Netflix

Netflix has become shorthand for an evening in front of a screen, but its catalogue is wider than one kind of show. There are long-running dramas, limited series, comedies, documentaries, animated films, reality shows and stand-up specials, alongside films from many countries. That range matters, because one household can want a tense thriller, a light comedy and a children's film on the same night, and all three are likely to be there.

The mobile app is designed for watching on the move as well as at home. You can start a series on the TV, continue it on a phone during a commute, and finish it on a tablet later, with progress carried across devices. Downloads let you watch offline on a flight or in a place with weak signal, while separate profiles keep recommendations, watch history and My List apart for different members of a household. Parental controls help keep children's profiles to suitable content.

Recommendations shape much of the experience. Based on what you watch, rate and finish, Netflix suggests similar titles and surfaces new releases that fit your taste. Sometimes that works beautifully; sometimes it takes a little browsing through categories, trending lists and search to find the right thing. The search itself is forgiving — you can look for an actor, a director, a genre or a single word in a title and usually find something close.

Netflix is a paid subscription service, with different plans available, and it also includes mobile games and live events in some regions. It suits viewers who watch regularly and like variety, rather than someone looking for a single film. For a household that watches together, or a person who likes to settle into a series over several weeks, it remains the most complete streaming library in one app.