Vudu is a platform that provides its users with video-on-demand, which might be a different trending thing right now. We all know many streaming platforms and satellite TV networks are rising daily. However, this VOD service provider does an appreciable job of retaining its users because of its vast content library.
Vudu is mainly different from other VOD service providers because of its live UI, vast content library, easy-to-use interface, and other benefits upon subscription.
With Vudu, streaming fans get the old traditional VOD experience of buying or renting movies or series immediately after they are released on DVD or Blu-ray. Not only movies, but you can also purchase or rent current TV shows without committing to a particular network.
History
Vudu was initially a set-top box manufacturer. However, after its great success in the last ten years, Walmart decided to invest in it. Since then, this website has become a great platform to purchase or rent movies and TV shows.
It works similarly to Walmart’s primary video distribution service. You don’t need any time commitment or subscription.
All you need is to sign-up through its website and rent or purchase movies and TV shows based on your preference.
Most people say it’s what Netflix was two decades ago. Unfortunately, Vudu is following in Netflix’s footsteps. God knows, in the future, we might be able to see Vudu as a streaming giant like Netflix or not.
As a team of streaming enthusiasts, we recommend Vudu as a different website to help you experience better streaming. If any movie, series, or TV show is unavailable on streaming sites like Netflix, Prime Video, etc. Vudu is the first website we check to see if the content is available.
Design
The design of Vudu is simple yet effective. Its blue and white color combination is lovely. On the main page, you would see a header on the left with five options – Vudu (home page), Movies, TV, Free, and My Vudu. On the right side of the page, there are three options – Redeem, Sign-in, and a search bar.
Each item on the left side has a small section with six thumbnails. For example, When you click on the Movies tab, you will see six options – Action Store, Deals Store, Rental Store, Holiday Store, Horror Store, and Kids Store.
In the same way, you will find six options under the TV – DC Crossover Sale, TV Store, TV Season Sale, TV Bundle Values, Christmas Hallmark Sales, and It’s a Wonderful Lifetime Sale. The same goes for the free category, which has thumbnails, and My Vudu is your content library where you can add your favorite content.
There’s so much going on here; it feels pretty. But, unlike Prime Video, it’s not a mess. The design is simple, sleek, and user-friendly. That may be why some people prefer Vudu for VOD.
Key Features
Vast Library of Content
Vudu offers its viewers an enormous library of content, including new and old movies, TV shows, and series. If any movie or TV show is unavailable on streaming giants (Netflix, Prime Video), search for it on Vudu, and you will probably find it here.
User-friendly Design
Vudu’s design is simple and sleek. As a result of its simplicity, it is user-friendly. Everything is appropriately categorized into sections.
High Video Quality
Like many other streaming platforms, Vudu offers high-quality content. Only some movies or TV shows are in 4k and UHD. You can only enjoy this content in 4K and UHD if you have high-speed internet. Otherwise, you will face minor issues like picture distortion and occasional buffering.
Free Content
Unlike other streaming and VOD service providers, Vudu provides its users with free content. You can still avail of free content if you have yet to rent or purchase any movie or TV show.
Pay for What You Watch
The main reason why most people like Vudu is because of this feature. There is no periodic commitment to a subscription. If you like a movie on Vudu, pay for only that movie.
Pricing and Plans
As we discussed earlier, Vudu is a VOD service provider with no periodic subscription commitment. However, you pay for what you watch. So, how much does it cost to buy or rent a movie or TV show?
If you buy or rent any movie or TV show through a sale, their prices keep changing from time to time. For example, In ‘TV Season Sale,’ you can buy a whole season for between $4.99 to $8.99. There are many other deals across Vudu, and their prices are different.
If you are not buying it through a sale, movie packages range from $4.99 to $13.99, and TV episodes start from $1.99. However, there are always some promotional benefits.
Vudu doesn’t offer any free trial to new members. However, new members can rent three movies only for $0.99.
Content
Vudu offers a vast library of on-demand content. There are more than 3,000 movie titles from the 80s and 90s only. The content selection is excellent, featuring modern movies as well as classics. Click on any title you want to watch, and it’s up to you either rent it or buy it. Most of the time, you get to buy a movie before its official Blu-ray and DVD release.
Similar to the movie library of Vudu, its TV library is also vast. You can also buy or rent TV shows like movies. But it also allows you to rent or buy an episode or entire season. There’s a category called ‘Not on Netflix,’ which mostly every Vudu has used.
This website categorizes its content appropriately. If you don’t want any content from the rental option, you can choose from six other options – 4KHD, Disc+Digital, Pre-Orders, Collections, and Movies Anywhere.
Each category has different titles under it. Just click on the category, and it will take you to another page, where you will see content related to that collection. There are also a few filters on the left, which will help you arrange the content as per input.
Compatibility
Vudu’s interface is simple and user-friendly. It’s compatible with every device, and the interface is also the same whether you browse it through a website or an app. So you will feel satisfied regarding compatibility. You can use Vudu anywhere. All you need is the account from which you bought the content.
Your internet speed must be great for the best output and no streaming issues. Vudu’s compatibility with devices works well with all devices, including Smart TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Play Stations, Xbox, PCs, Tablets, Smartphones, and more.
Mobile and Desktop Interface
Vudu is also compatible with mobile and desktop. The interface of Vudu on mobile and desktop is similar. You won’t feel any issues whether you use it through the website or its app. There is no mess on the main page, and everything is categorized correctly.
You have five and three options on the left and right sides, respectively. In our ‘Design’ section, we’ve already discussed these options. There is a menu with different categories and thumbnails. Each category has additional content.
Suggestions that We Have for Vudu
We all know Vudu is a VOD service provider, and it’s good at it. However, there are a few things that will help the VOD service provider to get more users.
Vudu is currently not offering offline streaming. It seems suitable for those who rented the content but not for those who purchased it. You can only access the content you rented or purchased if you have the internet.
The prices Vudu demands to rent and purchase any movie, or TV show are comparatively high. Therefore, it should be less so that more streaming fans who need more money can access this.
The free content that Vudu offers is of low quality. So if it can’t offer modern movies or TV shows in free content, then provide good quality for streaming that content.
Conclusion
Vudu is an additional platform we currently use to watch movies if any movie is unavailable on our favorite streaming site. Moreover, it can be great for viewers who watch TV and movies infrequently.
Thus, you can buy the content of your own choice and enjoy it at your convenience. Though, this model could look more attractive to new-age audiences. But they can still give it a thought on a personal level.
