Xbox One vs. PlayStation 4: Entertainment apps compared

From Amazon to Vudu, here's a running tally of the apps and streaming services available on the two new next-generation video game consoles.

Hulu Plus on the Xbox One

(Credit: Microsoft) 

 

The original Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 launched before Netflix streaming was even available.
When the service debuted on living room devices in 2008, however, Microsoft's console was one of the first to get the dedicated Netflix app -- available only to Xbox Live Gold members. Sony followed a year later with an all-new Netflix interface -- and the requirement to use a special "streaming disc."
You've come a long way, baby. Today umpteen living room devices stream Netflix and many, many other online video and audio services, and we call 'em apps. As increasingly important contributors to our boob-tube time, apps are often used as points of comparison between devices.
Although at launch they won't be as well-equipped as their predecessors, plenty of apps have been announced for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Below, we compared how they stack up, with the most important apps (note: editorial discretion employed) listed first.
Some very important caveats:

• According to Microsoft, all of the Xbox One apps listed here will be available between the console's launch date and spring 2014. It's safe to assume some of them will be available launch day (November 22), but at least one -- HBO Go -- officially won't.
• The PS4 apps will all be available at the launch of that console (November 15).
• The apps listed here apply only to customers in the US.
• Xbox One owners need to also have an Xbox Live Gold subscription (up to $60 per year) to use any of the third-party entertainment apps, like Netflix; a PlayStation Plus subscription is not required to use the PS4's entertainment apps.
• Many of the apps require a separate monthly subscription (such as Netflix and Hulu Plus) or a compatible cable/satellite TV subscription (HBO Go, Fox Now, Watch ESPN, and others) to work on either console.
• With the exception of the Sony and Xbox services (which will always be restricted to their respective console), any of the "no" responses listed below could change to a "yes" if and when additional content deals are made in the future.
• We'll update this story once both consoles launch with additional specifics on app availability.

App	Xbox One	PlayStation 4
Netflix	Yes	Yes
Amazon Instant Video	Yes	Yes
HBO Go	Yes**	No
YouTube	No	No
Vudu	Yes	Yes
Hulu Plus	Yes	Yes
Watch ESPN	Yes	No
Redbox Instant	Yes	Yes
NBA Game Time	No	Yes
NHL GameCenter Live	No	Yes
CWTV	Yes	No
Epix	No	Yes
Crunchyroll	No	Yes
Fox Now	Yes	No
FX Now	Yes	No
Machinima	Yes	No
Muzu TV	Yes	No
Sony Music Unlimited	No	Yes
Sony Music Unlimited	No	Yes
Target Ticket	Yes	No
TED	Yes	No
The NFL on Xbox One	Yes	No
Twitch	Yes	No
Univision Deportes	Yes	No
Verizon Fios TV	Yes	No
Xbox Fitness	Yes	No
Xbox Music	Yes	No
Xbox Video	Yes	No
Yupp TV	No	Yes

**Officially "coming soon" to the Xbox One.