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Offline Downloads

Download content for offline viewing

28
plans available
Starting from
Free

What are Offline Downloads?

Offline Downloads Feature Summary

1. FEATURE OVERVIEW

Offline Downloads allows you to download movies, TV shows, and other content directly to your mobile device for viewing without an internet connection. This feature works by storing video files locally on your smartphone or tablet, enabling you to watch your favorite content during flights, commutes, or in areas with poor internet connectivity.

The feature typically includes options for different download qualities (from standard definition to 4K where available), automatic downloads for series episodes, and smart download management that removes watched content to free up storage space. Most services limit downloads to mobile apps rather than desktop computers, and downloaded content usually has expiration dates for licensing reasons.

2. WHAT YOU NEED

Device Requirements:

  • iOS or Android smartphone/tablet with the streaming service's mobile app
  • Sufficient storage space (varies by content quality and length)
  • Most services require iOS 12+ or Android 7.0+

Subscription Requirements:

  • Active subscription to the streaming service
  • Some services offer downloads on all tiers, while others restrict to premium plans
  • Family plans typically allow downloads across multiple devices

Technical Specifications:

  • Initial internet connection required for downloading content
  • Download speeds depend on your internet connection and chosen quality
  • Storage requirements range from 500MB to 4GB+ per movie depending on quality

3. REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES

Travel Scenarios:

  • Download entire seasons of "Stranger Things" on Netflix before a long international flight
  • Save Disney+ movies like "Encanto" for kids during a road trip
  • Download YouTube Premium videos for offline viewing during subway commutes

Content Variety:

  • Netflix offers downloads for most original series and many licensed movies
  • Disney+ allows downloads of Marvel movies, Star Wars content, and animated classics
  • Crunchyroll provides offline anime episodes for fans who want to catch up on series like "Attack on Titan"
  • YouTube Premium enables downloads of music videos, tutorials, and creator content

Quality Options:

  • Standard quality (480p-720p) for basic viewing and storage conservation
  • High quality (1080p) for better visual experience
  • 4K downloads available on premium tiers for services like Netflix and Disney+

4. HOW WE SCORE THIS FEATURE

Our scoring methodology evaluates offline downloads across several key criteria:

High Scores (8-9/10): Services like Netflix, YouTube Premium, and Crunchyroll earn top marks through extensive content availability, reliable technical implementation, multiple quality options, and sophisticated features like smart downloads and multi-device support. These services typically offer downloads across most of their catalog with generous storage limits.

Mid-Range Scores (6-7/10): Services like Apple TV+, Paramount+, and BBC iPlayer provide functional downloads but with notable limitations. These might include smaller content libraries available for download, basic download management features, or geographic restrictions that impact utility.

Low Scores (2-5/10): Services like DAZN and basic Discovery+ tiers score poorly due to severely limited content availability, poor technical implementation, restrictive expiration policies, or focus on live content that doesn't suit offline viewing.

Key Scoring Factors:

  • Content library size available for downloads
  • Technical reliability and user interface quality
  • Download quality options and storage management
  • Device compatibility and multi-device support
  • Content expiration policies and download limits

5. WHY IT MATTERS

Offline Downloads transforms how and where you can enjoy streaming content, making entertainment truly portable and accessible regardless of internet connectivity. This feature is invaluable for frequent travelers, commuters using public transportation, or anyone living in areas with unreliable internet service.

Primary Benefits:

  • Travel Freedom: Watch content during flights, road trips, or in remote locations
  • Data Conservation: Avoid using mobile data for streaming, especially important for limited data plans
  • Consistent Experience: Eliminate buffering and quality drops from poor connections
  • Cost Savings: Download over Wi-Fi to avoid expensive mobile data charges while traveling

Most Valuable For:

  • Business travelers and frequent flyers
  • Daily commuters on trains or buses
  • Families with children who need entertainment during travel
  • Users in rural areas or regions with inconsistent internet
  • International travelers avoiding roaming charges

Limitations to Consider:

  • Downloaded content typically expires after 30 days or 48 hours after starting playback
  • Storage space requirements can be significant for high-quality content
  • Not all content is available for download due to licensing restrictions
  • Downloads are usually limited to mobile devices, not computers or smart TVs

The feature's value largely depends on your viewing habits and lifestyle, but for users who frequently find themselves without reliable internet access, offline downloads can be a game-changing feature that significantly enhances the streaming experience.

Service Plans Offering Offline Downloads

BBC iPlayer

The BBC's free streaming service featuring live TV and on-demand content from all BBC channels.

1 plan with Offline DownloadsFrom Free

Standard

6/10

Free access to all BBC iPlayer content including live TV, catch-up programmes, and exclusive online content. Requires valid UK TV licence (£169.50 annually) for legal use.

Free

Discovery+

Discovery+ is the UK streaming home for real-life entertainment, documentaries, reality, true crime, and premium live sports by TNT Sports.

2 plans with Offline DownloadsFrom £3.99/month

Discovery Plus Entertainment

5/10

Entertainment only (Discovery, TLC, Quest, Really, etc.), on-demand and live, no sports.

£3.99/mo

Discovery Plus TNT Sports Entertainment

6/10

Stream everything included with the Entertainment and TNT Sports plans.

£33.99/mo

Channel 4

Channel 4’s free streaming service (formelry All 4/4oD) offers live TV, catch-up, box sets, and exclusive content. Channel 4+ upgrade removes ads and adds downloads.

1 plan with Offline DownloadsFrom £3.99/month

Channel 4+

7/10

Ad-free on most on-demand content, offline downloads, early access to some shows. Does not include live TV ad-free.

£3.99/mo
Save £7.89 annually

Crunchyroll

The world's largest anime streaming service with simulcast and simuldub content from Japan.

2 plans with Offline DownloadsFrom £4.99/month

Crunchyroll Fan

8/10

Ad-free anime streaming with access to simulcasts, offline viewing on mobile devices, and premium member-only content

£4.99/mo

Crunchyroll Mega Fan

8/10

Premium tier with ad-free anime streaming, offline viewing on up to 6 devices, exclusive member discounts on Crunchyroll Store, priority customer support, and access to new episodes one hour after Japan broadcast

£5.99/mo
Save £11.89 annually

Amazon Prime Video

Included with Amazon Prime membership, featuring original series, movies, and exclusive content.

4 plans with Offline DownloadsFrom £4.99/month

Crime+Investigation Play

Add-on
7/10

Crime+Investigation Play is the ultimate destination for true crime. Stream your favourite true crime shows like Murdertown, Crimes That Shook Britain, The First 48 and more.

Requires base plan

+£4.99/mo
Cannot add Crime+Investigation Play - requires amazon-prime-base to be selected first

MGM+ Add-on

Add-on
7/10

Access to MGM+ (formerly Lionsgate+ and Starzplay) originals and movies, including Outlander, Power, BMF, and more.

+£5.99/mo

Apple TV

Add-on
7/10

Apple TV

Requires base plan

+£8.99/mo
Cannot add Apple TV - requires amazon-prime-base to be selected first

Prime Video

8/10

Full Amazon Prime membership including Prime Video streaming with limited ads on movies and TV shows, plus free delivery, Prime Music, Prime Reading, Amazon Photos storage, and exclusive member deals. 4K and HDR available on supported content and devices.

£8.99/mo
Save £12.88 annually

Plex

A streaming platform that allows users to organize and stream their personal media libraries, plus access to 50,000+ free movies and TV shows with ad-supported content

1 plan with Offline DownloadsFrom £4.99/month

Plex Pass

Ad-free experience, Premium features, Mobile sync, Hardware transcoding, Live TV & DVR, Premium music features

£4.99/mo

Acorn TV

A premium streaming service specializing in British and international television content, featuring award-winning mysteries, period dramas, comedies, and documentaries from the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Known for exclusive premieres and commercial-free viewing.

1 plan with Offline DownloadsFrom £4.99/month

Acorn TV Standard

A standard Acorn TV subscription includes unlimited and ad-free viewing of Acorn TV's full catalogue of shows on up to 4 devices.

£4.99/mo
Save £9.89 annually

ITVX

ITV's free streaming service with premium subscription option. Features original dramas, reality TV, documentaries, and live streaming. Premium tier includes ad-free viewing and BritBox content.

1 plan with Offline DownloadsFrom £5.99/month

ITVX Premium

6/10

ITVX Premium

£5.99/mo
Save £11.89 annually

Mubi

Curated streaming service specializing in independent, classic, and arthouse cinema. Features a rotating selection of 30 hand-picked films with new additions daily.

1 plan with Offline DownloadsFrom £7.99/month

Mubi Standard

6/10

Access to curated selection of 30 films with new additions daily. High-quality streaming with no advertisements.

£7.99/mo
0

Paramount+

Paramount+ offers a wide range of movies, exclusive originals, hit series, and family content. Now with three subscription tiers in the UK: Basic (with ads), Standard, and Premium.

2 plans with Offline DownloadsFrom £7.99/month

Paramount Standard

7/10

Full HD, ad-free, 2 devices at a time, downloads.

£7.99/mo

Paramount+ Premium

8/10

4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, ad-free, 4 devices at a time, downloads.

£10.99/mo

hoichoi

Bengali streaming platform featuring original web series, films, and TV shows from Bengal and Bangladesh.

1 plan with Offline DownloadsFrom £7.99/month

Hoichoi

7/10

Access to Hoichoi's complete library of Bengali web series, movies, original content, and films with HD streaming quality

£7.99/mo
Save £35.89 annually

YouTube

The world's largest video platform with user-generated content, music videos, live streams, and premium subscription options including YouTube Premium and YouTube Music.

4 plans with Offline DownloadsFrom £7.99/month

Youtube Student

Ad-free YouTube experience with background play, offline downloads, and YouTube Music Premium included. Eligible students only. Annual verification required.

£7.99/mo

Youtube Premium Lite

Ad-free YouTube experience on most videos. Does not include ad-free Youtube Music, Offline Downloads or Background Play

£7.99/mo

Youtube Premium

9/10

Ad-free YouTube experience with background play, offline downloads, and YouTube Music Premium included.

£12.99/mo

YouTube Family

9/10

Up to 6 family members with individual accounts, ad-free viewing, and YouTube Music Premium for everyone.

£19.99/mo

Apple TV+

Apple's premium streaming service featuring high-quality original content and exclusive shows.

1 plan with Offline DownloadsFrom £8.99/month

Apple TV+

7/10

4K HDR streaming with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos

£8.99/mo
Save £17.89 annually

Disney+

The home of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content.

2 plans with Offline DownloadsFrom £8.99/month

Disney+ Standard

8/10

Disney+ ad-free with full HD (1080p) resolution and enjoy immersive 5.1 surround sound where available.

£8.99/mo
Save £17.98 annually

Disney+ Premium

8/10

Disney Plus Premium adds 4K HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio where available, as well as offline downloads, no ads and up to 4 simultaneous streams.

£12.99/mo
Save £25.98 annually

NOW

NOW is Sky’s contract-free streaming service in the UK, offering flexible monthly memberships for Entertainment, Cinema, Sports, and Hayu. Boosts add-ons are available for improved audio and video, ad-free, and extra streams.

1 plan with Offline DownloadsFrom £9.99/month

NOW Cinema

7/10

Sky Cinema channels, 1000+ movies on demand.

£9.99/mo

Netflix

The world's leading streaming entertainment service with a vast library of original content and licensed movies and TV shows.

2 plans with Offline DownloadsFrom £10.99/month

Netflix Standard

9/10

Full HD (1080p) streaming on 2 devices simultaneously with ad-free viewing and offline downloads

£10.99/mo

Netflix Premium

9/10

4K Ultra HD streaming on 4 devices simultaneously with HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos audio, and ad-free viewing

£17.99/mo

DAZN

DAZN is a British over-the-top sports streaming and entertainment platform.

1 plan with Offline DownloadsFrom £19.99/month

NFL Season Pro Ultimate

2/10

Watch the entire season with access to NFL Game Pass

£19.99/mo
Save £49.89 annually