YouTube TV vs Hulu Live vs DirecTV và Các Dịch Vụ Khác: Lựa Chọn Nào Phù Hợp Cho Bạn?

Making the switch from cable to streaming could feel confusing or like a chore, but it might be exactly what you’re looking for. As TV costs increase, there are plenty of alternatives you can consider, such as live TV streaming services and affordable skinny bundles. Cord-free live services come with perks like a broad mix of channels, DVR and no long-term commitments. You can stream sports and more, and these services offer wider channel options than antennas but also let you watch on your laptop or phone.

Hulu Plus Live TV, which includes access to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, now costs $83 a month for its base package. Its channel selection isn’t as robust as YouTube TV, yet Hulu’s significant catalog of on-demand content sets it apart. Exclusive titles such as Shōgun, The Bear and Only Murders in the Building give it a content advantage no other service can match. 

Live TV subscribers also receive unlimited DVR that includes fast-forwarding and on-demand playback — at no additional cost. It’s a move that has aligned Hulu with its competitors in terms of features, but the channel lineup may still be a deciding factor. It’s the same price as YouTube TV, which has more channels, but the access to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus may make it a more appealing choice for you. Read our Hulu Plus Live TV review.

With an excellent channel selection, easy-to-use interface and best-in-class cloud DVR, the $83 per month YouTube TV is one of the best cable TV replacements. It offers a 4K upgrade add-on for an additional price, but the downside is there isn’t much to watch at present unless you watch select channels. If you don’t mind paying a bit more than the Sling TVs of the world, or want to watch live NBA games, YouTube TV offers a high standard of live TV streaming. Read our YouTube TV review.

If you want to save a little money and don’t mind missing out on local channels, Sling TV is the best of the budget services. Its Orange and Blue packages start at $46 per month, and you can combine them for a monthly rate of $61 ($66 in some regions). The Orange option nets you one stream, while Blue gives you three. It’s not as comprehensive or as easy to navigate as YouTube, but with a bit of work, including adding an antenna or an AirTV 2 DVR, it’s an unbeatable value. We’ll also add that the service offers local channels such as ABC and CBS in some regions where the monthly rate is $51. Read our Sling TV review.

DirecTV’s base streaming package costs more than all the other platforms on this list and its stiffest competition is still Hulu Plus Live TV and YouTube TV. With its channel selection, it’s ideal for sports fans who want to watch local or national games. 

The service does have its pluses, though — for example, it includes the flipper-friendly ability to swipe left and right to change channels. Additionally, it includes some channels some other services can’t, including nearly 250 PBS stations nationwide. The $87 Entertainment with sports package may suit your needs with its 75-plus channels. But for cord-cutters who want to follow their local NBA or MLB team, DirecTV Stream’s $115 Choice package is a more robust live TV streaming pick because it has access to more regional sports networks than the competition. Nonetheless, you’ll want to make sure your channel is included here, and not available on one of our preferred picks, before you pony up. Read our DirecTV streaming service review.

There’s a lot to like about Fubo — it offers a wide selection of channels and its sports focus makes it especially attractive to soccer fans or NBA, NHL and MLB fans who live in an area served by one of Fubo’s RSNs. It’s also a great choice for NFL fans because it’s one of three services, alongside YouTube TV and Hulu, that offer NFL Network and optional RedZone. As of February 2025, Fubo is charging more for its service and access to Bally Sports RSNs. The biggest hole in Fubo’s lineup is the lack of Warner Bros. Discovery networks, including Cartoon Network, CNN, Food Network, HGTV, TBS and TNT — especially as the latter two carry a lot of sports content, in particular MLB, NBA and NHL. Those missing channels, and the $85 price tag for the base plan, make it less attractive than YouTube TV for most viewers. Read our Fubo review.

Philo raised its price from $25 to $28 for new subscribers and added an AMC Plus bundle, and it’s still a cheap live TV streaming service with a variety of channels. But it lacks sports channels, local stations and big-name news networks — although BBC news and Cheddar are available. Philo offers bread-and-butter cable staples like Comedy Channel, Magnolia Network and Nickelodeon and specializes in lifestyle and reality programming. It’s also one of the cheapest live services that streams Paramount, home of Yellowstone, and it includes a cloud DVR and optional add-ons from Epix and Starz. We think most people are better off paying a few bucks more for Sling TV’s superior service, but if Philo has every channel you want, it’s a decent deal. Read our Philo review.

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