software
Sling TV vs YouTube TV 2026: Price, Channels & Features
YouTube TV offers more channels (100+) and includes cloud DVR at no extra cost, while Sling TV is cheaper ($40/month vs $72.99/month) and more flexible with customizable channel packages. YouTube TV is better for comprehensive live TV coverage, whereas Sling TV suits budget-conscious viewers willing to accept fewer channels.
Sling TV
Budget-friendly live TV streaming service with customizable channel packages starting at $40/month.
Budget-conscious cord-cutters, international viewers, and households with single-user viewing patterns
Score63%
VS
YT
YouTube TV
Google's live TV streaming service with 100+ channels and unlimited cloud DVR
Families needing multiple simultaneous streams, sports enthusiasts, and viewers wanting comprehensive channel coverage without additional fees
Score63%
Quick Answer
AI SummaryYouTube TV offers more channels (100+) and includes cloud DVR at no extra cost, while Sling TV is cheaper ($40/month vs $72.99/month) and more flexible with customizable channel packages. YouTube TV is better for comprehensive live TV coverage, whereas Sling TV suits budget-conscious viewers willing to accept fewer channels.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose YouTube TV if you want the most comprehensive live TV experience with 100+ channels, unlimited DVR, and 3 simultaneous streams built-in—ideal for families and sports fans despite the higher $72.99 monthly cost. Choose Sling TV if you prioritize affordability and flexibility, preferring to pay $40/month for a curated channel selection and customize your package based on actual viewing habits.
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Sling TV
7.6/10
YouTube TV
7.4/10
Y
Choose Sling TV if
Best pickBudget-conscious cord-cutters, international viewers, and households with single-user viewing patterns
Y
Choose YouTube TV if
Families needing multiple simultaneous streams, sports enthusiasts, and viewers wanting comprehensive channel coverage without additional fees
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Starting Monthly Price:✓ Sling TV wins($40.00 vs $72.99)
- Base Channel Count:✓ YouTube TV wins(100+ channels vs 30-50 channels)
- Cloud DVR Storage:✓ YouTube TV wins(Unlimited included vs 50 hours (paid add-on: $5/month for 200 hours))
Key Facts & Figures
121 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 | |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 30-50 | 100+ | |
| On-Demand Titles(titles) | Minimal (DVR-dependent) | — | — |
| Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 1-3 | 6 | |
| 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(streams) | 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) | |
| 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) | 100+ | 100+ | |
| 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 |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
YouTube TV leads
YT
4YouTube TVSling TV
Attribute
YouTube TV
- $40.00(winner)Starting Monthly Price$72.99
- 30-50 channelsBase Channel Count100+ channels(winner)
- 50 hours (paid add-on: $5/month for 200 hours)Cloud DVR StorageUnlimited included(winner)
- 1 (paid tier: 3 streams for +$12/month)Simultaneous Streams3 included(winner)
- Yes (Sling Orange, Blue, Orange+Blue)(winner)Customizable PackagesNo (fixed package)
- 7 days(winner)Free Trial PeriodNo free trial (was 14 days, discontinued)
- Limited (requires add-ons like Sports Extra)International Sports CoverageComprehensive (includes ESPN, Fox Sports, MLB Network)(winner)
- Starting Monthly Price
Sling TV
$40.00(winner)
YouTube TV
$72.99
- Base Channel Count
Sling TV
30-50 channels
YouTube TV
100+ channels(winner)
- Cloud DVR Storage
Sling TV
50 hours (paid add-on: $5/month for 200 hours)
YouTube TV
Unlimited included(winner)
- Simultaneous Streams
Sling TV
1 (paid tier: 3 streams for +$12/month)
YouTube TV
3 included(winner)
- Customizable Packages
Sling TV
Yes (Sling Orange, Blue, Orange+Blue)(winner)
YouTube TV
No (fixed package)
- Free Trial Period
Sling TV
7 days(winner)
YouTube TV
No free trial (was 14 days, discontinued)
- International Sports Coverage
Sling TV
Limited (requires add-ons like Sports Extra)
YouTube TV
Comprehensive (includes ESPN, Fox Sports, MLB Network)(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Sling TV | YouTube TV |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Starting Price(USD) | $40 | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $20.00(winner) | $72.99 |
| Price Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month) | $0 (baseline)(winner) | +$32.99 |
| Annual Cost (Base Plan)(USD) | $191.88(winner) | $659.88 |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $40/month(winner) | $73.99 |
Show 30 more attributesCost 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 — | ||
| 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 33 more attributesSimultaneous Streams(streams) 1-3 6 Cloud DVR Storage (Included)(hours) 50 (upgradeable to 200) — 4K Streaming Not supported — Cloud DVR Storage(hours) 50 hours Unlimited Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(streams) 1 stream 3 streams Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams) 4 screens 3 screens 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 — | ||
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 days(winner) | None |
| Free Trial Duration(days) | 7 days(winner) | 0 |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 7 | — |
| 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 | 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 40 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) YouTube only — Total Channels Available(channels) 100+ total channels — Content Library Size(titles) 150 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) 100+ — 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) — | ||
| Base Monthly Price(USD) | $40.00(winner) | $72.99 |
| Cost for 3 Simultaneous Streams(USD/month) | $52.00 (base $40 + $12 add-on)(winner) | $72.99 (included) |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days | No free trial (5-day trial historically) |
| Supported Devices(count) | 50+ devices(winner) | 40+ devices |
| Streaming Device Compatibility | All major platforms (Apple TV, Roku, Fire, web, mobile) | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (Standard Plan)(devices) | 3 | — |
| 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 | — |
| 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) | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (Base Tier)(devices) | 1 device | — |
| 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 | — |
| Mobile App Quality | Excellent with quick guide navigation | — |
| Live Events Per Year(events) | Varies (included in channels) | — |
| Live Sporting Events Per Year(events) | 3,000+ (sports only) | — |
| 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
Price Difference vs Cheapest Option(USD per month)
$0 (baseline)
+$32.99
Annual Cost (Base Plan)(USD)
$191.88
$659.88
Starting Monthly Price(USD)
$40/month
$73.99
Show 30 more attributes
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
—
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 33 more attributes
Simultaneous Streams(streams)
1-3
6
Cloud DVR Storage (Included)(hours)
50 (upgradeable to 200)
—
4K Streaming
Not supported
—
Cloud DVR Storage(hours)
50 hours
Unlimited
Simultaneous Streams (Base Plan)(streams)
1 stream
3 streams
Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams)
4 screens
3 screens
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
—
Free Trial Length(days)
7 days
None
Free Trial Duration(days)
7 days
0
Free Trial Length(days)
7
—
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
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 40 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)
YouTube only
—
Total Channels Available(channels)
100+ total channels
—
Content Library Size(titles)
150 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)
100+
—
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)
—
Base Monthly Price(USD)
$40.00
$72.99
Cost for 3 Simultaneous Streams(USD/month)
$52.00 (base $40 + $12 add-on)
$72.99 (included)
Free Trial Period(days)
7 days
No free trial (5-day trial historically)
Supported Devices(count)
50+ devices
40+ devices
Streaming Device Compatibility
All major platforms (Apple TV, Roku, Fire, web, mobile)
—
Simultaneous Streams (Standard Plan)(devices)
3
—
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
—
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)
—
Simultaneous Streams (Base Tier)(devices)
1 device
—
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
—
Mobile App Quality
Excellent with quick guide navigation
—
Live Events Per Year(events)
Varies (included in channels)
—
Live Sporting Events Per Year(events)
3,000+ (sports only)
—
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
10 pros·6 cons across both
YT
Sling TV
+5-3
Pros
- Starting price of $40/month is 45% cheaper than YouTube TV
- Customizable packages (Sling Orange, Sling Blue, Orange+Blue) let you pay only for desired channels
- 7-day free trial available (no credit card required option)
- Compatible with 50+ devices including Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android, iOS
- International content access through add-ons like AER and Sling Latino
Cons
- Limited base channel count (30-50) requiring add-ons for sports, news, or premium content
- Only 1 simultaneous stream by default; 3-stream option costs additional $12/month
- Reduced DVR storage (50 hours free; unlimited requires $5/month add-on)
YT
YouTube TV
+5-3
Pros
- 100+ channels included covering major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox), sports (ESPN, NFL Network, MLB Network), news (CNN, MSNBC), and entertainment
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra cost (recordings stored for 9 months)
- 3 simultaneous streams included (vs. $12/month add-on for Sling TV)
- Seamless integration with Google Workspace and Smart Home ecosystem
- No contracts or hidden fees; month-to-month subscription only
Cons
- Highest price tier at $72.99/month with no lower-cost options or customization
- No free trial available (previously offered 14-day trial, discontinued in 2023)
- Fixed package means no ability to remove unwanted channels and reduce cost
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Yes, significantly. Sling TV's base package starts at $40/month versus YouTube TV's $72.99/month—a savings of $412.68 annually. However, if you need multiple streams and sports content, the gap narrows when accounting for Sling TV's $12/month multi-stream add-on and potential $11/month Sports Extra package, bringing Sling to $63/month. YouTube TV still costs more but includes everything without add-ons.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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Wikipedia
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