Many people want to cut the cord on cable, but they fear losing their favorite shows or live sports. Thanks to live TV streaming services, that is no longer a problem.
Most cable replacements let you watch popular channels for less than your current monthly contract. For example, we were spending $110 per month before we canceled DirecTV.
Today, we spend less than half of that cost. If you want to cut the cord and still watch live TV channels, we found the best services to meet your needs.
Table of Contents
Top Live TV Streaming Services in 2021 to Replace Cable
Before we analyze the top cable alternatives, let’s look at how they compare against each other. Here’s how each service stacks up.
| Service | Cost | Free Trial | Locals (Y/N) | Streams | Profiles | DVR | Chs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $64.99 | 7 Days | Y | 3 | 6 | No limit | 90+ |
| fuboTV | $64.99 | 7 Days | Y | 3 | 6 | 250 hrs | 110+ |
| Sling O+B | $50 | 3 Days | N | 4 | 1 | 50 hrs | 50 |
| Philo | $25 | 7 Days | N | 3 | 10 | No limit | 60+ |
| Hulu Live | $64.99 | 7 Days | Y | 2 | 6 | 50 hrs | 80+ |
| Vidgo | $55 | N/A | ABC/Fox | 3 | 1 | N/A | 85+ |
What to Consider When Comparing Live TV Streaming Apps
There is a lot to consider when you compare streaming services. The above chart shows a high-level overview of each platform, but you’ll want to evaluate three main things.
Price: Cost can be the most important component of cutting the cable TV cord. Saving money is essential, but it’s easy to let costs creep up and reduce savings.
Most internet TV providers offer base plans, but add-ons are often available. Be mindful of add-ons so you don’t increase your costs.
Additionally, all of the video streaming services TV options have no contracts. This means that you can cancel when you want.
Channels: Losing your favorite TV channels is the last thing you want when you cut the cord on cable. Most live TV streaming services have a wide selection of channels, but not every service carries the same networks.
We have channel guides on all of the services, which you’ll find within each respective section, so consult those to direct your decision.
Features: Satellite TV and cable platforms like to lure customers with a bevy of features like DVR space and numerous simultaneous streams.
It’s important to consider the features you like best when comparing streaming TV services. Some, like fuboTV, have a healthy DVR capacity. If that is vital to you, keep that in mind as you choose a service.
One feature we don’t give as much weight to is access to local channels. Having local networks is nice, but they cost more to offer.
An antenna is a terrific way to get local channels without cable for an affordable one-time cost. Don’t tie yourself to a streaming service that has local channels and overpay for other channels you don’t want.
Best Choices to Stream TV Online
If you’re ready to save money, here are the best alternatives to cable.
1. YouTube TV: Top Overall Service
YouTube TV is our top choice to live stream TV. It has nearly 90 cable TV networks, including popular lifestyle, entertainment, and sports channels.
Even at its base of $64.99 per month, it’s cheaper than cable or satellite.
What to Know About YouTube TV
Unlimited DVR: YouTube TV offers unlimited cloud DVR storage, allowing you to record streaming content as much as you want. You can access recordings from any compatible device, regardless of your location.
*Related: Do you want to cut the but overwhelmed at where to start? Sign up for our course to learn the steps you need to cancel cable and save $100+ per month.*
One thing to keep in mind is that recordings do not last forever. Any saved content is removed after nine months. This shouldn’t be an issue for most people, but it is important to know.
Lots of sports: Watching live sports is huge for cord-cutters, and YouTube TV doesn’t disappoint. It has the full suite of ESPN channels, FS1, FS2, and most of the major collegiate networks.
YouTube TV is also one of the few platforms to offer all three major sports networks, including the NFL and MLB Networks as well as NBA TV. The platform even includes all local channels to complement sports offerings.
*Related: Do you want to cut the cord on cable but don’t know which streaming platform to choose? Try our free quiz to see which service will best fit your needs.*
New 4K add-on: YouTube TV recently introduced a 4K add-on that costs $19.99 a month. This also includes unlimited downloads for offline viewing.
While it is an awesome feature, there is currently minimal content available in 4K. The announcement also includes Dolby 5.1 audio for free for all customers.
Is the Service Worth the Cost?
YouTube TV is an excellent choice to stream live TV. It has ample channel availability that fits the needs of most users.
However, it is on the high-end of the cost spectrum. You may be able to find something cheaper without sacrificing what you want.
Read our review of YouTube TV to see the full channel lineup and learn more about its features.
2. fuboTV: Best for Live Sports Fans
FuboTV is a near must-have for sports fans. The service began as an offering for niche sports but is now a full-fledged cable replacement.
Its base package, Family, boasts over 110 channels for the same price as YouTube TV.
What to Know About fuboTV
Tons of live sports: Fubo is the top choice for sports fans because it has many live sports channels. It offers the full suite of ESPN and Fox Sports networks.
It also offers the MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL channels. If you’re a college football fan, fuboTV carries the ACC, Big Ten, Pac-12, and SEC networks.
You also get all the local networks.
Two plans: Fubo offers two separate base plans, including Family and Elite. The Family plan has roughly 115 channels for $64.99 a month, and Elite has about 45 additional channels for $79.99 per month.
Elite provides 1,000 hours of DVR capacity versus 250 in Family. You can also get ten simultaneous streams with Elite versus three in Family.
Both plans have dozens of entertainment, lifestyle, and news networks on top of the wide array of sports channels.
A dozen add-ons: FuboTV also excels by offering a dozen add-ons to further focus your sports content. They range from packages including regional Pac-12 networks to international sports action.
Is the Service Worth the Cost?
FuboTV is a close runner-up to YouTube TV. If you’re a sports fan, you will be thrilled by how much you can watch.
Like YouTube TV, it’s also on the expensive end. However, if you’re really into sports you may not find everything you want on another service.
Read our review of the fuboTV channels list to see the full lineup and learn more about its features.
3. Sling: Best for Flexibility
Sling TV shines in two areas, including affordability and flexibility. The live streaming service is as close to an à la carte plan that’s available in the space.
What to Know About Sling
It has two base plans: Sling has two different plan offerings, including Orange and Blue. Both choices cost $35 a month, but the similarities end there.
Sling Orange has roughly 30 channels and carries ESPN. Blue has 43 channels and includes FS1 plus some additional lifestyle and entertainment networks.
Orange is for sports fans, and Blue is for people who want news, entertainment, and lifestyle content. You can combine the two for $50 a month to get all the available channels.
You can also move between packages, which is what we do during college football season. We do the combined offering in the fall, then go back down to Orange the rest of the year.
Lots of add-ons: Sling lets you further customize your viewing experience by offering 11 add-on packages. All of the plans are an additional $6 per month, but the Sports add-on is $11.
If you choose four or more add-ons, they reduce the cost to $21. This is known as the Total TV deal.
Simultaneous streams depend on your plan: Another difference between the two Sling plans is simultaneous streams. Orange provides one stream, while Blue offers three.
If you have Sling Orange + Blue, you’ll receive four streams at once.
Is the Service Worth the Cost?
For the price, it’s tough to beat Sling TV. At $35 per month, you can watch live sports and get other popular channels. It has a simple interface that’s easy to navigate.
However, the flexibility can also lead to confusion on channel availability. It also doesn’t offer local channels, with the exception of NBC and Fox in some select markets if you select the Blue package.
Read our guide on ways to watch NBC without cable to learn about other options.
Read our review of the Sling TV packages to see the full lineup and learn more about its features.
4. Philo: Best for Budget-Conscious Streamers
Philo is the cheapest live TV streaming service available. It offers over 60 channels for an affordable $25 per month.
What to Know About Philo
Tons of lifestyle and entertainment content: Philo shines when it comes to lifestyle and entertainment content. Subscribers receive dozens of popular cable networks, from Discovery content to ViacomCBS channels and more.
If you’re a Hallmark, HGTV, or Lifetime fan, you’ll be happy with the service since it carries all these channels.
No sports: Philo lacks sports. It does that on purpose because sports channels are expensive for platforms to offer. Philo also doesn’t have local channels and is light on news content.
These exclusions help keep the cost to a minimum. Remember that an antenna can get you all your local networks.
Awesome DVR: You might think the low cost would mean the DVR is lacking. That is not the case. Philo offers an unlimited capacity cloud DVR.
Unlike YouTube TV, recordings expire after a year.
Is the Service Worth the Cost?
If you’re not a sports fan but want access to dozens of popular cable networks like HGTV, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, and more, Philo is a fantastic choice.
It’s incredibly affordable and a mere fraction of the cost of cable.
However, the lack of local channels or cable news may hold some people back.
Read our review of the Philo channel guide to see the full lineup and learn more about its features.
5. Hulu with Live TV: Best for Original Content
Hulu Live offers one base plan for $64.99 a month for nearly 90 channels. What makes Hulu Live unique is its Hulu originals that are part of its classic Hulu plan.
What to Know About Hulu Live
Live subscribers receive on-demand content: For years, Hulu was known only for its on-demand content and originals like The Handmaid’s Tale.
**Related: not certain which option you should choose? Read our Hulu vs. Hulu Plus guide to see which choice fits your needs.**
As a live subscriber, you get all of the live channels plus on-demand and original content. This is a solid value.
If you don’t need live TV, base Hulu is like Netflix and starts at $6.99 a month.
Read our side-by-side comparison of Netflix vs. Hulu to see how they differ and which may be best for you.
Dozens of popular networks: Hulu Live compares well against YouTube TV because they carry many of the same channels.
It has popular sports networks like the full suite of ESPN and Fox Sports channels. It also has other channels like Turner networks, USA, and more.
Hulu Live even includes all local networks.
Bundle opportunity for Disney and ESPN fans: Hulu is Disney-backed, so they offer the opportunity to bundle Disney+ and ESPN+ along with Hulu Live for an additional $7.99 per month.
You get a discount if you sign up for a year at $79.99 for 12 months.
Is the Service Worth the Cost?
Hulu Live has the same cost as YouTube TV and fuboTV. There is a lot to like about Hulu Live, with local channels, tons of live sports, and entertainment/lifestyle content.
However, it lacks in several key areas. It only has a base DVR of 50 hours, but you can upgrade to 200 hours for an additional $9.99 per month.
Hulu Live is also fee happy. You must pay a fee for nearly any feature that other streaming TV options like fuboTV or YouTube TV provide. Consequently, it’s easy to near $100 a month for Hulu Live.
Read our review of the Hulu Live channels to see the full lineup and learn more about the features.
6. Vidgo: Best for Social Viewing
Vidgo is a newer live streaming app that carries nearly 90 cable channels for $55 per month. It has many of the same networks as fuboTV, YouTube TV, or Hulu Live, but with a twist.
What to Know About Vidgo
Social-friendly viewing: Vidgo pioneered social viewing with family and friends. This is an angle that is growing in the live TV streaming space.
With Vidgo, you can schedule virtual watch parties, film live reaction videos, create polls as you watch shows, and more. This lets you enjoy a show, movie, or game with loved ones even if you’re not together physically.
All customers can take advantage of this at no additional cost.
Dozens of popular TV channels: Vidgo, like other services, carries many channels. Networks include the ESPN and Fox Sports channels, HGTV, TLC, Comedy Central, and more.
Vidgo includes ABC and Fox for local channels, but not CBS or NBC. You will need an antenna to get those networks.
Read our guide on ways to watch CBS without cable to learn about other options.
There is no DVR: Vidgo is the only live streaming service that doesn’t offer a cloud DVR. While this is disappointing, they do say they will have one available “very soon.”
Vidgo does offer a 72-hour playback feature on shows to help ease the pain.
Is the Service Worth the Cost?
Vidgo is on the higher end of the cost spectrum of cable replacements, but not quite as expensive as YouTube TV or fuboTV.
Given that, you would expect it to have some features that help it stand out against discount services like Philo. Unfortunately, Vidgo’s lack of a DVR is a big detractor.
It also does not offer all local channels. Vidgo doesn’t provide a free trial either, opting for $10 for the first month.
While it has an impressive channel lineup, the lack of a DVR will hold many people back from trying it.
Read our Vidgo review to see the full channel lineup and learn more about its features.
Is Streaming Really Cheaper than Cable?
It is not always cheaper to stream TV than pay for cable. When streaming services first came on the scene, they were more affordable and it was easy to save money.
With the top end choices like DirecTV Stream starting at $70 per month, it’s easy to quickly increase your costs.
For example, if you add subscriptions to on-demand services like HBO Max or Apple TV+ you add another $20 per month to your costs.
With the right mindset it’s possible to save significant money when you cancel cable TV. It requires having a streaming budget and turning off services when you don’t watch them enough to justify the expense.
If you do that, it’s easy to save $50 to $100 per month if you have the average cable bill of $200 a month.
What About On-Demand Streaming Services?
You may wonder why on-demand streaming services are left out of our review of cable alternatives.
On-demand services like Netflix, Paramount+, or Amazon Prime video are excellent sources of content, but they’re not a cable replacement. Live TV streaming services are like traditional cable or satellite but without a contract.
Video on demand (VOD) streaming services have content that is always available, regardless of the time.
These services are usually significantly cheaper and meant as a complement to other content. They are not a true alternative to cable. In short, VOD platforms let you binge shows when you wish and not watch live TV.
Read our guide on the best alternatives to Netflix to learn about these services.
How We Chose Our Top Choices
As outlined earlier, we took price, channel selection, and features into consideration when deciding on the top live TV streaming services.
We also considered local network availability and tested each of these services multiple times to get an idea of what the respective platforms offer.
The following criteria helped determine our rankings:
- Price
- Available plans
- Free trials
- DVR capacity
- Simultaneous streams
- Device compatibility
Accessibility is essential to watch your favorite shows. We primarily watch through an Amazon Fire Stick, though not all the options may work with the Amazon platform.
Consult our guide on the top Fire Stick alternatives if you don’t have the Amazon dongle.
You will also notice that DirecTV Stream, formerly AT&T TV, is missing from our list. The service has four available plans, ranging up to $140 per month.
While it’s the only live TV streaming service with regional sports networks (RSNs), it didn’t make the cut because it’s too expensive and only has a base DVR capacity of 20 hours.
Bottom Line
Cutting the cord is one of the best ways to save money every month. With the average cable bill at roughly $200 per month, that’s instant savings you can use to do things like:
- Pay off debt
- Save for a vacation
- Build up your emergency fund
- Save more for retirement
- Pay other bills
Spending $200 a month to get your favorite shows and live sports is unnecessary. There are legitimate streaming services that provide what you want for a fraction of the cost.
Try several of the free trials to find a platform that works for you, then pocket the savings.
How much do you spend on TV each month? What’s one channel you can’t live without?
I use Sling and Hulu Plus because I can stream my TV on my iPad and TV using a Roku. I also like how I can pause the subscriptions whenever I want. I tend to pause them in the Summer because there are fewer shows with new episodes to watch and I’m not home as often. So the cost doesn’t make sense.
That’s a good way to do it Leah. We’ve done that in the past as we really don’t watch much of anything in the summer. It may not seem like much savings, but why spend the $10-20/month if you don’t need to? 🙂
I just use the library for all my movies and TV shows! It’s free! I don’t have much choice as a I live on a sailboat, but I’ve realized that I can get really quality content from the local library. I don’t think I’ll pay for cable again 🙂
I think I’d take the sailboat over cable. 🙂
It’s nice to see that we are now up to 7 options for streaming! I know there are some smaller niche options as well that most people don’t think of. The silliest ones imo are the ones that you can only get if you already have a cable subscription. I believe AMC has a streaming option that costs $5(?) a month but it’s only available as an add-on to a regular cable subscription. Almost useless imo. I know you mentioned it a few times but I think it’s worth pointing out HBO Go can be bought independent of any of these options as long as you have a Roku or something similar.
I know, awesome to see the growth! I think you’re right on the AMC option and think there are a few others out there like it. Yea, just forgot to mention it here but we do have HBO Go ourselves, too much quality content in my opinion.
Wow, I use streaming but had no idea that there were so many options now! We dropped cable a long time ago, but share a Netflix account with a friend and pay for Hulu. I’ve never for a second missed cable!
Yep, it’s an exciting time to see all these options pop up. The challenge now is to find one that works for your needs and still keep a majority of the savings. Same here, we don’t miss cable one bit.
When I try to watch CBS, they charge a fee, so that is frustrating. I use Netflix and want to try Hulu.
If you’re trying to stream online, yes CBS does charge – you can also try CBS All Access which is $5.99 per month to get access to all their shows. If you don’t want access to streaming and older shows, you can also simply use an antenna to get all your local channels.
All of this nice in regards to TV, but what is the sensible way to have internet and possibly still have a land line at home? I currently use Verizon’s bundle for internet, limited cable and a land line.
Good question Joy. Unfortunately I don’t have much experience when it comes to a land line as we’ve not had one for some time. That said, I’d check into something like Ooma or Google Voice as an alternative.
We have Verizon FIOS internet only and use a magicjack for phone service. It’s like $30 a year, we kept our phone number, have 911. It’s good, works as long as internet is on. I know FIOS also offers internet and phone bundles.
Do you have to have a Smart TV to use steaming services?
Good question Lynn. Yes, to a certain extent you do. If your TV has the ability to connect to WiFi, even if it’s through a dongle like the Amazon Fire Stick or Hulu you can use a streaming service.
I have ATT Uverse for $40 a month and I supplement with a digital antenna and Roku, with the Philo App, it offers the most recent shows that I watch for $16 per month, and you can get a free week to see if it works for you. I’m saving a almost $80 per month.
That’s awesome Kris! Gotta love those savings. 🙂
Seldom watch TV BUT would really love to be able to watch Hallmark channel and Lifetime For Women. Any way I can watch only those two channels? I am 72 years young and don’t want to get caught up in cable/direct TV, etc.
That’s a great question Jenny. Unfortunately, you can’t just get specific channels as they’re not available a la carte. That said, I’d recommend a service like DirecTV Now or Hulu Live as good options – both are significantly cheaper than traditional cable and don’t require a contract.
I am really not technically savvy but could use advice on how to cut the cord and get what we need for a family of 4. Kids do not watch live TV at all. My husband and I do. We watch Bravo, Fox, Discovery, ESPN, MTV etc and local channels , abc, nbc, cbs, etc. We already pay a Netflix monthly and have mostly Smart TV’s. My monthly cable bill is $240 a month. I think I can do better. I can buy sticks for the kids TV’s,but how do I keep the ability to watch local news and Fox etc? We also DVR. Right now I am paying for 7 cable boxes at $10 per box.
You can easily save $150+ per month Danielle. You’ll want either Sling TV or Hulu Live to get those channels. For locals, you’ll want to get a digital antenna. Check out this post for what you’ll need for locals.
I guess my question is, how much internet speed do you need to stream without buffering. As for my household here in NV with just 2 adults I am told To have at least 30 Mbps minimum. I have Cox cable bundle ( Minimal) package with 100 Mbps. Cost in round #’s is $132.00 a month. If I go with internet only with 100Mbps it is still $88.00 a month. Maybe someone with knowledge in this area can pipe in. Thanks.
That’s a good question Ron. To my knowledge, it largely depends on the service you’re streaming from as each platform has their own suggestions/requirements. I don’t believe there is a clear cut answer, but believe you’re correct in having at least 30 Mbps – that should cover you from what I’ve seen with most platforms.
We use an antenna for local channels, Amazon Prime for additional channels. We use the library if we want to binge watch an old series. We have saved thousands already…not to mention what we will save going forward.
Sounds like a good setup MMM! There’s definitely plenty of options out there to save.
Thank you for all this research, this is all very helpful! I am trying to figure out which streaming option to choose. If I were to use an antenna to get my local channels, and choose a streaming service with a DVR I think I just realized that I would not be able to record my local channels? Is that correct?
Of course, happy to help! Hulu Live is going to be your best choice. They offer local channels in nearly all cities, and they have a DVR with 50 hours of recording capability.
I love Philo. I had Sling for several months and really liked it but it suddenly started buffering and cutting off the last few minutes of my programs so when I learned about Philo, I decided to try it out. It’s great! Unlimited DVR, lots of great channels and only $20 when I enrolled. And here’s another great perk, I received a notification that they were raising their prices by $5 a month, but as long as I continued my subscription, my price would not rise. Who does that?!?
Yep, Philo is a terrific cord-cutting option. They’re really trying to champion the lower-cost space and doing it well.