COMPARE STREAMING SERVICESTop 10 TV Streaming Services
Tired of expensive cable contracts with limited features? We're here to help you choose from the Best Live TV Streaming Options.
Sling TV - Live TV that's affordable, simple, and flexible
- Get 50% Off Discount for the 1st month
- Watch Over 600 Live Channels
- Watch on up to 4 screens simultaneously
Hulu + Live TV - Live TV And sports with a variety of channels
- 3-Day Free Trial
- Offers bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+
- Don't miss the NHL & NBA Playoffs!
DIRECTV - Flexible streaming TV packages for total entertainment
- Save $30 for 1st month + 5 Day Free Trial
- Don't miss the NHL & NBA Playoffs
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage
Disney+ - Go beyond your Disney favorites by bundling with Hulu & ESPN+
- 300+ titles in 4K UHD & HDR
- Watch on up to 4 screens
- Unlimited downloads on up to 10 devices
Apple TV+ - Exclusive original content streaming
- Watch MLS On Apple TV
- 7 Day Free Trial
- Exclusive & Original Content
Hulu - Extensive streaming service with thousands of shows And movies
- Unlimited DVR recording
- Watch on 2 screens simultaneously
Philo - 3-in-1 service with On-Demand access And channels
- Unlimited recording on DVR
- Watch on up to 3 screens at once
- Stream thousands of shows And movies
Sling TV - Live TV that's affordable, simple, and flexible
- Get 50% Off Discount for the 1st month
- Watch Over 600 Live Channels
- Watch on up to 4 screens simultaneously
The truth is...
Cable TV is dying out. With expensive contracts, a lack of flexibility, and poor quality customer service, hundreds of thousands of Americans have been turning their backs on the once all-powerful cable companies, becoming a new generation of cord-cutters.
For those unfamiliar with the term cord-cutting, it refers to those that have decided to ditch cable television in favor of internet-based streaming services. And it's not hard to see why. Streaming services are far cheaper. With average cable packages now climbing above the $200 per month mark, it's simply become unaffordable for a lot of families. Even the most expensive internet TV providers come in at less than half this cost, with budget options even going as low as $5.99 per month. Plus, you won't be charged expensive rental fees for a cable box. All you need is a good internet connection to enjoy the shows you love.
More freedom of choice - With a traditional cable contract you get what you're given. Don't like the channels in your package? Well, too bad! However, with a streaming platform, you choose the channels you want to watch. Whether you're a sports nut or really into your reality TV, you can find a niche and affordable package to suit you. Most platforms also offer bolt-ons and extras, so you only actually pay for what you watch.
No restrictive contracts - Almost all internet TV providers are contract-free. This means you can cancel at any time, at no extra cost to you. Cable companies have historically locked users into long 12 to 24-month contracts, with stiff fees for anyone that dares to leave.
On-demand offerings - As well as a host of live TV channels, most streaming options will offer a huge library of on-demand content. Watch your favorite shows, whenever, and wherever you want.
Of course, that's not to say there aren't a few downsides. With so many alternatives to choose from, it can sometimes be difficult to know which is the best for you. Plus, if having local channels is a deal-breaker, you should be aware that some services might have a limited range of options.
Never fear, though, because that's exactly why we're here! Below, we've broken down the key features of the top live TV streaming packages currently on the market. We look into everything you need to know about each one, including channels, pricing, on-demand library content, package options, and special features. Every summary is topped off with our recommendation for who the service is best for, so you can make an informed choice.
Sling TV
Sling TV was one of the first streaming services to start the whole watching television without cable trend when it launched in 2015. It's positioned as a reasonably priced and competitive option, with a very respectable channel lineup.
What makes Sling TV streaming service stand out? Alongside its flexibility and affordability, Sling stands out for having extra pay-per-view live events not available on other platforms, refer-a-friend discounts, and excellent device compatibility for on-the-go streaming.
Who is Sling TV best for? The service is for those looking for a balance between sports and general entertainment. It's far cheaper than a cable TV subscription and has more than enough content to keep casual TV watchers happy. Although, if you're more into Fubo, while the more entertainment might be better off at Hulu.
Sling TV pricing and packages
- At the moment you are getting $20 Off for the 1st month.
- Sling Blue: $30 per month - Access to 50+ channels, 10 hours of free DVR and streaming on up to three devices at once
- Sling Orange: $30 per month - While priced at the same level as the Blue package, you’ll get fewer channels with Orange, at just 30+ and you can only stream on one device at a time. This is because this level of membership has more expensive, premium channels such as Disney and ESPN, meaning a little less bang for your buck
- Combined Orange and Blue Package: $45 per month - The best of both worlds option, get all of the Orange and Blue channels for one discounted payment
Hulu Live
With more than 35 million subscribers and some of the best original content on any streaming platform, Hulu is one of the best choices out there for cord-cutters. Its combination of live TV and a large on-demand library should keep most viewers happy.
Does Hulu offer an on-demand service? Most definitely. With a library of almost 80,000 different shows and movies to choose from, you're spoiled for choice. You can stream on up to two devices at a time, download shows to watch offline, and watch new shows on-demand the day after they go live.
What type of shows and movies are available on Hulu? Hulu has been investing heavily in its original programming and you'll find popular shows like The Handmaid's Tale, Pen15, Books of Blood, and LetterKenny, among many others. It also has extensive license agreements to stream thousands of shows from popular networks, and you can find shows and movies like Rick and Morty, Dancing with the Stars, and Boston Legal. Sports fans aren't left behind either, as you can stream live Baseball, Football, and Basketball on ESPN.
What makes this the Hulu TV streaming service stand out? As one of the most well-established TV streaming platforms, Hulu has perfected a slick interface and great customer service over the years. It offers flexible choices too, allowing you to bolt on extra channels like HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime for a small additional cost, meaning you only pay for the shows you want to watch.
Who is Hulu best for? Hulu is the perfect platform for those looking for good, all-round entertainment. The channels are balanced fairly evenly between sports, news, and entertainment, but those looking for additional niche channels always have the option to include extras in their package. Its local channels are, however, a little limited. Given the provider is trying to appeal to as broad an audience as possible, this understandably means less investment in regional offerings. If you love a mix of drama, reality TV, and sports, Hulu is a great choice.
Hulu Pricing and packages
- Hulu Basic: $7.99 per month - Access more than 80,000 shows and movies on demand, and stream on two devices at once.
DIRECTV
Free Trial: DIRECTV offers a 5-day free trial for new customers.
What's Included: Access to live TV channels, regional sports networks, and on-demand content.
How to Sign Up: Visit the DIRECTV Stream website, select a package, and start your trial.
Key Features: Enjoy unlimited DVR, multi-device streaming, and no annual contract.
Note: Free trials are available for select packages only.
Popular Live Streaming Platforms
- Hulu + Live TV
- Offers live access to major networks like ABC, NBC, FOX, ESPN, and CNN.
- Includes an extensive on-demand library with Disney+ and ESPN+ bundled.
- Price: $82.99/month.
- Sling TV
- Affordable live streaming with customizable plans (Orange for sports, Blue for news and entertainment).
- Includes channels like CNN, ESPN, and TNT.
- Price: $50.99/month (with frequent discounts).
Philo
Philo stands out as one of the best budget options for cord-cutters. It's positioning itself not only as a competitor to the cable companies but also as a rival to streaming services like Hulu, offering similar options at a much lower price.
What channels are available on Philo? Philo is very much focused on entertainment, documentaries, and lifestyle shows and has channels like A&E, The Paramount Network, Hallmark, MTV, Nickelodeon, Destination America, Motor Trend, VH1, and People TV. Unfortunately, there are no live sports and a limited selection of news channels.
Can you get local channels on Philo? Being a budget service does mean that Philo has had to cut corners in places, and this means you'll find no local TV or broadcast networks here. You could try connecting a HDTV antenna to your TV to pick up local stations, but the signal isn't great in a lot of these. Another alternative is to sign up for network streaming platforms, like Paramount+, in order to watch the channels you love.
Does Philo offer an on-demand service? Yes, the provider has been building its on-demand catalog steadily over the last few years and now has more than 60,000 titles to choose from. You'll be able to stream on up to three devices at the same time and even share your favorite shows with your friends and family.
What type of shows and movies are available on Philo? Some of the most popular shows on the platform include The Walking Dead, The American West, Apple Tree Yard, Better Call Saul, and American Pickers. The movie selection might not be as extensive as other services, but you can still find some interesting picks like Super 8, Tremors, and House of Wax.
What makes the Philo TV streaming service stand out? Apart from the budget pricing, the platform stands out for its generous DVR space, which allows you unlimited recordings, held for up to 30 days. If you think the channel offering is a little small, you have the option to add on both Starz and Epix, upping your on-demand library by an additional 9,500 titles.
Fubo TV
With its origins as a live soccer streaming specialist, Fubo TV has quickly cemented its reputation as the go-to service for anyone looking to stream live sports. From big-name events to the smallest niche, you're sure to find the sports you love here.
What channels are available on Fubo TV? If it's a sports channel, you're almost certainly going to find it here. You'll get major channels like Fox Sports, NBA TV, The NFL Network, ABC Sports, and ESPN. If there isn't enough for you, an option is available to add additional channels like NFL Red Zone, Sports Illustrated, The Fight Network, and more.
What makes the Fubo TV streaming service stand out? Not only is Fubo the top live TV streaming package for sports, but it also shows a lot of events in crisp 4K HD. The provider also has a very intuitive live channels TV app, that's easy to use and has low latency when switching.
Who is Fubo TV best for? Most definitely one for sports fans. To get this sort of range of choice from a cable company, you might expect to pay twice as much as the packages on offer here. While there are options to add on more general entertainment channels like Showtime and AMC Premiere, it can get a little expensive. If you want to catch the latest popular TV shows and movies, we'd recommend trying another streaming platform.
Fubo TV pricing and packages
- Fubo TV Starters: $64.99 - Access 115+ live TV channels, including 250 hours of DVR storage + 3 screens at once
- Fubo TV Elite: $79.99 - Get a staggering 162+ channels of live TV, access to 47 entertainment channels +including 1000 hours of DVR storage + 10 screens at once
- Fubo TV Latino Quarterly: $33.33 - A specialist Spanish-language package with 33 live TV channels + including 250 hours of DVR storage + 3 screens at once