Philo vs Hulu Live 2026: Price, Channels & Features
Philo is a budget-friendly streaming service focused on entertainment and lifestyle channels at $25/month, while Hulu Live includes live TV with broader channel coverage plus on-demand content at $76.99/month, making them suited to different viewing priorities.
Philo
Affordable entertainment-focused live TV streaming service with unlimited DVR
Budget-conscious viewers who love entertainment, reality TV, and lifestyle content but don't need sports or current news coverage
Hulu Live
Comprehensive live TV streaming service with 90+ channels, sports, and extensive on-demand content
Viewers who want all-in-one live TV including sports, news, entertainment, and a deep on-demand catalog, and are willing to pay premium prices
Quick Answer
AI SummaryPhilo is a budget-friendly streaming service focused on entertainment and lifestyle channels at $25/month, while Hulu Live includes live TV with broader channel coverage plus on-demand content at $76.99/month, making them suited to different viewing priorities.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Philo if you prioritize affordability and want entertainment, lifestyle, and niche content without needing sports or major news coverage. Choose Hulu Live if you need comprehensive live TV, sports access, and a robust on-demand library, and can justify the higher cost for those features.
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Choose Philo if
Best pickBudget-conscious viewers who love entertainment, reality TV, and lifestyle content but don't need sports or current news coverage
Choose Hulu Live if
Viewers who want all-in-one live TV including sports, news, entertainment, and a deep on-demand catalog, and are willing to pay premium prices
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Monthly Subscription Price:✓ Philo wins($25/month vs $76.99/month)
- Live TV Channels Included:✓ Hulu Live wins(90+ channels (sports, news, entertainment) vs 60+ entertainment & lifestyle channels)
- Sports Content Access:✓ Hulu Live wins(Extensive (ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports) vs Minimal (select ESPN content only))
Key Facts & Figures
33 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Philo | Hulu Live | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Starting Price(USD) | $25 | — | — |
| Base Monthly Cost(USD) | $25/month | — | — |
| Total Live Channels(channels) | 70+ channels | — | — |
| Simultaneous Streams(devices) | 3 streams | 2 devices | |
| Sports Networks Included(count) | 0 networks | — | — |
| Price Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.36/channel | — | — |
| Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) | $300/year | — | — |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $25 | — | — |
| Live TV Channels (Base Plan)(channels) | 60+ | — | — |
| Free Cloud DVR Storage(hours) | 30 hours | — | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 3 screens | — | — |
| Major News Networks Included(count) | 0 networks | — | — |
| Free Trial Duration(days) | 7 days | — | — |
| Max DVR Storage (Paid Upgrade)(hours) | 30 hours (no upgrade option) | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $25.00 | — | — |
| Total Channels(channels) | 70+ | — | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(streams) | 3 streams | — | — |
| Sports Channel Count(channels) | 0 channels | — | — |
| News Channel Count(channels) | 0 channels | — | — |
| Annual Cost (Base Plan)(USD) | $300/year | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Price(USD) | $25.00 | $76.99 | |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 60+ | 90+ | |
| Concurrent Streams(streams) | 3 | 2 | |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days | 3 days | |
| Annual Cost (if paid monthly)(USD) | $300/year | $923.88/year | |
| Monthly Cost (Base Plan 2026)(USD) | $76.99 | $76.99 | |
| DVR Retention Period(days) | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Concurrent Streams Allowed(streams) | 2 streams | 2 streams | |
| Number of User Profiles(profiles) | 2 profiles | 2 profiles | |
| On-Demand Content Library Size(titles) | 10,000+ titles (Hulu) | 10,000+ titles (Hulu) | |
| Monthly Base Price(USD) | $49.99 | $49.99 | |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 3 days | 3 days | |
| User Profiles Per Household(profiles) | 4 profiles | 4 profiles |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- $25/month(winner)Monthly Subscription Price$76.99/month
- 60+ entertainment & lifestyle channelsLive TV Channels Included90+ channels (sports, news, entertainment)(winner)
- Minimal (select ESPN content only)Sports Content AccessExtensive (ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports)(winner)
- Unlimited cloud DVR(winner)DVR Storage Hours50 hours (upgradeable to 200 hours)
- 3 concurrent streams(winner)Simultaneous Streams2 concurrent streams (base plan)
- Limited (channel-specific only)On-Demand Content LibraryExtensive (ABC, NBC, Disney, FX libraries)(winner)
- 7 days(winner)Free Trial Period3 days
- Monthly Subscription Price
Philo
$25/month(winner)
Hulu Live
$76.99/month
- Live TV Channels Included
Philo
60+ entertainment & lifestyle channels
Hulu Live
90+ channels (sports, news, entertainment)(winner)
- Sports Content Access
Philo
Minimal (select ESPN content only)
Hulu Live
Extensive (ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports)(winner)
- DVR Storage Hours
Philo
Unlimited cloud DVR(winner)
Hulu Live
50 hours (upgradeable to 200 hours)
- Simultaneous Streams
Philo
3 concurrent streams(winner)
Hulu Live
2 concurrent streams (base plan)
- On-Demand Content Library
Philo
Limited (channel-specific only)
Hulu Live
Extensive (ABC, NBC, Disney, FX libraries)(winner)
- Free Trial Period
Philo
7 days(winner)
Hulu Live
3 days
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Philo | Hulu Live |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Starting Price(USD) | $25 | — |
| Base Monthly Cost(USD) | $25/month | — |
| Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) | $300/year | — |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $25 | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $25.00 | — |
Show 5 more attributesAnnual Cost (Base Plan)(USD) $300/year — Monthly Subscription Price(USD) $25.00 $76.99 Annual Cost (if paid monthly)(USD) $300/year $923.88/year Monthly Cost (Base Plan 2026)(USD) $76.99 — Monthly Base Price(USD) $49.99 — | ||
| Total Live Channels(channels) | 70+ channels | — |
| Sports Networks Included(count) | 0 networks | — |
| News Networks Included(major networks) | Limited (no major news) | — |
| Live TV Channels (Base Plan)(channels) | 60+ | — |
| Total Channels(channels) | 70+ | — |
Show 7 more attributesSports Channel Count(channels) 0 channels — News Channel Count(channels) 0 channels — Live TV Channels(channels) 60+ 90+ Sports Channel Access(null) Limited (select ESPN only) Extensive (ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, NFL RedZone) Local Broadcast Channels(null) Not included Included (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox) On-Demand Content Library Size(titles) 10,000+ titles (Hulu) — Included On-Demand Streaming Yes (Hulu with ads included) — | ||
| DVR Storage Capacity(hours) | Unlimited recordings | 50 hours |
| DVR Retention Period(days) | 30 days | — |
| Simultaneous Streams(devices) | 3 streams(winner) | 2 devices |
| Price Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.36/channel | — |
| Free Cloud DVR Storage(hours) | 30 hours | — |
| Max DVR Storage (Paid Upgrade)(hours) | 30 hours (no upgrade option) | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 3 screens | — |
| Cloud DVR Storage(hours) | Unlimited | 50 (upgradeable to 200) |
| Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(streams) | 3 streams | — |
| Concurrent Streams(streams) | 3(winner) | 2 |
| Concurrent Streams Allowed(streams) | 2 streams | — |
Show 2 more attributesNumber of User Profiles(profiles) 2 profiles — User Profiles Per Household(profiles) 4 profiles — | ||
| ESPN Included(boolean) | No | — |
| Major News Networks Included(count) | 0 networks | — |
| Free Trial Duration(days) | 7 days | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 3 days | — |
| 4K Content Availability(percent of library) | No | — |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days(winner) | 3 days |
| 4K Content Available | Limited to select content | — |
| 4K Streaming Available | No | — |
PhiloHulu LiveShow 5 more attributes
Show 7 more attributes
Show 2 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
Philo
Pros
- Lowest monthly cost at $25/month with no hidden fees
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage (no hour limits)
- Allows 3 simultaneous streams (vs 2 on Hulu Live base)
- 7-day free trial period
- No ads on on-demand content
Cons
- Only 60+ channels focused on entertainment/lifestyle, missing major sports networks
- No local broadcast channels for news and sports
- Minimal on-demand library compared to major streaming competitors
Hulu Live
Pros
- 90+ channels including ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and local broadcasts
- Massive on-demand library with ABC, NBC, Disney, FX, and Searchlight content
- Includes major news networks (CNN, MSNBC, Fox News)
- Cloud DVR allows recording and storage of programs
- Integrated with Disney+, ESPN+ bundle options available
Cons
- Premium pricing at $76.99/month (over 3x Philo's cost)
- Only 2 concurrent streams on base plan (vs 3 on Philo)
- Ads play on some on-demand content even with higher-tier subscription
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Philo has very limited sports content. You'll only get select ESPN programming and sports-adjacent content. If sports are important to you, Hulu Live is significantly better with ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and NFL RedZone access.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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