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Unsure about YouTube TV? Check out these four alternatives before you subscribe
Google’s YouTube TV is one of several internet-based live TV services that are available for anyone wanting to become a “cord cutter”. With over 85 channels, including most local TV stations, along with some other features like unlimited cloud DVR, it may be tempting to sign up for the service. However, there are some services that could be used as a YouTube TV alternative. We take a look at four possible choices that could serve your live TV needs better than YouTube TV.
What are the drawbacks of YouTube TV?
While the service has lots of channels, and plenty of features such as cloud DVR and access to more add-on channels, YouTube TV does have a few issues. The biggest is its price tag. The basic package starts at $72.99 a month. Many internet-based live TV services are available that are much cheaper. That price goes up if you want 4K video support, or features like offline viewing of recorded content.
Some other smaller drawbacks include not being able to keep any cloud DVR recordings past nine months, along with having to pay a separate fee if you just want Spanish-based channels.
YouTube TV Alternatives: 4 Live TV streaming services to consider
Hulu Plus Live TV
Price and feature chart
| YouTube TV | Hulu Plus Live TV | |
|---|---|---|
Plan cost | YouTube TV $64.99 a month | Hulu Plus Live TV $69.99 a month |
Number of channels | YouTube TV 85+ with basic plan | Hulu Plus Live TV 65+ with basic plan |
DVR support | YouTube TV Yes, unlimited hours with nine months of storage. | Hulu Plus Live TV Yes, unlimited hours with nine months of storage. |
On Demand Content | YouTube TV Limited On Demand | Hulu Plus Live TV Includes on demand content from Hulu, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus |
4K support | YouTube TV Yes, with add-on fee | Hulu Plus Live TV Included |
Platform support | YouTube TV PC, Android, iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, VApple TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Hulu Plus Live TV PC, Android, iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Vizio, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch |
Number of concurrent streams | YouTube TV 3 with basic plan, unlimited at home with add-on plan | Hulu Plus Live TV 2 with basic plan, unlimited at home with add-on plan |
How it’s better
This might be the best YouTube TV alternative. Signing up for Hulu Plus Live TV gives you instant access to all of Hulu’s on-demand movies and shows, along with all the content on Disney Plus and ESPN Plus. It’s also one of the few streaming video services available for the Nintendo Switch. You don’t have to pay extra to get 4K streaming support.
How it’s worse
It’s a bit more expensive than YouTube TV, with its normal price costing $69.99 a month. It also doesn’t have as many channels as YouTube TV in its basic rate.
Read more: YouTube TV vs Hulu
Sling TV
Price and feature chart
| YouTube TV | Sling TV | |
|---|---|---|
Plan cost | YouTube TV $64.99 a month | Sling TV $50 a month with combined Blue and Orange plans |
Number of channels | YouTube TV 85+ with basic plan | Sling TV 47 with combined Blue and Orange plans |
DVR support | YouTube TV Yes, unlimited hours with nine months of storage. | Sling TV Yes, 50 hours of storage, with more via add-on see |
On Demand Content | YouTube TV Limited On Demand | Sling TV Limited on Demand |
4K support | YouTube TV Yes, with add-on fee | Sling TV No |
Platform support | YouTube TV PC, Android, iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, VApple TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Sling TV PC, Android, iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Vizio, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, |
Number of concurrent streams | YouTube TV 3 with basic plan, unlimited at home with add-on plan | Sling TV 1 with Orange Plan, 3 with Blue and Orange + Blue plans |
How it’s better
Sling TV offers a much cheaper package than YouTube TV, starting at $35 a month for either its Blue or Orange plan. or $50 a month for both plans.
How it’s worse
The number of channels is less than YouYube TV, with only 47 channels on Sling TV if you combine both the Blue and Orange Plans. It offers cloud DVR but its limited to just 50 hours of recordings on the basic plan. It also doesn’t offer local ABC or CBS channels, and Fox and NBC channels are limited to select markets.
Read more: YouTube TV vs Sling TV
Fubo TV
Price and feature chart
| YouTube TV | Fubo TV | |
|---|---|---|
Plan cost | YouTube TV $64.99 a month | Fubo TV $69.99 a month with basic Pro plan |
Number of channels | YouTube TV 85+ with basic plan | Fubo TV 127 with basic Pro plan |
DVR support | YouTube TV Yes, unlimited hours with nine months of storage. | Fubo TV Yes, 1,000 hours of storage. |
On Demand Content | YouTube TV Limited On Demand | Fubo TV Limited on Demand |
4K support | YouTube TV Yes, with add-on fee | Fubo TV No |
Platform support | YouTube TV PC, Android, iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, VApple TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Fubo TV PC, Android, iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Vizio, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, |
Number of concurrent streams | YouTube TV 3 with basic plan, unlimited at home with add-on plan | Fubo TV 10 at home |
How it’s better
Fubo TV as close to 140 channels in its basic Pro plan and even more if you upgrade to other plans. It also has a heavier focus on live sports coverage if you are a big sports fan
How it’s worse
As with Hulu Plus Live TV, Fubo TV is more expensive than YouTube TV, starting at $69.99 for its Pro plan. It also doesn’t support unlimited DVR recordings. Finally, its support of local broadcast channels is spotty.
Philo TV
Price and feature chart
| YouTube TV | Philo TV | |
|---|---|---|
Plan cost | YouTube TV $64.99 a month | Philo TV $25 a month with basic plan |
Number of channels | YouTube TV 85+ with basic plan | Philo TV 60+ with basic |
DVR support | YouTube TV Yes, unlimited hours with nine months of storage. | Philo TV Yes, ulimited hours with one year of storage |
On Demand Content | YouTube TV Limited On Demand | Philo TV Limited on Demand |
4K support | YouTube TV Yes, with add-on fee | Philo TV No |
Platform support | YouTube TV PC, Android, iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, VApple TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Philo TV PC, Android, iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Vizio, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, |
Number of concurrent streams | YouTube TV 3 with basic plan, unlimited at home with add-on plan | Philo TV 3 with basic plan |
How it’s better
Philo TV has perhaps the best value on this list, with over 60 live TV channels available for the base price of just $25 a month. It also offers unlimited DVR recording that can be stored for up to one year.
How it’s worse
There is no local channel support for Philo TV, and there’s no 4K support either. Live sports content is limited as well.
Is YouTube TV actually better than cable or satellite?
While some opinions may differ, we think that ultimately YouTube TV is a better value than continuing to use your cable TV or satellite provider. Not only do you get nearly all the major channels on YouTube TV, you don’t have to pay any extra cable or satellite fees, such as paying money for owning a set-top or DVR box. You can also take your live TV on the road with you, which may not be possible with your cable TV provider.