Cable cutting is new and cable TV is kind of over, and it’s not just our opinion. A recent report (opens in new tab) revealed that in the first quarter of this year alone (January through April 2022), nearly 2 million U.S. consumers unplugged from cable television. In the past 4 years, 20 million have so long turned to the big six cable providers, which account for 95% of the entire market.
You may be wondering, where have those millions and millions gone? What are you doing right now? We bet many of them have signed up for one of the best cable TV alternatives. But deciding to sign up for one of these services isn’t easy – each is different in its own way, and one is a little too similar to cable for our liking. However, even our least popular option actually serves a specific purpose for a specific audience.
That’s why we’re taking a moment to tell you about each of these services, in order from cheapest to most expensive entry-level price. And the best news? Each is a monthly service, so — unlike cable — you won’t be locked out in the long term.
Should you cut the cord with Philo?
Fans of a select range of popular entertainment channels have the best opportunity to snip the cable since Philo is only $25 per month. It brings you AMC for shows like Better Call Saul, Comedy Central for the new South Park, the Paramount Network so you can see Yellowstone, and many reality TV networks including A&E, TLC, and VH1. Philo also has children’s networks and news channels including four Nickelodeon channels, BBC World News, AccuWeather and Bloomberg Television.
That can do. You might look at all of this and ask, “Why isn’t there ESPN?” and “Where are the broadcast network TV channels?” To do this, you need to look at the options below because these channels are more expensive and you will have to spend more to get them.
Price: $25 per month (opens in new tab)
Channels: More than 60
Cloud DVR: Unlimited with 1 year limit
Simultaneous streams: up to 3
Supported devices: Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast via Android, Apple TV, Android TV, Web, iPhone/iPad, Android phones and tablets.
Should you cut the cable with Sling TV?
Select multiple Tom’s Guide employees Sling TV because it does almost everything right. Depending on whether you get Sling Blue (FOX and NBC) or Sling Orange (ESPN channels), you can get the channels Philo doesn’t have. Interestingly, you also get TNT, which is vital for NBA live streams – a channel that sports-focused FuboTV doesn’t offer.
On the downside, the Sling TV’s DVR capacity is paltry, and the $5-per-month DVR Plus package only upgrades you to 200 hours — not the unlimited capacity offered by the competition. And while we’ve encountered issues with Sling TV’s buffering, Sling says it’s ironed them out.
Price: $35 per month (Orange or Blue), $50 per month (Sling Orange & Blue) (opens in new tab)
Channels: 31 (Sling Orange), 41 (Sling Blue), 47 (Sling Orange & Blue)
Cloud DVR: 50 hours
Simultaneous streams: 1 (Sling Orange), 3 (Sling Blue)
Supported devices: Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox, LG, Vizio and Samsung Smart TVs, Oculus, TiVo, Web, iPhone/iPad, Android phones and tablets.
Should you cut the cable with YouTube TV?
We find ourselves increasing the monthly prices YouTube TV, which has held on to its $65-per-month price tag while its competitors below have become more expensive. Being the first of the major live TV streaming services to offer unlimited DVR, this feature has also been copied. It has all the local channels (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC) you could want (except for most regional sports channels) and a really wide selection of cable channels too – for all the standard sports and news channels.
The best thing about YouTube TV is that its apps are simply more polished than most of its competitors as YouTube has recycled its learnings from online video hosting. YouTube TV is a great option for a great service, but competitors are trying to beat it in value. YouTube TV doesn’t include the bonus services that Hulu offers, and it’s not as cheap as Sling TV.
Price: $65 per month (opens in new tab)
Channels: More than 85
Cloud DVR: Unlimited (nine month limit)
Simultaneous streams: 3
Supported devices: Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox, LG, Vizio and Samsung Smart TVs, Oculus, TiVo, Web, iPhone/iPad, Android phones and tablets.
Should You Cut the Cable With Hulu With Live TV?
Hulu with Live TV is very similar to YouTube TV. It recently added unlimited cloud DVR, it has the broadcast channels you want and all the great cable networks too. You get Hulu originals on top of that. Oh, and for everyone who’s upset that Hulu with Live TV costs $5 more than YouTube TV? Well, this fiver also brings you Disney Plus and ESPN Plus.
Why not Hulu with Live TV? Maybe you don’t want Disney Plus (maybe you already share someone else’s account). Also, ads seem to have more of a presence on Hulu with Live TV than any of its competitors, and we’re not sure why. We also experienced slightly less stability on Hulu with Live TV than on YouTube or Sling TV.
Price: $70 per month (opens in new tab)
Channels: More than 75
Cloud DVR: Unlimited (nine month limit)
Simultaneous streams: 2
Supported devices: Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox, PlayStation 4 and 5, LG, HiSense, Vizio and Samsung Smart TVs, TiVo Stream 4K, Xfinity Flex, Web, iPhone/iPad, Android phones and tablets.
Should you cut the cable with fuboTV?
fuboTV markets itself as a cable TV alternative for sports fans. And if you ask us, you forgot a word: fuboTV is more of a service for international sports fans. While there are some regional US sports networks, DirecTV Stream has more and is a leader in this space. But with fuboTV you get countless football leagues – including the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, LaLiga and MLS and more.
That’s thanks to the multiple beIN Sports networks and TUDN, in addition to the normal stuff like ESPN and Fox Sports networks. Oh, and fuboTV has the one feature we wish everyone else had: the ability to watch multiple channels at once. And it works very simply: you simply select the channel whose audio you want to hear.
Why not fuboTV? Well, the lack of regionality mentioned above, and also the lack of TNT (huge for the NBA playoffs) is a huge buzzkill.
Price: $70 per month (opens in new tab)
Channels: 125
Cloud DVR: 1,000 hours
Simultaneous streams: 10
Supported devices: Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Xbox, LG, HiSense, Vizio and Samsung Smart TVs, Web, iPhone/iPad, Android phones and tablets.
Should you cut the cable with DirecTV Stream?
There are two types of people who get it DirectTV stream. The first (and proper group for this) are fans of US sports teams that play on regional networks found only on DirecTV Stream. Check out my guide to where cord cutters can live stream NFL, NBA, MLB and more to see where your team is playing. The other people who get DirecTV Stream are probably DirecTV customers tired of spending so much on cable and get a lot of ads for DTVS.
The big problem with DirecTV Stream? Not only are the apps and DVR not as good as YouTube TV or Hulu, but they hide those regional sports channels behind the $89.99 choice package. And at this rate? We’re assuming you want to stick with the cable.
Price: $70 per month (opens in new tab)
Channels: More than 65
Cloud DVR: Unlimited (90 day limit)
Simultaneous streams: Unlimited at home, 3 on the way
Supported devices: Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TVs, Web, iPhone/iPad, Android phones and tablets.
Outlook: Cable cutters have options
The good news about life after cable is that contracts are a thing of the past (although DirecTV Stream has been offering annual discounts). No matter which of the above services you try, you have the option to opt out after a month.
You can see if you like Sling and if its channels are sufficient, then switch to YouTube TV if you’re willing to pay more. Or you can just go to Hulu or fuboTV if you want to live the Disney Bundle and international sports life respectively. In any case, you should find your cable provider’s number as I’m sure your package will cost upwards of $70 a month.
