More and more people are choosing to “cut the cord” and sign up for online TV streaming platforms. However, with so many of these platforms to choose from, it can be tricky to find the perfect one for you. To help out, this comparison guide will take a look at two of the most popular cable alternatives: Philo vs Hulu + Live TV.
We’ll look at how these two platforms stack up in several key categories, like pricing, channels, DVR, and device support. By the end of this guide, you’ll know all you need to decide if you should choose Philo or Hulu + Live TV in 2023.
Quick Overview Philo vs Hulu + Live TV
Let’s start off with a brief overview of what each of these platforms actually are, beginning with Philo. Philo is a live TV streaming service, named after the inventor of the world’s first complete television set: Philo Farnsworth. Philo offers a range of live TV channels with various genres of programming from drama to comedy.
Hulu + Live TV is a live TV streaming service from Hulu, creators of one of the top on-demand streaming services. Offering dozens of channels, including sports networks, local news broadcasts, and entertainment, Hulu + Live TV has proven very popular. Plus, subscribers also get full access to the standard Hulu on-demand content included in the price.
| Philo | Hulu + Live TV | |
| Pricing | $25/month | $69.99/month |
| Free Trial Length | 7 days | None |
| Number of Channels | 60+ | 75+ |
| DVR Capacity | Unlimited 1-year DVR | 50 hours of space |
| Device Support | Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, Android, Chromecast, select smart TVs, PCs, Macs, Fire Tablet | iOS, Android, web browsers, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox One/Series X, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, select LG/VIZIO/Samsung smart TVs |
| Simultaneous Streams | 3 | 2 |
Best Pricing: Philo vs Hulu + Live TV
Now, let’s look at the cost of each of these services. Philo costs only $25 per month. This makes it one of the cheapest streaming services money can buy right now. It’s a lot cheaper than many alternatives, and when you look at how many channels you get, it really is great value for money. Plus, there are add-on options, such as Epix for an additional $6 per month or Starz for $9 per month.
| 64 Channels 7-day free trial $25.00/ month | 60+ channels Starz and Epix add-ons 3 simultaneous streams Unlimited DVR | Try Free |
When it comes to Hulu + Live TV, the monthly cost is significantly higher. You’ll need to pay $69.99 per month for this service. This is far more than Philo, and it’s way more than the regular Hulu streaming platform, which costs just $7.99 per month. However, Hulu + Live TV does offer a lot of channels, with over 75 in total.
| Hulu + Live TV No Hassle TV $69.99/ month | 75+ Live TV Channels 2 simultaneous streams Unlimited DVR Disney+ and ESPN+ Included | SIGN UP |
| Hulu + Live TV No Ads $79.99/ month | 75+ Live TV Channels 2 simultaneous streams Unlimited DVR Disney+ and ESPN+ Included | SIGN UP |
Overall, if you’re looking at getting the best value, Philo would the better choice due to its affordable price plan.
Best Free Trial: Philo vs Hulu + Live TV
Many streaming services and cable alternatives offer free trials, designed to allow new users to test out the service before committing to a long-term subscription. But unfortunately, Hulu only offers a free trial for its on-demand plan. Philo, however, still offers a 7 day free trial.
Best Channels and Add-ons: Philo vs Hulu + Live TV
One of the best ways to assess the quality of any streaming service is to look at the channels and add-ons it has to offer. This is one area in which Philo and Hulu + Live TV have some major differences.
Philo has over 60 channels in total. However, if you take a close look at those channels, you’ll find that they mostly focus on entertainment and lifestyle programming. There are also a few news channels like BBC America and Newsy, but the major American news networks like ABC and FOX are sadly missing from the lineup.
Some of the top channels on Philo include Food Network, MTV, and Lifetime, so it’s a good choice for people who like lifestyle programming and some reality TV. It also offers two add-ons: Starz and Epix. You have to pay extra for these add-ons, and they’ll give you additional movies and shows to enjoy.
Hulu + Live TV, meanwhile, comes with over 75 different channels. It has more channels than Philo, and it has a more diverse set of channels, too. For example, this service offers lots of news, sport, entertainment, movies, comedy, documentaries, and kids’ TV, too. In other words, there’s something for everyone on this platform.
In terms of add-ons, you can choose from several extra channels and networks to combine with your regular Hulu + Live TV subscription at any time. You can add-on ESPN+, Disney+, Showtime, HBO Max, Starz, Cinemax, and a range of different live TV packages like the “Sports Add-on” for extra sport content or the “Entertainment Add-on” for more channels.
Overall, the winner in this category has to be Hulu + Live TV. It has more channels, more diversity, and way more add-on options, too.
Best DVR and Offline Viewing: Philo vs Hulu + Live TV
Both Philo and Hulu + Live TV offer DVR, too. This lets users record their favorite content to watch again later on. However, there are, once again, some clear differences in terms of how each platform approaches DVR.
On Philo, the cost of DVR is included in your regular $25 subscription fee. It gives you unlimited storage, which is one of the best features of this platform. With unlimited DVR, you can save as much content as you like to watch again in the future, at no extra cost.
On the other hand, Hulu + Live TV offers up to 50 hours of recordings included in the regular monthly payment. If you want more, you can upgrade to 200 hours of DVR, but you’ll need to pay an additional $9.99 per month for the privilege.
Since Philo has unlimited DVR with no extra fees, it’s definitely the better option in this category.
Best Device Support: Philo vs Hulu + Live TV
Philo and Hulu + Live TV also have some differences in terms of which devices they can run on. Philo is compatible with the likes of Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, Android mobile devices, iOS mobile devices, Mac, Windows, and Sony smart TVs.
Hulu + Live TV works on almost all of the aforementioned devices. Plus, it runs on game consoles like Xbox One Series X and Nintendo Switch. It will work on LG and Samsung smart TVs, too. So, overall, Hulu + Live TV has slightly better compatibility.
Best Simultaneous Streams: Philo vs Hulu + Live TV
Both Philo and Hulu + Live TV let users stream different shows and content on different devices at the same time, but one is slightly more generous with this than the other.
Philo will let you stream on up to three different devices at the same time. Plus, a single account can be shared with up to 10 different people, each with their own username, profile, and personalized settings.
Hulu + Live TV, meanwhile, only offers simultaneous streaming on two different devices. So, if you plan to share the account with the whole family and stream simultaneously, Philo may be the best option for you.
Which Is Better: Philo vs Hulu + Live TV?
Both Philo and Hulu + Live TV are popular cable alternatives that have a lot to offer cord-cutters, but they also have clear differences. Philo is a great choice for people who love casual entertainment and lifestyle programming and aren’t too concerned with needing live sports and news. It’s also highly affordable at just $25 per month, so it’s a super choice for budget-conscious people.
Hulu + Live TV, meanwhile, has its own clear advantages. It may cost more, but it has way more channels and diversity, offering live sporting events, lots of news channels, and more diverse programming. Plus, it gives you all of the on-demand Hulu content that you won’t find on Philo. So, if you want the most complete TV package, Hulu + Live TV is arguably the better choice.
