Cinema box: 4 legal alternatives in comparison

Kinokiste is a semi-flat streaming service for films and series. In this article, we present three paid alternatives that are 100 percent legal and also offer more features. We also have a free alternative for you.

Alternative to cinema box: Netflix

The streaming service Netflix has series, films and documentaries in the program. These include Netflix productions such as "House of Cards", "Orange Is the New Black" or "Stranger Things".

• Offer: With Netflix you can stream numerous series - including award-winning Netflix originals - feature films, documentaries and more in over 190 countries. The offer varies from region to region and is changed and adapted over time.
• Pricing and packages: Netflix can be tested for free for 30 days. After that, the free trial subscription automatically changes to a subscription if it is not canceled.
• Netflix offers three different packages that can be canceled monthly. The basic subscription (1-device subscription, SD) for 7.99 euros, the standard subscription (2-device subscription, HD) for 11.99 euros and the premium subscription (4-device subscription, HD) / Ultra-HD 4K) for 15.99 euros.
• Devices: You can use Netflix directly in the browser or via app for iOS and Android. Netflix is ​​also available on your Smart TV or Blu-ray player, via Apple TV, Chromecast or on PlayStation or Xbox.
• Conclusion: Netflix supports numerous platforms and offers many series, including award-winning in-house productions. The range of films on the other hand is somewhat smaller. You can also watch Netflix offline for this.

Large film offer: maxdome as an alternative

maxdome was launched in 2006 and is Germany's largest online video store.

• Offer: maxdome offers over 50, 000 films and series, including hit hits like "Grey's Anatomy" or the exclusive production "jerks".
• In early 2011, maxdome was taken over by the ProSiebenSat.1 Group. You can clearly see this in the offers. Many German series and TV shows from the broadcasting group are available, such as "Rosins Restaurant" or "Germany's next Topmodel".
• Prices: You can test maxdome for free for the first 30 days. Subsequently, 7.99 euros per month. You can stream numerous films and series in HD quality.
• In addition to the monthly subscription, you can rent or buy films or series individually in the media library. The costs are individual - depending on the content accessed.
• Devices: In addition to the official website, maxdome offers apps for iOS and Android. You can also use maxdome with Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV on PlayStation, Xbox and selected set-top boxes.
• In addition, maxdome has an exclusive series flat rate for hits like "Quantico", "Empire" and "The 100".
• Conclusion: maxdome currently offers the largest range of films and series, but unfortunately can only be used on one device. You cannot share the subscription with friends and family. The advantages are that you can use the portal without a subscription and that you can also download films and series individually.

Amazon Prime Video for streaming films and series

Amazon's streaming service is called Amazon Prime Video. Numerous films are offered here, the series offer is not as extensive as with Netflix and maxdome, but still satisfactory.

• Offer: The Amazon streaming service provides you with thousands of films and series episodes. If you are a Prime member, you can also enjoy free premium shipping at amazon.de.
• Amazon Prime Video has numerous in-house productions on offer. These include "Good Omens", "The Grand Tour", "You Are Wanted" or the award-winning Prime Originals "American Gods" and "The Man in the High Castle".
• Price: Amazon Prime Video is included with Amazon Prime. For cheap 69 euros a year you can get video streaming, music streaming and Amazon premium shipping.
• For non-Prime members, there is the Prime Monthly subscription for 7.99 euros. The subscription can be canceled monthly.
• The first 30 days are free for all users of Amazon Prime Video.
• Devices: You can use Amazon Prime Video directly in the browser, via app for iOS and Android or on the Fire tablet and the Amazon Fire TV. The service can also be set up on the Smart TV or Blu-ray player as well as via Chromecast, PlayStation and Xbox.
• Conclusion: Amazon Prime Video is the cheapest streaming site - especially if you also use the other Amazon Prime offers. Videos can be streamed on many devices and also saved for offline playback.

Plex: Stream for free with the media server

Plex is better known as a media server, which allows you to sort your own movies in Netflix fashion. The free program now offers its own online media library.

• Offer: At Plex you will mainly find films in English. The offer is generally not too big in Germany, there are only two unknown series. You will find some documentation for this.
• Price: Basically free of charge. Advertising is played every ten minutes, which, unlike YouTube, for example, cannot be skipped. If you want to use the media library offline, you can get the premium subscription for 5 euros a month.
• Devices: As an online platform, Plex can be used with any device that has a browser. The software can also be installed on mobile devices.
• Conclusion: Plex can be used as a legal alternative if you also want to use the media server. Then Plex can occasionally offer you a film. For binge watchers and experienced film watchers, it is rather nothing.

In the next article we will compare the two television stream services Zattoo and MagineTV.