Philo vs Sling TV 2026: Price, Channels, Sports Compared
Philo offers 60+ channels focused on entertainment and lifestyle content at $25/month, while Sling TV provides 30-50 channels with more sports and news options starting at $40/month. Philo is better for cable TV fans without sports; Sling TV caters to sports viewers and news consumers.
Philo
Budget-friendly live TV streaming service with 60+ entertainment-focused channels
Cord-cutters seeking cheap cable alternatives for reality TV, cooking shows, lifestyle content, and entertainment without sports interests
Sling TV
Flexible live TV streaming with customizable add-on packages including sports and news
Sports enthusiasts, news consumers, and cord-cutters willing to pay more for ESPN, news networks, and flexibility to build custom channel lineups
Quick Answer
AI SummaryPhilo offers 60+ channels focused on entertainment and lifestyle content at $25/month, while Sling TV provides 30-50 channels with more sports and news options starting at $40/month. Philo is better for cable TV fans without sports; Sling TV caters to sports viewers and news consumers.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Philo if you want the cheapest cable TV alternative with broad entertainment, lifestyle, and reality TV programming without sports obligations. Choose Sling TV if you prioritize live sports, news networks, and don't mind paying more for a more traditional cable-like experience with better DVR capacity.
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Choose Philo if
Best pickCord-cutters seeking cheap cable alternatives for reality TV, cooking shows, lifestyle content, and entertainment without sports interests
Choose Sling TV if
Sports enthusiasts, news consumers, and cord-cutters willing to pay more for ESPN, news networks, and flexibility to build custom channel lineups
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Starting Monthly Price:✓ Philo wins($25/month vs $40/month)
- Live TV Channels Included:✓ Philo wins(60+ channels vs 30-50 channels (base plan))
- Sports Content Availability:✓ Sling TV wins(Extensive (ESPN, Fox Sports, regional sports with add-ons) vs Limited (no ESPN, Fox Sports))
Key Facts & Figures
37 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Philo | Sling TV | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Starting Price(USD) | $25 | $40 | |
| Base Monthly Cost(USD) | $25/month | — | — |
| Total Live Channels(channels) | 70+ channels | — | — |
| Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 3 streams | 1-3 | |
| 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 | $40 | |
| Live TV Channels (Base Plan)(channels) | 60+ | 30-50 | |
| Free Cloud DVR Storage(hours) | 30 hours | 50 hours | |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(screens) | 3 screens | 3 screens (Orange+Blue plan) | |
| Major News Networks Included(count) | 0 networks | 3-4 networks (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC) | |
| Free Trial Duration(days) | 7 days | 7 days | |
| Max DVR Storage (Paid Upgrade)(hours) | 30 hours (no upgrade option) | 200 hours ($6.99/month) | |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $20.00 | $20.00 | |
| Simultaneous Streams (single account)(streams) | Up to 3 | Up to 3 | |
| Household Accounts(accounts) | Up to 3 | Up to 3 | |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 3 days | 3 days | |
| Cost Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.57 | $0.57 | |
| Total Channels(channels) | 30-50 channels | 30-50 channels | |
| Local Channel Coverage(percent of US) | Limited regional availability | Limited regional availability | |
| DVR Storage (Standard)(hours) | 50 hours | 50 hours | |
| Price Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month) | $0 (baseline) | $0 (baseline) | |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 30-50 | 30-50 | |
| On-Demand Titles(titles) | Minimal (DVR-dependent) | Minimal (DVR-dependent) | |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days | 7 days | |
| Total Available Channels(channels) | 40-50 | 40-50 | |
| Simultaneous Streams (Standard Plan)(devices) | 3 | 3 | |
| Cloud DVR Storage (Included)(hours) | 50 (upgradeable to 200) | 50 (upgradeable to 200) | |
| Annual Cost (Base Plan)(USD) | $191.88 | $191.88 | |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $7.99 | $7.99 | |
| Live Channels (Base Plan)(channels) | 40 channels | 40 channels | |
| Sports Channels(channels) | 20 sports channels | 20 sports channels | |
| Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(streams) | 1 stream | 1 stream | |
| Live TV Channels Included(channels) | 30-50 channels | 30-50 channels | |
| Channel Customization Options(package types) | 3 options (Orange/Blue/Combo) | 3 options (Orange/Blue/Combo) | |
| Cost Difference for Annual Service(USD per year) | $479.88/year | $479.88/year |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- $25/month(winner)Starting Monthly Price$40/month
- 60+ channels(winner)Live TV Channels Included30-50 channels (base plan)
- Limited (no ESPN, Fox Sports)Sports Content AvailabilityExtensive (ESPN, Fox Sports, regional sports with add-ons)(winner)
- 30 hours (free)Cloud DVR Storage50 hours (free base) / 200 hours ($6.99/month)(winner)
- 3 screens(winner)Simultaneous Streams1-3 screens (depending on plan)
- Minimal (no dedicated news channels)News Channel SelectionStrong (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC News Now)(winner)
- 7 daysFree Trial Period7 days
- Starting Monthly Price
Philo
$25/month(winner)
Sling TV
$40/month
- Live TV Channels Included
Philo
60+ channels(winner)
Sling TV
30-50 channels (base plan)
- Sports Content Availability
Philo
Limited (no ESPN, Fox Sports)
Sling TV
Extensive (ESPN, Fox Sports, regional sports with add-ons)(winner)
- Cloud DVR Storage
Philo
30 hours (free)
Sling TV
50 hours (free base) / 200 hours ($6.99/month)(winner)
- Simultaneous Streams
Philo
3 screens(winner)
Sling TV
1-3 screens (depending on plan)
- News Channel Selection
Philo
Minimal (no dedicated news channels)
Sling TV
Strong (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC News Now)(winner)
- Free Trial Period
Philo
7 days
Sling TV
7 days
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Philo | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Starting Price(USD) | $25(winner) | $40 |
| Base Monthly Cost(USD) | $25/month | — |
| Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) | $300/year | — |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $25(winner) | $40 |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $20.00 | — |
Show 4 more attributesPrice Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month) $0 (baseline) — Free Trial Period(days) 7 days — Starting Monthly Price(USD) $7.99 — Cost Difference for Annual Service(USD per year) $479.88/year — | ||
| 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+(winner) | 30-50 |
| Local Channel Coverage(percent of US) | Limited regional availability | — |
Show 7 more attributesLive TV Channels(channels) 30-50 — On-Demand Titles(titles) Minimal (DVR-dependent) — Total Available Channels(channels) 40-50 — Live Channels (Base Plan)(channels) 40 channels — Sports Channels(channels) 20 sports channels — Live TV Channels Included(channels) 30-50 channels — On-Demand Content Library(titles) Minimal (add-ons only) — | ||
| DVR Storage Capacity(hours) | Unlimited recordings | Unlimited recordings |
| Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 3 streams(winner) | 1-3 |
| Price Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.36/channel | — |
| Cost Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.57 | — |
| Bundled Premium Services(services) | None | — |
| Free Cloud DVR Storage(hours) | 30 hours | 50 hours(winner) |
| Max DVR Storage (Paid Upgrade)(hours) | 30 hours (no upgrade option) | 200 hours ($6.99/month)(winner) |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(screens) | 3 screens | 3 screens (Orange+Blue plan) |
| Simultaneous Streams (single account)(streams) | Up to 3 | — |
| Household Accounts(accounts) | Up to 3 | — |
| DVR Storage (Standard)(hours) | 50 hours | — |
| Customizable Channel Selection(yes/no) | Full à la carte customization | — |
Show 5 more attributesNo-Contract Cancellation(yes/no) Yes, anytime — Cloud DVR Storage (Included)(hours) 50 (upgradeable to 200) — 4K Streaming Not supported — Cloud DVR Storage(hours) 50 hours (expandable to 200) — Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(streams) 1 stream — | ||
| ESPN Included(boolean) | No | Yes (Orange plan) |
| Major News Networks Included(count) | 0 networks | 3-4 networks (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC)(winner) |
| Free Trial Duration(days) | 7 days | 7 days |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 3 days | — |
| 4K Streaming Available | No (1080p max) | — |
| Total Channels(channels) | 30-50 channels | — |
| Supported Devices(platforms) | 50+ | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (Standard Plan)(devices) | 3 | — |
| NFL RedZone Access | Not included | — |
| Annual Cost (Base Plan)(USD) | $191.88 | — |
| Contract Requirement | Month-to-month | — |
| Channel Customization Options(package types) | 3 options (Orange/Blue/Combo) | — |
PhiloSling TVShow 4 more attributes
Show 7 more attributes
Show 5 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
Philo
Pros
- Lowest price in the market at $25/month entry level
- 60+ channels including AMC, IFC, HGTV, Food Network, Bravo, E!, and Discovery channels
- 3 simultaneous streams standard on all plans
- 30 hours free cloud DVR storage with no expiration on recordings
- No login restrictions or authentication requirements
Cons
- No sports channels or ESPN access whatsoever
- No major news networks (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC)
- Limited on-demand library compared to cable alternatives
Sling TV
Pros
- Strong sports coverage with ESPN, Fox Sports, and regional sports channels via add-ons
- Dedicated news networks including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and NBC News Now
- Most affordable sports-inclusive option (Sling Orange plan includes ESPN at $40/month)
- 200-hour cloud DVR available for $6.99/month upgrade
- Flexible add-on model allows customization of channel packages
Cons
- Base plan starts at $40/month, significantly higher than Philo
- Base plan includes only 30-50 channels vs. Philo's 60+
- Limited simultaneous streams on lower-tier plans
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Only Sling TV includes ESPN and sports content. Philo deliberately excludes all sports channels and is designed for entertainment-focused viewers. If sports are important, Sling TV is the only choice between these two, with ESPN included in the Sling Orange plan ($40/month).
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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Wikipedia
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