The TV streaming landscape is constantly changing. From trusted names that have been around for decades to ones that have just popped up, we take a look at two services on opposite sides of the spectrum, pitting DirecTV Stream vs Vidgo.
The company behind DirecTV Stream has been delivering satellite TV since 1994, while Vidgo’s 2019 launch date places it among the industry’s newest live TV streaming services. Let's see how much experience matters, and which is the better place to spend your time and money.
Quick overview of both services
Given its provenance, it should come as no surprise that DirecTV Stream is the streaming service most like satellite TV. It offers all of the major networks for local TV and boasts the best selection of regional sports networks (RSNs) in the industry. An optional dedicated streaming device enables 4K streaming, voice control, and smart home connectivity.
Newcomer Vidgo is one of the few services to offer a Spanish-language base plan. And while its entry-level plan includes an extensive on-demand library and a solid list of sports channels (including college RSNs), its broadcast television networks are limited to ABC, FOX, and Univision.
Let's put these two services head-to-head in six key areas of price, features, and content.
Pricing
Price is a key selling point for Vidgo, whose base package offers one of the lowest prices out there. On a per-channel basis, it’s half of what DirecTV Stream’s entry-level Entertainment package costs. However, low prices rarely come without sacrifice, and your decision will likely be based on more than just pennies per channel.
Vidgo is priced between “skinny bundle” services like Philo and Sling TV, and mid-tier services such as Fubo and YouTube TV. The English Premium plan makes a considerable jump in price, although it doesn’t add much of the premium content most people are likely looking for.
If you’re looking for a decent mix of sports with some local programming, but not premium movie channels, Vidgo is worth a look. And considering its price for 45+ channels, its Spanish Mas package is arguably the best Spanish-language service on the market.
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
DirecTV Stream isn’t out to sway people with affordability, especially as much of its enticing content isn’t available until the Choice plan. Positioned as a premium service, we’ll see how its content and features stack up below.
DirecTV Stream Entertainment
Try 5 days free
- 75+ channels
- Stream on unlimited devices at home
- Unlimited DVR space
$84.99/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 5 days free
- 105+ live channels
- Unlimited DVR space
- Includes regional sports networks
- Three months of Max free
$114.99/month
DirecTV Stream Ultimate
Try 5 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
Free trial
Vidgo offers a 7-day free trial, while DirecTV Stream has no free trial. Vidgo’s free trial also applies to returning customers who haven’t had a subscription in 60 days.
However, DirecTV Stream has a 14-day full refund period, no questions asked. As most free trials require payment information and charge a full month if you forget to cancel the trial, it’s not a stretch to say DirecTV Stream has a 2-week free trial.
Channels and add-ons
DirecTV Stream includes all major broadcast TV networks with its 4 main plans and RSNs with 3 of them. With up to 150+ channels, 65,000 on-demand titles, international add-ons, and the option to add premium movie channels to any package, it towers over the competition.
Similar to DirecTV Stream, Vidgo offers an impressive 150+ channels of live TV, but only 2 of the big 4 broadcast networks, and there is no way to add premium channels.
What to watch on DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream has the big 4 TV networks, as well as PBS, the CW, and TNT. It’s the only internet TV service where you'll find several RSNs, including:
- Altitude
- AT&T SportsNet
- Bally Sports
- MASN
- Spectrum SportsNet
- YES Network
Only the Premier plan includes premium fare such as HBO, Cinemax, and SHOWTIME, but most of these and other premium channels can be added à la carte for an additional fee.
There are two Spanish-language and three international add-ons available, with Brazilian, Korean, and Vietnamese channels.
Ultra HD 4K streaming is available with the proprietary DIRECTV STREAM device, which costs an additional $5/month.
Click here to see the full list of channels available on DirecTV Stream.
What to watch on Vidgo TV
While Vidgo has raised prices and restructured packages over the past couple of years, it remains more of a skinny bundle than a true cable replacement. While it continues to expand its local coverage for ABC and FOX, it doesn’t have CBS or NBC, which may pose a problem for some sports fans.
However, Vidgo has popular sports channels like ESPN, FS1, and MLB Network, although it's missing NBA TV. You’ll also find several sports channels not available on DirecTV Stream:
- beIN Sports
- NFL Network, NFL RedZone
- Pac-12 Networks
- Stadium
Vidgo Premium also delivers college sports channels that require DirecTV Stream’s Choice plan, but for cheaper:
- ACC Network
- Big Ten Network
- SEC Network
The Spanish Mas plan has 45+ Spanish-language channels, while the on-demand library of 14,000 titles includes classic movies and shows, specials, and new releases.
Click here to see the full list of channels Vidgo offers.
DVR and offline viewing
DirecTV Stream includes unlimited DVR storage with every plan and lets you create an unlimited number of secondary accounts using an email or mobile number. Unfortunately, there is no option for offline viewing.
Instead of offering DVR storage, Vidgo has an Advanced Playback feature that allows you to watch select content that’s aired in the past 24 hours. But that still may not be enough time for a lot of people.
Check out our articles on DirecTV Stream’s DVR and Vidgo’s playback and off-line viewing options for more information.
Device support
Both DirecTV Stream and Vidgo can be viewed on web browsers, Android, iOS, AppleTV, Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, and select Smart TVs.
However, only DirecTV Stream has a dedicated device. For an extra $5/month, the DIRECTV STREAM device gives you voice-control, 4K streaming, and smart home connectivity.
Check out our deep dives into DirecTV Stream supported devices and Vidgo supported devices.
Simultaneous streaming
With 20 simultaneous streams standard with all plans, DirecTV Stream far exceeds Vidgo’s rather modest 3 simultaneous streams.
Three of those 20 streams can be on the go, while the rest must be on the home network. Furthermore, only 2 of those on-the-go devices can be connected to a TV.
While Vidgo’s 3 streams might be enough for some, that amount will fall short for many family households. Unfortunately, there is no way to upgrade the number of screens you can watch at the same time.
Check out our articles on simultaneous streaming for both DirecTV Stream and Vidgo for more information.
Which is better: DirecTV Stream vs Vidgo?
With two services so far apart in terms of price and content, a direct comparison is tough to make. It all comes down to what you expect from your streaming service.
If you’re looking for a true cable replacement, DirecTV Stream is the better option, even though it’s the most expensive on the market. Vidgo continues to add local TV coverage, but it still falls short in terms of broadcast TV.
However, if you’re looking for value and mainly interested in Spanish-language programming, NFL football, or college sports, Vidgo is the far better option.
Douglas Wright • Author
Douglas Wright is a freelance writer based in Japan. A former web designer and technical writer, he left beautiful Vancouver for bustling Tokyo, where he spent a decade recruiting for software and high-tech firms. No longer commuting through the world’s busiest train station, he writes fiction and a wide range of formats for clients around the world. When he gets AFK, he’s either outdoors with his two boys, streaming a show with his wife, or reading a book over a French-pressed, hand-ground coffee.
Lisa Holden • Editor
Lisa Holden is an editor and creative based in Houston, TX. Lisa holds a BA in African-American Studies from Temple University and has spent her career working in news publications and magazines, even founding a magazine herself. She began working as an editor for Flixed in 2023. When she’s not editing or working on one of her many creative endeavors (whenever that is), she enjoys traveling to new places and biking on sunny days.
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