What Are the Differences Between, Redbox, Netflix and Blockbuster?

Redbox, began back in 2004 and used what are called re-branded kiosks and began testing in 140 different McDonalds. After a not so good welcome in their test market areas, they decided to create their own kiosk design. Now the Redbox kiosk can be found in fast food restaurants, pharmacies, grocery stores and convenience stores just about everywhere you look. For just $1.00 customers can rent most any DVD that they would like. At one time, Redbox only allowed 24 hour rentals, with late fees adding up until 25 days had passed and the customer would be charged for the DVD. Now they have changed to no late fees to keep up with their competition.

Renting a DVD from Redbox can be done at any kiosk and can be returned to any kiosk. They claim to now have over 17,000 locations that offer DVD rentals.

The newest feature they've added is the ability to find a movie online, reserve it, say which Redbox you want it delivered to and then pick it up at that particular Redbox.

Although the rental fee is about at low as you can get without being free, you still need to consider that there's the cost of gas, unless the Redbox you are renting from is really close by.

Netflix, established back in 1997, is purely set up online, there are no stores or kiosks that you need to drive to, to pick up your rental. The customer is served either by downloading the movie to their computer or streaming to their television, as well as mailing the movies to the customer's home with postage free return envelopes.

Netflix has a variety of rental plans ranging from $4.99 a month to $16.99 a month without any late fees for the DVD's that are sent to your home.

$4.99 Plan: One DVD at a time with a limit of two per month along with two hours of instant viewing of movies or TV shows on a PC or MAC.

$8.99 Plan: One DVD at a time with no limits on how many per month. Also included is the ability to instantly watch on a PC, MAC or TV with no limitations on how long.

$13.99 Plan: Two DVD's at a time with no limits to how many per month. This also includes the ability to instantly watch on a PC, MAC or TV.

$16.99 Plan: This is the same as the $8.99 and $13.99 plans except that a customer may rent up 3 DVD's at a time.

If you like the convenience of not having to go anywhere except to your mailbox or PC to pick up a movie, Netflix might be a good option here.

Blockbuster originally started off as just a video and game store that you had to go to and pick up what you wanted, but with all the competition for the convenience of having rentals sent to the customer, Blockbuster has made rentals much easier than in the past.

Now they not only offer in store rentals they allow the customer the ability to have the DVD rental sent to their home where they can either mail back or return at their local store. They also have movies on demand where they can watch instant movies on their computer from their website. A feature that only Blockbuster has available is the ability to purchase the movies you download.