How Do Online Movie Rental Services, Netflix and Blockbuster Compare?
By: J. Pal | Posted: 21st April 2010
Isn't it frustrating when you go to your local movie rental store, only to find out that the movie you had been hoping to see is already checked out?
Now there is more chance of getting hold of a copy of the latest release as online movie rental companies like Blockbuster and Netflix can stock more copies at their distribution centers. This is a review of both online movie rental services, including how they are the similar and how they differ.
How does Blockbuster work? At Blockbuster, users have two main options to rent movies. The first way is to rent a movie online to have the DVD shipped to you. Usually, the DVD will arrive within two business days of placing your order through their website. Rental plans allow you to rent 1, 2 or 3 movies at any one time for a flat monthly fee. These fees are $8.99, $13.99 and $16.99. There are no late fees and as soon as you return your movies, you can rent more.
The other way to watch movies at Blockbuster is to stream them directly to your computer or any internet ready device. This can even be an Xbox or Playstation. You can watch the movie via an internet connection to the Blockbuster website. You get this option in the above plans for free.
Blockbuster still have their bricks and mortar stores so you can also rent and return their movies in one of their stores. You can also rent Blu Ray DVDs and games at no extra cost.
How does Netflix work? Blockbuster started offering their customers a chance to rent movies online only because Netflix was cutting into their profits.
Netflix remains more popular than Blockbuster, but Blockbuster is starting to catch up by offering features that Netflix does not.
For example, Blockbuster plans include Blu Ray rentals at no extra cost. At Netflix, Blu Ray users have to pay extra. Other than that, the fee structures and prices are the same. Unlike Blockbuster, Netflix don't offer game rentals.
Which one should you choose? If you don't mind paying a bit extra for Blu Ray DVD rentals (if you need to rent on Blu Ray), Netflix is best because of the movie range.
If you want to rent games as well as movies and also want to rent and return in store, Blockbuster is the only one that offers this.
The selection of things that you like to watch is also important. So check which online movie rental company offers a good range of your favorite types of movies and TV shows.
If you are still deciding, you can see which one you prefer by taking one of their risk free trials? Both companies offer a trial.
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Learn more about online movie rentals. Stop by WhyRentMoviesOnline.com to find the answers to any questions you may have on these services.About the Author
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Tags: internet connection, game, bricks and mortar, profits, games, business days, dvds, late fees, xbox, netflix, playstation, distribution centers