Top 10 Best OTT Platforms in India (September 2023)

In the rapidly evolving digital era, the concept of entertainment has undergone a transformational shift. Gone are the days of being restricted by television broadcasting schedules or limited movie theatre releases. Today, Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms reign supreme, offering an expansive universe of multimedia content at our fingertips.

From gripping international dramas to homegrown web series, from awe-inspiring documentaries to adrenaline-packed sports events, the OTT revolution has reshaped India’s entertainment landscape.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the top OTT platforms that have caught the imagination of millions of Indians and have become household names. We’ll explore each platform, highlighting its unique features, advantages, potential drawbacks, and pricing.

1

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is a key player in India’s OTT market, known for its diverse content including Hollywood, Bollywood, regional movies, TV shows, and Prime Originals.

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Amazon Prime Video caters to a diverse audience, offering content in several Indian languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, and more. It also holds exclusive rights to stream some of the latest movies and TV shows, making it an appealing choice for viewers.

Unique Features:

+ Prime Originals: Prime Video is home to many critically acclaimed original series and movies.
+ Latest Movies: It offers a rich collection of recent Bollywood and regional cinema.
+ Kids Content: It provides a wide range of kid-friendly content, including shows, movies, and animated series.
+ X-Ray Feature: This unique feature offers IMDb data about the cast, music, trivia, and more during playback.

Pros:
Diverse content library, including high-quality originals.
Value-for-money subscription considering it includes other Amazon Prime benefits.
Option to download content for offline viewing.

Cons:
Navigation and content discovery could be improved.
Some users find the user interface less intuitive than competitors.

Pricing: Amazon Prime Video comes bundled with an Amazon Prime subscription, which is priced at Rs 999/year or Rs 129/month.

2

ShemarooMe

ShemarooMe, known for classic Bollywood cinema, now offers the ShemarooMe OTT platform, with a wide library of classics, modern cinema, TV shows, and regional content.

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ShemarooMe continues to uphold Shemaroo’s legacy by offering a curated collection of gems from the golden era of Indian cinema. Additionally, it also caters to a younger audience with a plethora of contemporary movies, original shows, live TV channels, and children’s programming.

Unique Features:

+ Bollywood Classics: Offers an extensive collection of vintage Bollywood films.
+ ShemarooMe Box Office: It hosts new movies for direct streaming, bypassing theatrical release.
+ Multiple Genres: Content available in various genres – drama, comedy, thriller, romance, and more.
+ Regional Content: Rich library of regional content in Gujarati, Punjabi, Marathi, etc.

Pros:
Classic Bollywood movies that are hard to find on other platforms.
Affordable pricing structure.
No ads in the premium subscription.

Cons:
Limited original content compared to other platforms.
User interface and streaming quality could be improved.

Pricing: ShemarooMe operates on a subscription model. It offers an all-access plan at Rs 699/year or Rs 99/month. They also have genre-specific and regional packs at lower rates.

3

Zee5

Zee5, an essential player in India’s OTT market and owned by Zee Entertainment, stands out for its diverse multilingual and multi-genre content catering to various audiences.

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From TV shows, movies, news, and music to original series and plays, Zee5 is a one-stop-shop for Indian audiences. Zee5 takes pride in its extensive content library, making it a preferred choice for regional language viewers.

It offers content in 12 languages, including English, Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Oriya, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, and Punjabi.

Unique Features:

+ Zee5 Originals: It boasts of a wide range of original content, including web series and movies.
+ Live TV & News: Offers 90+ live TV channels and latest news updates.
+ Regional Content: One of the best platforms for regional content across multiple languages.
+ Music & Kids: Houses a vast collection of music videos and kid-friendly content.

Pros:
Wide range of content in multiple regional languages.
Rich collection of original content.
Seamless streaming experience.

Cons:
The user interface could be more intuitive.
Premium content is behind a paywall.

Pricing: Zee5 offers both free and premium content. The premium subscription is priced at Rs 999/year or Rs 99/month.

4

OTT Play

OTT Play is a unique aggregator in India’s OTT market, allowing users to watch and compare various streaming platforms based on content and pricing.

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A standout feature of OTT Play is its AI-driven recommendation engine. This feature recommends content across various OTT platforms, based on the viewer’s interest and watch history.

Unique Features:

+ OTT Aggregator: It offers content from various OTT platforms, giving users a variety of choices.
+ Smart Recommendations: AI-driven system for personalized content recommendations.
+ Comparative Analysis: Allows users to compare different OTT platforms.

Pros:
User-friendly interface with easy content discovery across platforms.
Wide range of content from various OTT services.
Provides a unique value proposition as an OTT aggregator.

Cons:
Subscription cost might be higher as it is dependent on multiple platforms.
Limited original content.

Pricing: Pricing for OTT Play depends on the specific OTT platforms that the user opts for.

5

Hotstar

Hotstar, owned by Walt Disney, has become a leading OTT platform in India, offering diverse content from Hollywood, Bollywood, and regional languages.

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With over 350 million downloads, Hotstar caters to the diverse entertainment needs of India. It holds the prestigious spot as the go-to streaming service for India’s most beloved sport – cricket.

But that’s not all – this powerhouse OTT platform has carved its niche by serving a smorgasbord of content, ranging from TV shows, movies, live sports, and original series, a line-up that caters to both national and international audiences.

Unique Features:

+ Live Streaming: Hotstar is the preferred destination for live sports streaming, particularly cricket matches, including IPL, ICC tournaments, and bilateral series.
+ Hotstar Specials: It houses exclusive original content known as Hotstar Specials, featuring shows from various genres.
+ Multi-language Support: It offers content in multiple languages, including but not limited to Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, and Bengali.
+ Kids Content: It features a dedicated section for kids with age-appropriate and ad-free content.
+ Multiplex Movies: It premieres some of the biggest blockbuster movies under the ‘Multiplex’ banner.

Pros:
Extensive library of content in multiple languages.
Exclusive streaming rights for popular sports.
User-friendly interface and smooth streaming quality.

Cons:
The ad-supported free version can be intrusive.
Occasional complaints of technical glitches during live streaming.

Pricing: Hotstar offers a freemium model. However, for premium content, it offers two subscription plans: VIP at Rs 399/year and Premium at Rs 1499/year or Rs 299/month.

6

Netflix

Netflix has transformed content consumption in India, bringing a wide range of acclaimed international, Indian, and original content to viewers nationwide.

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Netflix’s strategy focuses on creating diverse and high-quality content. With genres spanning drama, comedy, documentaries, anime, and feature films, it has something for everyone.

Also, it’s known for its slew of critically acclaimed Netflix Originals, making it a preferred choice for those craving fresh and unique content.

Unique Features:

+ Netflix Originals: Netflix houses a myriad of globally acclaimed original series and films.
+ Personalized Recommendations: It offers personalized content recommendations based on viewers’ watch history.
+ Multiple Devices: Allows simultaneous streaming on multiple devices, depending on the plan.
+ Offline Viewing: Provides the option to download content for offline viewing.

Pros:
High-quality original content.
Ad-free viewing experience.
User-friendly interface with easy content discovery.

Cons:
Relatively higher subscription cost compared to other OTT platforms.
Limited Indian regional content.

Pricing: Netflix offers four subscription plans: Mobile (Rs 199/month), Basic (Rs 499/month), Standard (Rs 649/month), and Premium (Rs 799/month).

7

Muvi

Muvi offers a unique white-label streaming platform in India’s OTT space, enabling content creators to launch their own branded OTT platform instantly.

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What sets Muvi apart is its fully managed, feature-rich, customizable platform with the ability to monetize content through multiple revenue models like subscription, pay-per-view, and advertisements.

Unique Features:

+ White-Label OTT Platform: Offers a fully customizable platform for content creators and distributors.
+ Multiple Revenue Models: Supports various monetization models like subscription, pay-per-view, and ads.
+ Multi-Screen Streaming: Supports streaming on various devices including web, mobile, TV, and more.

Pros:
Offers a high degree of control and customization to creators.
Supports live and on-demand streaming.
Various monetization options.

Cons:
Not a traditional content provider. It’s more suited for creators and distributors.
Requires a more significant initial setup and investment compared to other platforms.

Pricing: Pricing for Muvi is not typical as it’s a platform provider rather than a content provider. It offers various pricing plans starting from $399 per month for its streaming platform services.

8

HBO Max

HBO Max entered the Indian OTT scene with a library of high-quality content including Hollywood movies, HBO originals, TV shows, documentaries, and more.

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One of the standout aspects of HBO Max is its commitment to bring top-notch international content, including popular HBO Originals, to the Indian audience. With its content repertoire and quality, HBO Max is a strong contender in the Indian OTT market.

Unique Features:

+ HBO Originals: Exclusive HBO content including acclaimed series, documentaries, and specials.
+ Content Categories: Offers a wide range of content including blockbuster movies, classic films, kids content, and more.
+ Download Feature: Allows users to download content for offline viewing.

Pros:
High-quality, critically acclaimed content library.
Ad-free viewing experience.
User-friendly interface with seamless streaming.

Cons:
Relatively higher subscription cost.
Limited Indian regional content.

Pricing: Not available in India (USE VPN)

9

SonyLIV

SonyLIV, part of Sony Pictures Networks India, is known for its diverse mix of Indian and international content, including TV shows, movies, and sports.

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SonyLIV excels in offering a wide variety of sports content, including cricket, football, WWE, and UFC. Additionally, it also provides a plethora of TV shows from Sony’s Indian TV channels.

Unique Features:

+ Live Sports: Extensive sports content including cricket, football, WWE, and more.
+ SonyLIV Originals: The platform offers a variety of original series.
+ TV Shows: Offers a vast collection of TV shows from Sony’s Indian TV channels.

Pros:
Wide variety of content including a strong sports lineup.
Original content across various genres.
User-friendly interface with easy navigation.

Cons:
The ad-supported free version can be intrusive.
Some users report streaming quality issues.

Pricing: SonyLIV offers both free and premium content. The premium subscription is priced at Rs 999/year or Rs 299/month.

10

Voot

Voot, owned by Viacom 18, is popular in India’s OTT market for its content including TV shows, movies, and originals from channels like Colors, MTV, and Nickelodeon.

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Voot stands out for its free-to-view model, with a vast selection of content available at no cost. However, it also offers a premium subscription, Voot Select, that provides early access to popular TV shows, Voot Originals, and ad-free viewing.

Unique Features:

+ Voot Originals: Exclusive original web series across various genres.
+ TV Shows: Provides a vast library of TV shows from Viacom 18’s channels.
+ Kids Content: Offers a dedicated section for kids with shows from Nickelodeon and other sources.

Pros:
Extensive free-to-view content.
Wide variety of TV shows and original content.
A separate section for kid-friendly content.

Cons:
The free version is ad-supported and can be intrusive.
Limited movie library compared to other OTT platforms.

Pricing: Voot operates on a freemium model. The premium subscription, Voot Select, is priced at Rs 499/year or Rs 99/month.

In conclusion, the exponential growth of OTT platforms in India has undoubtedly ushered in a new era of entertainment, making it convenient for audiences to access diverse and high-quality content.

This shift towards digital streaming platforms has not only changed our viewing habits but has also influenced the type of content being produced. From homegrown stories to globally acclaimed productions, these platforms continue to redefine entertainment in ways we could only imagine a few years ago.

Choosing the right OTT platform can often seem overwhelming given the vast array of choices available. However, we hope that this comprehensive guide to the top OTT platforms in India has provided you with a clear understanding of each platform’s offerings, making your choice easier.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the race to deliver exceptional and captivating content will only intensify. So, choose the platform that resonates with your preferences, sit back, and immerse yourself in the boundless world of entertainment that awaits you.

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Rajat Singh

Rajat Singh, a versatile author with a decade of experience, explores every niche with unique insights, from tech and health to lifestyle and business.

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