Streaming the European Way
European consumers are spending more than ever on streaming services. In the UK alone, subscription video-on-demand platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV+ are on track to top £4.2 billion in revenue, overtaking traditional TV subscriptions.
That money need not leave Europe. Backing European platforms keeps jobs, creativity and digital sovereignty closer to home.
On this page, you’ll find a curated list of European alternatives to global streaming giants, focused on four main categories: movies, music, spoken word and games. While it’s not always easy to match the scale and polish of American services, there are high-quality European options out there worth supporting.
Video Streaming: European Alternatives to Netflix
Viaplay
Known for: Nordic Noir originals (Wisting, The Lawyer) and exclusive live sport in its home markets. After a major 2023 to 2025 restructuring it refocused on the Nordics, withdrawing from Poland (2025), the Baltics and other markets and agreeing to sell its Dutch business.
Availability: The five Nordic countries, plus Viaplay Select via partners elsewhere
SVT Play
Known for: Free public-broadcaster streaming from Sveriges Television. Deep archive back to the 1950s, strong original drama (Bron/The Bridge, Wallander, Snabba Cash), news and documentaries.
Availability: Free for Swedish residents; some content geo-blocked outside Sweden
BritBox
Known for: The largest collection of British TV box sets in one place. BBC and ITV back catalogues plus BritBox Original productions. Premium, subscription-based British content hub.
Availability: US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the Nordics (the UK service is run separately by ITV)
arte.tv
Known for: Documentaries, films, series, concerts, magazine shows: watch thousands of programmes for free.
Availability: Available across most of Europe, with full access in France and Germany, and around 85% of content accessible in other EU countries.
Rakuten TV
Known for: Europe-operated VOD and FAST platform headquartered in Barcelona. Parent company is Japanese. Offers films and TV series via subscription, rental, and purchase. Wide FAST channel library including local European content.
Availability: 40+ European countries
Filmin
Known for: Spain's leading indie streaming platform, focused on European arthouse and independent films. 15,000+ titles, 65% European. Produces its own original series.
Availability: Spain and select European markets
Mubi
Known for: Curated arthouse, world cinema, and independent films. Produces and theatrically distributes its own films (The Substance was their biggest hit). Also publishes Notebook, a respected film criticism magazine.
Availability: 190+ countries
Music Streaming: European Alternatives to Apple Music & Tidal
Deezer
Known for: Hi-Fi audio quality options, 90M+ tracks, strong localized content and partnerships with local artists across Europe and beyond.
Availability: 180+ countries
Qobuz
Known for: French hi-res lossless music streaming and download platform. Up to 24-bit/192kHz audio quality, a step above Tidal for serious audiophiles. Supports DSD and DXD formats. No ad-supported tier; purely premium.
Availability: 26 countries (Europe, US, Canada, Australia, Japan)
Spotify
Known for: World's largest music-streaming platform, with over 700 million users and around 290 million paying subscribers. Podcasts and audiobooks included. Criticised for paying artists fractions of a cent per stream.
Availability: ~180 markets globally
SoundCloud
Known for: Berlin-founded platform for independent and emerging artists. Artists upload directly, fans discover early. Huge library of user-generated and underground music unavailable elsewhere.
Availability: Global
Audiobooks & Podcasts: European Alternatives to Audible
Storytel
Known for: Large audiobook and e-book library with strong localized content, original productions, and exclusive titles. User-friendly app with offline listening.
Availability: 25+ countries including Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, India
Podimo
Known for: Podcast and audiobook subscription with a creator revenue-share model designed for European local-language content - exclusives in Danish, Spanish, German, and Dutch that Spotify's global feed deprioritises.
Availability: Denmark, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Latin America
Games: European Alternatives to Steam
GOG.com
Known for: Originally known as Good Old Games, GOG.com is a DRM-free digital distribution platform for video games. Curated selection of classic and indie games. GOG Galaxy client offers optional online features.
Availability: Global.
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