Apple TV is one of the slickest streaming devices on the market. The hardware is fast, the interface is clean, and the app ecosystem has matured significantly over the past few years. But with hundreds of apps available in the Apple TV App Store, knowing which ones are actually worth your time, and your money, takes some sorting out.
This guide covers the 12 best streaming apps for Apple TV in 2026. We break down what each app costs, who it’s best for, and what the real pros and cons are. Whether you’re cutting the cord for the first time or just trying to trim your streaming bill, this list will help you build the right lineup.
How to Find and Install Apps on Apple TV
Before we get into the apps themselves, here’s how to install them on your Apple TV (4th generation or later, including Apple TV 4K):
- From your Apple TV home screen, open the App Store app (blue icon with a white “A”)
- Use the search tab at the top to type the name of the app you want
- Select the app from the results and click Get (free apps) or the price (paid apps)
- The app downloads and installs automatically, it will appear on your home screen
If an app you’re looking for isn’t available directly in the App Store, some services provide web-based setup or alternative installation instructions. For KrushTV specifically, visit krushtv.com/setup for Apple TV installation instructions.
You can also ask Siri to find apps by holding the Siri button and saying “Find [app name] in the App Store.”
The 12 Best Streaming Apps for Apple TV in 2026
1. KrushTV, Best for Live TV and Cable Replacement (Top Pick)
Cost: $20/month | $50/3 months | $80/6 months | $120/year. 3-day free trial, no credit card required.
If replacing cable is your goal, KrushTV is the app to start with. It delivers hundreds of live channels, including all the major sports networks, news channels, and entertainment staples, at a price that makes a traditional cable bill look embarrassing. NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, boxing, it’s all there, live, without a cable contract.
Best for: Sports fans, cord-cutters, anyone paying $100+ a month for cable
Pros:
– Hundreds of live channels covering sports, news, and entertainment
– Far cheaper than cable or any live TV streaming bundle
– 3-day free trial with no credit card required
– Works on Firestick, Android TV, Android phones, and tablets
– For Apple TV: visit krushtv.com/setup for installation instructions
Cons:
– Requires a separate setup step for Apple TV (see krushtv.com/setup)
– No on-demand library of original content (it’s a live TV service)
Bottom line: If you want live TV, especially sports, without the cable bill, KrushTV is the single best value in streaming today. Start your free trial at krushtv.com/free-trial.
2. Netflix, Best for Original Series and Movies
Cost: $7.99/month (Standard with Ads), $15.49/month (Standard), $22.99/month (Premium)
Netflix remains the gold standard for original content. From prestige dramas to big-budget films to reality TV, the library is massive and the interface on Apple TV is excellent. The ad-supported tier has improved significantly and is worth considering if you’re watching your budget.
Best for: Binge-watchers, fans of original programming
Pros:
– Enormous content library with consistent new releases
– Best-in-class original series (Stranger Things, The Crown, Squid Game)
– Seamless Apple TV integration, including 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos
Cons:
– Price has increased steadily; Premium tier is expensive
– Password sharing restrictions now firmly in place
– No live TV or sports
3. YouTube, Best Free App on Apple TV
Cost: Free (ad-supported) | YouTube Premium: $13.99/month (removes ads)
YouTube on Apple TV is genuinely excellent. The TV interface is well-designed, voice search via Siri works perfectly, and the content range is staggering, from tutorials and vlogs to full documentaries, live concerts, and even some live sports. It’s the one app that almost everyone should have installed, regardless of what else they’re paying for.
Best for: Free content, casual viewing, creators you already follow
Pros:
– Completely free with an internet connection
– Massive and constantly updated content library
– 4K streaming available on supported content
Cons:
– Ad interruptions can be frequent without Premium
– Algorithm-driven recommendations can be hit or miss
– No structured live TV lineup
4. Hulu, Best for Next-Day TV Episodes
Cost: $7.99/month (with ads), $17.99/month (no ads), $82.99/month (Live TV + no ads)
Hulu is the app for people who want the latest network TV episodes the day after they air. The content library is deep, including FX originals, ABC, NBC, and Fox shows, and Hulu’s Live TV add-on gives you a full cable-style experience if you need it. The Apple TV app is polished and responsive.
Best for: Network TV fans, people who want next-day episodes without a DVR
Pros:
– Next-day access to ABC, NBC, Fox, and FX shows
– Strong original programming (The Bear, Only Murders in the Building)
– Live TV option available as an add-on
Cons:
– The cheapest plan has frequent and unskippable ads
– Live TV add-on is expensive compared to standalone alternatives
– Interface can feel cluttered with too many promotional tiles
5. ESPN, Best for Sports Fans Who Already Have a Cable Login
Cost: Free with cable login | ESPN+ subscription: $10.99/month or $109.99/year
The ESPN app on Apple TV is solid for live sports streaming. With an ESPN+ subscription you get access to select live games, original studio programming, and a growing archive of sports documentaries. If your cable package includes ESPN and you have a provider login, you can also unlock the full live ESPN channel feed.
Best for: Sports fans, ESPN+ subscribers, people with an existing cable or live TV login
Pros:
– Live games across NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football, MMA, and more
– Good Apple TV interface with easy game browsing
– ESPN+ originals like 30 for 30 documentaries
Cons:
– Premium live games (especially NFL) often sit behind additional paywalls
– ESPN+ alone does not give you the full live ESPN channel
– Best features require either a cable login or stacking with another service
6. Peacock, Best for NBC Content and the Olympics
Cost: Free (limited) | $7.99/month (Premium) | $13.99/month (Premium Plus, no ads)
Peacock is NBC’s streaming service, and it punches above its weight for sports coverage, it’s the home of Sunday Night Football, the Olympics, Premier League soccer, and NASCAR. The free tier gives you access to a decent chunk of content, though live sports and newer episodes typically require a paid plan.
Best for: NFL fans, Premier League viewers, Olympics coverage
Pros:
– Sunday Night Football, Premier League, and Olympics streaming rights
– Large back catalog of NBC shows, reality TV, and movies
– Free tier available (with ads and limited content)
Cons:
– Free tier is genuinely limited, the best content is locked behind paid tiers
– Ad interruptions on the Premium plan can be heavy
– Original programming is inconsistent in quality
7. Paramount+, Best for CBS Shows and NFL on CBS
Cost: $7.99/month (Essential, with ads) | $12.99/month (Paramount+ with Showtime, no ads)
Paramount+ is the home of CBS programming, which matters a lot if you follow the NFL, it carries AFC games every Sunday. Beyond football, you get Star Trek originals, Yellowstone-universe shows, and the full Paramount/CBS back catalog. The Showtime bundle adds premium movies and prestige drama for a reasonable jump in price.
Best for: CBS viewers, AFC football fans, Yellowstone fans
Pros:
– NFL on CBS streaming rights (AFC games)
– Strong original programming including multiple Star Trek series
– Showtime bundle adds significant value at the higher tier
Cons:
– Smaller on-demand library compared to Netflix or Hulu
– Essential plan has ads that can’t be skipped
– Some live local CBS content varies by region
8. Disney+, Best for Families and Marvel/Star Wars Fans
Cost: $7.99/month (with ads) | $13.99/month (no ads) | Bundle with Hulu and ESPN+ available
Disney+ is the home of the entire Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars catalogs. If you have kids, it’s practically essential. If you’re an adult who grew up on any of those franchises, the back catalog alone justifies the subscription. The Apple TV app supports 4K HDR and Dolby Vision on supported content.
Best for: Families, Marvel and Star Wars fans, Disney nostalgia
Pros:
– Unmatched family content library
– New Marvel and Star Wars originals added regularly
– Clean, easy-to-navigate interface on Apple TV
Cons:
– Content skews heavily toward Disney properties, thin on general drama or comedy
– No live TV or sports programming
– Best value when bundled (Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+), which adds cost
9. Tubi, Best Completely Free Streaming Option
Cost: Free (ad-supported, no subscription required)
Tubi is the most underrated free streaming app available. No subscription, no credit card, no trial, just a massive library of movies and TV shows supported by ads. The catalog leans toward older titles and B-movies, but there are genuine gems buried in there, and the Fox-owned service has been steadily improving its content deals.
Best for: Budget-conscious viewers, casual movie watching, anyone who just wants something to watch for free
Pros:
– Completely free, no account required to browse, just to watch
– Surprisingly large library (over 50,000 titles)
– No commitment whatsoever
Cons:
– Heavy ad load with no option to pay for ad-free viewing
– Content skews older and includes a lot of low-budget films
– No live TV, sports, or new release content
10. Pluto TV, Best Free Live Channel Experience
Cost: Free (ad-supported)
Pluto TV takes a different approach than Tubi, instead of on-demand browsing, it gives you a traditional channel guide experience with hundreds of curated live channels, all free. There are channels for almost every genre: true crime, classic TV, news, sports highlights, reality TV, and more. It’s the closest thing to channel-surfing that free streaming offers.
Best for: People who miss the experience of channel-surfing, free live TV
Pros:
– Hundreds of free live channels with a familiar guide interface
– No account or credit card required to start watching
– Owned by Paramount, so content deals are solid
Cons:
– Ad interruptions are frequent and unavoidable
– Live channel lineup is curated content, not live sports or news networks
– On-demand library is smaller than Tubi’s
11. Prime Video, Best for Amazon Originals and Add-On Channels
Cost: Included with Amazon Prime ($14.99/month or $139/year) | $8.99/month standalone
If you already have Amazon Prime for shipping, Prime Video comes free. The originals are legitimately excellent, The Boys, Reacher, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and the add-on channel system lets you subscribe to premium networks like Max, Paramount+, or Showtime directly through Amazon, consolidating billing in one place.
Best for: Amazon Prime subscribers, fans of Amazon originals, people who want to consolidate streaming subscriptions
Pros:
– Excellent original programming
– Massive movie rental and purchase library
– Add-on channel system simplifies managing multiple subscriptions
Cons:
– Add-on channels can make Prime Video feel like a storefront more than a service
– Interface is more cluttered than Netflix or Disney+
– Some content is rental/purchase only, not included in subscription
12. Apple TV+, Best for Premium Originals (No Catalog)
Cost: $9.99/month | Often free with new Apple device purchase (3 months)
Apple TV+ is Apple’s own streaming service, and it’s laser-focused on original content. The catalog is intentionally small, no licensed movies, no acquired TV series, but the quality is consistently high. Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, Slow Horses, and Shrinking are among the best originals in streaming. If you recently bought an Apple device, you likely got a free trial already.
Best for: Viewers who prioritize quality over quantity, people who got it free with a device
Pros:
– Among the highest per-title quality of any streaming service
– No ads on any plan
– Included free for 3 months with most Apple hardware purchases
Cons:
– Tiny catalog, you will run out of things to watch faster than any other service
– No library content, only Apple originals
– Full price is hard to justify unless you’re actively watching something new
Apple TV Streaming Apps, Comparison Table
| App | Monthly Cost | Live TV | Sports | Free Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KrushTV | $20/mo | Yes, hundreds of channels | Yes, all major sports | 3-day free trial |
| Netflix | $7.99–$22.99/mo | No | No | No |
| YouTube | Free | No | Limited | Yes |
| Hulu | $7.99–$17.99/mo | Add-on only | Limited | No |
| ESPN | $10.99/mo (ESPN+) | Partial | Yes | With cable login |
| Peacock | Free–$13.99/mo | Yes (limited) | Yes (NFL, EPL) | Yes (limited) |
| Paramount+ | $7.99–$12.99/mo | Yes (CBS) | Yes (NFL on CBS) | No |
| Disney+ | $7.99–$13.99/mo | No | No | No |
| Tubi | Free | No | No | Yes |
| Pluto TV | Free | Yes (curated) | No | Yes |
| Prime Video | $8.99/mo | No | Limited | With Prime |
| Apple TV+ | $9.99/mo | No | No | 3 months w/ device |
How to Build the Right Apple TV App Stack
The biggest mistake cord-cutters make is replacing their cable bill with five streaming subscriptions that add up to more than cable cost. Here’s a smarter approach:
If live TV and sports matter most: Start with KrushTV ($20/month). It covers the live TV and sports side better than any other single service at that price point. Add one or two on-demand services for original content.
For on-demand originals: Pick one or two from Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV+, or Prime Video based on the shows you actually watch. Rotate subscriptions rather than paying for all of them simultaneously.
For free content: Always have Tubi and Pluto TV installed. They cost nothing and are worth having for casual browsing nights.
A realistic full stack: KrushTV ($20) + Netflix ($7.99) + Tubi (free) = $27.99/month for live TV, sports, and a deep on-demand library. That’s less than a quarter of what most cable packages cost.
Start Watching Today
If you’re ready to cut the cord, KrushTV is the best place to start. Hundreds of live channels, all major sports, and a price that makes cable look like a bad joke, all with no credit card required for your free trial.
For Apple TV setup instructions, visit krushtv.com/setup.
Or start your 3-day free trial right now at krushtv.com/free-trial.
No contracts. No credit card. Cancel anytime.