In the age of digital entertainment, the question is no longer "What's on TV?" but "Which streaming service should I pay for?". With the ever-growing number of platforms, choosing between global giants and strong local players has become a challenge. Today, we put three of the most prominent competitors to the test: the global Netflix, the Arab-focused Shahid, and the family-friendly Disney+. Let's find out which one is best for your needs and budget!
The Contenders:
Netflix: The leading global giant and one of the pioneers in the field.
Shahid: The leading Arabic platform and the most popular in the Arab world.
Disney+: The empire of family entertainment, bringing together Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic.
Round 1: Price & Budget
Netflix: The Most Expensive.
Its plans start from around $5 (Basic with one screen and standard definition) and go up to approximately $22 per month (Premium with 4K and 4 screens). Prices may vary slightly by region.
Shahid VIP: The Most Flexible & Competitive.
Offers a VIP plan for $10 per month (or $100 annually), providing full access to content in HD. There is also a free, ad-supported plan with limited content.
Disney+: The Best Value for Families.
Its subscription is around $8 per month or $80 annually in most markets, featuring 4K streaming and support for up to 4 screens as standard, making it a very powerful offer.
Winner in Price: Disney+ (in terms of value for money for the content provided).
Round 2: Library & Content
Netflix: The King of Original and Diverse Content.
Pros: Famous for its high-quality, exclusive original series and films across all genres (drama, horror, sci-fi, reality). Examples: Stranger Things, The Crown, Wednesday.
Cons: It has lost much classic content to other studios' own platforms, and its library of classic films is relatively limited.
Shahid: The Champion of Arabic & Sports Content.
Pros: It has no real competitor in the Arabic content space. It brings together Arabic series (Egyptian, Syrian, Khaleeji), Arabic entertainment shows (like Arabs Got Talent), and most importantly: exclusive broadcasting rights for the Saudi Professional League and many other sports tournaments. This is a decisive factor for many.
Cons: Its international content is translated and less diverse compared to its competitors.
Disney+: The Empire of Families and Superheroes.
Pros: A paradise for children and fans of Marvel and Star Wars. It releases almost all new productions from these brands exclusively. A massive library of classic animated films and Pixar movies.
Cons: Its content is heavily focused on families and its owned brands, making it less diverse for adults seeking realistic drama or more mature content.
Winner in Content: It depends on your taste!
For Diversity & Originality: Netflix.
For Arabic Content & Sports: Shahid.
For Families & Fans of Marvel/Star Wars: Disney+.
Round 3: User Experience & Technical Support
Netflix: The Most Advanced and Smooth.
Its interface is user-friendly, and its smart recommendation algorithms are the best in the market. It supports a vast number of devices and languages, including Arabic (interface and subtitles).
Shahid: Fully Tailored for the Arab User.
Its interface is primarily in Arabic, with customer support also in Arabic. The app continuously improves in performance, and the user experience has become very smooth.
Disney+: Simple and Intuitive.
The design is clean and easy to use, especially for navigating between its major brands (Disney, Marvel, etc.). However, it can be less sophisticated than Netflix in terms of personal recommendations.
Winner in User Experience: Netflix (by a narrow margin).
Which Platform is Right for You?
Choose Netflix if: You want endless variety in original series and films, don't mind paying a higher price, and value a premium user experience.
Choose Shahid VIP if: You are interested in Arabic content (series, shows), follow Arab sports (especially the Saudi League), or are looking for a reasonably priced plan with content tailored for the Arab family.
Choose Disney+ if: You have children, are a fan of the Marvel, Star Wars, or Pixar universes, and want the best value for high-quality family content.
The Golden Advice: Ultimately, there is no single "best" choice for everyone. It depends entirely on your interests, your budget, and the language you prefer to watch content in. Fortunately, most of these platforms offer free trial periods, so don't hesitate to test them yourself before committing to a long-term subscription!
Tell us in the comments: Which platform do you prefer and why? Do you have another platform you recommend?