After using both Netflix and Blockbuster, I found both to be great.

Blockbuster's service starts at just under $4.00 a month for one DVD a month. From there, subscriptions go up. Each subscription plan offers one or more DVD(s) at a time. How many movies can be taken each month depends on the plan.

A "pro" for Blockbuster is that some of their plans offer trade-in arrangements at Blockbuster stores, so on those plans members can double the number of movies they get by returning the one they received in the mail to the store and getting another one at no extra charge.

A "con" for Blockbuster is that a member cannot watch movies online.

A "pro" for Netflix, however, is that most plans offer unlimited online viewing of a wide selection of movies, television programs, and documentaries. Online Netflix viewing does have some equipment requirements (a high-speed connection on a PC, for example), so that it something a potential member needs to look into.

A "con" for Netflix is that there is no "trade-in" feature with membership. Netflix operates online only.

Netflix memberships, like Blockbuster's, come in a variety of packages that offer a different number of DVD's each month, with or without unlimited online viewing.

I found both services amazingly fast, when it came to how soon movies arrived and how soon I received the acknowledgement that those I had returned had been received. Both services notify members by e.mail when a movie has been sent, and an expected date of arrival is included in the e.mail.

Both offer members a variety of features with each member account online. Based on feedback, selections, and reviews, both aim to direct members toward the types of DVD's their history would suggest they would like. Both allow members to put several movies in queue, with the next movie being automatically shipped upon return of previous movies. Also, both services allow changing selections in the queue instantly.

I happened to like the Blockbuster envelope a little better. It has a wider adhesive strip, and somehow the DVD seemed a little more secure. Also, opening the Blockbuster envelope was easier. While the Netflix envelope is fine, it does require a little extra care on opening and does have a very narrow adhesive strip on the return portion of the envelope.

Any arrangements I had to have membership fees withdrawn from my checking account went without a hitch. No fees were taken earlier than I had been told they would, and there were no errors in terms of amounts taken. I changed my membership plan with both services at different times, and both made changes immediately and without any problems.

After I had spent the cold-weather months catching up on all the movies I've missed over the last several years, Spring came, and I no longer had time to watch as many movies. When I decided to cancel the process was immediate and easy with both services. With both, all it took was signing into my account and clicking on "cancel membership". Both Blockbuster and Netflix make it clear that members who cancel can always sign up again if they wish.

I was impressed with the efficiency of both services, and I would not hestitate to sign up with either again.