Netflix vs Sony LIV

Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial

Netflix

Subscription streaming service for movies, TV series, documentaries and mobile games.

Paid

Visit Netflix Netflix profile

Sony LIV

Indian streaming service from Sony Pictures Networks with originals, Sony TV shows and live sports.

Paid

Visit Sony LIV Sony LIV profile

The short answer

Netflix suits households that want a large global library of original series, films and documentaries on nearly every screen, plus mobile games. Sony LIV suits Indian viewers who follow Sony TV's Hindi shows, its Indian originals and the live sports Sony holds rights to. The biggest difference is focus: Netflix is a broad international catalogue, Sony LIV is Indian entertainment plus live sport.

Netflix or Sony LIV: our take

Netflix offers a rotating library of licensed films and TV alongside a large slate of its own series, films, documentaries and stand-up, and membership includes games for phones and TVs. Sony LIV, from Sony Pictures Networks India, carries Sony entertainment channels' Hindi shows, Indian originals such as its crime and drama web series, films in Hindi and regional languages, and live sports that have included cricket tours, UEFA football competitions, WWE and tennis, depending on the season's rights. Netflix has no live sports focus, so viewers who want those events need a service like Sony LIV, and Sony LIV's rights change by season, so a favourite event may move elsewhere.

Pricing is structured differently. Netflix bills monthly only, with no annual plans. Its listed plans run from $8.99 a month for Standard with ads to $19.99 a month for Standard and $26.99 a month for Premium, which is needed for 4K Ultra HD + HDR and more simultaneous screens; sharing is limited to one household, with paid extra members. Sony LIV prices in rupees and sells monthly or yearly: LIV Premium is ₹1,499/year (₹399/month) and supports up to 4K with Dolby Atmos on supported titles, while a mobile-only plan at ₹699/year is limited to 720p on one device. Many telecom and bundle offers in India include Sony LIV.

Netflix runs on the web and has apps for smart TVs, streaming sticks, consoles, iOS, Android and Windows, with offline downloads. Sony LIV runs on the web, Android, iOS, smart TVs and streaming devices, and is offered outside India for South Asian content.

These services overlap less than they compete. Pick Netflix for international originals and a wide film and series catalogue. Pick Sony LIV for Sony's Hindi shows, its originals and cricket or football coverage. Many Indian households keep both.

Choose Netflix if…

Households that want a big library of original series and films on nearly every screen
You need Windows, which Sony LIV doesn't list
Large catalogue of original series and films
Apps on almost every TV, console and phone

Choose Sony LIV if…

Indian viewers who follow Sony TV shows, its originals, and the sports Sony holds rights to
Well-regarded Indian originals and Sony TV shows
Live sports such as cricket tours and European football

What is Netflix?

Netflix is the largest subscription streaming service, offering a rotating library of licensed films and TV plus a large slate of its own original series, films, documentaries and stand-up. Plans differ by video quality and the number of screens you can watch on at once, from a phone-only plan in some countries up to Premium with 4K HDR and spatial audio; several countries also have a cheaper plan with ads. Membership includes a catalogue of games for phones and TVs. You can download titles for offline viewing on supported devices. Billing is monthly only, there are no annual plans, and sharing is limited to one household, with paid extra members for people outside it. It runs in browsers and has apps for smart TVs, streaming sticks, consoles, iOS, Android and Windows. The catalogue varies by country and titles leave regularly.

What is Sony LIV?

Sony LIV is the streaming service of Sony Pictures Networks India. It carries the Sony entertainment channels' Hindi shows, Indian originals such as its well-known crime and drama web series, films in Hindi and regional languages, and a large live sports offering that has included cricket tours, UEFA football competitions, WWE and tennis depending on the season's rights. Most new episodes and sports need a paid plan; the main LIV Premium plan covers TVs and higher video quality (up to 4K with Dolby Atmos on supported titles), while a cheaper mobile-only plan is limited to one phone at lower resolution. Prices are in rupees and sold monthly or yearly, and many telecom and bundle offers include it. It runs on the web, Android, iOS, smart TVs and streaming devices, and is also offered to viewers outside India for South Asian content.

Side by side

Attribute	Netflix	Sony LIV
Pricing	Paid	Paid
Open source	No	No
Self-hostable	No	No
Platforms	Web, Windows, iOS, Android	Web, Android, iOS
Best for	Households that want a big library of original series and films on nearly every screen	Indian viewers who follow Sony TV shows, its originals, and the sports Sony holds rights to
Status	Active	Active

Verified facts, compared

Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.

Fact	Netflix	Sony LIV
Premium plan	$26.99 a month	₹1,499/year (₹399/month)