software
Sling vs YouTube TV 2026: Price, Channels & DVR | A Versus B
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 TV
Budget-friendly live TV streaming service with customizable channel packages starting at $40/month.
Budget-conscious cord-cutters who don't need local channels and prefer picking specific channels rather than paying for bundles
Score63%
VS
YT
YouTube TV
Google's live TV streaming service with 150+ channels and extensive cloud DVR
Families and mainstream viewers who value comprehensive channel selection, local news/sports, and don't want to manage custom packages
Score67%
Quick Answer
AI SummarySling 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.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose 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.
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Sling TV
7.5/10
YouTube TV
7.5/10
Y
TIE — neck and neck
Choose Sling TV if
Budget-conscious cord-cutters who don't need local channels and prefer picking specific channels rather than paying for bundles
Y
Choose YouTube TV if
Families and mainstream viewers who value comprehensive channel selection, local news/sports, and don't want to manage custom packages
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Monthly Base Price:✓ Sling TV wins($40-55/month vs $72.99/month)
- Total Channels Available:✓ YouTube TV wins(100+ channels vs 30-50 channels)
- Local Channels Coverage:✓ YouTube TV wins(Available in 95%+ of US markets vs Limited (varies by region))
Key Facts & Figures
124 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Sling TV | YouTube TV | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Starting Price(USD) | $40 | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $20.00 | $72.99 | |
| Simultaneous Streams (single account)(streams) | Up to 3 | Up to 3 | |
| Household Accounts(accounts) | Up to 3 | Up to 6 | |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 days | None | |
| Cost Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.57 | $0.86 | |
| Total Channels(channels) | 30-50 channels | 70+ | |
| Local Channel Coverage(percent of US) | Limited regional availability | 95%+ of US markets | |
| DVR Storage (Standard)(hours) | 50 hours | Unlimited | — |
| Price Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month) | $0 (baseline) | +$32.99 | |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $40.00 | $72.99/month | |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 30-50 | 100+ | |
| On-Demand Titles(titles) | Minimal (DVR-dependent) | — | — |
| Simultaneous Streams(screens) | 1-3 | 3 screens | |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days | No free trial (5-day trial historically) | — |
| 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 | $659.88 | |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $40/month | $73.99 | |
| Live Channels (Base Plan)(channels) | 40 channels | — | — |
| Sports Channels(channels) | 20 sports channels | — | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(streams) | 1 stream | 3 streams | |
| Live TV Channels Included(channels) | 30-50 channels | 150+ | |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(devices) | 4 screens | 3 screens | |
| On-Demand Content Library(titles) | Minimal (add-ons only) | ~3,000 | — |
| Channel Customization Options(package types) | 3 options (Orange/Blue/Combo) | — | — |
| Cost Difference for Annual Service(USD per year) | $479.88/year | — | — |
| Live TV Channels (Base Plan)(channels) | 30-50 | — | — |
| Free Cloud DVR Storage(hours) | 50 hours | — | — |
| Major News Networks Included(count) | 3-4 networks (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC) | — | — |
| Free Trial Duration(days) | 7 days | 0 | |
| Max DVR Storage (Paid Upgrade)(hours) | 200 hours ($6.99/month) | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Price (Entry Plan)(USD) | $15.99 | — | — |
| Base Plan Channel Count(channels) | 30 channels | — | — |
| Cloud DVR Storage (Standard Plan)(hours) | 50 hours | — | — |
| Sports Channels in Base Plan(channels) | 15-20 channels | — | — |
| Annual Cost (Entry Plan)(USD) | $191.88 | — | — |
| Base Channel Count(channels) | 30-50 channels | 70+ | |
| Simultaneous Streams (Base Tier)(devices) | 1 device | — | — |
| On-Demand Library(titles) | 3,000+ titles | — | — |
| Maximum Monthly Cost (All Tiers)(USD) | $75/month | — | — |
| Included Live TV Channels(channels) | 30-50 channels | 100+ channels | |
| Cloud DVR Storage (Free Tier)(hours) | 50 hours | Unlimited | — |
| Default Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 1 stream | 3 streams | |
| Cost for 3 Simultaneous Streams(USD/month) | $52.00 (base $40 + $12 add-on) | $72.99 (included) | |
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $60 (intro) / $83 (standard) | $60 (intro) / $83 (standard) | |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 100+ | 100+ | |
| Nightly TV Viewership Average (2026)(millions) | 11.1 | 11.1 | |
| Family Sharing Accounts(profiles) | 6 accounts standard | 6 accounts standard | |
| Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) | $82.99/month | $82.99/month | |
| On-Demand Content Titles(titles) | 2,500+ | 2,500+ | |
| Simultaneous Cloud DVR Recordings(recordings) | 6 simultaneous | 6 simultaneous | |
| Ad-Free Plan Cost(USD) | $95.99/month | $95.99/month | |
| Base Monthly Cost(USD) | $99.99 | $99.99 | |
| Total Live Channels(channels) | 150+ | 150+ | |
| Sports Networks Included(count) | 20+ networks | 20+ networks | |
| Price Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.49/channel | $0.49/channel | |
| Monthly Base Subscription Cost(USD) | $82.99 | $82.99 | |
| Simultaneous Stream Capability(screens) | 6 simultaneous streams | 6 simultaneous streams | |
| Sports Content Percentage(percent) | ~50% | ~50% | |
| Entertainment/News Content Percentage(percent) | ~50% | ~50% | |
| AI-Powered Sports Features Launch(year) | 2026 (multiview, interactive features) | 2026 (multiview, interactive features) | |
| Live TV Channel Count(channels) | 150+ channels | 150+ channels | |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $72.99 | $72.99 | |
| Live Channels(channels) | 100+ | 100+ | |
| Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 6 | 6 | |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | 7 | |
| Monthly Cost (Base Plan 2026)(USD) | $99.99 | $99.99 | |
| DVR Retention Period(days) | 270 days (9 months) | 270 days (9 months) | |
| Concurrent Streams Allowed(streams) | 3 streams | 3 streams | |
| Number of User Profiles(profiles) | 6 profiles | 6 profiles | |
| On-Demand Content Library Size(titles) | Minimal (YouTube originals only) | Minimal (YouTube originals only) | |
| Monthly Base Price(USD) | $72.99 | $72.99 | |
| Live Channels Included(channels) | 70+ | 70+ | |
| Annual Price (Base Plan)(USD) | $875.88 | $875.88 | |
| Monthly Cost (Base Plan)(USD) | $72.99 | $72.99 | |
| DVR Storage Overage Cost(USD/month) | None (unlimited included) | None (unlimited included) | |
| DVR Content Retention Period(days) | 270 days (9 months) | 270 days (9 months) | |
| Annual Cost (12-month)(USD) | $875.88 | $875.88 | |
| Annual Cost (if prepaid)(USD) | $839.88 | $839.88 | |
| Simultaneous Streams Allowed(screens) | 6 | 6 | |
| Original Content Library(titles) | Limited (under 50) | Limited (under 50) | |
| On-Demand Library Size(titles) | ~500 (YouTube Originals) | ~500 (YouTube Originals) | |
| DVR Recording Retention Period(months) | 9 months | 9 months | |
| Total Channels Available(channels) | 100+ total channels | 100+ total channels | |
| Live Sports Events Monthly(events) | 500+ | 500+ | |
| Original Content Hours Monthly(hours) | Minimal original content focus | Minimal original content focus | |
| Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) | $875.88 | $875.88 | |
| Monthly Subscription Price(USD) | $54.99 | $54.99 | |
| Family Accounts/Profiles(accounts) | 6 | 6 | |
| Live Sporting Events Per Year(events) | 3,000+ (sports only) | 3,000+ (sports only) | |
| Simultaneous Streams Per Household(streams) | 6 (1 in 4K) | 6 (1 in 4K) | |
| Original Sports Content Library(titles) | 0 | 0 | |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD) | $72.99 | $72.99 | |
| Content Library Size(titles) | 150 channels | 150 channels | |
| Original Content Awards (2024)(Emmy nominations) | 5 | 5 | |
| Annual Cost Difference(USD) | $995.88/year | $995.88/year | |
| Live Channels(channels) | 100+ channels | 100+ channels | |
| Bundle Customization Options(bundles) | 1 fixed lineup | 1 fixed lineup | |
| Sports-Dedicated Channels(channels) | 25+ | 25+ | |
| 4K Channel Availability(channels) | 10+ channels | 10+ channels | |
| Monthly Price (Base Plan with Ads)(USD) | $72.99 | $72.99 | |
| Premium Plan Price (Ad-Free)(USD) | $82.99 | $82.99 | |
| Sports Channel Count(channels) | 15+ channels | 15+ channels | |
| News Channel Count(channels) | 10+ channels | 10+ channels | |
| User Profiles Per Household(profiles) | 5 profiles | 5 profiles | |
| Live Channels Available(channels) | 150+ channels | 150+ channels | |
| Family Profiles(profiles) | 6 | 6 | |
| Minimum Internet Speed Required(Mbps) | 3 Mbps (HD) | 3 Mbps (HD) | |
| Sports Content Types(types) | All major sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, CFB, etc.) | All major sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, CFB, etc.) | |
| Included On-Demand Library(titles) | 0 (separate subscription required) | 0 (separate subscription required) | |
| Simultaneous Streams (Base)(streams) | 3 (no upgrade needed) | 3 (no upgrade needed) | |
| Sports Plus Add-on Cost(USD/month) | $10.99 | $10.99 | |
| HBO Max Add-on Cost(USD/month) | $15.99 (separate sub) | $15.99 (separate sub) | |
| Monthly Subscription Price (Base Tier)(USD) | $72.99 | $72.99 | |
| Original Content Production (Annual)(titles) | 5-10 | 5-10 | |
| Global Availability(countries) | USA only | USA only | |
| Subscriber Base (2026)(millions) | 8 | 8 | |
| Concurrent Streams(streams) | 3 | 3 | |
| On-Demand Library Included(titles (estimated)) | 0 (separate purchase) | 0 (separate purchase) | |
| Annual Cost (No Add-ons)(USD) | $887.88 | $887.88 | |
| Premium Sports Tier Cost(USD/month) | $14.99 (Sports+ add-on) | $14.99 (Sports+ add-on) | |
| Trial Period(days) | 3 months ($1/month) | 3 months ($1/month) |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
YouTube TV leads1 tie
YT
4YouTube TVSling TV
Attribute
YouTube TV
- $40-55/month(winner)Monthly Base Price$72.99/month
- 30-50 channelsTotal Channels Available100+ channels(winner)
- Limited (varies by region)Local Channels CoverageAvailable in 95%+ of US markets(winner)
- 50 hours / paid unlimited optionDVR Storage (Standard Plan)Unlimited DVR included(winner)
- 1-3 depending on planSimultaneous StreamsUp to 6 streams(winner)
- Yes (à la carte selection)(winner)Customizable ChannelsNo (genre-based plans in 2026)
- Yes (no penalty)Pause Subscription AnytimeYes
- Monthly Base Price
Sling TV
$40-55/month(winner)
YouTube TV
$72.99/month
- Total Channels Available
Sling TV
30-50 channels
YouTube TV
100+ channels(winner)
- Local Channels Coverage
Sling TV
Limited (varies by region)
YouTube TV
Available in 95%+ of US markets(winner)
- DVR Storage (Standard Plan)
Sling TV
50 hours / paid unlimited option
YouTube TV
Unlimited DVR included(winner)
- Simultaneous Streams
Sling TV
1-3 depending on plan
YouTube TV
Up to 6 streams(winner)
- Customizable Channels
Sling TV
Yes (à la carte selection)(winner)
YouTube TV
No (genre-based plans in 2026)
- Pause Subscription Anytime
Sling TV
Yes (no penalty)
YouTube TV
Yes
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Sling TV | YouTube TV |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Starting Price(USD) | $40 | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $20.00(winner) | $72.99 |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 days(winner) | None |
| Price Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month) | $0 (baseline)(winner) | +$32.99 |
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $40.00(winner) | $72.99/month |
Show 33 more attributesAnnual Cost (Base Plan)(USD) $191.88 $659.88 Starting Monthly Price(USD) $40/month $73.99 Cost Difference for Annual Service(USD per year) $479.88/year — Monthly Subscription Price (Entry Plan)(USD) $15.99 — Annual Cost (Entry Plan)(USD) $191.88 — Maximum Monthly Cost (All Tiers)(USD) $75/month — Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) $60 (intro) / $83 (standard) — Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD) $82.99/month — Ad-Free Plan Cost(USD) $95.99/month — Base Monthly Cost(USD) $99.99 — Monthly Base Subscription Cost(USD) $82.99 — Base Monthly Price(USD) $72.99 — Monthly Cost (Base Plan 2026)(USD) $99.99 — Monthly Base Price(USD) $72.99 — Annual Price (Base Plan)(USD) $875.88 — Monthly Cost (Base Plan)(USD) $72.99 — DVR Storage Overage Cost(USD/month) None (unlimited included) — Bundle Discount Available(boolean) No official bundles — Annual Cost (12-month)(USD) $875.88 — Annual Cost (if prepaid)(USD) $839.88 — Premium Tier Price (with Disney+ & ESPN+)(USD) Not available — Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) $875.88 — Monthly Subscription Price(USD) $54.99 — Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD) $72.99 — Ad-Free Plan Availability Yes ($79.99/month) — Annual Cost Difference(USD) $995.88/year — Monthly Price (Base Plan with Ads)(USD) $72.99 — Premium Plan Price (Ad-Free)(USD) $82.99 — Sports Plus Add-on Cost(USD/month) $10.99 — HBO Max Add-on Cost(USD/month) $15.99 (separate sub) — Monthly Subscription Price (Base Tier)(USD) $72.99 — Annual Cost (No Add-ons)(USD) $887.88 — Premium Sports Tier Cost(USD/month) $14.99 (Sports+ add-on) — | ||
| DVR Storage Capacity(hours) | Unlimited recordings | Unlimited |
| DVR Retention Period(days) | 270 days (9 months) | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (single account)(streams) | Up to 3 | Up to 3 |
| Household Accounts(accounts) | Up to 3 | Up to 6(winner) |
| DVR Storage (Standard)(hours) | 50 hours | Unlimited |
| Customizable Channel Selection(yes/no) | Full à la carte customization | Genre-based plans (2026) |
| No-Contract Cancellation(yes/no) | Yes, anytime | Yes, anytime |
Show 34 more attributesSimultaneous Streams(screens) 1-3 3 screens Simultaneous Streams (Standard Plan)(devices) 3 — Cloud DVR Storage (Included)(hours) 50 (upgradeable to 200) — 4K Streaming Not supported — Cloud DVR Storage(hours) 50 hours 3,000 hours Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(streams) 1 stream 3 streams Cloud DVR Storage (Standard Plan)(hours) 50 hours — Cloud DVR Storage (Free Tier)(hours) 50 hours Unlimited Default Simultaneous Streams(streams) 1 stream 3 streams Unlimited DVR All plans included — Family Sharing Accounts(profiles) 6 accounts standard — Simultaneous Cloud DVR Recordings(recordings) 6 simultaneous — Multiview Sports Feature Yes - Advanced customizable layouts (2026) — DVR Recording Storage(hours) Unlimited — Simultaneous Stream Capability(screens) 6 simultaneous streams — Cloud DVR Storage(hours) Unlimited — Simultaneous Streams(streams) 6 — Concurrent Streams Allowed(streams) 3 streams — Number of User Profiles(profiles) 6 profiles — Cloud DVR Storage Capacity(hours) Unlimited — DVR Content Retention Period(days) 270 days (9 months) — Simultaneous Streams Allowed(screens) 6 — Base DVR Storage Capacity(hours) Unlimited — DVR Recording Retention Period(months) 9 months — Family Accounts/Profiles(accounts) 6 — Offline Download Capability No — Bundle Customization Options(bundles) 1 fixed lineup — 4K Channel Availability(channels) 10+ channels — User Profiles Per Household(profiles) 5 profiles — Family Profiles(profiles) 6 — Simultaneous Streams (Base)(streams) 3 (no upgrade needed) — Cloud DVR Storage Standard Tier(hours) Unlimited — Concurrent Streams(streams) 3 — 4K Live Streaming Available (select channels) — | ||
| Cost Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.57(winner) | $0.86 |
| Bundled Premium Services(services) | None | None included |
| Price Per Channel(USD per channel) | $0.49/channel | — |
| 4K Streaming Available | No (1080p max) | Yes ($9.99/month add-on) |
| 4K Streaming Support | No | Yes (included) |
| 4K Streaming Support | Yes (with add-on $9.99/mo) | — |
| 4K Content Available(titles) | Available with Premium tier ($13.99/month add-on) | — |
| 4K Content Support(boolean) | No | — |
| Total Channels(channels) | 30-50 channels | 70+(winner) |
| Local Channel Coverage(percent of US) | Limited regional availability | 95%+ of US markets(winner) |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 30-50 | 100+(winner) |
| On-Demand Titles(titles) | Minimal (DVR-dependent) | — |
| Total Available Channels(channels) | 40-50 | — |
Show 39 more attributesLive Channels (Base Plan)(channels) 40 channels — Sports Channels(channels) 20 sports channels — Live TV Channels Included(channels) 30-50 channels 150+ On-Demand Content Library(titles) Minimal (add-ons only) ~3,000 Live TV Channels (Base Plan)(channels) 30-50 — Base Plan Channel Count(channels) 30 channels — Base Channel Count(channels) 30-50 channels 70+ On-Demand Library(titles) 3,000+ titles — Included Live TV Channels(channels) 30-50 channels 100+ channels Major Sports Channel Inclusion(channels) Requires Sports Extra add-on ($11/month for 10 sports channels) Included (ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports, MLB Network, Pac-12, others) Content Library Size(titles) 100+ live channels — Live TV Channels(channels) 100+ — Original Content Focus (2026) Moderate (licensed dominant) — On-Demand Content Titles(titles) 2,500+ — Total Live Channels(channels) 150+ — Sports Networks Included(count) 20+ networks — News Networks Included(major networks) CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC News, ABC News — Sports Content Percentage(percent) ~50% — Entertainment/News Content Percentage(percent) ~50% — Live TV Channel Count(channels) 150+ channels — Live Channels(channels) 100+ — On-Demand Content Library Size(titles) Minimal (YouTube originals only) — Live Channels Included(channels) 70+ — Regional Sports Networks Standard coverage only — Original Content Library(titles) Limited (under 50) — On-Demand Library Size(titles) ~500 (YouTube Originals) — Total Channels Available(channels) 100+ total channels — Original Content Awards (2024)(Emmy nominations) 5 — Live Channels(channels) 100+ channels — Sports-Dedicated Channels(channels) 25+ — Sports Channel Count(channels) 15+ channels — News Channel Count(channels) 10+ channels — Included On-Demand Streaming No (separate subscriptions needed) — Live Channels Available(channels) 150+ channels — Sports Content Types(types) All major sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, CFB, etc.) — Included On-Demand Library(titles) 0 (separate subscription required) — Original Content Production (Annual)(titles) 5-10 — Live Sports Coverage(major leagues covered) All major (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS) — On-Demand Library Included(titles (estimated)) 0 (separate purchase) — | ||
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days | No free trial (5-day trial historically) |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | — |
| Trial Period(days) | 3 months ($1/month) | — |
| Supported Devices(count) | 50+ devices(winner) | 40+ devices |
| Streaming Device Compatibility | All major platforms (Apple TV, Roku, Fire, web, mobile) | — |
| ESPN Included | Yes (Orange tier) | — |
| Major Sports Networks Included(networks) | Most major networks | — |
| NFL RedZone Access | Not included | — |
| Sports Channels in Base Plan(channels) | 15-20 channels | — |
| Contract Requirement | Month-to-month | — |
| Contract Required | No | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(devices) | 4 screens(winner) | 3 screens |
| Mobile App Quality | Excellent with quick guide navigation | — |
| Channel Customization Options(package types) | 3 options (Orange/Blue/Combo) | — |
| Free Cloud DVR Storage(hours) | 50 hours | — |
| Max DVR Storage (Paid Upgrade)(hours) | 200 hours ($6.99/month) | — |
| Major News Networks Included(count) | 3-4 networks (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC) | — |
| Free Trial Duration(days) | 7 days(winner) | 0 |
| Simultaneous Streams (Base Tier)(devices) | 1 device | — |
| Cost for 3 Simultaneous Streams(USD/month) | $52.00 (base $40 + $12 add-on)(winner) | $72.99 (included) |
| Nightly TV Viewership Average (2026)(millions) | 11.1 | — |
| Ad-Free Viewing | Standard feature (no ads) | — |
| AI-Powered Sports Features Launch(year) | 2026 (multiview, interactive features) | — |
| Included Premium Services | YouTube Premium, YouTube Music | — |
| Live Events Per Year(events) | Varies (included in channels) | — |
| Live Sporting Events Per Year(events) | 3,000+ (sports only) | — |
| Content Library Size(titles) | 150 channels | — |
| NFL Regular Season Games (Annual)(games) | Included via ESPN networks | — |
| Live Sports Events Monthly(events) | 500+ | — |
| NFL Game Broadcasts Available(percent) | All major broadcasts (CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ABC) | — |
| Local Broadcast Network Access(markets covered) | 90% of U.S. markets | — |
| Original Content Hours Monthly(hours) | Minimal original content focus | — |
| Simultaneous Streams Per Household(streams) | 6 (1 in 4K) | — |
| Original Sports Content Library(titles) | 0 | — |
| 4K Content Availability(percent of library) | Yes | — |
| Minimum Internet Speed Required(Mbps) | 3 Mbps (HD) | — |
| User Interface Rating(stars out of 5) | 4.4/5 (user reviews 2026) | — |
| Global Availability(countries) | USA only | — |
| Subscriber Base (2026)(millions) | 8 | — |
Sling TVYYouTube TV
Monthly Starting Price(USD)
$40
—
Monthly Subscription Cost(USD)
$20.00
$72.99
Free Trial Length(days)
7 days
None
Price Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month)
$0 (baseline)
+$32.99
Base Monthly Price(USD)
$40.00
$72.99/month
Show 33 more attributes
Annual Cost (Base Plan)(USD)
$191.88
$659.88
Starting Monthly Price(USD)
$40/month
$73.99
Cost Difference for Annual Service(USD per year)
$479.88/year
—
Monthly Subscription Price (Entry Plan)(USD)
$15.99
—
Annual Cost (Entry Plan)(USD)
$191.88
—
Maximum Monthly Cost (All Tiers)(USD)
$75/month
—
Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD)
$60 (intro) / $83 (standard)
—
Base Monthly Price (2026)(USD)
$82.99/month
—
Ad-Free Plan Cost(USD)
$95.99/month
—
Base Monthly Cost(USD)
$99.99
—
Monthly Base Subscription Cost(USD)
$82.99
—
Base Monthly Price(USD)
$72.99
—
Monthly Cost (Base Plan 2026)(USD)
$99.99
—
Monthly Base Price(USD)
$72.99
—
Annual Price (Base Plan)(USD)
$875.88
—
Monthly Cost (Base Plan)(USD)
$72.99
—
DVR Storage Overage Cost(USD/month)
None (unlimited included)
—
Bundle Discount Available(boolean)
No official bundles
—
Annual Cost (12-month)(USD)
$875.88
—
Annual Cost (if prepaid)(USD)
$839.88
—
Premium Tier Price (with Disney+ & ESPN+)(USD)
Not available
—
Annual Cost (12 months)(USD)
$875.88
—
Monthly Subscription Price(USD)
$54.99
—
Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD)
$72.99
—
Ad-Free Plan Availability
Yes ($79.99/month)
—
Annual Cost Difference(USD)
$995.88/year
—
Monthly Price (Base Plan with Ads)(USD)
$72.99
—
Premium Plan Price (Ad-Free)(USD)
$82.99
—
Sports Plus Add-on Cost(USD/month)
$10.99
—
HBO Max Add-on Cost(USD/month)
$15.99 (separate sub)
—
Monthly Subscription Price (Base Tier)(USD)
$72.99
—
Annual Cost (No Add-ons)(USD)
$887.88
—
Premium Sports Tier Cost(USD/month)
$14.99 (Sports+ add-on)
—
DVR Storage Capacity(hours)
Unlimited recordings
Unlimited
DVR Retention Period(days)
270 days (9 months)
—
Simultaneous Streams (single account)(streams)
Up to 3
Up to 3
Household Accounts(accounts)
Up to 3
Up to 6
DVR Storage (Standard)(hours)
50 hours
Unlimited
Customizable Channel Selection(yes/no)
Full à la carte customization
Genre-based plans (2026)
No-Contract Cancellation(yes/no)
Yes, anytime
Yes, anytime
Show 34 more attributes
Simultaneous Streams(screens)
1-3
3 screens
Simultaneous Streams (Standard Plan)(devices)
3
—
Cloud DVR Storage (Included)(hours)
50 (upgradeable to 200)
—
4K Streaming
Not supported
—
Cloud DVR Storage(hours)
50 hours
3,000 hours
Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(streams)
1 stream
3 streams
Cloud DVR Storage (Standard Plan)(hours)
50 hours
—
Cloud DVR Storage (Free Tier)(hours)
50 hours
Unlimited
Default Simultaneous Streams(streams)
1 stream
3 streams
Unlimited DVR
All plans included
—
Family Sharing Accounts(profiles)
6 accounts standard
—
Simultaneous Cloud DVR Recordings(recordings)
6 simultaneous
—
Multiview Sports Feature
Yes - Advanced customizable layouts (2026)
—
DVR Recording Storage(hours)
Unlimited
—
Simultaneous Stream Capability(screens)
6 simultaneous streams
—
Cloud DVR Storage(hours)
Unlimited
—
Simultaneous Streams(streams)
6
—
Concurrent Streams Allowed(streams)
3 streams
—
Number of User Profiles(profiles)
6 profiles
—
Cloud DVR Storage Capacity(hours)
Unlimited
—
DVR Content Retention Period(days)
270 days (9 months)
—
Simultaneous Streams Allowed(screens)
6
—
Base DVR Storage Capacity(hours)
Unlimited
—
DVR Recording Retention Period(months)
9 months
—
Family Accounts/Profiles(accounts)
6
—
Offline Download Capability
No
—
Bundle Customization Options(bundles)
1 fixed lineup
—
4K Channel Availability(channels)
10+ channels
—
User Profiles Per Household(profiles)
5 profiles
—
Family Profiles(profiles)
6
—
Simultaneous Streams (Base)(streams)
3 (no upgrade needed)
—
Cloud DVR Storage Standard Tier(hours)
Unlimited
—
Concurrent Streams(streams)
3
—
4K Live Streaming
Available (select channels)
—
Cost Per Channel(USD per channel)
$0.57
$0.86
Bundled Premium Services(services)
None
None included
Price Per Channel(USD per channel)
$0.49/channel
—
4K Streaming Available
No (1080p max)
Yes ($9.99/month add-on)
4K Streaming Support
No
Yes (included)
4K Streaming Support
Yes (with add-on $9.99/mo)
—
4K Content Available(titles)
Available with Premium tier ($13.99/month add-on)
—
4K Content Support(boolean)
No
—
Total Channels(channels)
30-50 channels
70+
Local Channel Coverage(percent of US)
Limited regional availability
95%+ of US markets
Live TV Channels(channels)
30-50
100+
On-Demand Titles(titles)
Minimal (DVR-dependent)
—
Total Available Channels(channels)
40-50
—
Show 39 more attributes
Live Channels (Base Plan)(channels)
40 channels
—
Sports Channels(channels)
20 sports channels
—
Live TV Channels Included(channels)
30-50 channels
150+
On-Demand Content Library(titles)
Minimal (add-ons only)
~3,000
Live TV Channels (Base Plan)(channels)
30-50
—
Base Plan Channel Count(channels)
30 channels
—
Base Channel Count(channels)
30-50 channels
70+
On-Demand Library(titles)
3,000+ titles
—
Included Live TV Channels(channels)
30-50 channels
100+ channels
Major Sports Channel Inclusion(channels)
Requires Sports Extra add-on ($11/month for 10 sports channels)
Included (ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports, MLB Network, Pac-12, others)
Content Library Size(titles)
100+ live channels
—
Live TV Channels(channels)
100+
—
Original Content Focus (2026)
Moderate (licensed dominant)
—
On-Demand Content Titles(titles)
2,500+
—
Total Live Channels(channels)
150+
—
Sports Networks Included(count)
20+ networks
—
News Networks Included(major networks)
CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC News, ABC News
—
Sports Content Percentage(percent)
~50%
—
Entertainment/News Content Percentage(percent)
~50%
—
Live TV Channel Count(channels)
150+ channels
—
Live Channels(channels)
100+
—
On-Demand Content Library Size(titles)
Minimal (YouTube originals only)
—
Live Channels Included(channels)
70+
—
Regional Sports Networks
Standard coverage only
—
Original Content Library(titles)
Limited (under 50)
—
On-Demand Library Size(titles)
~500 (YouTube Originals)
—
Total Channels Available(channels)
100+ total channels
—
Original Content Awards (2024)(Emmy nominations)
5
—
Live Channels(channels)
100+ channels
—
Sports-Dedicated Channels(channels)
25+
—
Sports Channel Count(channels)
15+ channels
—
News Channel Count(channels)
10+ channels
—
Included On-Demand Streaming
No (separate subscriptions needed)
—
Live Channels Available(channels)
150+ channels
—
Sports Content Types(types)
All major sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, CFB, etc.)
—
Included On-Demand Library(titles)
0 (separate subscription required)
—
Original Content Production (Annual)(titles)
5-10
—
Live Sports Coverage(major leagues covered)
All major (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS)
—
On-Demand Library Included(titles (estimated))
0 (separate purchase)
—
Free Trial Period(days)
7 days
No free trial (5-day trial historically)
Free Trial Length(days)
7
—
Trial Period(days)
3 months ($1/month)
—
Supported Devices(count)
50+ devices
40+ devices
Streaming Device Compatibility
All major platforms (Apple TV, Roku, Fire, web, mobile)
—
ESPN Included
Yes (Orange tier)
—
Major Sports Networks Included(networks)
Most major networks
—
NFL RedZone Access
Not included
—
Sports Channels in Base Plan(channels)
15-20 channels
—
Contract Requirement
Month-to-month
—
Contract Required
No
—
Maximum Simultaneous Streams(devices)
4 screens
3 screens
Mobile App Quality
Excellent with quick guide navigation
—
Channel Customization Options(package types)
3 options (Orange/Blue/Combo)
—
Free Cloud DVR Storage(hours)
50 hours
—
Max DVR Storage (Paid Upgrade)(hours)
200 hours ($6.99/month)
—
Major News Networks Included(count)
3-4 networks (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC)
—
Free Trial Duration(days)
7 days
0
Simultaneous Streams (Base Tier)(devices)
1 device
—
Cost for 3 Simultaneous Streams(USD/month)
$52.00 (base $40 + $12 add-on)
$72.99 (included)
Nightly TV Viewership Average (2026)(millions)
11.1
—
Ad-Free Viewing
Standard feature (no ads)
—
AI-Powered Sports Features Launch(year)
2026 (multiview, interactive features)
—
Included Premium Services
YouTube Premium, YouTube Music
—
Live Events Per Year(events)
Varies (included in channels)
—
Live Sporting Events Per Year(events)
3,000+ (sports only)
—
Content Library Size(titles)
150 channels
—
NFL Regular Season Games (Annual)(games)
Included via ESPN networks
—
Live Sports Events Monthly(events)
500+
—
NFL Game Broadcasts Available(percent)
All major broadcasts (CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ABC)
—
Local Broadcast Network Access(markets covered)
90% of U.S. markets
—
Original Content Hours Monthly(hours)
Minimal original content focus
—
Simultaneous Streams Per Household(streams)
6 (1 in 4K)
—
Original Sports Content Library(titles)
0
—
4K Content Availability(percent of library)
Yes
—
Minimum Internet Speed Required(Mbps)
3 Mbps (HD)
—
User Interface Rating(stars out of 5)
4.4/5 (user reviews 2026)
—
Global Availability(countries)
USA only
—
Subscriber Base (2026)(millions)
8
—
Pros & Cons
11 pros·6 cons across both
YT
Sling TV
+5-3
Pros
- Lowest starting price at $40/month (Sling Orange plan)
- Fully customizable channel lineup—add only what you want
- 4K streaming available on select channels
- Pause service anytime without penalties or contracts
- Multiview feature for watching 4 channels simultaneously
Cons
- Limited or no local channels in many regions
- Extra $10-15/month required for unlimited DVR (50 hours standard)
- Fewer total channels (30-50) compared to competitors
YT
YouTube TV
+6-3
Pros
- 100+ channels included in single plan with no à la carte upselling
- Local channels available in 95%+ of US markets
- Unlimited DVR storage included standard
- Up to 6 simultaneous streams per account
- Fully customizable Multiview launching in 2026 for personalized layouts
- Integrated with YouTube and Google ecosystem
Cons
- Highest price point at $72.99/month (no cheaper option available)
- Less flexibility—cannot remove unwanted channels to reduce cost
- Ongoing Disney licensing disputes could affect channel availability
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
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.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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Wikipedia
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