Sick of paying an enormous bill each month for cable? The average cost of a cable bill has surpassed $100/month – so it’s no surprise that people all across America are ditching cable in record numbers.
But what are your options for watching your favorite shows, sporting events, and news channels without cable? It can be confusing to navigate the world of “cable replacer” internet TV services, such as YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the basics of two of the most popular cable alternatives – YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream – and help you figure out which one is a better choice for your particular needs.
An overview of YouTube TV & DirecTV Stream
YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream are both “skinny bundles”. These internet TV services allow you to purchase a pre-selected package of cable channels for a low monthly fee.
Neither of these services requires a cable box or any kind of installation. TV is delivered directly over the internet. In addition, they are much cheaper than traditional cable packages, and do not have any long-term contracts. You pay month-to-month, and can cancel at any time.
Now, let’s dive into the specifics of each of these streaming services.
| DirecTV Stream | YouTube TV | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Entertainment: $69.99/month | |
| Choice: $89.99/month | ||
| Ultimate: $114.99/month | ||
| Premier: $159.99/month | $72.99/month | |
| Free Trial Length | 5 days | 10 days |
| Number of Channels | Entertainment: 75+ | |
| Choice: 105+ | ||
| Ultimate: 140+ | ||
| Premier: 150+ | 100+ | |
| DVR Capacity | Unlimited (90 days) | Unlimited (9 months) |
| Device Support | Web, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, Smart TVs, DIRECTV STREAM Device | Web, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, TiVo Stream, Smart TVs, Xbox, PlayStation, Google Nest Hub |
| Simultaneous Streams | 20 at home, including 3 on the go | 3 (anywhere) |
DirecTV Stream
Source: DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream is the new name for AT&T TV, which was sold by AT&T TV in 2021. Technically speaking, it's one of the oldest internet TV services out there, though frequent name changes and alterations to service have obscured this.
Though it has plenty of channels and decent features, DirecTV Stream falls very short when it comes to value for your money. Though its features have improved over the last few years, it's still more expensive than any other internet TV service out there. Let's dive into more details now.
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
Best features
DirecTV Stream has 4 packages with lots of channels on offer, as long as you have the budget to pay for them. The cheapest package gives you 75+ channels. However, if you can afford to pay more, you can get their highest-tier Premier package, which has 150+ channels, including free Max and Cinemax.
The service also offers a lot of “TV Everywhere” logins. You can use your DirecTV Stream membership to log into the apps and websites of dozens of different cable networks.
In addition, DirecTV Stream also supports just about every major streaming device with slick, streamlined apps. You can stream on iOS, Android, web browsers, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast.
Downsides
The biggest downside to DirecTV Stream is its cost. It’s simply the most expensive internet TV service out there. No other service, including YouTube TV and other competitors like Fubo, Sling TV, or Hulu With Live TV come close to the same cost-per-channel at DirecTV Stream, particularly when it comes to its higher-tier packages.
In fact, some of the higher-tier DirecTV Stream packages cost almost as much as (if not more than) a traditional cable subscription. That sort of defeats the purpose of the service entirely, in our eyes.
YouTube TV
Source: YouTube TV
YouTube TV is the latest entry into the world of internet-based cable alternatives, built by Google. It’s designed to offer a good package of channels and great features at a reasonable price.
YouTube TV offers only one package of channels, but has fairly comprehensive coverage. You can get sports coverage from channels like ESPN and Fox Sports, entertainment channels like FX and AMC, and cable news coverage from CNBC, Fox News, Newsy, and more.
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
Best features
Beyond a solid channel lineup, YouTube TV has a few other features that make it great for cord-cutters – particularly those who plan on sharing their accounts with friends or family.
First, you can watch YouTube TV on 3 devices at once, which is good if you share your account with your family or household. You also get a much better DVR at no extra cost, and can create up to 6 different user accounts with YouTube TV.
Downsides
YouTube TV has jumped in price quite a few times. It launched in 2017 for $35/month. However, it jumped to $49.99/month in early 2020, then to $64.99/month, and is currently $72.99/month as of publication time. Another price increase is likely, since competitors like Hulu With Live TV and DirecTV Stream have recently raised prices.
Of course, it's worth noting that all other major internet TV services - including DirecTV Stream - have raised their prices, too.
You also can't get quite as many channels, particularly more niche channels and RSNs (Regional Sports Networks). At its higher tiers, DirecTV Stream offers more of these channels.
You can get more channels with DirecTV Stream
Source: DirecTV Stream
YouTube TV only offers one package of channels, with about 100 channels available. (This number may vary based on your location).
In contrast, DirecTV Stream offers seven different packages. The cheapest package from DirecTV Stream only has about 75 channels, but the most expensive plan has more than 150 channels.
If you're not too worried about the high cost of these upper-tier DirecTV Stream channels, you'll be able to get many more channels for your money. However, it's worth noting that the cost-per-channel is still higher with DirecTV Stream than it is with YouTube TV.
DirecTV Stream has a good DVR (but YouTube TV's is better)
Source: YouTube TV
DirecTV Stream still has a pretty bad DVR, unless you pay extra. You can only record 20 hours of shows, which will be deleted automatically after 90 days. You also can't record more than 10 episodes of each TV show.
If you pay $10/month to upgrade your DVR, you'll get unlimited storage space. The 90-day limit remains, and the TV show limit is boosted to 30 episodes instead of 10 episodes.
However, YouTube TV still has a better DVR. With YouTube TV, you can record unlimited content for up to 9 months, after which your oldest recordings will expire and be deleted. That's it. There are no other restrictions, and this doesn't cost an additional fee. It's included in your subscription by default You can also create up to 6 individual user accounts, and each one gets its own DVR.
DirecTV Stream offers way more simultaneous streams
While YouTube TV has the edge when it comes to its DVR, DirecTV Stream blows it out of the water with simultaneous streams. You can stream on up to 3 devices at once with YouTube TV. Not bad, right?
No, and that's plenty for most people. But DirecTV Stream lets you stream on up to 20 devices at once. That's a ridiculously high limit, and should satisfy even the largest households full of TV enthusiasts.
DirecTV Stream offers Max for free with its highest-tier package
If you’re interested in adding premium channels like HBO and Cinemax to your subscription, both YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream are good options. With DirecTV Stream, you can pay an additional fee for channels including:
- HBO
- Cinemax
- Showtime
- Starz
- MGM+
Additionally, the highest-tier Premier package includes Max and Showtime for no extra fee. It's included in your package. You also get a lot of other premium channels, though you'll pay a pretty penny for the privilege.
YouTube TV also has a pretty good lineup of premium channels, though. It actually has a larger number of them than DirecTV Stream, though some are more niche. It offers:
- HBO
- AMC+
- Cinemax
- CuriosityStream
- MGM+
- Starz
- Showtime
- Shudder
- Sundance Now
- IFC Films Unlimited
DirecTV Stream gives you more cable logins for major networks
Given DirecTV's connections with the world of pay TV, it may come as no surprise that you can use "TV Everywhere" to log into the websites of more than 100 different subscription networks with DirecTV Stream.
While YouTube TV also supports TV Everywhere, it lacks the extensive support that DirecTV Stream has, and it also has fewer overall channels.
DirecTV Stream has more on-demand content
Source: DirecTV Stream
For all of its benefits, YouTube TV is a bit lacking when it comes to on-demand content. Unless you record a show with your DVR, you won’t be able to access that much on-demand content.
However, with DirecTV Stream, you get access to 10,000+ streaming titles, and over 25,000 hours of on-demand content. It's an even better choice if you subscribe to a package that comes with HBO Max, which offers thousands of premium shows and movies that you can watch on demand.
YouTube TV has a longer free trial
Most internet TV services offer a free 7-day trial so that you can give them a shot and see if they're right for you. YouTube TV rises above the standard. You can visit its website then sign up for a free, 10-day trial.
DirecTV Stream also offers a free trial, but it only lasts for 5 days. However, that should be enough time to see if the platform is right for you. Plus, the free trial is available at every tier level.
YouTube TV offers more device support
YouTube TV is the clear winner when it comes to the selection of devices to watch it on. Aside from DirecTV Stream’s proprietary device, YouTube TV supports all the same devices, plus Xbox, PlayStation, Google Nest Hub, and a variety of smart TVs.
For more information, check out our deep dives into DirecTV Stream Device Support and YouTube TV Device Support.
YouTube TV vs. DirecTV Stream: Which is better?
So, here’s the big question. Which internet TV streaming service is better? Depending on your needs, either YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream could be the right choice for you. Here are some questions to ask yourself that can help you make the right decision.
How many channels do you need?
If you are not interested in a huge variety of channels, YouTube TV is probably a better choice for you. You still get plenty of channel coverage, as well as some great features that DirecTV Stream lacks.
But if you need more choices, and channel packages that offer up to 150+ channels, DirecTV Stream is likely the right internet TV streaming service for you. This is particularly true if you watch a lot of sports on RSNs, like NHL hockey and MLB baseball.
Will you be sharing your account with anyone else?
In general, you’re going to have an easier time sharing a YouTube TV account than you will if you want to share a DirecTV Stream account. This is because YouTube TV allows you to create up to 6 different users, each of which gets their own DVR and recommendations.
In addition, you can watch YouTube TV on up to 3 devices at once. This means you’re less likely to be blocked from watching your favorite show due to too many users streaming at once.
But while you can't make separate accounts as easily, DirecTV Stream does let you stream on up to 20 devices at once. If you have a seriously big household, this may tip the scales toward this service.
DirecTV Stream is still easy to use if you are sharing it with multiple users, but it doesn't quite have the same streamlined user interface and features that YouTube TV offers. For those interested in sharing a subscription, YouTube TV is the top choice.
Eric Liston • Author
Eric Liston is a content writer based in Columbus, Ohio. Since 2015, he’s been writing about technology, cord-cutting, and helping everyday people save money. He also has expertise writing about medicine, dentistry, insurance, and a variety of other industries. No matter what he’s writing, his focus is always on simplifying complex concepts and making them approachable for everyone. When he’s not slamming away on his keyboard at his home office, you’ll find Eric reading sci-fi novels, improving his disc golf game (he just hit his first 400-foot drive) and playing video games on his gaming PC.
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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