Blockbuster Review

Blockbuster may not have been letting consumers rent DVDs online as long as Netflix has, but it certainly is showing the world that it can do online DVD rentals almost as well in my opinion.

The option of returning movies to your local Blockbuster store and exchanging them for any movie you want, is something other services simply cannot match at this time.

Considering that option, fast delivery, competitive pricing, plus the ease of use and robust features of their website, it is clear to see why the Blockbuster Online Total Access service is one of the best options for most people and ranked #2 here on NetFlex.

Selection:

Over 70,000 titles to choose from, including the newest hollywood hits, older classics just released to DVD, HDDVD and Blu-Ray movies, TV series, and movies from practically every category you can imagine.

While Netflix can boast over 80,000 titles, which is 10,000+ more than Blockbuster, I haven't been able to find a movie I wanted that Blockbuster didn't have but Netflix did. Comparing the new releases lists and the top rentals lists from Blockbuster and Netflix, I wasn't able to find anything likely to be popular that wasn't available from both services.

It seems like the difference, in this case, is going to be virtually unnoticable from an end user experience. Certainly not enough of a difference to suggest that Netflix might be better than Blockbuster based on that alone.

Features:

Blockbuster Online Total Access is the only online DVD rental service that will allow you to return movies to your local Blockbuster rental store and exchange them for another movie. This feature is especially great when you see a movie advertised on TV and you just can't wait for it to arrive in the mail.

You also get 1 coupon a month for a free in store game rental. Netflix doesn't have games. Some of the other dvd rental services reviewed on this site do have games, but in most cases the service overall just doesn't stack up well against Blockbuster. If you may want a game once in a while but are mostly interested in movies Blockbuster can't be beat. Hardcore gamers however should look elsewhere.

When browsing the site for movies to rent you can easily access detailed information, reviews, ratings, and in most cases movie trailers as well. Blockbuster will also make recommendations to you based on your previous account activity.

As you browse through the site there is an "ADD" or "ADD TO QUEUE" button for each movie, however Blockbuster, unlike Netflix, has a special button to add the movie to the top of your queue so you are more likely to get that movie before the others on your list.

Both Blockbuster and Netflix provide extensive movie information, reviews, ratings, and even movie trailers, however it is worth noting that Blockbuster makes it a little bit easier to access these then Netflix does. Generally speaking Blockbuster's website provides a better end user experience.

Arrival Time:

In my tests I have received all my movies the very next day after they were shipped. Blockbuster states on their website that:

"DVDs usually arrive within 1-2 business days"

and goes on to say:

"One business day delivery based on more than 90% of our subscribers being within one-day postal delivery zone. Certain subscribers may experience longer delivery times."

Some people may be worried about waiting for movies to arrive in the mail, personally I was pleasently surprised at just how fast I received the movies in my tests. Both Blockbuster and Netflix really excelled in this area.

However, considering the ability to exchange movies at your local store it may well be possible to get more movies faster from Blockbuster then from Netflix.

If you exchange movies in store your "arrival time" in those cases is reduced to the number of minutes it takes you to get to the local video rental store and back. In this regard Blockbuster beats out Netflix, though not by very much unless you plan on still going to the local store fairly often.

Ease Of Use:

Blockbuster is the easiest, most user friendly, of all the rental services I have tested. The website has a very intuitive interface that is cleaner and easier on the eyes then Netflix's. Finding what you want is extremely easy, getting movie information is extremely easy, adding movies to your queue is extremely easy, managing your queue and accessing account information is extremely easy, and even the envelopes are easy to work with.

Pricing Plan Options:

The most popular plans...
3 DVDs out at a time for $17.99/month - Unlimited Movie Rentals
2 DVDs out at a time for $14.99/month - Unlimited Movie Rentals
1 DVD out at a time for $9.99/month - Unlimited Movie Rentals

The largest plan...
4 DVDs out at a time for $23.99/month - Unlimited Movie Rentals

Other available plans...
1 DVD out at a time for $7.99/month - 3 Rents A Month - Not Unlimited
1 DVD out at a time for $5.99/month - 2 Rents A Month - Not Unlimited

All of the plans include 1 Free In-Store Game Rental A Month, and the ability to return and exchange DVDs at your local Blockbuster rental store. The different plans provide great flexability for consumers. While I personally recommend the 3 DVDs at a time plan with unlimited rentals, there are plans available to meet even the tightest of budgets. While Netflix has some features that Blockbuster doesn't, and vice versa, the prices are basically the same.

Conclusion:

For most people choosing which online DVD rental service they are going to use will boil down to either Blockbust Online Total Access or Netflix. Both services have their unique futures and each has something different to offer consumers.

Both Netflix and Blockbuster offer trials, so if you want to be absolutely sure you are choosing the right one for you then I recommend taking the free trials, cancelling whichever one you like the least and keeping the one you like the most.

** Specific details, features, prices and other information contained in this review were believed accurate at the time it was published and may have been updated without notice on this page. Please visit the referenced website for the most up-to-date information. Reviews, ratings, statements and commentary are subjective opinions of the editor, always think for yourself.