Sling vs YouTube TV comes down to price versus completeness: Sling starts at $40/mo with a leaner channel list, while YouTube TV is $72.99/mo with locals, unlimited DVR, and more streams. YouTube TV offers more channels (100+ vs 30-50 depending on plan) and includes local channels in most markets, while Sling TV costs significantly less ($40-55/month vs $72.99/month) with customizable channel packages but lacks local channels in many areas and charges extra for unlimited DVR.
Sling vs YouTube TV — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Affordable live TV streaming service with customizable channel packages starting at $15/month.
Google's live TV streaming service with 150+ channels and extensive cloud DVR
Monthly Base Price. Total Channels Available. Local Channels Coverage. DVR Storage (Standard Plan). Simultaneous Streams. Customizable Channels. Pause Subscription Anytime
Choose Sling TV if you want the lowest cost, prefer building your own custom channel lineup, and are willing to sacrifice local channels and comprehensive sports coverage. Choose YouTube TV if you want the most comprehensive channel selection, reliable local channel access, and don't mind paying a premium for unlimited DVR, multiview features, and 6 simultaneous streams—making it the better choice for most households.
Sling TV: Unlimited recordings | YouTube TV: Unlimited
Sling TV: No (1080p max) | YouTube TV: Yes ($9.99/month add-on)
Sling TV: 30-50 channels | YouTube TV: 70+
Sling TV: Limited regional availability | YouTube TV: 95%+ of US markets
Sling TV: 50 hours | YouTube TV: Unlimited
Sling TV: Full à la carte customization | YouTube TV: Genre-based plans (2026)
Sling TV: $0 (baseline) | YouTube TV: +$32.99
Sling TV: Yes, anytime | YouTube TV: Yes, anytime
Sling TV: 30-50 channels | YouTube TV: 100+
Sling TV: Minimal (DVR-dependent) | YouTube TV: N/A
Sling TV: 7 days | YouTube TV: No free trial (5-day trial historically)
Sling TV: 50+ devices | YouTube TV: 40+ devices
Sling TV: 50 (upgradeable to 200) | YouTube TV: N/A
Sling TV: Yes (Orange tier) | YouTube TV: N/A
Sling TV: Not included | YouTube TV: N/A
Sling TV: $40/month | YouTube TV: $73.99
Sling TV: 20 sports channels | YouTube TV: N/A
Sling TV: Not supported | YouTube TV: N/A
Sling TV: 1 stream | YouTube TV: 3 streams
Sling TV: Month-to-month | YouTube TV: N/A
Sling TV: $15 | YouTube TV: $72.99/month
Sling TV: 50 hours | YouTube TV: 3,000 hours
Sling TV: Varies by package (limited) | YouTube TV: ~3,000
Sling TV: Limited (ESPN, Fox Sports not in base tier) | YouTube TV: N/A
Sling TV: 30-50 channels | YouTube TV: 150+
Sling TV: 4 screens | YouTube TV: 3 screens
Sling TV: None | YouTube TV: None included
Sling TV: 3 options (Orange/Blue/Combo) | YouTube TV: N/A
Sling TV: $479.88/year | YouTube TV: N/A
Sling TV: 3-4 networks (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC) | YouTube TV: N/A
Sling TV: 200 hours ($6.99/month) | YouTube TV: N/A
Sling TV: No | YouTube TV: Yes (included)
Sling TV: 15-20 channels | YouTube TV: N/A
Sling TV: 3,000+ titles | YouTube TV: N/A
Sling TV: 30-50 channels | YouTube TV: 100+ channels
Sling TV: $52.00 (base $40 + $12 add-on) | YouTube TV: $72.99 (included)
Sling TV: Requires Sports Extra add-on ($11/month for 10 sports channels) | YouTube TV: Included (ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports, MLB Network, Pac-12, others)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: $60 (intro) / $83 (standard)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 100+ live channels
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: All plans included
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Standard feature (no ads)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 6 accounts standard
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Moderate (licensed dominant)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: $82.99/month
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 6 simultaneous
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Yes - Advanced customizable layouts (2026)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: $95.99/month
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 20+ networks
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: $0.49/channel
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC News, ABC News
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 6 simultaneous streams
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 2026 (multiview, interactive features)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 150+ channels
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: YouTube Premium, YouTube Music
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Yes (with add-on $9.99/mo)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Excellent with quick guide navigation
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 270 days (9 months)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Minimal (YouTube originals only)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Available with Premium tier ($13.99/month add-on)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Standard coverage only
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: None (unlimited included)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: No official bundles
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Varies (included in channels)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Limited (under 50)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Included via ESPN networks
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: ~500 (YouTube Originals)
Premium Tier Price (with Disney+ & ESPN+)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Not available
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 100+ total channels
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 90% of U.S. markets
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Minimal original content focus
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 3,000+ (sports only)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: All major broadcasts (CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ABC)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 150 channels
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Yes ($79.99/month)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: $995.88/year
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 100+ channels
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 1 fixed lineup
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 10+ channels
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 15+ channels
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: No (separate subscriptions needed)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: All major sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, CFB, etc.)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 0 (separate subscription required)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: All major platforms (Apple TV, Roku, Fire, web, mobile)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 3 (no upgrade needed)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: $15.99 (separate sub)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 4.4/5 (user reviews 2026)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: All major (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 0 (separate purchase)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Most major networks
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: Available (select channels)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: $14.99 (Sports+ add-on)
Sling TV: N/A | YouTube TV: 3 months ($1/month)
How to choose between Sling TV and YouTube TV
Sling vs YouTube TV — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Sling vs YouTube TV. Contains 172 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Sling vs YouTube TV — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Sling vs YouTube TV.
Does Sling TV have local channels like ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox?
Local channel availability on Sling TV varies significantly by market. Many major metropolitan areas have some local channels available, but Sling's local coverage is inconsistent compared to YouTube TV, which provides local channels in 95%+ of US markets. You should check your specific zip code on Sling's website before subscribing.
Is unlimited DVR included with Sling TV or do I have to pay extra?
Sling TV includes 50 hours of cloud DVR storage standard on all plans. To upgrade to unlimited DVR, you'll need to pay an additional $10-15/month depending on your plan. YouTube TV includes unlimited DVR at no extra cost with all subscriptions.
How many people can watch YouTube TV or Sling TV at the same time?
YouTube TV allows up to 6 simultaneous streams on a single account. Sling TV varies by plan—Sling Orange offers 1 stream, Sling Blue offers 3 streams, and Sling Orange + Blue offers 4 streams. YouTube TV's higher simultaneous stream count makes it better for larger families.
Can I pause my subscription without being charged?
Yes, both Sling TV and YouTube TV allow you to pause your subscription at any time without penalties or contracts. With Sling TV, you can pause for up to 3 months per year. This flexibility is useful if you only want live TV seasonally for sports or events.
Which service is better for watching sports?
YouTube TV is generally better for sports due to its comprehensive channel selection (100+ channels) and reliable local sports broadcasts. Sling TV has limited sports channel coverage depending on your plan and often lacks regional sports networks (RSNs) in many markets. If sports are a priority, YouTube TV or Fubo are stronger options than Sling TV.
How to Choose Between Sling TV and YouTube TV
Monthly Base Price: Sling TV has $40-55/month, while YouTube TV has $72.99/month.
Total Channels Available: Sling TV has 30-50 channels, while YouTube TV has 100+ channels.
Local Channels Coverage: Sling TV has Limited (varies by region), while YouTube TV has Available in 95%+ of US markets.
DVR Storage (Standard Plan): Sling TV has 50 hours / paid unlimited option, while YouTube TV has Unlimited DVR included.
Simultaneous Streams: Sling TV has 1-3 depending on plan, while YouTube TV has Up to 6 streams.
Customizable Channels: Sling TV has Yes (à la carte selection), while YouTube TV has No (genre-based plans in 2026).
Pause Subscription Anytime: Sling TV has Yes (no penalty), while YouTube TV has Yes.