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YouTube TV television alternatives

YouTube TV
Staff rating
4.6
Customer rating
4.4
(38)
Price: $72.99/moChannels: 85+
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Researched by
Rebecca PalmerSenior Staff Writer
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Reviewed by
Updated 6/26/24

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Who are YouTube TV’s Competitors?

The YouTube TV live streaming service competes with other live TV services such as DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and Philo as well as traditional TV providers such as Xfinity, Spectrum, DIRECTV, and DISH. It requires broadband internet access, but you might be able to save each month by bundling with your T-Mobile cell phone or home internet service.

YouTube TV costs about the same as most other live TV streaming services and some mid-tier cable subscriptions, but we love that there are no extra fees and you can cancel anytime. You can even buy add-ons separately—a feature we’ve never seen before.

We also love that you can get all your local channels—even PBS (which is missing from most other live TV streaming lineups). You can’t catch as many games with YouTube TV as with DIRECTV STREAM, though, and you don’t get access to original content or third-party streaming libraries like with Hulu + Live TV.

Taking your shows on the road?

When you sign up for YouTube TV with a personal Google account, you can add up to five other family members to the service. With the basic plan, your family can watch three simultaneous streams or record an unlimited number of simultaneous shows. If you pay for the 4K Plus add-on, you get unlimited streams at home and up to three simultaneous streams away from home.

The free cloud DVR is connected to individual Google accounts, and each user’s library is accessible from any device that’s connected to broadband internet. There may be local restrictions on some programming, but we didn’t run into any issues switching between a few different browsers, streaming devices, and home networks. If you like live TV and watch while you’re out and about, we think YouTube TV is a solid option.

Alternative providers

DIRECTV STREAM
DirecTV Stream
Staff rating
3.7

  • Plans starting at $74.99 - $109.99
  • 140+ channels
  • Unlimited DVR storage hours

Click below for all current DIRECTV STREAM deals

Disclaimer: Prices and plans are subject to change. Conditions may apply.

fuboTV
fuboTV
Staff rating
3.8
Customer rating
5.0

  • Plans starting at $32.99 - $99.99
  • 210+ channels
  • n/a DVR storage hours

Click below for all current fuboTV deals

Disclaimer: Prices and plans are subject to change. Conditions may apply.

Hulu + Live TV
Hulu
Staff rating
4.0
Customer rating
4.5

  • Plans starting at $68.99 - $82.99
  • 85+ channels
  • Unlimited for 9 mos. DVR storage hours

Click below for all current Hulu + Live TV deals

Disclaimer: Prices and plans are subject to change. Conditions may apply.

Sling
Sling
Staff rating
3.3
Customer rating
4.1

  • Plans starting at $40.00 - $55.00
  • 47 channels
  • 50 DVR storage hours

Click below for all current Sling deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.

Philo
Philo
Staff rating
3.8
Customer rating
4.4

  • Plans starting at $25.00
  • 60 channels
  • n/a DVR storage hours

Click below for all current Philo deals

Disclaimer: Prices and plans are subject to change. Conditions may apply.

DIRECTV
DIRECTV
Staff rating
4.1
Customer rating
3.9

  • Plans starting at $48.99 - $134.99
  • 350+ channels
  • 200 DVR storage hours

Click below for all current DIRECTV deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

DISH
DISH
Staff rating
4.3
Customer rating
3.9

  • Plans starting at $56.99 - $137.99
  • 330+ channels
  • 125-500 DVR storage hours

Click below for all current DISH deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

ESPN+
ESPN Plus
Staff rating
3.0
Customer rating
3.0

  • Plans starting at $9.99 - $99.99
  • n/a channels
  • n/a DVR storage hours

Click below for all current ESPN+ deals

Disclaimer: Prices and plans are subject to change. Conditions may apply.

Peacock TV
PeacockTV
Staff rating
3.6

  • Plans starting at n/a
  • n/a channels
  • n/a DVR storage hours

Click below for all current Peacock TV deals

Disclaimer: Prices and plans are subject to change. Conditions may apply.

Xfinity
Xfinity brand
Staff rating
3.8
Customer rating
4.2

  • Plans starting at $19.99 - $600.00
  • 10+ channels
  • 20+ DVR storage hours

Click below for all current Xfinity deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, visit the provider's website.

Mediacom
Xtream by Mediacom brand
Staff rating
2.8
Customer rating
3.5

  • Plans starting at $24.99 - $139.99
  • 170+ channels
  • 150 DVR storage hours

Click below for all current Mediacom deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

Spectrum
Charter Spectrum brand logo
Staff rating
2.8
Customer rating
4.0

  • Plans starting at $29.99 - $169.97
  • 140+ channels
  • n/a DVR storage hours

Click below for all current Spectrum deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

Sparklight
Sparklight
Staff rating
2.3
Customer rating
4.0

  • Plans starting at $35.00 - $214.75
  • 100+ channels
  • 200 DVR storage hours

Click below for all current Sparklight deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.

Verizon Fios
Verizon Fios brand
Staff rating
4.5
Customer rating
4.3

  • Plans starting at $49.99 - $110.00
  • 425+ channels
  • 50+ DVR storage hours

Click below for all current Verizon Fios deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.

Optimum
Optimum brand
Staff rating
4.5
Customer rating
3.7

  • Plans starting at $15.00 - $195.00
  • 420+ channels
  • 150 DVR storage hours

Click below for all current Optimum deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

Cox Communications
Cox
Staff rating
3.5
Customer rating
4.1

  • Plans starting at $20.00 - $218.99
  • 250+ channels
  • 50–1000 DVR storage hours

Click below for all current Cox Communications deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

WOW!
WOW! brand
Staff rating
3.1
Customer rating
3.9

  • Plans starting at $9.99 - $199.98
  • n/a channels
  • 50+ DVR storage hours

Click below for all current WOW! deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

Astound Broadband
Astound Broadband
Staff rating
3.6
Customer rating
4.0

  • Plans starting at $19.99 - $135.89
  • 302+ channels
  • 125 DVR storage hours

Click below for all current Astound Broadband deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

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