At $40 per month, there’s not many streaming services cheaper than Sling TV. Its channel lineup makes it one of the best ways to watch ESPN without cable.
But, it doesn’t have local channels and might not include some of your favorite networks. If you have tried Sling and are looking for other cable alternatives, there are other choices to consider.
All have good channel selection, reliable streaming performance, are easy to use, and let you live stream TV for less than cable.
Best Alternatives to Sling TV
The low-cost cable alternative is a good choice to replace cable. But, it’s not the only option.
Here is a quick comparison of some of the top live TV streaming services.
| Service | Cost | Streams | Locals | DVR | On Demand | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philo | $25+ | 3 | No | Unlimited | Yes | Try |
| FuboTV | $74.99+ | 10 | Yes | 1,000 hrs. | Yes | Try |
| Vidgo | $69.99+ | 3 | No | No | Unlimited | Try |
| Hulu Live | $69.99+ | 2 | Yes | Unlimited | Yes | Try |
| YouTube TV | $72.99+ | 3 | Yes | Unlimited | Yes | Try |
1. Philo TV
At only $25 per month, Philo TV is one of the best alternatives to Sling TV. Philo is the cheapest cable replacement on the market.
The Philo TV channels list offers many of the same networks as Sling, including the Hallmark channels.
- All Philo channels can be rewound without saving for up to 72 hours
- You can login to network sites with your Philo subscription and access gated content there
- Popular channels on Philo TV include: AMC, A&E, Animal Planet, Comedy Central, CMT, Discovery Channel, Hallmark, HGTV, and Lifetime
The drawback is that there are no sports. You won’t find ESPN, Fox Sports, or any other sports channels on Philo. Read our guide on how to watch ESPN without cable to learn ways to stream the sports giant.
Read our analysis of Philo vs. Sling TV to learn more about how they compare.
2. fuboTV
Fubo is more expensive, but is a complete cable replacement with live sports and local channels. It also has more Spanish-language options than other streaming services.
In addition to Fox Sports and other mainline sports channels, fuboTV carries NBA TV and NFL Network. Read our review of fuboTV to learn more about the platform.
*Related: Do you want all the in-studio analysis, without a contract? Read our guide on how to watch NFL Network without cable to learn the best options.
3. Vidgo TV
Vidgo is a one of the newer live TV streaming services. The platform provides a social viewing experience through social sharing features and chat rooms you can join while watching a show or game.
*Related: Do you want to cut the cord, but not sure which streaming provider to choose? Try our free quiz to learn which service will best fit your needs.*
Its channel lineup offers sports along with a full suite of lifestyle and entertainment networks. Vidgo has two key drawbacks though – it’s light on news networks and does not currently offer a cloud DVR.
Read our Vidgo review to learn more about the service.
4. Hulu With Live TV
Hulu Live offers live TV, includes DVR, lets you stream on two devices at once, and comes with original content like The Handmaid’s Tale. However, it’s twice the price.
If that price is more than you want to pay, consider the Hulu + Disney+ ESPN+ bundle. You get all three services for just $13.99 per month.
While you won’t get live TV, you will get programming your entire household will enjoy.
Read more about Disney+ in our review of the Disney+ streaming app.
Read more about ESPN+ in our ESPN Plus review.
5. YouTube TV
Like Hulu Live, YouTube TV is one of the most expensive streaming services. Like others mentioned here, you can watch YouTube TV on Chromecast, Apple TV, and Android / iOS devices.
It offers local channels, the ability to create up to six accounts, unlimited DVR, and the option to fast forward through ads in recorded programs.
Read our review of YouTube TV to learn more.
You can also read our analysis of YouTube TV and Sling TV to learn how the two cable alternatives compare.
Top Devices to Stream Shows Online
If you’ve only ever streamed Sling TV, you might be wondering what you need to start watching shows on the video streaming platforms mentioned.
Like Sling TV, these services work on all the major devices, including:
- Amazon Fire TV and Fire tablets
- Roku (boxes, TVs, and sticks)
- Apple TV
- Macbooks, iPads, iPhones
- Any computer with an Internet browser
- Google Chromecast
- Xbox One
- Samsung and LG Smart TVs
The bottom line is that it’s really easy to stream content today.
If you’re used to using the Sling TV app, you’ll have no issue with any of the Sling TV competitors.
Can I Get Local Channels on Sling?
Live TV streaming services are a great way to watch your local networks. Unfortunately, Sling TV doesn’t offer local channels in most cases.
Some Sling Blue customers are able to watch FOX and NBC in some cities, but the availability is not very good.
Here are the cities where you can watch NBC on Sling TV:
| City | Station |
|---|---|
| New York | WNBC |
| Philadelphia | WCAU |
| Chicago | WMAQ |
| Boston | WBTS |
| Washington, DC | WRC-TV |
| Miami/Ft. Lauderdale | WTVJ |
| Hartford/New Haven | WVIT |
| Dallas/Ft. Worth | KXAS |
| Los Angeles | KNBC |
| San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose | KNTV |
| San Diego | KNSD |
Here are the cities where you can watch FOX on Sling TV
| City | Station |
|---|---|
| New York | WNYW |
| Philadelphia | WTXF |
| Chicago | WFLD |
| Detroit | WJBK |
| Atlanta | WAGA |
| Washington, DC | WTTG |
| Houston | KRIV |
| Orlando/Daytona/Melbourne | WOFL |
| Tampa/St. Petersburg | WTVT |
| Gainesville | WOGX |
| Milwaukee | WITI |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul | KMSP |
| Dallas/Ft. Worth | KDFW |
| Austin | KTBC |
| Phoenix | KSAZ |
| Seattle | KCPQ |
| Los Angeles | KTTV |
| San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose | KTVU |
If you don’t live in a location that gets the networks, you can purchase an antenna to get all of your locals.
Read our guide on ways to stream NBC without cable to learn about other options.
If you want a Sling competitor that offers all of your local channels, fuboTV is a good alternative. The base plan, Starter, offers roughly 110 channels, including your local affiliates.
Ultimately, if you find that Sling isn’t for you it might be best to get rid of the service. Read our guide on how to cancel your Sling TV subscription to learn where to start.
Bottom Line
The bottom line on apps like Sling is that you have lots of awesome choices. There’s no reason not to try several of the available platforms to find one you like best.
All of the services mentioned here offer free trial periods.
If you’re looking to pay less, try Philo TV. At only $25 per month, you will save loads of money.
What service do you use to stream content? How much do you pay per month for cable? What do you look for in a content provider?
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