Sling TV vs Hulu + Live TV 2026: Price, Channels & Features
Sling TV offers the lowest price entry point starting at $39.99/month with flexible channel packages, while Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99/month but includes on-demand Hulu content, Disney+, and ESPN+ bundled together, making it a more comprehensive streaming solution for users wanting live TV plus extensive on-demand libraries.
Sling TV
Affordable, customizable live TV streaming service with flexible channel packages starting at $39.99/month.
Budget-conscious cord-cutters who want specific channels and don't need extensive on-demand content libraries.
Hulu + Live TV
Comprehensive live TV service with 90+ channels bundled with Hulu on-demand, Disney+, and ESPN+ for $76.99/month.
Comprehensive streamers who want live TV plus extensive on-demand content and don't mind premium pricing for bundled Disney services.
Quick Answer
AI SummarySling TV offers the lowest price entry point starting at $39.99/month with flexible channel packages, while Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99/month but includes on-demand Hulu content, Disney+, and ESPN+ bundled together, making it a more comprehensive streaming solution for users wanting live TV plus extensive on-demand libraries.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Sling TV if you want the lowest-cost live TV option and prefer to customize which channels you pay for, particularly if you only watch specific content categories. Choose Hulu + Live TV if you want maximum channel selection, extensive on-demand content, and bundled access to Disney+ and ESPN+, and don't mind paying nearly double for a comprehensive entertainment package.
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Choose Sling TV if
Best pickBudget-conscious cord-cutters who want specific channels and don't need extensive on-demand content libraries.
Choose Hulu + Live TV if
Comprehensive streamers who want live TV plus extensive on-demand content and don't mind premium pricing for bundled Disney services.
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Base Monthly Price:✓ Sling TV wins($39.99 vs $76.99)
- Live TV Channels:✓ Hulu + Live TV wins(90+ channels vs 30-50 channels)
- On-Demand Content Included:✓ Hulu + Live TV wins(Extensive Hulu library included vs Limited (add-ons only))
Key Facts & Figures
48 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Sling TV | Hulu + Live TV | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Starting Price(USD) | $40 | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $20.00 | $76.99 | |
| Simultaneous Streams (single account)(streams) | Up to 3 | — | — |
| Household Accounts(accounts) | Up to 3 | — | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 3 days | — | — |
| Cost Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.57 | — | — |
| Total Channels(channels) | 30-50 channels | — | — |
| Local Channel Coverage(percent of US) | Limited regional availability | — | — |
| DVR Storage (Standard)(hours) | 50 hours | — | — |
| Price Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month) | $0 (baseline) | — | — |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $39.99 | $76.99 | |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 30-50 | 90+ | |
| On-Demand Titles(titles) | Minimal (DVR-dependent) | 10,000+ | |
| Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 1-3 | 2 | |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days | No free trial offered | — |
| Total Available Channels(channels) | 40-50 | — | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (Standard Plan)(devices) | 3 | — | — |
| Cloud DVR Storage (Included)(hours) | 50 (upgradeable to 200) | — | — |
| Annual Cost (Base Plan)(USD) | $191.88 | $1,019.88/year | |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $7.99 | — | — |
| Live Channels (Base Plan)(channels) | 40 channels | — | — |
| Sports Channels(channels) | 20 sports channels | — | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(streams) | 1 stream | — | — |
| Live TV Channels Included(channels) | 30-50 channels | 90+ channels | |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 3 streams (Blue plan) | 2 streams | |
| On-Demand Content Library(titles) | Minimal (add-ons only) | 250,000+ titles | — |
| Channel Customization Options(package types) | 3 options (Orange/Blue/Combo) | 1 fixed package | |
| Cost Difference for Annual Service(USD per year) | $479.88/year | $923.88/year | |
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $82.99/month | $82.99/month | |
| On-Demand Content Titles(titles) | 10,000+ Hulu library | 10,000+ Hulu library | |
| Simultaneous Cloud DVR Recordings(recordings) | 50 simultaneous | 50 simultaneous | |
| Ad-Free Plan Cost(USD) | $95.99/month | $95.99/month | |
| Monthly Subscription Price(USD) | $84.99/month | $84.99/month | |
| Live TV Channels Available(channels) | 90+ | 90+ | |
| Minimum Internet Speed Required(Mbps) | 8 Mbps minimum | 8 Mbps minimum | |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $54.99 | $54.99 | |
| Live Channels(channels) | 90+ | 90+ | |
| Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 2-3 | 2-3 | |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 3 | 3 | |
| Cloud DVR Storage Capacity(hours) | 50 hours | 50 hours | |
| DVR Content Retention Period(days) | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Simultaneous Streams Allowed(screens) | 2 devices | 2 devices | |
| Annual Cost (12-month)(USD) | $923.88 | $923.88 | |
| Base DVR Storage Capacity(hours) | 50 hours | 50 hours | |
| On-Demand Library Size(titles) | 10,000+ | 10,000+ | |
| DVR Recording Retention Period(months) | 9 months | 9 months | |
| Premium Tier Price (with Disney+ & ESPN+)(USD) | $14.99/month extra | $14.99/month extra | |
| Family Accounts/Profiles(accounts) | 6 | 6 |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- $39.99(winner)Base Monthly Price$76.99
- 30-50 channelsLive TV Channels90+ channels(winner)
- Limited (add-ons only)On-Demand Content IncludedExtensive Hulu library included(winner)
- 1 stream (Orange), 3 streams (Blue)(winner)Simultaneous Streams2 streams standard
- 50 hours (expandable to 200 hours)(winner)Cloud DVR Storage50 hours
- None (paid separately)Bundled Premium ServicesDisney+ and ESPN+ included(winner)
- Yes (Orange/Blue/combo)(winner)Customizable Channel PackagesNo (fixed package)
- Base Monthly Price
Sling TV
$39.99(winner)
Hulu + Live TV
$76.99
- Live TV Channels
Sling TV
30-50 channels
Hulu + Live TV
90+ channels(winner)
- On-Demand Content Included
Sling TV
Limited (add-ons only)
Hulu + Live TV
Extensive Hulu library included(winner)
- Simultaneous Streams
Sling TV
1 stream (Orange), 3 streams (Blue)(winner)
Hulu + Live TV
2 streams standard
- Cloud DVR Storage
Sling TV
50 hours (expandable to 200 hours)(winner)
Hulu + Live TV
50 hours
- Bundled Premium Services
Sling TV
None (paid separately)
Hulu + Live TV
Disney+ and ESPN+ included(winner)
- Customizable Channel Packages
Sling TV
Yes (Orange/Blue/combo)(winner)
Hulu + Live TV
No (fixed package)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Sling TV | Hulu + Live TV |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Starting Price(USD) | $40 | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $20.00(winner) | $76.99 |
| Price Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month) | $0 (baseline) | — |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $39.99(winner) | $76.99 |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $7.99 | — |
Show 6 more attributesCost Difference for Annual Service(USD per year) $479.88/year $923.88/year Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) $82.99/month — Ad-Free Plan Cost(USD) $95.99/month — Base Monthly Price(USD) $54.99 — Annual Cost (12-month)(USD) $923.88 — Premium Tier Price (with Disney+ & ESPN+)(USD) $14.99/month extra — | ||
| DVR Storage Capacity(hours) | Unlimited recordings | 50 standard (200 with upgrade) |
| 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 | — |
| No-Contract Cancellation(yes/no) | Yes, anytime | — |
Show 15 more attributesCloud DVR Storage (Included)(hours) 50 (upgradeable to 200) — 4K Streaming Not supported — Cloud DVR Storage(hours) 50 hours (expandable to 200) 50 hours Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(streams) 1 stream — Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams) 3 streams (Blue plan) 2 streams Simultaneous Cloud DVR Recordings(recordings) 50 simultaneous — Multiview Sports Feature No — Cloud DVR Storage(hours) 50 — Simultaneous Streams(streams) 2-3 — Cloud DVR Storage Capacity(hours) 50 hours — DVR Content Retention Period(days) 30 days — Simultaneous Streams Allowed(screens) 2 devices — Base DVR Storage Capacity(hours) 50 hours — DVR Recording Retention Period(months) 9 months — Family Accounts/Profiles(accounts) 6 — | ||
| Free Trial Length(days) | 3 days | — |
| Cost Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.57 | — |
| Bundled Premium Services(services) | None | Disney+, ESPN+ included(winner) |
| 4K Streaming Available | No (1080p max) | — |
| 4K Streaming Support | Limited | — |
| 4K Content Support(boolean) | Yes (select content) | — |
| Total Channels(channels) | 30-50 channels | — |
| Local Channel Coverage(percent of US) | Limited regional availability | — |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 30-50 | 90+(winner) |
| On-Demand Titles(titles) | Minimal (DVR-dependent) | 10,000+(winner) |
| Total Available Channels(channels) | 40-50 | — |
| Live Channels (Base Plan)(channels) | 40 channels | — |
Show 7 more attributesSports Channels(channels) 20 sports channels — Live TV Channels Included(channels) 30-50 channels 90+ channels On-Demand Content Library(titles) Minimal (add-ons only) 250,000+ titles On-Demand Content Titles(titles) 10,000+ Hulu library — Live TV Channels Available(channels) 90+ — Live Channels(channels) 90+ — On-Demand Library Size(titles) 10,000+ — | ||
| Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 1-3 | 2 |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days | No free trial offered |
| Supported Devices(platforms) | 50+ | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (Standard Plan)(devices) | 3 | — |
| ESPN Included | ESPN only | — |
| NFL RedZone Access | Not included | — |
| Annual Cost (Base Plan)(USD) | $191.88(winner) | $1,019.88/year |
| Monthly Subscription Price(USD) | $84.99/month | — |
| Contract Requirement | Month-to-month | — |
| Channel Customization Options(package types) | 3 options (Orange/Blue/Combo)(winner) | 1 fixed package |
| Live Stream Video Quality(resolution/fps) | 1080p/60fps | — |
| Minimum Internet Speed Required(Mbps) | 8 Mbps minimum | — |
| Sports & Local News Coverage(availability) | Full coverage (ESPN, ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, locals) | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 3 | — |
| Included Premium Services | Hulu (ad-supported), Disney+, ESPN+ bundles | — |
| Mobile App Quality | Good with Hulu integration | — |
Sling TVHulu + Live TVShow 6 more attributes
Show 15 more attributes
Show 7 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
Sling TV
Pros
- Lowest base price at $39.99/month for Sling Orange package
- Flexible dual-package system (Orange/Blue) lets users customize channels
- Expandable cloud DVR up to 200 hours (vs standard 50 hours)
- Orange + Blue combo offers 50+ channels for $55/month with 3 simultaneous streams
- No long-term contract required
Cons
- Limited live TV channel selection (30-50 vs competitors' 90+)
- Minimal on-demand content library compared to Hulu + Live TV
- Inconsistent streaming quality during peak hours reported by users
Hulu + Live TV
Pros
- 90+ live TV channels including major networks and cable options
- Includes entire Hulu on-demand library (thousands of TV shows and movies)
- Disney+ and ESPN+ bundled at no extra cost (saves $13.98/month vs separate subscriptions)
- Full integration with Disney ecosystem (Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars content)
- Superior on-demand content depth with 250,000+ titles available
Cons
- Highest price at $76.99/month (97% more expensive than Sling TV base)
- Standard plan limited to 2 simultaneous streams (Sling Blue offers 3)
- Less customization — cannot remove unwanted channels to reduce cost
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Sling TV's base Orange plan starts at $39.99/month ($479.88/year), while Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99/month ($923.88/year). That's a $444/year difference. However, Hulu + Live TV includes Disney+ ($7.99/month) and ESPN+ ($11.99/month), which would cost $239.76/year separately, reducing the true premium to approximately $204/year for the additional 50+ live channels and on-demand content.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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Wikipedia
- W
Sling TV on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Affordable, customizable live TV streaming service with flexible channel packages starting at $39.99/month.
- W
Hulu + Live TV on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Comprehensive live TV service with 90+ channels bundled with Hulu on-demand, Disney+, and ESPN+ for $76.99/month.
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