A data-driven analysis comparing the value offered by major streaming platforms in 2025
For a complete breakdown of the data, methodology, and insights, check out the Medium article:
As streaming services expand and subscription costs increase, consumers face a common challenge: determining which platforms offer the best return on investment. This project analyzes five major streaming services—Netflix, Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+—to identify which delivers the most value in 2025 based on content quantity, originality, quality, and pricing.
This project aims to answer the question: Which streaming service offers the most value for money in 2025?
The analysis evaluates catalog size, cost, original content offerings, and IMDb ratings, and aggregates these into a composite metric called the Value Index.
- Which platform offers the highest number of titles per dollar?
- Which service delivers the most original content relative to its cost?
- How does content quality, measured through IMDb ratings, impact value?
- What is the most cost-effective streaming service in 2025?
- Catalog data for each platform was sourced from Kaggle.
- Titles were labeled as original or non-original using the TMDb API.
- Subscription pricing was manually collected as of 2025.
- Titles per Dollar: Total number of titles divided by monthly subscription cost.
- Originals per Dollar: Number of original titles divided by cost.
- Weighted IMDb Score per Dollar: Incorporates both rating and vote count, adjusted for price.
All metrics were normalized using Min-Max scaling to generate a composite Value Index for each platform.
 Value Index Overall value score. |
 Metric Breakdown Scores by metric. |
.png) IMDb/$ Quality per dollar. |
.png) Titles vs Rating Quantity vs quality. |
.png) Originals/$ Original content efficiency. |
 Catalog Size Total titles. |
- Apple TV Plus – Best overall value: low price, top-rated content, highly efficient.
- Netflix – Strong in originals: high cost but unmatched exclusive content.
- Prime Video – Huge catalog: best for volume, average quality, few originals.
- Max – High-quality but small library: solid shows, poor cost efficiency.
- Hulu – Weakest value: most expensive, small catalog, few originals.
- Best Duo: Apple TV+ + Netflix – Prestige + originals at good value.
- Core Option: Use Prime Video – Great variety; add others for uniqueness.
- Want Exclusives? Netflix solo – Top platform for new original content.
- Avoid Hulu Solo – Not worth it unless part of a bundle deal.
- Seasonal Sub: Use Max when shows drop – Cancel when done.
- Top Pick: Apple TV+ – Cheapest, most efficient, critically acclaimed.