Guide to renting DVDs online

Get all of your favourite films delivered straight to your door with our guide to online DVD rental.

While there is nothing quite like browsing the local film rental shop for your favourite flicks or the latest blockbusters, sometimes the thought of leaving the comfort of our own home is just out of the question – particularly on a lazy Sunday evening or after you’ve been stuck in the office all day. The good news is you’ll only have to make it as far as the computer with the plethora of online DVD rental companies offering films to rent through your letterbox.

Once you register for a free trial or sign up for a subscription, browse the library of tens of thousands of titles and make a wish list of what you’d like to see. The company will then post your DVDs out, first class, for free. Once you’re done with them (there are no due dates or late fees) simply use the special pre-paid envelope to return them and you’ll be sent another selection from your list. Depending on how much you’re willing to fork out, you can rent from one to six DVDs at a time. We have even done the boring bit for you and picked five of the best companies out there, so all you have to do now is select your must-see movies, whack the popcorn in the microwave and sit back and relax.

LOVEFiLM

Who are they?
One of the original, biggest and best. LOVEFiLM also power Tesco DVD Rentals, easyCinema.com and WHSmith Movies Direct, but you’re just as well to go direct.
How many titles can I choose from?
65,000
Do they offer a free trial?
Yes, two weeks with no obligation to become a full member.
What's the deal with the trial?
Your credit card will automatically be billed for the monthly subscription fee if you don’t cancel prior to the end of the free trial.
How much is it for a monthly subscription?
£9.99 for one DVD at a time, £12.99 for two discs at a time and £15.99 for three discs at a time.
What do they specialise in?
Anything and everything. LOVEFiLM have an unbelievable selection and you will be hard-pushed to find something they don’t supply in their library. Their website is packed with film information, trailers and features – including movie quizzes if you’re a bit of a buff, and there’s even a regular newsletter to let you know what’s just been released.
And what if I want to cancel my subscription?
You can cancel your subscription at any time via the LOVEFiLM website, but all discs must be returned before the next billing date. See LOVEFiLM for full terms and conditions.

Blockbuster

Who are they?
The same company behind the huge UK-chain of film rental shops.
How many titles can I choose from?
50,000
Do they offer a free trial?
Yes, two weeks with no obligation to become a full member.
What's the deal with the trial?
You must cancel your account before the free trial ends or your credit card will be billed for a month.
How much is it for a monthly subscription?
£9.99 for one DVD at a time or £14.99 for three discs at a time.
What do they specialise in?
As with LOVEFiLM, Blockbuster has a huge library of titles spread across all genres. However, whereas LOVEFiLM count a two-disc DVD as two choices, Blockbuster counts it as a single selection – which is the main reason their library appears smaller in size. What’s more their website is very user friendly and it’s easy to navigate through films by title, genre and actor.
And what if I want to cancel my subscription?
You can cancel your subscription at any time via the Blockbuster website. All discs must be returned before the next billing date. See Blockbuster for full terms and conditions.

Amazon Online DVD Rental

Who are they?
Part of the giant online superstore, better known for supplying books to the masses.
How many titles can I choose from?
40,000
Do they offer a free trial?
Yes, for two weeks you can hire from two to six DVDs in total, with no obligation to become a full member.
What's the deal with the trial?
If you don’t want to carry on using the service, remember to cancel before the trial ends. If you don’t, you will be billed for a month’s subscription immediately following the trial period.
How much is it for a monthly subscription?
£3.99 for up to two DVDs in total per month, £5.99 for three DVDs in total, £7.99 for four DVDs in total and £9.99 for six DVDs in total.
What do they specialise in?
Amazon offers a decent library with titles from across the genres. The DVD-rental part of their website is as easy to use as the rest of the Amazon site and benefits from the same system of user reviews. Amazon is a good choice if you want to keep costs low and aren’t too worried about watching so many DVDs every month.
And what if I want to cancel my subscription?
You can cancel your subscription at any time on the Amazon website. Cancellation will be effective from the same date you joined in any given month and you must return all discs within 15 days otherwise £15 may be charged for each unreturned disc. See Amazon Online DVD Rental for full terms and conditions.

James Fryer