Best OTT Platforms in India for your Complete Dose of Entertainment

Let’s start with understanding OTT platforms!

The full form of OTT is Over the Top.  Unlike the traditional distribution of content via cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms etc. OTT platforms offer access to all types of content (audio/video/media), television content, web series, movies, sports events, news and original series over the internet. These platforms present content as per consumer’s preference which is available in all the languages, along with the dubbed versions.

Categories of OTT Platforms

• Advertising video on demand (AVOD)
• Subscription video on demand (SVOD)
• Freemium & transactional video on demand (TVOD)

History of OTT Platforms in India

The concept of OTT platforms and online streaming sites in India started in 2008, with the release of BIGFlix, launched by Reliance Entertainment. It was India’s first dependent OTT platform. Following which Digivive, known as the pioneer of the OTT space introduced, the first OTT mobile app- nexGTv in 2010. It took the OTT concept to another level as it gave access to live TV and on-demand content. It was also the first app to stream Indian Premier League Matches on smartphones. The concept of OTT platforms flourished in India with the launch of Ditto TV and SonyLiv in the year 2013. Subsequently, more streaming services like Netflix, TVF and Amazon Prime have found their foot in India.

Growth of OTT Platforms In India

Today there are around 40 OTT platforms in India in different languages targeting different audience groups. With the launch of Hotstar (now Disney + Hotstar) in 2015 and Netflix in 2016, the demand for OTT platforms in India exponentially increased. However, it was restricted to urban cities and the middle age group.

The Year 2020 was a game-changer for online streaming services! Due to the Covid-19 outbreak and nationwide lockdown, people got more time to explore OTT platforms. Since it was the only mode of entertainment as all the cinema halls were shut. The shooting of TV serials was on the hault. On the other hand, OTT platforms, especially Netflix, Hotstar + Disney, and Amazon Prime, saw colossal viewership. One of the main reasons behind their rise was the plethora of content which these platforms had. From top international series like F.R.I.E.N.D.S, Two and a Half Men, zillions of  Hollywood & Bollywood movies and TV shows, these platforms offered everything and anything as per consumers choice & interest!

Moreover, since all the cinema halls were shut down, some of the movies like Gulabo Sitabo, Choked and many other movies were directly realised on these OTT platforms that allowed the audience to watch new releases at home televisions.

Another prominent reason for the OTT platforms boom in India is the introduction of economical net packs. Leading telecommunication companies like Airtel, Jio and others came up with affordable net packs that allowed the audience to subscribe to these OTT channels and watch the content on their smartphones.

According to the recent report collected by the Times of India, India’s Indian video OTT market is expected to grow from 1.5 billion in 2021 to $4 billion in 2025 and further to $12.5 billion by 2030. With the emerging demand of these OTT platforms, streaming services will become the most preferred platform amongst the audience.

Binge-Watching and OTT Platforms

Also known as binge-viewing or marathon-viewing, Binge-watching means watching one after another episode of your favourite web series. OTT platforms made binge-watching possible as one could watch the entire series in one shot.

List of Top 10 OTT platforms in India

Some of the famous and best OTT platforms that are ruling in India are:

1. Disney+ Hotstar

Started in early 2015, Disney + Hotstar is amongst the top OTT platforms in India. Owned by Star India, Hotstar has more than 300 million active subscribers. In the Year 2019, the Walt Disney Company acquired Hotstar, and since then, it is known as Disney +Hotstar. This online streaming service telecasted Cricket World Cup in the same year it was released, followed by Games of thrones that gave a massive boost to its viewership. Since 2019, the platform is streaming IPL (Indian Premier League), which has made it a top choice. Hotstar provides content in various languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali and Indonesian.

It oIt is the best Indian OTT platform. It offers two subscriptions plans- the VIP plan and The Premium plan. They both provide vast services.

Disney+ Hotstar Subscription

VIP Plan:  This Plan is available at ₹399/Year

Premium Plan: This Plan is available at ₹299/Month and ₹1499/year

Services	Free	VIP	Premium
Unlimited Live Sports	No	Yes	Yes
Hotstar Specials & Star serials before TV	No	Yes	Yes
Recently Released Movies	No	Yes	Yes
Disney+ movies, Hollywood movies & Kids content Dubbed in  हिन्दी   ಕನ್ನಡ   বাংলা   తెలుగు	No	Only Dubbed	English with Dubbed
English shows & Disney+ Originals	No	No	Yes
Ad-free entertainment	No	No	Yes
Screens you can watch on	1	1	2
Video quality	SD	HD	HD
Audio quality	Stereo	Dolby 5.1	Dolby 5.1

2. Amazon Prime Video

Next on our list of best OTT platforms in India is Amazon Prime Video. Though the platform was launched in 2006 in the United States, it made its way to India in 2016 and Australia, UK, Germany, Canada etc. With the release of famous web series like Mirzapur 1 and 2 and Family Man 1 and 2, the viewership of this platform increased immensely. It currently enjoys more than 200 million subscribers across the globe. Besides this, the platform is also streaming some famous series like Outer Range, A League of Their Own, The Outlaws, Paper Girls, James May: Our Man in Italy, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Chloe, The Terminal List, and many others. In addition to the Hollywood series, Amazon Prime also features legendry Bollywood movies and Indian series. Its rich yet variety of content available at an economical price has made Amazon Prime one of India’s leading online streaming services.

It is one of the best OTT providers and has content in all the languages such as Hindi, English, Marathi, Telegu, Bengali, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Gujarati, Punjabi and Odia.

Amazon Prime Video Subscription

• Amazon Prime for 1 Month: ₹ 179
• Amazon Prime for 3 Months: ₹ 459
• Amazon Prime for 1 Year: ₹ 1499

Services Provided by Amazon Prime Video

With prime membership, you can enjoy the following services

• Ad-free music on Prime Music
• Movies and TV series
• Amazon originals, blockbusters, Bollywood movies, regional movies etc.
• Free and fast delivery of eligible items available on Amazon.

3. Netflix

Third, in our list of top 10 platforms in India is Netflix. Though this OTT platform was launched in the Year 2016 in India in the US, it was launched way back in 1997. Over the years, Netflix has become synonymous with the OTT platform due to its wide range of content. The platform saw a sharp increase in its audience with the release of its Originals like The Crown, Money Heist, House of Cards and Indian series Sacred Games. As compared to the subscription price of the two above listed OTT platforms, the Netflix subscription amount is moderately high, but that’s worth subscribing to due to the vast range it offers. It enjoys more than 3 million active users. It has movies, web series, famous Pakistani dramas, regional movies etc.

Netflix Subscription

Services	Mobile	Basic	Standard	Premium
Monthly price	₹ 149	₹ 199	₹ 499	₹ 649
Video quality	Good	Good	Better	Best
Resolution	480p	480p	1080p	4K+HDR
Devices you can use to watch	Phone +Tablet	Phone +Tablet  + Computer  + TV	Phone +Tablet  + Computer  + TV	Phone +Tablet  + Computer  + TV

Services Provided By Netflix

• English Web Series
• Indian web series
• English Movies
• Hindi Movies
• Pakistani Dramas

4. Zee5

Launched in 2018, Zee5 – an Indian Video on Demand service. This is one of the top-rated online streaming services in India. It is a subsidiary of Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Its mobile application is available on the Web, Android, iOS, Smart TVs and others devices. It offers content in 12 languages. The first few web series to release on this OTT platform was Nanna Koochi in Telugu, America Mappillai (Tamil) and Dhatt Tere Ki (Hindi), Kallachirippu  Karenjit Kaur – The Untold Story of Sunny Leone, a biographical web series on Sunny Leone.

Besides India, Zee 5 is available in other countries as well. Zee5 is available for free on Vodafone Play and Airtel Xstream. Zee 5 and Vodafone Idea has recently introduced a new channel, ZEE5 Theatre, that has all the original movies and shows.  The channel is exclusively available on Idea mobile, and TV app and Vodafone play.

Zee 5 Subscription

Zee 5 Premium Plan	No. of Screens	Price
12 months Plan	3 Screens at the same time	Rs.699
3 Months Plan	Two screens at the same time	Rs. 399

Services Provided by Zee 5

• 2800+ Blockbuster Movies
• 150+ Web Series
• Live TV, Ad-Free entertainment
• Zee5 originals
• ALT Balaji shows
• Zindagi TV Shows
• Watch all the Zee shows before their telecast on TV.

5. SonyLIV

Next on the list of best OTT platforms in India is SonyLiv. It was started in the year 2013 by Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd. It streams over 700 movies and serials. It also features its original shows like Lovebytes, Married Women Diaries, Chutzpah (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam, Maharani (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, Kannada and Marathi, Scam 1992-The Harshad Mehta Story (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam) and many more to name.

This streaming service has all the TV shows of the channels that are part of Sony Pictures Networks India. Some famous serials you can watch on The Kapil Sharma Show, Crime Petrol, Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi Season 3, Tarak Mehta ka Ulta Chashma etc.

Besides this, the OTT platform is also streaming LIVE T20 Cricket match –India v/s Sri Lanka and other Cricket tournaments. Also, do not forget to catch the live Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 on SonyLiv.

SonyLIV Plans and Services Offered

LIV Premium	Liv Special +	WWE Network
Rs.999/year, Rs.699 for six months and Rs. 299/month	Rs. 399/year	Rs.299/year
Latest International Shows	All shows Same time as TV	Excess to 10,000 + hours of WWE Archives
All Live Sports and TV Channels	Live Sports preview up to 10 minutes	Exclusive WWE series, documentaries and biographies
Live Events of WWE	No adds served except in Sports Preview, Live Linear Channels and Games	RAW and Smackdown episodes available after one month
Download Episodes and watch them anytime	Download episodes	Ads only during Live Events and free preview

6. Voot

Voot is also counted amongst the top 10 OTT platforms in India. Launched in 2016 by Viacom 18, Voot is an Indian subscription video on demand. This OTT platform is available for iOS,[4] KaiOS (JioPhone) and Android devices. This Indian OTT platform features channels like Colors, Nickelodeon, MTV, and other Viacom 18 owned television channels. In the Year 2020, Voot launched its paid subscription service- Voot Select, which airs all the Original content and TV shows aired a day before their telecast. It has content in languages like Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu. Some of the famous web series that you can exclusively watch on Voot are ASUR, The Affair, Madam Secretory etc.

Voot Subscription and Services Offered

Voot Yearly Plan	Voot Monthly Plan
Rs.299	Rs.99
Popular Shows (International and Original) 24 Hours Before TV	India’s Top-Rated Originals
Splitsvilla 24 Hours Before TV	Ad-Free Experience
Bigg Boss Before TV	BB Kannada 24-Hr LIVE Stream
Latest International Shows	45+ LIVE TV Channels

7. ALTBalaji

Launched in 2017, ALTBalaji is also one of the Indian subscription-based video-on-demand platforms. It is owned by Balaji Telefilms Ltd. The platform has more than 34 million paid users. It is available over 32 interfaces, and the content is available on mobile and tablet devices along with its web browser. This OTT platform claims to have the largest bank of content in different genres such as dramas, crime, thriller, romance and mystery.

 It also has exclusive content for kids in languages like Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil & many others. AltBalaji top-rated shows like Broken but Beautiful, Dil He To Hai, Code M, Apaharan, Baarish, Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain, The Married Woman, etc. swift increase in the demand for this OTT platform in India. Currently, it is also listed in some of the best OTT app in India.

ALTBalaji Plans

It has the following three plans :

• Rs.100 plan for 3 months
• Rs. 180 plan for 6 months.
• Rs. 300 plan for 12 months

ALTBalaji Subscription Services

All the plans listed above offer the following services:

• Allows you to binge-watch all the episodes without any limit.
• Download and watch any show at any time and anywhere.
• Access to 5 devices at the same time.

8. Eros Now

Launched in 2012, Eros Now is one of the best OTT platforms and online streaming services in India. It is owned by Eros Digital and ErosSTX. This OTT platform provides media streaming and video-on-demand services. It has more than 12,000 digital titles, including movies, music videos, television shows and music tracks. Some of the blockbusters available on this OTT platform are Cheeni Kum, Bajirao Mastani, Goliyon ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Mukkabaaz, English Vinglish and many other titles in 10 different languages. This online streaming service also has a vast collection of international shows aired on ARY TV and Hum TV channels.

In addition to this, Eros Now features several original contents like Toffee, Meri Nimmo, Smoke, Operation Cobra and many others, to name.

Eros Now Premium Plans

• One month plan at Rs. 49.
• Three months plan at Rs. 79.
• Yearly Plan at Rs.399.

Services Offered By Eros Now

• Television shows
• Movies
• Original content
• Music videos and music track
• International shows

9. MX Player

MX Player is another one of the most subscribed and top OTT platforms in India 2022. It has original content and content from Indian and international studios like FilmRise, Sonar Entertainment, Hungama, Shemaroo, Sun TV network. In 2020, this OTT platform has been launched in other countries like United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal. Some of the must-watch web series available on MX Player are Samantar, Aashram, Raktanchal, Bhaukaal, Damaged, etc.

It has content in 13 languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu. Besides its original content, the OTT platform also has sports content, news shows, music videos. In the Year 2020, MX Player introduced a short video app called MX Taka Tak.

MX Player Plans

You can watch most of the content for free but with ads. MX Player app can be downloaded on all iOs and Android smart devices for free. You can avail the latest MX Player Gold Annual Plan which is Rs.499/year.

10. The Viral Fever (TVF)

This is yet another one of the famous Indian over the top service. It is also a YouTube channel. Introduced in 2005, TVF has videos covering various topics like lifestyle, politics, social concepts etc. The Viral Fever was the first platform to introduce the concept of web series in India with its cult series- Permanent Roommates and TVF Pitchers. It has its website and app where you can watch all the latest videos available. Some of the famous TVF original series are Panchayat, Girliayapa, TVF Pitchers, Kota Factory.

You can watch its wide range of premium shows and videos on internet-connected devices or can watch your favourite series on TV via TV, Play Android TV and Fire TV apps.

You can download the TVF app and watch all the content for free.

List of regional OTT platforms

1. Hungama (Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, etc.)

Hungama is one of the best regional OTT platforms in India. It has 8000+ movies and 500+ short films with 10 million+ songs and videos. The platform has content in multiple languages such as English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Bengali, Gujarati and Marathi

Hungama Subscription Plans

Rs. 99 Plan	Rs. 499 Plan	Rs. 269 Plan
8000+ Hollywood, Bollywood & Regional movies	8000+ Hollywood, Bollywood & Regional movies	HD Quality Music
HD Quality Movies	HD Quality Movies	10 Million Songs & Music Videos
500+ Short Films	Download Songs & Videos	Unlimited Downloads on the Hungama Music app
Unlimited movies from the Subscription catalogue	10 Million Songs & Music Videos	Ad-Free Experience on the Hungama Music app
Ad-Free & Unlimited downloads on Play App	High-Quality Music	Use your subscription on up to 5 devices
	10000+ Music, Lifestyle, Gossips Videos
	Unlimited downloads on Hungama Music & Play App

2. Hoichoi (Bengali)

Introduced in Year 2017, Hoichoi is well known over-the-top streaming service in India. It is the first OTT platform in India to feature Bengali content. Currently, it has more than r 500 film titles. In addition to movies, the platform has kid’s oriented content, original movies, web series and short films in different genres.

Hoichoi Subscription Plan:

• Rs. 999 yearly plan for watching on simultaneously two screens, connect to 8 devices
• Rs. 499 yearly plan for watching on one screen, connect to 5 devices.

3. Aha (Telugu)

Aha is counted amongst the well-known regional online streaming services. The content available on this platform is the Telugu language. From Telugu web series to movies, you can watch all the videos across different platforms. The benefit of this OTT platform is that you will get to watch all the original content, ad-free content on multiple devices. Plus, you can download the content and watch them offline.

Aha Plans:

• 3 months plan for Rs.149.
• Watch Telugu movies & web series with Annual Plan for Rs. 399
• Watch Tamil movies & web series with Annual Plan for Rs. 699

4. Sun NXT (Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali)

Launched in 2017, this online streaming service is run by Sun TV Network. It has content in mainly five languages, i.e. Telugu, Tamil, Bengali and Kannada, west Bengal. In addition to TV shows and movies, the platform has comedy clips, news, music and originals.

Sun NXT Plans

Sun NXT offers 3 (three) subscription plans to choose from.

• The Monthly Basic Plan is available at Rs.50
• Annual Basic Plan is available at Rs. 480
• Monthly Premium Plan is available at Rs. 99
• Annual Premium Plan is available at Rs. 799

5. Koode (Malayalam)

Koode Offers exclusive Malayalam content that includes movies, shows and web series. What makes it different from other OTT platforms in India is that it provides free of cost and ad-free content. However, its exclusive content (movies) are available at the following prices:

• Koode Premium Plan: Rs. 499 for 365 Days
• Koode Special+ Plan: Rs. 199 for 90 Days
• Koode Super: Rs. 99 for 30 Days
• Koode Kids: Rs. 100 for 90 Days

6. Addatimes (Bengali)

Introduced in 2016, Addatimes is a famous regional OTT platform serving mainly Bengali content. From originals to short films and videos songs, it has all types of content. It is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.

Addatimes Premium subscription

• Premium plan with two screens for a year is available at Rs. 599.
• Premium plan with one screen for a year is available at Rs.399.

7. R Big Flix (Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kanada)

Started in 2008 by Reliance, Big Flix is one of the oldest OTT platforms in India. It has a vast number of South Indian movies, TV shows and web series. It offers ads-free content.

BIGFlix Subscription

• BIGFlix premium plan is available at Rs. 50 per month.

8. Planet Marathi OTT (Marathi)

Launched in Year 2017, this OTT platform was started as an initiative to promote Marathi culture, entertainment, social information and music. The streaming platform is available globally on iOS and Android. It allows watching premium Marathi movies at economical prices. By using the Premium plans, you can watch all originals for Rs.365 for 12 Months.

9. Oho (Gujarati)

OHO has a vast collection of content from movies to originals and TV shows to Non-Fiction and music, mainly in Gujarati. It has its mobile application and offers all the content free of cost. You can also check out various plans for an advertisement free content, log in into multiple devices, new shows and movies:

• Solo Plan: Rs.399/year
• Family Plan: Rs.499/year
• Friends Plan: Rs.599/year
• 2 Year Plan: Rs.999
• 3 Year Plan: Rs.1499

10. ReelDrama (Assamese and Bengali)

This OTT platform is the first to stream Assamese content. Reel Drama aims to promote Assamese culture, movies, shows, web series, etc. Besides Assamese, it has a vast collection of Bengali content as well.

ReelDrama Subscription Plan

• The quarterly plan is available at Rs. 299.
• The annual Plan is available at Rs. 499.

Top OTT Audio Platforms in India

• Gaana
• JioSaavn
• Apple Music
• Amazon Prime Music
• Wynk Music
• Google Play
• Spotify
• Hungama Music

Conclusion:

The term OTT means Over the Top! OTT platforms are synonymous with online streaming giants such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, +Disney. These platforms provide an array of content over the internet that can be accessed anytime and anywhere. This blog has covered all types of OTT platforms in India, including the regional platforms promoting their culture through regional movies, informal shows, etc.

FAQs: