Family streaming subscriptions are a minefield. Kids need content. Adults need content. Nobody wants to pay for five services. Here's how UK streaming platforms stack up for households with children.
Quick Ranking
| Rank | Service | Kids Content | Parental Controls | Adult Content | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Disney+ | ★★★★★ | Excellent | Good | £7.99/mo |
| 2 | Netflix | ★★★★☆ | Excellent | Excellent | £10.99/mo |
| 3 | Prime Video | ★★★☆☆ | Good | Good | £8.99/mo |
| 4 | Apple TV+ | ★★★☆☆ | Good | Good | £8.99/mo |
| 5 | NOW | ★★☆☆☆ | Basic | Very Good | £9.99/mo |
1. Disney+ — Best for Young Kids
Monthly price: £7.99 (Standard with Ads), £10.99 (Standard), £13.99 (Premium)
The Kids Library
Unbeatable for children under 12:
- Disney Animation: Every Disney film ever made
- Pixar: Complete library (Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Inside Out)
- Marvel: All MCU films plus animated series
- Star Wars: Complete saga plus The Mandalorian, Ahsoka
- National Geographic: Documentary content for curious kids
Parental Controls
- Kids Profiles: Restricted to age-appropriate content only
- PIN protection: Stops kids accessing adult Star content
- Content ratings filters: Set maximum age ratings per profile
- Autoplay controls: Stop the infinite loop
For Adults
Star adds adult content: The Bear, Grey's Anatomy, Deadpool, Alien, plus FX shows. Decent but not Netflix-tier for grown-ups.
Verdict: The default choice for families with kids under 12. The only question is whether adults need something else alongside it.
2. Netflix — Best All-Rounder
Monthly price: £4.99 (Ads), £10.99 (Standard), £17.99 (Premium)
The Kids Library
Strong but less focused than Disney:
- Animation: Boss Baby, Gabby's Dollhouse, Cocomelon
- Originals: Stranger Things (teens), Wednesday, Heartstopper
- Anime: Massive library for older kids/teens
- Interactive: Choose-your-own-adventure specials
Parental Controls
- Kids Profiles: Full restrictions, simplified interface
- PIN-protected profiles: Keep adults separate
- Title blocking: Remove specific shows from accounts
- Viewing history: See what kids have watched
- Maturity ratings: Per-profile age limits
For Adults
The best adult library of any mainstream service. Korean drama, prestige TV, strong film originals.
Verdict: Best if you need to serve both young kids AND adults who want quality content. More expensive at Premium tier but covers all ages well.
3. Prime Video — Best Bundle Value
Monthly price: £8.99/mo (or included with £95/year Prime)
The Kids Library
Underrated but inconsistent:
- Amazon Kids+: Additional subscription (£4.99/mo) adds significant content
- Included: Peppa Pig, Hey Duggee, Shaun the Sheep
- Originals: The Wilds, Paper Girls, Invincible (mature)
Parental Controls
- Kids profiles: Available but less polished than Netflix/Disney
- PIN for purchases: Essential — accidental one-click purchases are real
- Content filters: By age rating
For Adults
Solid but patchy. The Boys, Rings of Power, Fallout, plus licensed content that rotates.
Verdict: If you already have Prime for delivery, the video is a bonus. Kids library weaker without paying extra for Kids+.
4. Apple TV+ — Best for Quality Over Quantity
Monthly price: £8.99/mo (6 months free with Apple device purchase)
The Kids Library
Small but excellent quality:
- Originals: Ted Lasso (family-friendly), Fraggle Rock, Snoopy in Space
- Animated: Wolfboy, Pretzel and the Puppies
- Documentaries: Nature content suitable for kids
Parental Controls
- Family Sharing: Up to 5 family members share subscription
- Screen Time integration: Full Apple parental controls
- Per-profile restrictions: Age-appropriate content only
For Adults
Small library, but everything is high quality: Severance, The Morning Show, For All Mankind, Slow Horses.
Verdict: Great quality, thin quantity. Works as a supplement, not a primary service. Free trial period is generous.
5. NOW — Worst for Families
Monthly price: £9.99 (Entertainment) or £9.99 (Cinema)
The Kids Library
Weak compared to alternatives:
- Sky Kids content: PAW Patrol, SpongeBob, Nickelodeon shows
- No Disney, Pixar, or strong originals
Parental Controls
- Basic PINs
- Less sophisticated than Netflix/Disney
For Adults
HBO content (Succession, House of the Dragon) is excellent — the main reason to subscribe.
Verdict: Subscribe for adults (HBO content), tolerate the kids library. Not a family-first service.
The Family Budget Calculation
Single Service Household
Best choice: Disney+ Standard (£10.99) — covers kids comprehensively, Star adds adult content
Two-Service Household
Best combination: Disney+ (£7.99) + Netflix (£10.99) = £18.98/month
- Disney covers kids
- Netflix covers adults + teens + international content
Three-Service Household (Comfortable Budget)
Optimal: Disney+ (£10.99) + Netflix (£10.99) + Prime (if you have Prime anyway) = ~£22/month
- Full coverage for all ages
Key Features Comparison
| Feature | Disney+ | Netflix | Prime | Apple TV+ | NOW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kids Profiles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| PIN Protection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Download for Travel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Age Filters | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Basic |
| View History | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Title Blocking | No | ✓ | No | ✓ | No |
| Watch Time Limits | No | Coming | No | Via iOS | No |
FAQ
What's the single best service for a family? Disney+ if kids are under 12. Netflix if you need broader age coverage.
Is the Netflix ads tier okay for kids? Yes — ads are pre-roll only, not disruptive. Good budget option for families.
Do I need Amazon Kids+ with Prime Video? For serious kids content, yes. Base Prime Video kids library is thin.
What about free options? BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4 all have kids sections at no cost. Supplement paid services with these.
Need help choosing what to watch tonight? Try our recommendation engine.