Whether you don’t want to pay extra for DVR, or you’re unhappy with Sling TV’s approach, there are alternatives you can explore. At present, there are several Sling TV alternatives you may want to consider, including Philo, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Vidgo, and YouTube TV.
Additionally, our free TV streaming guide gives you the run-down on what’s currently playing on live TV channels. Channel schedules are available for Sling TV and Sling TV alternatives.
Philo is the best for entertainment TV
Source: Philo
If you’re not interested in sports, news, or local event coverage, Philo may be a good alternative to Sling TV. Philo has a single package of channels available for subscribers that contains 70+ channels. Philo’s price and channel approach may also make it a good complement to a Sling TV package, instead of a full replacement. You could combine both a base Sling TV subscription with Philo to access 90+ quality channels at a fairly low price.
Philo pricing and packages
Philo offers a single streaming channel package for subscribers after a 7-day free trial.
Philo Base
Try 7 days free
- Unlimited cloud DVR saved for 1 year
- Stream on three screens
- Shows movies and 70+ channels
- 7-day free trial
$28/month
You’ll get 65+ channels, and Philo continues to grow its service. You can read the article on Philo plans for more information.
Philo channels
For your money, you’ll mostly get lifestyle and entertainment channels. The reason that Philo is so cheap is that it does not carry pricey news and sports channels, or partner with local NBC/ABC/CBS/Fox affiliates (which are also expensive to offer). The service also now offers movie channels like Epix and Starz through add-on packages. Check our guide to Philo channel lineup for a detailed list on what you can watch with this streaming service.
Read about everything Philo has in store with our full review.
Fubo is the best for sports channels
Source: fubo
Sports-focused streaming service fubo is a reasonable alternative to Sling TV, especially if you find Sling TV’s sports channel options to be lacking.
Fubo pricing and packages
If you subscribe to fubo, you’ll be able to choose between four streaming service packages. The prices vary significantly, and the same is true for the number of channels.
Fubo Pro
Try 7 days free
- 1000 hours of cloud DVR
- Stream on ten screens
- 180+ channels
$79.99/month
Fubo Elite
Try 7 days free
- Stream on ten screens
- 1000 hours of cloud DVR
- 250+ channels
- HD and 4K video quality
$99.99/month
Fubo Premier
Try 7 days free
- Stream on ten screens
- 250+ channels
- HD and 4K video quality
- 1000 hours of cloud DVR
- Showtime included
$109.99/month
Learn more about fubo's pricing and packages.
Fubo channels
No matter which package you choose, you’ll get a huge number of sports channels, as well as top entertainment, lifestyle, and news channels like USA, TNT, TBS, IFC, CNBC, HLN, and more. You’ll also get local broadcast affiliate networks, in most areas.
Importantly, though, fubo has one big hole in its sports channel line-up: ESPN. The service has not managed to get ESPN added to its channel line-up, meaning if you absolutely need ESPN, you may be better off sticking to Sling TV or other options. Read our detailed guide on fubo’s channel lineup for a comprehensive list of the available content.
See what else fubo has to offer in our full review.
Hulu + Live TV is the best for on-demand TV
Source: Hulu
Hulu + Live TV is one of the best Sling TV alternatives available. It costs more than a Sling Orange + Blue + DVR, but carries more channels and has better features overall.
Hulu + Live TV pricing and packages
There’s just one, simple streaming package available through Hulu + Live TV, although you can pick the no-advertisement option.
Hulu (with ads)
Get 3 HULU, DISNEY Plus, ESPN
- Stream on two screens
- Big movies
- Hit TV shows
- On demand content
$7.99/month
Hulu (no ads)
Get 3 HULU, DISNEY Plus, ESPN
- Stream on two screens
- Big movies
- Hit TV shows
- On demand content
- No ads
$17.99/month
Hulu Live TV only
- 90+ live channels
- Stream on two screens
$81.99/month
Hulu Live TV (with ads)
Disney+ and ESPN+ included
- Stream on two screens
- ESPN+ and Disney+ included
- On demand content
- 90+ live channels
$82.99/month
Hulu Live TV (some ads)
Disney+ and ESPN+ included
- Stream on two screens
- ESPN+ and Disney+ included
- On demand content
- 90+ live channels
$87.99/month
Hulu Live TV (no ads)
Disney+ and ESPN+ included
- Stream on two screens
- ESPN+ and Disney+ included
- On demand content
- 90+ live channels
$95.99/month
The price you pay provides 75+ channels, a cloud DVR, 2 simultaneous streams per account, and the full Hulu on-demand library.
Hulu + Live TV also includes Disney+ and ESPN+ as part of the package. If you’re already paying for either of those services (or both), rolling them into Disney+ can save you a good amount of money. Discover more about Hulu plans and pricing in our separate article.
Hulu + Live TV channels
Depending on your location, your channel lineup may vary. However, every subscription package will come with a key line-up of sports, entertainment, news, and local networks, including ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, AMC, A&E, HGTV, and more. Learn about which channels you can watch in our detailed Hulu live TV lineup guide.
Find out more about Hulu’s offerings and features in our review.
DirecTV Stream is best for HBO Fans
Source: DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream is a viable alternative to Sling TV, especially if you need a larger selection of channels.
DirecTV Stream pricing and packages
If you’re bargain shopping, DirecTV Stream is not the best option for you. Even the most affordable package is more expensive than what the competition offers, especially compared to Sling TV.
DirecTV Stream Entertainment
Try 4 days free
- 75+ channels
- Stream on unlimited devices at home
- Unlimited DVR space
- Three months of Max free
$86.99/month
DirecTV Stream Optimo Mas
- 100+ live TV channels
- Spanish and English programming
- Three months of Max free
- Unlimited DVR space
$86.99/month
DirecTV Stream Choice
Try 4 days free
- 105+ live channels
- Unlimited DVR space
- Includes regional sports networks
- Three months of Max free
$114.99/month
DirecTV Stream Ultimate
Try 4 days free
- 140+ live channels
- Unlimited DVR space
- Includes regional sports networks
- Three months of Max free
$129.99/month
DirecTV Stream Premier
- Unlimited DVR space
- 150+ channels
- Includes Max Cinemax SHOWTIME and STARZ
- Includes regional sports networks
$169.99/month
That said, you can get far more channels through DirecTV Stream than through Sling TV…you’ll just have to pay quite a bit to get them. You can learn more about DirecTV Stream’s pricing in another article written by our experts.
DirecTV Stream channels
Thanks to its large offering, you can get pretty much any popular cable TV channel you want through DirecTV Stream. All major networks are available, including ABC, NBC, FOX, popular cable channels like ESPN and HGTV, Regional Sports Networks you’ll have a hard time finding on other services. Read more about DirecTV stream’s channels in each package in our guide.
Find out more about DirecTV Stream in our review.
Vidgo is best for social TV watchers
Source: Vidgo
Although Vidgo takes more of a fubo approach to its packages, the pricing places it far closer to the Sling Orange + Blue package. The selling point? Vidgo offers far more channels for the price than what Sling TV is currently offering.
Vidgo pricing and packages
Vidgo has been reshuffling its package options recently. The service now has four packages available:
- English Plus
- English Premium
- English Ultimate
- Spanish Mas
A 7-day free trial or first-month discount may be available, depending on when you check.
Vidgo Mas
Only $10 for your first month
- 45+ live Spanish channels
- On demand content
- Cloud DVR
- Stream on three screens
$39.99/month
Vidgo Plus
Only $10 for your first month
- On demand content
- Cloud DVR
- 110+ channels
- Stream on three screens
$69.99/month
Vidgo Premium
Only $10 for your first month
- 150+ channels
- On demand content
- Cloud DVR
- Stream on three screens
$84.99/month
Vidgo Ultimate
- All English and Spanish channels
- The most live sports
- News and local shows
- Stream on three screens
$99.99/month
Discover more about Vidgo pricing to see if the plans fit your expectations and budget.
Vidgo channels
Vidgo is sports-heavy, even with the lower-cost Core Package. ESPN, Fox Sports, ACC Network, Pac-12 Networks, and more come included. The service also features a plethora of entertainment and news networks in both English-language channel packages. The Core Package offers 65+ channels, while the Plus Package boosts that to 90+ channels. The detailed Vidgo channel lineup will tell you more about the available channels in each package.
To learn about all that Vidgo has to offer, check out our full review of the service.
YouTube TV is best for local channels
Source: YouTube TV
If you like Sling TV’s Orange + Blue package, you may be better off with YouTube TV. You’ll get a larger selection of channels for just a few dollars more, including more local broadcast networks, more sports, an included and better DVR option, and the better account sharing features.
YouTube TV pricing and packages
Where Sling TV is complex and hard-to-understand, YouTube TV is incredibly simple. You have a single subscription package and no contract obligation. You get access to 80+ cable and OTA networks, including most local affiliate stations. The service has also started offering multi-month discounts on occasion if you time your sign-up at the right time.
YouTube TV Spanish
Only $24.99 for the first 6 months
- Unlimited DVR space
- 6 accounts to share at home
- Stream on three screens
- 30+ Spanish channels
$34.99/month
YouTube TV
Only $54.99 for the first 3 months
- Unlimited DVR space
- 6 accounts for one price
- Stream on three screens
- 100+ live TV channels
$72.99/month
For more information, check out our Youtube TV plans and pricing article.
YouTube TV channels
Whereas Sling TV provides a mixture of channels within different streaming packages, YouTube TV offers 70+ networks in one package. Almost all the channels you’d get through Sling TV’s two primary packages, and many of its add-on packages, are available in one package through YouTube TV. You’ll also get a much better selection of local broadcast networks, which helps make YouTube TV a better option for those without an over-the-air antenna. Here is a detailed guide to YouTube TV channels to check before you sign up for the service.
See what all Youtube TV has to offer in our full review.
Find the Sling alternative that works for you
Sling TV comes with advantages and downsides. However, it does offer a fairly affordable option to those looking to go cord-free. The channel selection is decent, but other services might offer better lineups.
For example, Philo is an excellent choice if you enjoy entertainment content and you are looking for family and female-focused content. On the other hand, Hulu + Live TV is the best option if you want an impressive VOD library and fantastic original programming. Ultimately, the decision is up to you. The important thing is the streaming service offers everything you expect from live TV platforms!
Sam Cook • Author
Sam Cook is a full-time content strategist by day, a part-time freelance content writer since 2015. In another life, he was a high school English teacher for nearly a decade. Based in sunny New Orleans, he writes long-form educational content on technology, including Insurtech, Fintech, HRtech, and content streaming.
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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