Best Streaming Services in DACH 2026: Germany, Austria and Switzerland Compared
Looking for the best streaming services in DACH? Compare Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and local picks like RTL+.
Streaming in DACH is no longer a choice between Netflix and Prime Video.
Germany, Austria and Switzerland now combine global subscription platforms, local broadcaster apps, live-TV services, sports packages and ad-supported plans. The same service can also cost considerably more in one DACH country than another.
HBO Max entered all three markets in January 2026, Joyn expanded its Austrian offer and local platforms such as ORF ON and Play Suisse continue to provide substantial libraries without another monthly subscription. At the same time, viewers face more apps, bundles and country-specific licensing rules than ever before.
This guide compares the leading streaming services across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, including current prices, free options, advertisements, 4K access and the type of content each platform handles best.
Price note: Prices were checked on 28 July 2026. The tables use regular monthly rates rather than short-term promotions. Streaming providers can change prices, plans and catalogues at short notice.
Streaming in DACH at a glance
Internet-delivered television is now mainstream across all three markets, although adoption looks different in each country.
| Market | Latest streaming indicator | What it means |
| Germany | 54% use IPTV or TV streaming | Internet TV has overtaken cable |
| Austria | 35% use TV streaming as their primary reception method | Streaming is now the country’s leading primary TV method |
| Switzerland | 71% receive TV through the internet | IPTV accounts for 39% and TV streaming for 32% |
The results come from Zattoo’s 2026 TV Streaming Reports. The surveys cover internet-based television rather than paid video-on-demand subscriptions alone, so they include IPTV and live-TV streaming services alongside entertainment platforms.
For a wider introduction to consumer behaviour and online business in the region, see our complete guide to the DACH market.
Best streaming services in DACH compared
The biggest global services are available across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, but their entry prices and plan structures differ.
| Streaming service | Germany | Austria | Switzerland | Advertisements | Highest video quality | Best for |
| Netflix | From €4.99 | From €8.99 | From CHF14.90 | Entry plan in Germany | 4K on Premium | Broad mainstream selection |
| Prime Video | €8.99 with Prime | €8.99 with Prime | CHF9.99 | Included catalogue contains ads | Selected 4K titles | Overall value and bundles |
| Disney+ | From €6.99 | From €10.99 | From CHF9.90 | Entry plan in Germany and Switzerland | 4K on Premium | Families and major franchises |
| HBO Max | From €5.99 | From €5.99 | From CHF9.90 | Basic plan | 4K on Premium | HBO, Warner Bros. and prestige series |
| Apple TV | €9.99 | €9.99 | CHF10.90 | No cheaper ad tier | 4K where available | Original premium series |
| Paramount+ | From €5.99 | Local euro pricing | From CHF7.90 | Depends on plan and market | Depends on plan | Secondary family and franchise service |
| Joyn | Free | Free | Free | Yes | Mainly HD | Local live TV and catch-up |
| MUBI | Available | Available | Available | No ad-supported tier | Title-dependent | Independent and arthouse films |
| Crunchyroll | Available | Available | Available | Free and paid access | Mainly HD | Anime |
The prices above come from the services’ country pages and local distribution partners. Netflix currently starts at €4.99 in Germany, €8.99 in Austria and CHF14.90 in Switzerland. Disney+ starts at €6.99, €10.99 and CHF9.90 respectively. Prime costs €8.99 per month in Germany and Austria, while its reported Swiss retail price is CHF9.99.
HBO Max launched in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on 13 January 2026. German and Austrian plans start at €5.99, while Swiss access starts at CHF9.90.
Which streaming service is best in DACH?
There is no universal winner across all three countries.
Netflix is the safest general-purpose choice. It offers a broad mix of international series, films, documentaries and local productions. It is also available on almost every major device.
Prime Video provides the strongest bundle value in Germany and Austria. The €8.99 Prime membership also includes Amazon delivery benefits. Some films and channels inside the interface still require an additional purchase or subscription.
Disney+ is the strongest family platform. Its catalogue brings together Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic. Premium is required for 4K, HDR and four concurrent streams.
HBO Max is the biggest change to the DACH market in 2026. It gives viewers direct access to HBO, Warner Bros., DC and Max programming instead of making them depend entirely on local licensing arrangements.
Joyn is the best free starting point. Its catalogue differs by country, but it combines live television, broadcaster libraries and on-demand programmes without requiring a paid subscription.
Netflix in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Netflix remains the easiest platform to recommend to a household that wants one broad streaming service rather than a specialised library.
The biggest difference within DACH is the price. Germany has an ad-supported entry plan for €4.99. Austria starts at €8.99, while Switzerland starts at CHF14.90 and rises to CHF29.90 for the most expensive plan.
Netflix DACH price comparison
| Country | Starting monthly price | Highest listed monthly price | Cheapest plan contains ads |
| Germany | €4.99 | Around €19.99 | Yes |
| Austria | €8.99 | €19.99 | No current ad plan |
| Switzerland | CHF14.90 | CHF29.90 | No current ad plan |
Netflix plans to expand its ad-supported option into Austria and Switzerland in 2027. At present, Germany is the only DACH market with the cheaper advertising tier.
Netflix is best for:
- households choosing only one paid platform,
- a mix of international and German-language content,
- frequent new releases,
- viewers who value personalised recommendations,
- families needing multiple profiles.
The main weakness is price in Switzerland. A Swiss viewer pays almost three times the German entry rate, although the underlying plans are not identical.
Prime Video in DACH
Prime Video is part of Amazon Prime in Germany and Austria. Membership costs €8.99 per month or €89.90 per year in both countries. Switzerland has a separate Prime Video retail price of CHF9.99 per month.
Prime Video offers three types of content inside one interface:
- titles included with Prime,
- films and series available to rent or buy,
- additional subscription channels such as Paramount+.
That structure gives the platform a larger apparent catalogue, but not everything shown is covered by the base subscription. Amazon’s German store labels separate rental, purchase and add-on content.
Prime Video is best for:
- Amazon customers already paying for Prime,
- viewers looking for a strong service at a moderate price,
- households interested in renting recent releases,
- people who prefer adding channels inside one account,
- German and Austrian users who also value Prime delivery.
Prime Video is less straightforward than Netflix or Apple TV. Users need to check whether a title is included, sold separately or available through another paid channel.
Disney+ in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Disney+ has one of the clearest content propositions in the market. It focuses on Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and the wider general-entertainment catalogue available through the platform.
Its plan structure is not the same throughout DACH.
Disney+ DACH price comparison
| Plan | Germany | Austria | Switzerland |
| Standard with ads | €6.99 | Not currently listed | CHF9.90 |
| Standard | €10.99 | €10.99 | CHF16.90 |
| Premium | €15.99 | €15.99 | CHF23.40 |
| Maximum quality | 4K on Premium | 4K on Premium | 4K on Premium |
| Concurrent streams on Premium | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Germany and Switzerland offer an advertising tier, while the Austrian country page currently displays Standard and Premium only. Premium adds 4K UHD, HDR, Dolby Atmos support where available and up to four simultaneous streams.
Disney+ is best for:
- families with children,
- Marvel and Star Wars audiences,
- animation,
- recognisable franchise content,
- households that use parental controls heavily.
Its limitation is catalogue concentration. It can be an excellent second service, but viewers who are not interested in Disney-owned franchises may find less everyday variety than on Netflix or Prime Video.
HBO Max in DACH
HBO Max became directly available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in January 2026. That makes it the most important addition to this year’s comparison.
The platform combines content from:
- HBO,
- Warner Bros.,
- Max Originals,
- DC,
- Discovery,
- Cartoon Network,
- selected sports programming.
HBO Max DACH prices
| Plan | Germany and Austria | Switzerland |
| Basic with ads | €5.99 | CHF9.90 |
| Standard | Approx. €11.99 | CHF16.90 |
| Premium | Up to €16.99 | CHF23.90 |
| Sports add-on | Country-specific | CHF7 in selected distribution packages |
German and Austrian launch pricing begins at €5.99 and rises to €16.99 for Premium. Swisscom lists CHF9.90 for Basic, CHF16.90 for Standard and CHF23.90 for Premium.
HBO Max is best for:
- prestige drama,
- HBO series,
- Warner Bros. films,
- DC content,
- adult animation,
- viewers interested in combining entertainment with selected Eurosport coverage.
Its arrival also creates new bundles. German viewers can combine RTL+ Premium with an HBO Max plan, while Swiss operators package HBO Max with Disney+, Paramount+ and other services.
Apple TV in DACH
Apple TV takes a different position from Netflix or Prime Video. It has a smaller catalogue built mainly around exclusive Apple productions rather than a large rotating library of licensed films.
Pricing is relatively consistent:
| Country | Monthly price |
| Germany | €9.99 |
| Austria | €9.99 |
| Switzerland | CHF10.90 |
Each market currently includes a seven-day trial. Apple also offers temporary access with selected device purchases and includes the service in Apple One packages.
Apple TV is best for:
- viewers prioritising original series over catalogue size,
- households with Apple devices,
- high-quality drama, comedy and science fiction,
- people looking for a complementary second subscription.
Apple TV is rarely the best single subscription for a family that watches something every evening. It works better as a focused addition to a broader service or as a subscription activated for a specific series.
Paramount+ in DACH
Paramount+ is available throughout the region and sits below most major competitors on entry price.
Its catalogue covers Paramount Pictures, CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and franchises such as Star Trek. The German Prime Video channel currently costs €5.99 per month after its trial. Swisscom lists Paramount+ plans from CHF7.90 monthly, with lower effective prices on annual contracts.
Paramount+ works best as a secondary subscription rather than a default household platform. It is most attractive to viewers looking for a specific franchise, children’s content or selected American series.
Joyn in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Joyn deserves a more prominent place in the updated article because it is now active across all three DACH markets.
The free offer is different in every country:
| Market | Free Joyn offer |
| Germany | More than 100 live channels plus on-demand content |
| Austria | More than 150 live channels, broadcaster libraries and free sport |
| Switzerland | More than 50 live channels, shows and selected originals |
Germany’s free version includes channels such as ARD, ZDF and ProSieben. Austria’s platform carries local channels including ORF, ATV, Puls 4 and ServusTV alongside international stations. The Swiss version includes SRF, German-language private broadcasters and channels from neighbouring DACH markets.
Joyn+ expanded into Austria in May 2026. It costs €8.99 monthly or the equivalent of €6.99 per month with an annual commitment. The paid plan adds more channels, HD access, downloads and fewer advertising breaks.
Joyn is best for:
- free live television,
- German-language programming,
- broadcaster catch-up,
- local entertainment and reality formats,
- viewers who do not need a large global film catalogue.
Best local streaming services in Germany
Germany has the widest paid streaming market in DACH. Global platforms compete with broadcaster services, live-TV aggregators and sports packages.
| Service | Price model | Main content | Best for |
| Joyn | Free; paid upgrade available | Live TV, ProSiebenSat.1 content and catch-up | Free local entertainment |
| RTL+ | Paid plans and bundles | RTL shows, reality, soaps, music and podcasts | German-language entertainment |
| WOW | From €9.98 monthly for regular movies and series plan | Sky series, films and sport | Sky programming without a traditional TV package |
| Zattoo | From €6.99 monthly | More than 200 live channels depending on plan | Replacing cable or satellite TV |
| ARD Mediathek | Free | Public-service programmes, news and documentaries | German public broadcasting |
| ZDFmediathek | Free | ZDF programmes, series, news and documentaries | Catch-up and public-service content |
| DAZN | Multiple sports plans | Football, NFL, combat sports and more | Dedicated sports streaming |
WOW’s regular movies-and-series plan is listed at €9.98 per month, while its live-sport packages cost considerably more. Zattoo’s German plans start at €6.99 and rise according to picture quality and replay features.
Germany is also the easiest DACH market in which to build a low-cost combination. Netflix and Disney+ both offer advertising tiers, while Joyn and the public broadcaster libraries provide substantial free catalogues.
Best local streaming services in Austria
Austria combines international subscriptions with unusually strong free broadcaster access.
| Service | Price model | Main content | Best for |
| ORF ON | Free | ORF live channels, news, sport, series and archives | Austrian public broadcasting |
| Joyn Austria | Free; Joyn+ available | More than 150 live channels and broadcaster libraries | Broad free live-TV selection |
| Sky X | From €12.50 for selected Fiction offers | Sky films, series and live sport | Premium entertainment and sports |
| ServusTV On | Free | Live events, sport, documentaries and local programmes | Free sport and factual content |
| RTL+ | Paid | German-language entertainment | Reality, television formats and series |
| Canal+ Austria | Paid | Films, series and local channels | Broad entertainment packages |
ORF ON brings together ORF 1, ORF 2, ORF III, ORF Sport+ and ORF Kids live streams, together with on-demand programmes and archive content.
Joyn Austria now provides more than 150 free channels and carries the media libraries of ORF ON, ServusTV On and other broadcasters.
Sky X separates fiction and sport. Its combined monthly package is currently advertised from €30, with contract length affecting the final rate.
Austria therefore has the strongest free local proposition in DACH. A household can combine ORF ON, Joyn and ServusTV before paying for a global subscription.
Best local streaming services in Switzerland
Switzerland has the highest nominal prices in the main comparison, but it also has strong free and bundled alternatives.
| Service | Price model | Main content | Best for |
| Play Suisse | Free and ad-free | Swiss films, series and documentaries | Content from all Swiss language regions |
| Joyn Switzerland | Free | More than 50 live channels | German-language live TV |
| blue TV | Free and paid packages | Live TV, entertainment and sports bundles | Combining multiple subscriptions |
| oneplus | Paid | Swiss entertainment plus partner subscriptions | Local German-language audiences |
| Sky Show | From CHF12.90 through selected providers | Sky series and films | Premium series |
| Canal+ | Paid | French and international films, series and sport | French-speaking Switzerland |
| MySports | Paid | Swiss ice hockey and NHL | Hockey audiences |
| blue Sport | Paid | Swiss and European football | Football audiences |
Play Suisse carries Swiss films, series and documentaries in their original languages, with subtitles covering the country’s four national languages. The service is free and does not insert conventional advertising.
Joyn Switzerland offers more than 50 live channels without a subscription.
Swisscom also bundles international platforms. Its catalogue includes Prime Video for CHF9.99, Sky Show from CHF12.90, HBO Max from CHF9.90 and packages combining Disney+, HBO Max and Paramount+.
Best free streaming services in DACH
Viewers do not need five paid subscriptions to access useful streaming content.
| Country | Best free overall | Best public broadcaster service | Best for live TV |
| Germany | Joyn | ARD Mediathek and ZDFmediathek | Joyn or Zattoo Free |
| Austria | Joyn Austria | ORF ON | Joyn Austria |
| Switzerland | Play Suisse | Play Suisse and SRG broadcaster apps | Joyn Switzerland |
Best free option in Germany: Joyn
Joyn combines live channels with entertainment, catch-up television and selected films. It is a better first stop than a narrow broadcaster app when the viewer wants several channels in one interface.
Best free option in Austria: Joyn plus ORF ON
Joyn supplies the broad channel selection. ORF ON provides the deeper Austrian public-service catalogue, live sport, news and local programming.
Best free option in Switzerland: Play Suisse
Play Suisse is particularly valuable because it does something the international platforms cannot. It brings productions from Switzerland’s German, French, Italian and Romansh-speaking regions into one catalogue.
Best DACH streaming services by use case
| Use case | Best service | Strong alternative |
| Best overall general service | Netflix | Prime Video |
| Best value in Germany and Austria | Prime Video | Disney+ with ads in Germany |
| Best value in Switzerland | Prime Video | Apple TV |
| Best for families | Disney+ | Netflix |
| Best for prestige series | HBO Max | Apple TV |
| Best for German-language television | Joyn | RTL+ |
| Best for Austrian content | ORF ON | Joyn Austria |
| Best for Swiss content | Play Suisse | oneplus |
| Best free service | Joyn | Country broadcaster apps |
| Best for arthouse films | MUBI | Local film libraries |
| Best for anime | Crunchyroll | Netflix |
| Best for live sports | Country and sport-dependent | DAZN, WOW, Sky X or blue Sport |
| Best for replacing traditional TV | Zattoo | Joyn or blue TV |
These recommendations are based on catalogue focus, pricing, local availability and the role each service plays in a household. They do not rank individual films or series, which change too frequently for a stable comparison.
Streaming sports in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Sport is the least suitable category for a single DACH-wide recommendation. Broadcasting rights are sold separately and may differ even between neighbouring countries.
Germany
The main paid options include DAZN, WOW Live-Sport, Prime Video channels and selected HBO Max sports access. The correct combination depends on the competition rather than the viewer’s preferred platform.
Austria
Sky X carries a large premium sports package. ORF ON, ServusTV On and Joyn also make selected competitions available without a separate premium sports subscription.
Joyn Austria currently lists free access to channels such as ORF Sport+, Eurosport 1, Sport1, Red Bull TV and several FAST sports channels.
Switzerland
Sports rights are especially fragmented. Swisscom lists:
- blue Sport from CHF34.90 monthly with an annual plan,
- MySports from CHF29.90,
- Sky Sport at CHF24.90,
- DAZN from CHF34.90,
- HBO Max Sports Add-on at CHF7 on top of an HBO Max subscription.
The best choice depends heavily on football, ice hockey, motorsport or tennis preferences.
How to choose the right streaming combination
Most households do not need every major platform at the same time.
A more practical setup has three layers.
1. Start with local free services
Use Joyn, ORF ON, Play Suisse and broadcaster libraries for live TV, news and local content.
2. Add one broad international platform
Netflix works for catalogue variety. Prime Video offers better bundle value in Germany and Austria. Disney+ is the clearer choice for families.
3. Rotate specialist subscriptions
Activate HBO Max, Apple TV, Paramount+, MUBI or a sports service when there is enough content to justify the monthly fee. Cancel after finishing the relevant series or season.
Swiss consumers already show this behaviour. Twenty-seven per cent deliberately take out subscriptions for limited periods to watch particular films, series or sports events.
What the DACH streaming market means for brands
The streaming market also provides several lessons for retailers, advertisers and subscription businesses operating in DACH.
DACH is not one pricing market
Netflix starts at €4.99 in Germany but CHF14.90 in Switzerland. Disney+ Standard costs €10.99 in Germany and Austria but CHF16.90 in Switzerland.
Exchange rates explain only part of the difference. Local purchasing power, distribution partnerships, taxes and plan structures also affect the final price.
Advertising is becoming part of the subscription model
Germany already has ad-supported entry plans from Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max. Switzerland has advertising tiers from Disney+ and HBO Max. Austria still has fewer advertising-led entry options among the largest global services.
The split creates new inventory for advertisers that want premium connected-TV placements rather than conventional linear television.
Bundles are returning
Streaming initially promised to replace large television packages with individual subscriptions. The market is now moving back towards aggregation.
RTL+ combines its German service with HBO Max. Swisscom sells packages containing Disney+, HBO Max and Paramount+. Prime Video places multiple subscription channels inside one interface.
The product has changed, but the consumer need is familiar: fewer separate bills and fewer applications to manage.
Local programming remains important
Global platforms dominate the international catalogue, but local services still own live news, national sport, reality formats and public-service programming.
A streaming strategy that treats Germany, Austria and Switzerland as one content market will miss major differences in language, broadcaster relationships and viewing habits.
Subscription complexity has become a conversion problem
Zattoo’s 2026 surveys found that 11% of Austrian non-users and 12% of Swiss non-users saw the number of apps and subscriptions as a barrier to streaming.
Clear plan pages, transparent pricing and simple cancellation rules are now competitive features, not administrative details.
Frequently asked questions about streaming services in DACH
What are the most popular streaming services in DACH?
Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ remain the main global platforms across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. HBO Max joined all three markets in January 2026. Joyn, RTL+, ORF ON and Play Suisse add local and live-TV content.
Which streaming service is cheapest in Germany?
Among the main paid global platforms, Netflix currently has the lowest entry price at €4.99 with advertisements. HBO Max starts at €5.99 and Disney+ at €6.99. Joyn and public broadcaster libraries provide free alternatives.
Which streaming service is cheapest in Austria?
Joyn Austria and ORF ON are free. Among the major international subscription services, Netflix and Prime start at €8.99, while Apple TV costs €9.99 and Disney+ Standard costs €10.99.
Which streaming service is cheapest in Switzerland?
Joyn and Play Suisse are free. Among the large paid platforms, Paramount+ starts at CHF7.90 through selected distributors, while Prime Video costs CHF9.99 and HBO Max and Disney+ start at CHF9.90.
Is HBO Max available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland?
Yes. HBO Max launched in all three markets on 13 January 2026. Plans start at €5.99 in Germany and Austria and CHF9.90 in Switzerland.
Is Netflix cheaper in Germany than in Austria and Switzerland?
Yes. Netflix starts at €4.99 in Germany, compared with €8.99 in Austria and CHF14.90 in Switzerland. The German entry plan contains advertising, while the current Austrian and Swiss entry plans do not.
What is the best free streaming service in Germany?
Joyn is the broadest free commercial option because it combines live channels and on-demand programmes. ARD Mediathek and ZDFmediathek are stronger for public-service news, documentaries and German productions.
What is the best streaming service in Austria?
The best paid service depends on content preferences, but Austria has particularly strong free options. ORF ON provides Austrian public-service content, while Joyn carries more than 150 live channels and broadcaster libraries.
What is the best streaming service in Switzerland?
Netflix offers the broadest global catalogue, but Prime Video and Apple TV have lower entry prices. Play Suisse is the strongest free option for Swiss films, documentaries and multilingual local productions.
Can one subscription be used across DACH countries?
Temporary travel within the European Economic Area is generally covered by EU portability rules, which apply to Germany and Austria. Switzerland is outside the EEA, so access and catalogue behaviour can differ. Permanent account use must follow the platform’s household and country rules.
Which streaming services offer 4K?
Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Prime Video and Apple TV offer selected 4K content. Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max reserve the highest picture quality for their more expensive plans.
Final thoughts
Streaming services in DACH share many of the same global brands, but the three markets are not interchangeable.
Germany has the strongest selection of cheaper advertising tiers. Austria stands out for free local broadcaster access. Switzerland has higher subscription prices but strong multilingual platforms and operator bundles.
The best setup is rarely a stack of five permanent subscriptions. For most viewers, one broad international platform, one free local service and a rotating specialist subscription provide a better balance of price and content.
