sfanytime.com
It seems like every other week there is a new subscription-based movie streaming site being launched. In the wake of the overwhelming success that sites like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video have enjoyed over the last decade or so, it appears as if every major movie production company, TV channel, and media enterprise wants to jump into the game and get a piece of the billion-dollar pie that is premium subscription-based streaming. In some ways, this is a beautiful thing; but in others, it is also a bit taxing.
On the other hand, it can be a bit of a challenge when a market undergoes greater diversity. Competition between brands and companies is, after all, a leading source of innovation. The more movie streaming options that there are on the web, the more likely you are to find the best movie streaming site for your personal preferences. However, each of these major movie streaming sites is actively working to outdo the other in terms of content. This can be both good and bad - it can lead to increased innovation and competition, but it can also lead to decreased choice and quality.
As more streaming services enter the market, there is a greater competition for movie content. This has led to revitalization of quality filmmaking in the past few decades.
On the one hand, there are more premium movie streaming sites available to watch movies and TV shows. This means that the burden on individual viewers to watch all of the new content is increased. To enjoy all of the great new movies and TV shows that are being produced, people are expected to have multiple subscriptions. And for some people, this is practically impossible due to budget constraints.
Just think of the best movie streaming sites out there, the cream of the crop, the most in-demand. How many come to mind? 5? 7? Let's see, just off the top of my head, we have Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Peacock, and Vudu. Then add on your live TV streaming app of choice (be it Hulu Live or YouTube TV), and you're staring down the barrel of at least $100 a month. And we haven't even factored in Paramount Plus which will also come with its own roster of exclusive must-see movies.
free sites like Hulu.
It seems that my monthly subscriptions for movie streaming services are becoming too costly for me to afford. I have been considering cancelling some of my subscriptions, but I do not want to give up on these services entirely. I have been exploring some movie streaming sites that do not require a monthly subscription, and I think they may be a better fit for me.
There are hundreds of free movie streaming sites on the web. However, these sites are great alternatives as well for many people. My main fascination lately has been in tracking down the best movie streaming sites for renting and purchasing movies.
I believe that the best movie streaming sites right now are those like SF Anytime. This Swedish site is lowkey, noncommittal, and very cool - just like me! It is perfect for anyone who wants a reliable streaming site that makes it easier than ever to find a specific movie, rent it, stream it, and be done with it. When you already have several subscription movie streaming services to your name, a site like SF Anytime is a breath of fresh air.
Yes, Amazon does have one of the largest libraries of movies to rent and/or buy, but the prices of these movies are sometimes exorbitant, especially when it comes to older or rarer titles. And as a side note: not every movie available on Amazon can be both rented or purchased; a surprising number of them, for whatever reason, only offer one option or the other. So what's the point of SF Anytime?
One point of SF Anytime is that it allows users to compare prices and availability on different streaming sites before making a decision. For example, if you want to watch a recent movie released theatrically but don't have time to wait for it to come out on DVD or Blu-ray, renting it from SF Anytime can allow you to watch it right away without spending an arm and a leg. And if you're looking for something older that's not currently available on Amazon Prime Instant Video, SF Anytime might be your best betâit often has more options than Amazon Prime Instant Video itself.
Second, while Amazon is a great resource for finding movie streaming content, their user interface falls short when compared to other more popular sites. It can be a bit more cumbersome and difficult to navigate than necessary at times, which can put users off. By choosing a site like SF Anytime as your primary streaming platform, you can enjoy an intuitive experience that is built specifically for movie streaming. This seemingly small detail can make all the difference in the long run.
So, then, of the many movie streaming rental sites, SF Anytime is going to be the best one for you? Let's dive in and take a closer look at everything this site has to offer, shall we?
History
The Bonnier Group is a European media conglomerate consisting of 175 individual companies. SF Anytime is one of these companies, and it's only available in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland at the moment. So if you don't live in Scandinavia, SF Anytime isn't going to be the best movie streaming site for you.
The website launched in 2002 and was available only through web browsers at first. It has since expanded, though, and can now be accessed on select smart TVs, IPTV, Android mobile apps, and other platforms. The company has developed an impressive roster of content partnerships over the years, including heavy hitters such as Warner Bros., 20th Century Studios, Buena Vista Distribution, Regency, and others.
Design
I already mentioned that SF Anytime offers a better user experience than Amazon. What makes it superior? For me, it is the dynamic, immersive, and smooth user experience paired with a clean and user-friendly organization and browsing structure. SF Anytime has managed to provide a top-notch user interface that doesn't simply emulate every other movie streaming site on the market (the iconic Netflix layout).
Instead of a complex site navigation tab spanning the left-hand side of the page, SF Anytime users enjoy the convenience of a comprehensive site navigation tab on the left-hand side of the page. Here, you can quickly and easily access different means of browsing (New, Discover, Coming Soon, Movies, Series, Children, etc.) while also doubling as a user dashboard and search engine. This is a prime example of some of the best movie streaming site design that you will ever see.
To the right is a well-paced, dynamic, and responsive series of interactive menus. Not only does this site look incredible, but it is also easy to use. I would go as far as to say that it is even fun to use!
Content and Features
SF Anytime doesn't have a whole lot of special features. You'll find several Scandinavian language subtitles and audio tracks, the ability to create watchlists, and curated collections for a more personalized browsing experience. Other than that, the most notable feature of SF Anytime is the content.
This streaming site grants users access to new and popular movies of our time. They also have a sizable library of classics and older movies, too. SF Anytime has a very diverse range of movies to rent or buy.
Mobile and Desktop Experience
Sorry, iPhone users. SF Anytime is probably not going to be the best movie streaming site for you. There is no iOS mobile app available at this time. However, there are Android apps, as well as Samsung and Panasonic smart TV apps. This may be the fatal flaw of SF Anytime - I would like to see greater platform compatibility.
Pricings and Plans
Prices for movie rentals vary quite a bit. What you pay depends on whether you prefer to rent or buy. You can also expect to pay more for newer, bigger movies, as well as an upcharge for HD quality. Generally speaking, though, rentals start at 19kr and many stream at 59kr.