Looking for YouTube TV alternatives in 2026? At $72.99/mo, YouTube TV isn't the only option. Whether you're looking to save money, get more sports coverage, or need international channels, there are strong alternatives worth considering. We tested every major competitor to find the best YouTube TV alternatives for every budget.

Bottom line: Hulu + Live TV is the best overall alternative with the Disney+ bundle. Philo ($28/mo) is the cheapest. fuboTV is the best for sports coverage.

Why Consider YouTube TV Alternatives?

  • Price increases — now $72.99/mo, up from $64.99 in 2024
  • Missing RSNs — dropped regional sports networks in many markets
  • Limited international content — mostly US-focused channels
  • Device/screen limits — 3 streams standard, more costs extra

YouTube TV vs Competitors — Quick Comparison

ServicePriceChannelsDVRStreamsSportsContract
YouTube TV$72.99250+Unlimited3ESPN, NFL, NBANone
Hulu + Live TV$76.9990+Unlimited2ESPN, localsNone
Sling TV$40-6030-5050 hrs1-3ESPN, TNTNone
fuboTV$79.99180+1,000 hrs10Most comprehensiveNone
DirecTV Stream$64.99-164.9975-150+UnlimitedUnlimitedNFL Sunday TicketNone
Philo$2870+Unlimited3No sportsNone

Best YouTube TV Alternatives

1

Hulu + Live TV

$76.99/mo
4.5/5

Best value bundle. Hulu + Live TV gives you 90+ live channels plus the entire Disney+ and ESPN+ bundle — all in one subscription. It's $4/mo more than YouTube TV but includes significantly more on-demand content. The on-demand library is massive with thousands of movies and shows.

  • 90+ live TV channels including locals, sports, news
  • Disney+ and ESPN+ included — saves $14/mo separately
  • Unlimited cloud DVR (9 months)
  • 2 simultaneous streams (unlimited for $10/mo extra)
  • Best for families who want live TV + streaming libraries
2

Sling TV

$40-60/mo
4.2/5

Best budget option. Sling TV starts at $40/mo for 30+ channels — almost half the price of YouTube TV. The downside is fewer channels and no local channels in most markets. Choose Sling Orange (ESPN, Disney) or Sling Blue (Fox, NBC, NFL Network) or both for $60.

  • Two base packages: Sling Orange (30+ ch) or Blue (40+ ch)
  • Add-on packs for sports, news, comedy, kids, international
  • 50-hour cloud DVR ($5/mo for 200 hours)
  • 1-3 simultaneous streams depending on package
  • Cheapest way to get ESPN and TNT
3

fuboTV

$79.99/mo
4.3/5

Best for sports. fuboTV offers 180+ channels and the most comprehensive sports coverage of any live TV streaming service. Includes 4K HDR broadcasts, multi-view for watching four games at once, and 1,000 hours of cloud DVR.

  • 180+ channels — biggest lineup of any streaming service
  • Exclusive sports channels: NFL RedZone, NBA TV, MLB Network
  • 4K HDR broadcasts on select events
  • 10 simultaneous streams
  • Multi-view feature for watching up to 4 games
4

DirecTV Stream

$64.99-164.99/mo
4.1/5

Best for RSNs and NFL. DirecTV Stream is the only streaming service that carries regional sports networks (RSNs) widely and offers NFL Sunday Ticket. It starts at $64.99/mo for 75+ channels and goes up to $164.99 for the premier package with 150+ channels. No contract required.

  • 75-150+ channels across 4 tiers
  • Regional sports networks (RSNs) widely available
  • NFL Sunday Ticket included in higher tiers
  • Unlimited cloud DVR
  • Unlimited simultaneous streams at home
5

Philo

$28/mo
4.0/5

Best cheap option. At $28/mo, Philo is the cheapest live TV streaming service. You get 70+ entertainment channels — AMC, Discovery, History, Comedy Central, Food Network, and more. No sports channels means lower price. Perfect for non-sports viewers looking to cut costs.

  • 70+ entertainment channels
  • Unlimited cloud DVR (keep for 30 days)
  • 3 simultaneous streams
  • No sports channels — keeps price low
  • Best value if you don't need live sports

Free YouTube TV Alternatives

  • Pluto TV — 250+ free channels, no signup
  • Tubi — 200+ live channels + on-demand library
  • Samsung TV Plus — Free on Samsung devices
  • Roku Channel — Free on Roku, growing content library
  • OTA Antenna — Free local channels (one-time cost for antenna)

Sports Coverage Breakdown

ServiceNFLNBANHLMLBSoccerUFC
YouTube TV✓ + NFL ST✓✓✓✓ESPN
fuboTV✓✓✓✓✓ Best✗
Sling✓✓ TNT✓ TNTLimitedLimitedESPN
Hulu Live✓✓✓✗✓ESPN+

How to Switch from YouTube TV

  1. Try free trials — Most services offer 7-30 days free
  2. Check local channels — Verify your locals are available
  3. Cancel YouTube TV — Settings → Membership → Cancel
  4. Save your DVR — YouTube TV recordings expire 21 days after canceling

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest alternative to YouTube TV?

Philo at $28/mo is the cheapest live TV streaming service. Sling TV at $40/mo is the cheapest option with sports channels including ESPN and TNT.

Which service has the most channels?

DirecTV Stream has 150+ channels in their premier package. fuboTV has 180+ channels across all tiers. YouTube TV has 250+ channels but many are add-ons.

What's better than YouTube TV for sports?

fuboTV has the most comprehensive sports coverage with 180+ channels including exclusive sports networks. DirecTV Stream is better if you need regional sports networks. YouTube TV is still best for NFL Sunday Ticket.

Is Hulu + Live TV worth the extra cost?

Yes if you already subscribe to Disney+ or ESPN+. Hulu + Live TV at $76.99/mo includes all three services for only $4/mo more than YouTube TV alone — saving you $14/mo if you separately subscribed to Disney+ and ESPN+.

Can I save money by switching from YouTube TV?

Yes — switching to Sling TV saves $33-45/mo depending on your package. Philo saves $45/mo but has no sports. Even fuboTV at $79.99/mo is only $7/mo more for significantly more sports coverage.

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