How to Watch Netflix with Friends While Social Distancing: The 3 Best Ways to Share Streams

We’re only a few days into social distancing and already people are starting to panic. But just because you’re a responsible human who wants to limit the spread of the Coronavirus doesn’t mean you have to completely abandon your social life. Thanks to the wonderful world of streaming, there are ways to watch shows and movies with your friends, family, and loved ones without ever leaving your couch.

To test out the most popular stream sharing applications I roped in a member of Decider’s family, Brett White. We tested out Scener, Netflix Party, and Kast to explore what the world of watching TV together — yet apart — is like. Though nothing replaces the joy of hanging out in person, these extensions will help you remember that you do actually have friends during this trying time. Stay safe everyone, and remember to stretch every now and then.

Scener

Which Streaming Services Does It Work With?: Netflix

Where Is It Available?: iOS and Google Chrome

Do You Need an Account?: Yes. Also each user will need a Netflix account.

Is It Free?: Yes

Out of the three streaming options we played with, Scener was both Brett and my favorite. Why? Not only does it allow two users to watch Netflix shows and movies at the same time but it also includes video, audio, and text conferencing. If you’re looking for an easy way to binge watch while gauging your friends’ expressions, this is your best bet.

Scener also offers Bitmoji reactions for those streamers who are more emoji inclined as well as big rooms. According to the extension’s website, streaming rooms can be as big as you want. But as is the case with all of these options, there’s no one perfect solution that can beat face-to-face binge watching.

During the few minutes Brett and I streamed an episode of Next in Fashion, the video lagged several times. Since Scener uses your microphone each lag, no matter how brief, led to us hearing each other’s episode. It’s certainly a jarring problem but it’s also one that can fixed by headphones.

To use Scener every user will have to download the extension from either Google Chrome or the iOS app store (Note: Scener is currently only available on the iOS app store in its beta mode). Once Scener is downloaded, open Netflix. The extension should automatically sync with your account which will let you start a party. From there you can invite friends who also have Scener and Netflix accounts and start watching. If it doesn’t work right away just keep refreshing and make sure that you don’t have any other extensions installed that may interfere with Scener.

Netflix Party

Which Streaming Services Does It Work With?: Netflix

Where Is It Available?: Google Chrome only

Do You Need an Account?: No. However, each user will need a Netflix account.

Is It Free?: Yes

This is currently the big name in the world of remote streaming. Thanks to its intuitive format it’s easy to understand why. Netflix Party was the simplest add on for us to navigate, but it also offered the most limited options. Rather than offering subscribers video and audio conferencing, Netflix Party only has text messaging. Using it is basically the equivalent to slacking or texting someone while in the middle of watching a movie.

Another thing to keep in mind is Netflix Party’s session changing system. If you start watching a certain episode or show, you’re in control of that session. But if you want to switch over to a different episode, show, or movie, you will have to start a brand new session with your friends.

Netflix Party operates very similarly to Scener. Download the extension through Google Chrome. Through Netflix Party’s page you will able to log into your Netflix account. From there you can invite friends and all start typing out your favorite Office jokes.

Kast

Which Streaming Services Does It Work With?: Everything

Where Is It Available?: Google Chrome, Apple, PC, Android, and iOS (Note: only the Apple and PC versions currently offer both voice and video sharing.

Do You Need an Account?: Yes

Is It Free?: Yes, but there is a paid premium option

Scener and Netflix Party are well and good for Netflix devotees, but what about those streamers who have multiple accounts? That’s why you need Kast. Kast broadcasts your screen and webcam directly to a channel you control. That means you can stream Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube videos, video games, and really any other piece of media you want with one account. The streaming hub also allows for up to 100 people to join a channel at a time which is extra awesome for people with big friend groups. Just know that streaming a web page shows all members of the party the names of any tabs that may be open, so watch out for that.

The only real hiccup with Kast has, funnily enough, has to do with how versatile it is. Because it allows for so many stream sharing options, it’s a bit difficult to navigate. Figuring out this one took Brett and I the longest. Also, there’s the matter of what party members and party leaders can see. The party creator can only share their screen or webcam at a time. That means that while the party leader will be able to see their friends’ webcams and their friends will be able to hear the party leader, the party leader can’t simultaneously share their own stream and webcam.

To get started with Kast download it for either Windows or Mac. Once it’s downloaded you can create a party, complete with a party name and description, and invite your friends. They will be also asked to download Kast. Be sure to select Join Party to start streaming.

Kast gives the party leader three options for streaming. They can either share their entire screen, an application window, or their own webcam. To share a Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or HBO stream you’ll want to log into whichever streaming service you prefer using a separate desktop window. Next select Application Window on Kast’s video options and choose the window that features your streaming service. You will have to control the stream through this separate desktop window.

To make it so that everyone in the party can hear the show or movie you’re watching, select the Audio Settings. Change the input to either Computer Audio or Internal Microphone. Once this is all set up, you can start watching together. Kast allows users to map keys to mute microphones, silence your output, and push to talk, so there are a lot of customization options. If you need more help figuring out how to get the most out of Kast check out its easy-to-use explanation video. And stay safe, folks!