Now when fast internet is available in most parts of the country, OTT platforms are quite popular. Many people now also prefer watching content on OTT platforms over cable TV channels. There are several OTT platforms available in the country. Some are local OTT platforms offering regional content while some are global OTT platforms offering content from several countries. In this article, I will tell you the top OTT platforms in India. But before you check the list, first understand what exactly an OTT platform is.
What is an OTT platform?
OTT stands for “Over the top” and the term is used for streaming platforms that deliver content over the internet. So, any content streaming service that provides content over the internet is an OTT platform. Before OTT platforms, you were dependent on cable TV providers for the content. You could only watch what cable TV providers are offering. On an OTT platform, you can watch your favorite show anytime and anywhere.
OTT platforms are different from VOD services. VOD also provides video content on different devices but it may or may not be over the internet.
OTT platforms have been growing in India since 2018 and 2020 was the best for these platforms in terms of growth. Smart TV sales also helped in boosting the content consumption on OTT platforms. Now when the Internet is available in most parts of the country, OTT platforms have started competing well against TV channels. As per a recent report, there are 350 million OTT subscribers across different platforms. Hotstar is the most popular with close to 29% of the market share. Hotstar offers good content but live cricket streaming helps the OTT platform a lot in getting paid subscribers. Now when Netflix has reduced its subscription prices, it expects good growth.
Also see:
- Free Sports Streaming Sites
- Free Movie Streaming Sites
- Best Cartoon Websites to Watch Cartoons Online
- Best Sites To Watch TV Shows Online For Free
India’s OTT market is expected to be worth $15 billion by 2030. In the fiscal year 2020, the OTT market was estimated to be worth $1.7 billion. Most entertainment companies are now investing heavily in the OTT segment. If we look at history, India’s first OTT platform BIGFlix was launched by Reliance Entertainment in 2008. The first OTT app nexGTv was launched in 2010 by Digivive. nexGTv was also the first app to live–stream IPL matches in 2013 and 2014. IPL played an important role in the growth of Hotstar (now Disney+ Hotstar). Now Hotter is India’s most subscribed OTT platform with more than 300 million active users.
Top OTT platforms in India
1. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is the best and one of the most affordable OTT platforms in India. The reason why I am keeping it at the top is its affordable pricing. Amazon Prime Video offers movies and web series in several languages. You can watch global and local content both. Along with popular movies and TV series, Amazon also offers exclusive Amazon Originals. Prime Video has a good interface where you find dedicated sections and a search box. It also has a kids section with parental control. So, you can also allow your kid to watch kids’ content safely.
It comes with a Prime subscription that costs Rs 1499/year or Rs 179/month. So, the Prime membership brings Prime Video, and Prime Music along with free, fast delivery on eligible items.
Compatible Devices: Laptop, Desktop, and Smartphone
Languages: Marathi, English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada, Odia, Punjabi, Gujarati
Available Platforms: Web, Google Play Store, Apple Store
2. Disney+ Hotstar
Disney+ Hotstar is another good and popular OTT platform in India. The service brings live TV channels, movies, sports, and web series. Initially, the service was just Hotstar but later it was acquired by Disney. After the acquisition, Disney integrated Disney content offering Disney animated movies and shows, and tons of other Hollywood movies. There’s a dedicated Kids section offering kids content including cartoon series.
Disney has also now changed its pricing. The Super plan with 1080p streaming on up to 2 devices is priced at Rs. 899 per year. The PRemium plan offering 4K content on up to 4 devices costs Rs. 1499 per year. There is also a mobile plan offering HD content on just 1 mobile device and it costs Rs. 499 per year.
Compatible Devices: Laptop, Desktop, and Smartphone
Languages: Hindi, English, Tamil, Marathi, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, Kannada,
Available Platforms: Web, Google Play Store, Apple Store
3. Netflix
This Americal OTT platform delivers exceptional and exclusive content. Some notable series include Stranger Things, Black Mirror, Dark, Vikings, Cursed, Cobra Kai, and more. The service is available on smart TV, web, and mobile apps. You can also download content to watch offline when you don’t have an internet connection. Netflix is costly but worth the pricing if you consider the content quality. Even if a lot of content is not available in India, one can easily access the geo-blocked content using a VPN.
Netflix offers several subscription plans including Mobile, Basic, Standard, and Premium starting at Rs. 149 per month to Rs. 649 per month. It is comparatively costlier. That’s the reason most people still don’t buy Netflix subscriptions even if the OTT platform offers exceptional content.
Compatible Devices: Laptop, Desktop, and Smartphone
Languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada
Available Platforms: Web, Google Play Store, Apple Store
Also see: Best VPN for Netflix
4. MX Player
MX Player is my personal favorite because it is the only OTT platform that doesn’t require registration. Just visit and watch. You get Movies, TV shows, music, web shows, and more. There is also a section for Live TV. The surprising thing is that this free OTT platform also offers MXPlayer originals for exclusive content. Content is available in several Indian languages including Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, and more. You also get English movies, Korean movies, and Turkish series.
As I said, this OTT platform is completely free but supported by ads. You don’t need to enter your details to watch content.
Compatible Devices: Laptop, Desktop, and Smartphone
Languages: Bhojpuri, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi, Odia, Gujarati, English
Available Platforms: Web, Google Play Store, Apple Store
5. Sony LIV
Sony LIV OTT app is owned by Sony Entertainment Network. The OTT platform offers content from Network’s TV channels including Sony TV, Sony SAB, Sony Ten, Sony Max, Sony Max 2, Sony Six, Sony Pix, and Sony Yay. TMKOC and The Kapil Sharma Show are the two most notable TV shows people love watching on Sony Liv. You can also stream sports content from Sony SIX, Sony TEN 1, Sony TEN 2, and Sony TEN 3 channels. Along with Sports content and TV shows, you can also stream movies.
The app lets you choose from monthly, 6 months, and yearly plans priced at Rs. 299, Rs. 699, and Rs. 999.
Compatible Devices: Laptop, Desktop, and Smartphone
Languages: Hindi, Telugu, English, Tamil, Marathi, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi
Available Platforms: Web, Google Play Store, Apple Store
6. ZEE5
ZEE5 is another popular OTT platform owned by Essel Group that also runs several TV gabbles. ZEE5 offers shows, movies, and music in 12 languages. Zee5 received its initial user base from people who love watching content from ZEE channels. The service also offers live TV channels.ZEE5 also has a partnership with ALTBalaji to provide content originals, shows, and movies from ALTBalaji in ZEE5 subscription.
ZEE5 subscription starts at Rs. 99. You can get monthly, 3 month, and yearly plans at Rs. 99, Rs. 299 and Rs. 999. ZEE5 is also available in some Airtel and Vodafone-Idea plans.
Compatible Devices: Laptop, Desktop, and Smartphone
Languages: Bhojpuri, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi, Odia, Gujarati, English
Available Platforms: Web, Google Play Store, Apple Store
7. JioCinema
JioCinema is an OTT service owned by the popular telco Jio. The platform is exclusive to Jio users only with no additional charges. You just need to own a Jio phone number with the Jio Prime membership. JioCinema offers Movies, TV shows, web series, short movies, and Music. The service also recently partnered with Disney India to offer popular Disney movies on JioCinema. Other major content partners include ALTBalaji, Eros Now, Paramount Pictures, Zee Entertainment, Viacom 18, Shemaroo Entertainment, Balaji Motion Pictures, Sun Nxt, and Sony.
Compatible Devices: Laptop, Desktop, and Smartphone
Languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada, Odia, Punjabi, Gujarati
Available Platforms: Web, Google Play Store, Apple Store
8. AltBalaji
AltBalaji is also a popular OTT platform in India. The platform has made niche viewers by offering mostly 18+ content including Gandii Baat and XXX. Other notable web series include Broken but Beautiful, Apharan, The Test case, Bose: Dead or Alive, and Cyber Squad. The OTT platform content includes Web Series, Movies, and Music Videos. There are also several other original web series to watch. You also get regional content in several Indian languages including Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, and more.
ALTBalaji subscription plans cost Rs 100 for three months, Rs 180 for six months, and Rs 300 for a year.
Compatible Devices: Laptop, Desktop, and Smartphone
Languages: Bhojpuri, Hindi, Tamil
Available Platforms: Web, Google Play Store, Apple Store
9. Voot
Voot is a popular OTT platform owned by Viacom18 that runs several TV channels such as Colors and MTV. Viacom18 also produces mobiles. Voot lets you stream Viacom18 TV shows and movies from the website and app. You get movies, original content, and TV shows. The app claims to offer more than 40,000 hours of content. There is also a Kids zone for offering kids-specific content.
VOOT subscription costs Rs. 499 per year or Rs. 99 per month.
Compatible Devices: Laptop, Desktop, and Smartphone
Languages: English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada, Odia, Punjabi, Gujarati
Available Platforms: Web, Google Play Store, Apple Store
10. EROS NOW
EROS NOW is also a good Indian OTT platform owned by Eros Digital. It was launched back in 2012. The platform offers 12000+ titles including TV shows, Movies, and Music videos. There are also several originals to watch. It is available on Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Opera TV, and select smart TV devices.
Eros Now Premium subscriptions cost Rs. 49 per month and Rs. 399 per year.
Compatible Devices: Laptop, Desktop, and Smartphone
Languages: Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi
Available Platforms: Web, Apple TV, Google Play Store, Apple Store
How OTT is Delivered?
You need an internet connection and a compatible hardware device to access OTT. OTT hardware may be a smartphone, tablet, computer, or smart TV where you can download OTT apps to stream OTT content. You can stream OTT content from anywhere with the help of OTT apps.
What Does OTT Stand For?
OTT stands for “over-the-top”. The term is used for the commercialized practice of streaming content over the World Wide Web.
What are some examples of OTT?
There are several OTT platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, PlayStation Vue, Disney+Hotstar, ZEE5, and more.
How do OTT platforms make money?
The primary source of OTT platforms is subscriptions. Some OTT services also show ads to earn. MX player doesn’t charge anything as it lacks a subscription option, so it earns only from ads.
Is Netflix an OTT?
Yes, Netflix is an OTT platform.
