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 projected to reach £4.2 billion in revenue by 2025 — overtaking traditional TV subscriptions.

This growing trend highlights the importance of supporting European platforms, helping ensure that some of that money stays within Europe to promote local jobs, creativity, and digital sovereignty.

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.

Add product

Video Streaming: European Alternatives to Netflix

Viaplay

Known for: Nordic Noir originals (Wisting, The Lawyer); exclusive sports (Premier League, F1, NHL in select regions). Operates across Nordics, Netherlands, UK, Poland, and the Baltics.
Availability: 10+ countries across Northern and Central Europe
https://viaplay.com/

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
https://www.svtplay.se

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: UK, US, Canada, Australia, Nordics
https://www.britbox.com

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.
https://www.arte.tv/

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
https://rakuten.tv

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
https://www.filmin.es

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
https://mubi.com

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
https://www.deezer.com

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)
https://www.qobuz.com

Spotify

Known for: World's largest music-streaming platform — ~615M users, ~240M paid. Podcasts and audiobooks included. Criticised for paying artists fractions of a cent per stream.
Availability: ~180 markets globally
https://www.spotify.com

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
https://soundcloud.com

Audiobooks: 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
https://www.storytel.com

Games: European Alternatives to Steam

GOG.com

Known for: Originally known as Good Old Games, GOG.com is a digital distribution platform for video games and films, known for its DRM-free approach. Curated selection of classic and indie games. GOG Galaxy client offers optional online features.
Availability: Global.
https://www.gog.com