top OTT platforms in India by subscribers : India is today one of the largest and fastest-growing OTT markets in the world. With affordable internet, low-cost smartphones, and a massive appetite for entertainment, streaming platforms have become a part of everyday life. From global giants to strong Indian players, the competition for subscribers is intense.
In this detailed post, we break down the top OTT platforms in India by subscribers, their content strategy, pricing, and why users prefer them in 2026.
Top OTT platforms in India by subscribers : India’s OTT Market at a Glance
- India has 500+ million OTT viewers
- Average user subscribes to 2–3 platforms
- Regional content and sports are the biggest growth drivers
- Hybrid models (ads + subscription) dominate the market
Disney+ Hotstar (JioHotstar)
Disney+ Hotstar (now integrated with Jio ecosystem as JioHotstar) continues to be the largest OTT platform in India by subscribers.
Estimated Subscribers (India)
~45–50 million paid users
Why It Leads
- Exclusive IPL, ICC & major cricket tournaments
- Strong Disney, Marvel, Star Wars & Pixar library
- Massive Hindi + regional TV content
- Affordable mobile-only plans
Popular Content
IPL, World Cups, Marvel films, Star Wars series, Hindi daily soaps
Verdict: Cricket + family content = unbeatable mass reach.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is India’s most value-for-money OTT platform, bundled with Amazon Prime benefits.
Estimated Subscribers (India)
~35–40 million
Strengths
- One subscription = video, shopping & music
- Strong mix of Bollywood, Hollywood & regional films
- Acclaimed Indian originals
Popular Content
Mirzapur, The Family Man, Panchayat, Reacher, Citadel
Verdict: Best overall value and wide genre appeal.
Netflix India
Netflix remains the premium OTT brand in India, focusing on quality over quantity.
Estimated Subscribers (India)
~12–15 million
Strengths
- Global originals and Korean content
- High-quality Indian originals
- Strong personalization algorithm
Popular Content
Money Heist, Stranger Things, The Night Agent, Sacred Games
Verdict: Premium content for urban and global audiences.
ZEE5
ZEE5 has a strong foothold among regional-language audiences.
Estimated Subscribers (India)
~8–10 million paid users
Strengths
- Deep Hindi TV and movie library
- Strong Marathi, Bengali & Tamil content
- Competitive pricing
Popular Content
Zee TV shows, regional films, originals like Abhay
Verdict: Strong choice for traditional TV viewers shifting to OTT.
Sony LIV
Sony LIV punches above its weight thanks to sports + critically acclaimed originals.
Estimated Subscribers (India)
~6–8 million
Strengths
- UEFA, WWE, international sports
- High-quality web series
- Sony TV content library
Popular Content
Scam 1992, Rocket Boys, UEFA Champions League
Verdict: Ideal for sports lovers and serious drama fans.
JioCinema
JioCinema has grown rapidly due to free access and IPL streaming.
Estimated Users
100+ million monthly active users (mostly free)
Strengths
- Free IPL & sports streaming
- Strong Viacom18 content
- Massive reach via Jio network
Verdict: Huge reach, still converting users to paid plans.
Top OTT platforms in India by subscribers (2026)
| Rank | Platform | Estimated Subscribers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Disney+ Hotstar | 45–50 million |
| 2 | Amazon Prime Video | 35–40 million |
| 3 | Netflix India | 12–15 million |
| 4 | ZEE5 | 8–10 million |
| 5 | Sony LIV | 6–8 million |
| 6 | JioCinema | 100M+ MAUs (free users) |
Future Trends in India’s OTT Space
India’s OTT market is now driven mainly by subscriber growth and retention, not just content volume. Platforms that can attract mass users at low cost and keep them engaged will lead the market in the coming years.
Sports Will Drive the Maximum Subscribers
Live sports—especially cricket—will remain the biggest subscriber magnet in India. Platforms holding exclusive sports rights see sharp spikes in new sign-ups during major tournaments like the IPL and ICC events.
Sports content attracts:
- First-time OTT users
- Viewers from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities
- Short-term subscribers who often convert to long-term users
Bottom line: Sports-led platforms will continue to dominate total subscriber numbers.
Final Verdict
- Biggest by subscribers: Disney+ Hotstar
- Best value-for-money: Amazon Prime Video
- Best premium experience: Netflix
- Best for sports: Hotstar & Sony LIV
- Fastest-growing platform: JioCinema
India’s OTT market is still evolving, and subscriber rankings may change—but sports, pricing, and regional content will remain the deciding factors.