cord-cutting app. Aside from home server use, Plex includes free ad-supported movies and TV shows, live television streaming, over-the-air (OTA) antenna and DVR connectivity, a podcast aggregator, and Tidal integration. As such, Plex has become a one-stop-shop for all of your media consumption needs. With a PS4 Plex app, the PlayStation 4 is one of the best Plex client devices on the market.
Emby
Similar to Plex, Emby is a media server program that you can use to create your own personal Netflix. Emby can organize your personal collection of movies, TV shows, and music files. Plus, there’s live TV and DVR functionality. For power users, Emby is a terrific media server software solution, and its PlayStation 4 app makes the PS4 an ideal Emby client device.
Pluto TV
Whereas many free, legal streaming services only provide on-demand content, Pluto TV yields hundreds of live streaming television stations. Unique channels include British TV, Lively Places, and Pluto TV Spotlights. Moreover, Pluto TV features branded channels like Totally Turtles for watching your favorite “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” episodes, and 007 streams for binging James Bond flicks. In addition to Pluto TV’s live streaming channels, there is an on-demand component too. A great alternative to paid cable replacement services, Pluto TV is one of the best free streaming apps on PS4.
Tubi TV
The free, ad-supported Tubi TV is one of the best free movie apps for the PS4. There’s absolutely no sign-up required, although creating a free account lets you sign-in and add movies or shows to your watchlist which you can then sync across a range of devices such as the PlayStation 4, Android TV boxes, and smart TVs. Some of Tubi’s partners include Shout! Factory, MGM, Paramount, Lionsgate, and Full Moon Features. Free and packed with juicy movies and TV shows, Tubi TV is an awesome app for cord-cutters that runs on the PS4.
Vudu
With Vudu, you can rent or buy thousands of movies and TV shows. In particular, Vudu lets you purchase or rent new releases as soon as they’re released digitally. What’s more, Vudu offers a free ad-supported streaming section where you can watch tons of films ranging from new releases to classics and cult classics alike.
Popcornflix
Nothing pairs better with a movie than popcorn, and the appropriately-titled Popcornflix allows you to watch a bevy of free ad-supported movies and TV shows. This no-cost streaming service doesn’t require any sign up, so you can simply install Popcornflix on your PlayStation 4 and begin watching right away. There’s a good mix of new and older content across a wide range of genres. Popcornflix is one of the top ways to watch free movies on the PS4 legally.
Peacock TV
The freemium Peacock TV is a stellar streaming service for cord-cutters. Completely free with no sign up, Peacock from NBC has a high-quality assortment of movies and TV shows to watch. However, Peacock Premium affords every episode and movie that NBCUniversal’s streaming service offers including live sports such as Premier League football matches. Premium Plus steps up to a completely ad-free experience. Ultimately, Peacock TV is a superb source of free movies and TV on the PS4.
YouTube
Although it’s not the only video streaming platform, YouTube is more popular than the likes of Vimeo. Packed with videos, public domain movies, and a staggeringly-large selection of videos, YouTube is an essential PS4 streaming app. You can watch everything from video game live streams to music videos, web shows, public domain movies, and a bunch of other vids.
Spotify
With Spotify, you can stream thousands of songs and podcasts. And being compatible with the Sony PlayStation 4, Spotify is the best music streaming app for the PS4. You can stream music and podcasts, as well as download songs straight to your PS4’s hard drive. Additionally, you can listen to music while playing games with Spotify on the PlayStation 4. Notably, there’s no Tidal app for the PS4, although you can still access Tidal on the PlayStation via the Plex PS4 app.
Best PS4 Streaming Apps – Top Streaming Apps for the Sony PlayStation 4 Final Thoughts
Overall, there’s no shortage of PS4 streaming apps for everything from watching on-demand movies and television to live TV or listening to music. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ offer impressive libraries of syndicated as well as original content. Likewise, Hulu features a good selection of movies and shows, while its Hulu + Live TV option lets you live-streaming television channels for watching sports and more on the PS4. Anime fans will appreciate the Funimation and Crunchyroll PlayStation 4 apps. Plus, there are tons of free streaming apps on the PS4 like Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Peacock, and Popcornflix. For music, Spotify is available and even touts in-game listening. Using Plex and Emby, you can watch your catalog of DVD and Blu-ray rips on the PlayStation 4 with ease.
Your turn: Which PS4 streaming apps do YOU recommend?
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