You can watch all your favorite cable channels live without cable with any of these streaming services: Philo, Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and YouTube TV. In this article, we'll help you decide which streaming option is best for you. Let's get started!
The cheapest cable alternative: Philo
Source: Philo
If you don't like the idea of spending money on TV entertainment, you may want to check out Philo-- an inexpensive, bare bones cable replacer with an unlimited DVR and many other excellent features. The base subscription includes all kinds of popular cable TV channels, including A&E, BET, HGTV, Nick, and more. Another interesting thing about Philo is that it's working on a social network that will let its subscribers share cable TV content with their friends and family via the internet.
Philo pricing and packages
A subscription to Philo is one of the cheapest options out there for watching cable TV live without a traditional cable TV subscription. You can even try out Philo for a full week without having to pull out your credit card. All you have to do is provide your phone number to give Philo a whirl.
For more information on Philo plans, check here.
Philo channels
Philo's base plan comes with 70+ channels. There used to be an upgrade plan that lets you get more channels, but Philo seems to have merged that upgrade into its core plan. Some of the most popular channels in Philo's lineup include VH1, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, Nick, A&E, AMC, BET and Comedy Central. There lots of other great channels that you don't have to give up anymore once you cut the cord, as well.
For more information on Philo channels, check here.
Click here to check out our in-depth Philo review.
The best cable alternative for sports fans: Fubo
Source: Fubo
Half of the channels you get when you subscribe to Fubo are sports channels. Fubo carries the ESPN channels, and it also carries plenty of rare sports channels that other streaming services don't carry.
Fubo pricing and packages
Unlike some streaming services, Fubo includes most of the channels that it carries in its base plan: Fubo Pro. Other plans include Fubo Elite, Fubo Premier and Fubo Latino.
To learn more about Fubo’s pricing and packages, click here.
Fubo channels
Fubo Pro has around 216 channels. You'll get more or less channels depending on where you live. Check the fuboTV website and type in your zip code to see exactly which channels you'll get.
To learn more about Fubo’s channels, click here. And to read our full Fubo review, click here.
Fubo Pro
5-day free trial
- 216+ channels
- Unlimited cloud DVR
- Stream on 10 screens at home
- Regional sports fee added at checkout ($13 to $17)
$88.99/month
Fubo Elite
5-day free trial
- 280+ channels
- Unlimited cloud DVR
- Stream on 10 screens at home
- 4K Plus included
- Regional sports fee included
$98.99/month
The cable alternative with the most on-demand content: Hulu with Live TV
Source: Hulu With Live TV
Hulu with Live TV has a much bigger on-demand content library compared to most live TV streaming services. Another selling point is an upgrade that lets you stream to an unlimited number of devices on your home network.
Hulu with Live TV pricing and packages
Hulu with Live TV offers just one channel package with four options:
- Hulu (on-demand, with ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (with ads), and ESPN Select (with ads)
- Hulu (on-demand, no ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (with ads), and ESPN Select (with ads)
- Hulu (on-demand, with ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (no ads), and ESPN Select (with ads)
- Live TV by itself, with no additional services
The package has 95+ channels. You get two simultaneous streams and you don't have to pay extra to get ESPN and Disney.
Hulu (With Ads)
- Stream on two screens
- Big movies
- Hit TV shows
- On demand content
$12.49/month
Hulu Premium (No Ads)
- No ads
- Stream on two screens
- Hit TV shows and movies
- Offline downloads
$21.49/month
Hulu Live TV Only
- 95+ live channels
- Unlimited DVR
- Stream on two screens
$98.99/month
Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ and ESPN Select
$49.99 for the first month (ends Oct 26, 2026)
- 95+ live channels
- Disney+ and ESPN Select included
- Unlimited DVR
- Stream on two screens
$99.99/month
Hulu Premium + Live TV, Disney+ Premium and ESPN Select
- 95+ live channels
- No ads on on-demand content
- Disney+ Premium and ESPN Select included
- Stream on two screens
$109.99/month
To learn more about Hulu with Live TV's pricing, click here.
Hulu with Live TV channels
As is the case with most cable alternatives, Hulu with Live TV has a free trial that lets you test the service for yourself. This lets you see what kind of channels are available. Most of the channels that Hulu offers are in its core plan, but there are some add-ons you can get as well.
Click here to learn more about Hulu with Live TV's channel options, and click here for our Hulu review.
The most customizable cable alternative: Sling TV
Source: Sling TV
Sling TV is worth considering if you want to save money and you're only interested in a handful of channels. You can choose from one of two base plans and then customize your experience from there by buying option channel add-on packs.
Sling TV pricing and packages
In order to get Sling TV's channel add-on packs, you have to buy at least one base plan. There are three base base subscription options. You can choose between two different base plans or get both base plans for a discounted price.
Sling Orange
- 30+ channels
- ESPN, TNT, CNN and AMC
- Stream on one device
$45.99/month
Sling Blue
- 40+ channels
- Local channels in select cities
- News and entertainment
- Stream on three screens
$45.99/month
Sling Orange & Blue
- 45+ channels
- Sling's largest lineup
- Stream on four screens
$60.99/month
To learn more about Sling TV pricing, check here.
Sling TV channels
Neither of Sling TV's base subscription plans has a clear theme. Sling Orange and Sling Blue both have a mix of family, sports and news entertainment.
Click here to learn more about Sling TV's channel menu, and click here to read our Sling review.
DirecTV Stream
Source: DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream tries to provide the full cable experience for much less. With DirecTV Stream’s entry-level plan, you’ll get at least 90 channels and maybe more, depending on the availability of local stations and regional sports networks.
DIRECTV Stream Entertainment
$59.99 for the first month
- 90+ channels
- Local channels and ESPN Unlimited
- Unlimited cloud DVR
- Unlimited streams
$89.99/month
DIRECTV Stream Óptimo Más
- 100+ live TV channels
- Spanish and English programming
- Unlimited cloud DVR
$74.99/month
DIRECTV Stream Choice
$64.99 for the first month, then $10 off for 2 months
- 125+ channels
- Includes regional sports networks
- Unlimited cloud DVR
- Unlimited streams
$94.99/month
DIRECTV Stream Ultimate
$99.99 for the first month, then $10 off for 2 months
- 160+ channels
- Includes regional sports networks
- STARZ Encore and NHL Network
- Unlimited cloud DVR
$129.99/month
DIRECTV Stream Premier
- 185+ channels
- Includes HBO Max, Paramount+ Premium, STARZ and Cinemax
- Includes regional sports networks
- Unlimited cloud DVR
$159.99/month
DirecTV Stream’s former parent company, AT&T, invested millions to make the service more competitive. Upgrades include support for a third simultaneous stream and support for Ultra HD 4K content.
With the exception of game consoles, you will find DirecTV Stream in the app stores of a wide range of streaming platforms.
- Living room devices: Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast and Roku.
- Smart TVs and Blu-ray players: None.
- Mobile devices and tablets: Android and iOS.
- Game consoles: None.
- Desktop browsers: Chrome and Safari.
More than fifty networks will give DirecTV Stream subscribers full access to their own apps. Click here to read our full review.
YouTube TV
Source: YouTube TV
If watching your local ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC stations is important, then YouTube TV may be your best bet. We found that YouTube’s streaming service has the best support for local stations in the markets it serves. It's now available in all 210 US TV markets.
YouTube TV’s subscription gives you more than 100 channels as well as industry-leading features. The cloud DVR, for example, has an unlimited recording capacity and the recordings won’t expire for nine months.
Like other services, however, YouTube TV only lets you and your household stream to three devices at the same time.
- Living room devices: Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast and Roku.
- Smart TVs and Blu-ray players: Certain models from LG and Samsung.
- Mobile devices and tablets: Android and iOS.
- Game consoles: Xbox One.
- Desktop browsers: Chrome.
A YouTube TV subscription will unlock many network apps. Unlike the other streaming services, however, Google doesn’t tell you which networks support YouTube TV. You’ll have to check each network one by one. (No, googling won’t be much help.)
You can read our YouTube TV review here.
Alex Munkachy • Author
Alex Munkachy is a freelance writer, game developer and hobby robotics enthusiast.
Davan Hamilton • Editor
Davan Hamilton is an editor and writer based in Jacksonville, FL. Holding a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, her writing spans a wide range, from essays on film criticism and analysis to surreal poetry. Now, she works for Flixed as an editor, continuing to ignore the list of passion projects she’s accumulated. When she’s not glued to her computer, you can find her building endless amounts of Lego sets, binge-reading manga, or playing with (fighting) her cat.
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