Before listing the Best OTT Apps in India (2020), let us first discuss the platform and service on which OTT Apps runs – OTT Platform and Video Streaming Services respectively. We will learn the basics of OTT, OTT full form, its meaning and about OTT App. And then, we will see the architecture of OTT App and why OTT App is becoming so popular day by day. Further, we will discuss on some statistics on OTT App like Monthy Active Users(MAU), Data Consumed while streaming Video on OTT App. Furthermore, we will compare the Top 10 Best OTT Apps in India for 2020 and see what is the cost of streaming video on these OTT Apps. Finally, we will explain in detail about the Top 10 Best OTT Apps in India in terms of features, contents available and list the best series and movies available on these OTT Apps.
- What is OTT Platform?
- What is OTT App?
- Why OTT Apps are becoming so popular?
- Comparison of watching movies in multiplex vs in OTT App.
- Contents available in OTT Apps.
- OTT App Statistics
- Data Consumed in Streaming Video in OTT App
- Comparison of the Best OTT App in India (2020)
- Cost of Streaming Content on OTT Platform (OTT App)
- OTT Apps in India (2020) – The Best Top 10.
- 1. MX Player – Best Free OTT App.
- 2. Hotstar (Disney+ Hotstar)- Best OTT App for Live Sports.
- 3. Amazon Prime Video
- 4. Netflix – Best OTT App for English Contents.
- 5. Zee5
- Basic Info
- 6. Voot
- 7. Jio Platform (Jio TV & Jio Cinema)-Best OTT App for TV Channels.
- 8. Eros Now
- 9. ALTBalaji
- 10. Sony LIV
- Final Verdict
- Terms Used
What is OTT Platform?
OTT full form
OTT full form is Over-The-Top
Over-The-Top (OTT). The OTT term was coined in reference to the device or services that go over a cable TV Box or Set Top Box to give the user access to TV Channels and Contents.
OTT Meaning
OTT stands for over-the-top, in which a user can access, TV content through Internet connection rather than traditional cable/broadcast provider. In brief, OTT is streaming video (watching videos over the internet) over the internet. The video may in the form of TV Channels or movies or live video streaming or educational videos or YouTube videos etc.
What is OTT App?
OTT App is an app or software designed for your smartphone, tablet, or smart TV to deliver OTT content like video, audio, TV Channels and live video streaming through an internet connection. OTT Platform runs the OTT App has a background service. OTT Platform is a set of software and hardware along with other resources like video and audio contents, internet connection, etc.
OTT App Architecture
To run OTT App we must have 5 essential things. They are:-
- OTT App – the main software to stream video
- OTT Streaming Device – your mobile phone, tablet, smart TV,etc.
- OTT Streaming Platform – the Service involved in the background.
- Internet Connection – fast Data Connection like 4G and above.
- OTT Contents – Video and Audio Contents.
Why OTT Apps are becoming so popular?
According to me, the ultimate answers to this question is
- Accessibility – Firstly, it is accessible to a wide variety of devices.
- Cost – Secondly, the cost is very less compared to watching movies in multiplex and even it is free.
- Wide range of content – Thirdly, it has a wide variety and range of contents.
- Lastly, the availability of audio and subtitles in English and Regional Language.
The contents of OTT Apps are available or accessible in any device available to you. To point out devices like Mobile Phone, Laptop, Desktop, Smart TV, Chrome Cast, etc. It is accessible anytime and anywhere, just you have to subscribe to the platform and download the OTT App.
Comparison of watching movies in multiplex vs in OTT App.
I will provide below you a comparison table of Watching Movie in Multiplex vs OTT and Streaming Platform. By comparison, the data will speak.
| Factors | Watching Movie in Multiplex | Watching Movie in OTT App |
| Cost | Avg. ₹500-₹750 (Ticket+Transporation +Snacks) for 1 movie | Free to ₹ 799/month for lakhs of movies. Only you have to pay for a fast data pack. |
| Content | Only 1 movie. | Thousand of movies, TV Shows, videos, music album |
| Time | Finish the whole movie in one sitting at one place. | Pause, Play and Repeat the movie anytime and anywhere. Even if you don’t like the movie to skip to the next movie. |
Contents available in OTT Apps.
Unquestionably, you will get thousands of contents in OTT Apps like
- Movies – Hollywood, Bollywood, Regional Movies with Subtitles, Othe Countries Films.
- Live TV Channels.
- TV Shows
- Live Sporting Events.
- Series
- Music
- Live Streaming Videos
- YouTube Videos
- OTT Platform Original Contents.
OTT App Statistics
Data Consumed in Streaming Video in OTT App
| Video Resolution | Data Consumed by OTT App |
| 360p (SD) | 400 MB/hour |
| 480p (SD) | 700 MB/hour |
| 720p (HD) | 900 MB/hour |
| 1080p (FHD) | 1.5 GB/hour |
| 2K (UHD) | 3 GB/our |
Comparison of the Best OTT App in India (2020)
| OTT Apps | Rating | Starting Price | MAU | Hours of Content | Originals | Content Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX Player | 4.2/5.0 | Free | 32 crores | 1.5 lakh hours | Yes | 12 |
| Disney+ Hotstar | 4.0/5.0 | Free | 30 crores | 1 lakh hours | Yes | 8 |
| Zee5 | 3.0/5.0 | Free | 7.64 crores | 1.25 lakh hours | Yes | 12 |
| Prime Video | 4.3/5.0 | ? 129/month | 1.34 crores | 50,000 hours | Yes | 10 |
| Voot | 4.0/5.0 | Free | 10 crores | 60,000 hours | Yes | 7 |
| Netflix | 4.0/5.0 | ? 199/month | 1.58 crores | 60,000 hours | Yes | 10 |
| Jio Cinema | 3.7/5.0 | Free | 10.4 crores | 60,000 hours | No | 15 |
| Eros Now | 3.5/5.0 | Free | 1.66 crores | 5,000 hours | Yes | 10 |
| ALT Balaji | 3.5/5.0 | Free | 2.7 crores | 10,000 hours | Yes | 3 |
| Sony LIV | 3.0/5.0 | Free | 6.5 crores | 50,000 hours | Yes | 4 |
Cost of Streaming Content on OTT Platform (OTT App)
| OTT App | Free Content | Trial | Monthly | Quartely | Half-Yearly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mx Player | Yes | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Disney+ Hotstar | Yes | ₹ 299 | ₹ 1499 | |||
| Amazon Prime Video | No | 1 month | ₹ 129 | ₹ 999 | ||
| Netflix (Plan Details Here) | No | 1 month | ₹ 199 to ₹799 | ₹ 2388 to ₹ 9588 | ||
| Zee5 | Yes | ₹ 99 | ₹ 599 | ₹ 999 | ||
| Eros Now | Yes | ₹ 49 | ₹ 79 | ₹ 399 | ||
| Voot | Yes | ₹ 99 | ₹ 499 | |||
| Jio Cinema | Yes | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Alt Balaji | Yes | ₹ 33.33 | ₹ 100 | ₹ 300 | ||
| Sony LIV | Yes | ₹ 99 | ₹ 299 | ₹ 499 |
OTT Apps in India (2020) – The Best Top 10.
1. MX Player – Best Free OTT App.
Basic Info
| MAU: 32 crores. | Launched: February 2019 |
| App Developer: MX Media & Ent. | App Link: Android Apple |
| Hours of Content: 1,50,000 hours | Platform: Android, iOS, Smart TV, Web |
| Content Language: 12 Language | App Overall Rating: 4.2/5 |
MX Player is 100% Free
Pricing
All the contents of MX Player are 100% free, only you have to install MX Player on your mobile.
Content Available.
- Web Shows (MX Originals, Hindi and Regional)
- Korean Drama Shows (Hindi Dubbed)
- Movies (Hindi, English – Hindi Dubbed, Korean-Hindi Dubbed and Regional Movies)
- 94 nos Live TV Channels
- News Stories
- Music Video
- Sports Video
Special Feature
- Firstly, all the contents are absolutely free.
- Secondly, it has Korean Drama Shows dubbed in Hindi.
- Thirdly, it is an OTT App as well as Media Player App that any video format in the world.
- Lastly, the User Interface is great.
Top Best Series and Movies in MX Player.
- Raktanchal (Hindi Web Series)
- Permamnent Roomates (Hindi Web Series)
- Ek Thi Begum (MX OriginalsHindi Series)
- Mastram (Hindi, Tamil and Telugu Series)
- Korean Movies and Shows – Hindi Dubbed.
2. Hotstar (Disney+ Hotstar)– Best OTT App for Live Sports.
Basic Info
| MAU: 30 Crores | Launched: February 2015 |
| App Developer: Novi Digital | App Link: Android Apple |
| Hours of Content: 1 Lakh Hour | Platform: Android, iOS, Smart TV, Web |
| Content Language: 8 Languages | App Overall Rating: 4/5 |
Pricing
- Free (with Ads) – Most of the content is free.
- Premium Subscription
- 1. Monthly – ₹ 299/month (Non-refundable)
- 2. Yearly – ₹ 1499/year ( Non-refundable )
Contents
- TV Channels (Star Network)
- Movies (including 7 regional languages)
- Sports ( famous for streaming live IPL)
- Live News Channel
- Diseney+ Contents (Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars & National Geographic)
Special Feature
- Firstly, it has Seamless Video Playback
- Secondly, its Smart Search and Recommendation Feature.
- Thirdly, it has a friendly User Interface
- Fourthly, it has a hot content catalog and Originals.
- Lastly, it has we can access it from many devices.
Top Best Series and Movies in Hotstar (Disney+ Hotstar)
- Live Cricket Match (especially IPL)
- Roar of the Lion (Hindi Web Series)
- Chernobyl (HBO Series)
- Hostage (Hindi Web Series)
- Special Ops (Hindi Web Series)
- Criminal Justice (Hindi Web Series)
3. Amazon Prime Video
Basic Info
| MAU: 50 Lakhs | Launched: December 2016. |
| App Developer: Amazon Mobile LLC | App Link: Android Apple |
| Hours of Content: 50,000 hours | Platform: Android, iOS, Smart TV, Web |
| Content Language: 10 Languages | App Overall Rating: 4.3/5 |
Pricing
(Additionally, it includes Amazon Prime Delivery, Prime Music, Prime Gaming, Prime Reading)
- Trial (30 days).
- Monthly – ₹ 129/month.
- Yearly
- Student Plan – ₹ 499/month.
- Normal Plan – ₹ 999/month.
Contents
- TV Shows (Hindi and English).
- Movies (English, Hindi Dubbed, 9 regional languages).
- Kids Content.
- Old Classic Movies.
Special Feature
- Firstly, it hosts the World Premiere of a new movie.
- Secondly, it has its own production content Amazon Originals Shows and Movies
- Thirdly, Amazon Prime subscription includes other services like Prime Fast Delivery, Prime Music, Prime Gaming, Prime Reading.
- Fourthly, Regional and Dubbed Movie with subtitles.
- Lastly, 6 different user profiles created within a single Amazon Prime Account.
Top Best Series and Movies in Amazon Prime Video
- Mirzapur (Hindi Series)
- Paatal Lok (Hindi Series)
- The Family Man (Hindi Series)
- Panchyat (Hindi Series)
- Parasite – Best Picture, Oscar 2019 (Hindi Audio)
- Jack Rayan (English Series with Subtitle)
- Gully Boy (Hindi Movie)
- Goodachari (Telegu Move with English & Hindi Subtitle)
4. Netflix – Best OTT App for English Contents.
Basic Info
| MAU: 1.58 crores | Launched: January 2016 |
| App Developer: Netflix, Inc | App Link: Android Apple |
| Hours of Content: 36,000 hours | Platform: Android, iOS, Smart TV, Web |
| Content Language: 10 Language | App Overall Rating: 4/5 |
Pricing
| Plans (all monthly) | Trial | Mobile Only | Basic | Standard | Premium |
| Price per month | ₹ 5 (once) | ₹ 199 | ₹ 499 | ₹ 649 | ₹ 799 |
| No of Screens at a time | Based on Plan | 1 screen | 1 screen | 2 screens | 4 screens |
| No of devices | Based on Plan | Only on Mobile | all devices | all devices | all devices |
| Resolution Allowed | Based on Plan | SD | SD & HD | SD & HD | SD & HD |
Content Available
- Hindi Web Series (Netflix Originals)
- English TV Shows and Web Series
- English Movies
- Top Best Assamese Films
- Hindi Movies
Special Feature
- Firstly, Netflix is known for its own production original content.
- Secondly, it supports almost all the devices on the planet smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox, Chromecast, Apple TV, Blu-ray players and more.
- Thirdly, you can download shows and movies to watch offline.
- Fourthly, it has Parental Control settings.
Top Best Series and Movies in Netflix
- Sacred Games (Hindi Series)
- Stranger Things (English Series with Hindi Audio)
- Jamtara (Hindi Series)
- Delhi Crime (Hindi Series)
- Leila (Hindi Series)
5. Zee5
Basic Info
| MAU: 7.64 Crores | Launched: February 2018 |
| App Developer: Zee5 Global FZ LLC | App Link: Android Apple |
| Hours of Content: 1.25 lakh hours | Platform: Android, iOS, Smart TV, Web |
| Content Language: 12 Languages | App Overall Rating: 3/5 |
Pricing
- Most contents are free.
- Monthly – ₹ 99/month
- Half-Yearly – ₹ 599/half-yearly
- Annually- ₹ 999/year
Content
- Live TV Channel (90+)
- Zee Originals Shows and Movies.
- Children’s Programme
- Short Series and Acclaimed Plays
- Music Videos
- News Stories
- Games
Special Feature
- Firstly, it has evolved video streaming technology
- Secondly, it has a Language Navigation.
- Thirdly, it has Seamless Video playback.
- Fourthly, it gives Smart Content Search & Recommendation
- Lastly, it has Catch Up TV.
Top Best Series and Movies in Zee5
- Rangbaaz (Hindi Series)
- Karenjit Kaur- the untold story of Sunny Leone (Hindi Web series)
- Chintu Ka Birthday (Hindi Movie)
- The Final Call (Hindi Series)
- URI (Hindi Movie)
6. Voot
Basic Info
| MAU: 10 crores. | Launched: March 2016 |
| App Developer: Viacom 18 Digital Media | App Link: Android Apple |
| Hours of Content: 60,000 hours. | Platform: Android, iOS, Smart TV, Web |
| Content Language: 7 Language | App Overall Rating: 4/5 |
Pricing
- Free Content with Ads.
- Monthly – ₹ 99/month (1 Screen)
- Annualy- ₹ 499 (1 Screen)
Content Available
- TV and Web Shows
- Movies
- Live TV Channels of Viacom 19 (MTV, Colors, Nickelodon, etc)
- News Channel (News 18 Network)
- Music Videos
- Children Toons
Special Feature
- Firstly, it supports Chromecast
- Secondly, it has Channel-wise Discovery
- Thirdly, it has filters like Language and Genre Sorting
- Lastly, Voot Originals are popular and has good shows.
Top Best Series and Movies in Voot.
- Asur (Hindi Web Series)
- Illegal (Hindi Web Series)
- Marzi (Hindi Web Series)
- Time Out (Hindi Web Series)
- Dexter (English Series)
- Master Chef USA (English Food Series)
7. Jio Platform (Jio TV & Jio Cinema)-Best OTT App for TV Channels.
Basic Info
| MUA: 10.4 crores. | Launched: December 2015 |
| App Developer: Reliance Corp IT Park Ltd. | App Link: Android Apple |
| Hours of Content: 1 lakhs hours | Platform: Android, iOS, Web, Smart TV, Jio Phone |
| Content Language: 15 Language | App Overall Rating: 3.7/5 |
Pricing
100% Free if you have Jio Sim or Jio Phone.
Content Available
- Live Sports
- TV Channels (575 + Channels)
- Movies
- News
- Music Videos
Special Feature
- Firstly, it has instant access to 600+ channels in 15+ languages.
- Secondly, TV Channels have 7 days catchup-service.
- Thirdly, most of the content has multiple Audio and Subtitles.
- Lastly, it supports Voice Search.
Top Best Series and Movies in Jio Platform.
- Korean Shows in Hindi
- Marvel Movies (Captain America, Avengers, Thor, etc)
- Andadhun (Hindi Movie)
- Old Movies (Ram Shyam, Romeo & Juliet)
- Best of 90’S Bollywood (Hero No.1, Saajan, Rangella, etc)
- South Superhits (96, Ratsasan, Tagaru, etc)
8. Eros Now
Basic Info
| MAU: 1.66 Crores. | Launched: 2012 |
| App Developer: Eros Digital FZ LLC | App Link: Android Apple |
| Hours of Content: 5,000 hours. | Platform: Android, iOS, Smart TV, Web |
| Content Language: 10 Language | App Overall Rating: 3.5/5 |
Pricing
- Free – Some of the content is free.
- Monthly – ₹ 49/month
- Quarterly – ₹ 79 /month
- Annually – ₹ 399 /month
Content Available
- Movies (English, Hindi, Regional Movies)
- 3 Nos of Live TV
- Music and Music Videos
- Erosnow Original Shows
- Erosnow Qickie – Short Format Video.
Special Feature
- Firstly, it has over 12,000 digital titles.
- Secondly, it has 2.5 lakhs Music Tracks.
- Thirdly, it has international Shows aired on Hum TV and ARY TV.
- Lastly, it has a Live TV Channel – Fashion TV.
Top Best Series and Movies in Erosnow
- Metro Park (Hindi Web Series)
- Smoke (Hindi Web Series)
- Flip (Hindi Web Series)
- Enaaye (Hindi Web Series)
- Modi:Journey of a Common Man (Hindi Web Series)
- The Investigation (Hindi Web Series)
9. ALTBalaji
Basic Info
| MAU: 2.70 crores. | Launched: April 2017 |
| App Developer: Alt Digital Media Ltd. | App Link: Android Apple |
| Hours of Content: 10,000 hours | Platform: Android, iOS, Smart TV, Web |
| Content Language: 3 Languages | App Overall Rating: 3.5/5 |
Pricing
- Free
- Quarterly (3 Months)- ₹ 100/quarterly.
- Annually – 300/yearly.
Content Available
- Web Series and TV Shows
- Movies
- Music Videos
- Comedy
- Kids Orginal Shows
Special Feature
- Firstly, you can access the contents of ALT Balaji across 32 different devices.
- Secondly, it has a strong content library with 60 originals.
- Lastly, it offers fresh, original and desi content stories and shows for all categories of audience.
Top Best Series and Movies in ALTBalaji
- Bose: Dead or Alive (Hindi Series)
- Code M (Hindi Series)
- XXX: Uncensored (Hindi Series)
- Gandhi Baat (Hindi Series)
- Lootera (Hindi Movie)
- Ragini MMS (Hindi Movie)
10. Sony LIV
Basic Info
| MAU: 7 crores. | Launched: January 2013 |
| App Developer: Sony Pictures Networks India | App Link: Android Apple |
| Hours of Content: 50,000 hours | Platform: Android, iOS, Web, Smart TV, Jio Phone |
| Content Language: 4 Language | App Overall Rating: 3/5 |
Pricing
- Free
- Monthly – ₹ 99/month
- Half-Yearly – ₹299/half-yearly
- Annualy- ₹ 499/annualy
Content Available
- Live TV Channels (Sony Network Channels)
- Movies (Bollywood and Hollywood)
- TV Shows
- Sony LIV Original Shows
- Kids (including Nursery Rhymes)
- LIVE Sports
- Music
- LIVFIT – Fitness videos
Special Feature
- Firstly, it has 700+ Bollywood and Hollywood Movies
- Secondly, it has 40,000+ hours of TV Shows and Web Series
- Thirdly, it has Fitness Video, Zumba, Yoga, etc
- Lastly, we can download Videos and watch it offline.
Top Best Series and Movies in Sony LIV
- Australian Open 2020
- Tripling (Hindi Web Series)
- The Kapil Sharma Show (Hindi TV Show)
- Indian Idol (Hindi TV Show)
- Crime Patrol (Hindi TV Show)
- Your Honour (Hindi Web Series)
Final Verdict
We have seen almost all the OTT Apps in India provide free content to the user except Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. MX Player and Jio Apps (JioCinema and JioTV) provide all of its content for free. MX Player has the highest Monthly Active User(MAU) and the best OTT Apps in India for its free content. In terms of Online Presence Netflix has the highest presence. Indian OTT Apps like Hotstar, Voot, Zee5, Sony LIV, etc has the highest users because it provides the maximum content in Hindi and regional content.
If you are a Hollywood series and movies buff, go for Netflix but it’s going to burn hole in your pocket. If you are a fan of Hindi Web Series, go for Hotstar, Zee5 and Voot. Amazon Prime Video provides around entertainment ranging from English Series and Movies to Regional Content especially South Indian. Moreover, if you are fan of Korean Drama Serie, go for MX Player and JioCinema. For Live TV Channels JioTV is best followed by Hotsar, Sony LIV and Zee5. To watch live sporting events you can watch it on JioTV, Hotstar and Sony LIV. Finally, the decision is up to you.
Terms Used
- MAU- Monthy Active Users (Numbers of unique users to use OTT App in a month)
[…] The contents of OTT Platform are available or accessible in any device available to you. To Point out devices like Mobile Phone, Laptop, Desktop, Smart TV, Chrome Cast etc. It is accessible anytime and anywhere, just you have to subscribe to the platform and download the OTT App. […]
[…] link to The Top 10 Best Assamese Movies. Some of these Assamese Movies you have to watch in paid OTT Apps like Netflix and Moviesaints and most of them are free to watch in our […]