5 Best Offline Streaming Services for Travel

This updated guide compares best offline streaming services for travel and highlights the details that matter most. As a frequent traveler, offline viewing is especially useful when you're on airplane mode, on the go with spotty Wi-Fi, or trying to conserve your mobile data. Still, not all streaming services are created equal, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

4. Netflix: Still the Gold Standard for Offline Viewing

Netflix remains the most user-friendly and smoothest platform for offline features. The Download option is prominently displayed on the service's interface, right next to the Play button, encouraging users to consider archiving titles for offline use. Most of Netflix's original content and a significant portion of its licensed material are available for offline viewing, and you'll want to filter your search to only show downloadable content when compiling a bunch of shows and movies before a big trip.

Netflix seems to prioritize flexibility, with many users able to download shows across multiple devices on almost any plan. The platform also has one of the largest libraries of original and licensed material available, with download times varying depending on licensing agreements. Still, Netflix does a good job of notifying you whenever one of your stored titles is about to disappear from your device.

3. Disney+: the Best Download Apps for Families and Kids

If you're traveling with a young family, Disney+ can be a lifesaver. A top contender for family-friendly entertainment, the platform offers blockbusters from brands like Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, and, naturally, Disney's vast catalog of animated classics. If your flight is delayed, your journey from A to B is long, or you can only watch foreign channels in your hotel room, your Disney+ download library can make all the difference.

You can download Disney+ content to an unlimited number of devices, as long as they are all subscribed to your user account. Overall, you can get many value out of the platform, and there is no limit to how much content you can store, as long as you have enough free storage on your device.

2. Amazon Prime Video: Huge Storage and Flexibility

There's a lot to like about Amazon Prime Video, especially since it is bundled with an Amazon Prime membership. While the Amazon ecosystem is ubiquitous, its original streaming service seems to be a bit of a laggard compared to established competitors like Netflix. Still, it is still one of the most generous platforms around, especially when it comes to offline services.

Amazon Prime Video users are allowed to download content on up to four devices, which is more than enough for general use, but can be limiting for large families traveling together. Another limitation is that you typically have up to 30 days to watch your content after downloading it; Still, once you start watching, you have 48 hours to finish the movie or episode before it disappears from your device.

1. HBO Max and Hulu: Strong in Content, but Limited

HBO Max is the most popular streaming service and probably the most used platform for offline viewing. If you're already a Hulu subscriber, it offers similar offline services and, for an additional fee, includes the HBO Max add-on, which lets you download all of HBO's original series and recent releases directly within the app.

Hulu has even more limited download options than HBO, and you can only store your content on up to five devices. Like HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video, titles remain available for 30 days, but are removed from your download library 48 hours after you start watching. Despite these limitations, both platforms offer access to premium content and high-quality box sets, making them great for killing time on the go.