Although leaning on the pricier side, Sling Orange + Blue, DirecTV Stream, and YouTube TV are heavy-hitting options for cord-cutting. Sling Orange + Blue gives you a diverse channel lineup for a reasonable price, DirecTV Stream offers plenty of RSNs and unlimited simultaneous screens, and YouTube TV's smooth interface remains undefeated. They have their strengths, but they also have their weaknesses. Only select markets can access local channels on Sling Orange + Blue, for instance, and even then it's only FOX, NBC, and ABC that are available. Meanwhile, DirecTV Stream lacks the flexibility of YouTube TV, while YouTube TV doesn't have nearly as much 4k content as DirecTV Stream.
This is all to say that these popular live TV streaming plans are great, but the best choice will largely depend on what you're looking for. Below, we round up everything there is to know about them, including channel lineup, device compatibility, and free trial availability, to help you decide what streaming service is for you.
Sling Orange + Blue vs DirecTV Stream vs Youtube TV
Which is cheaper?
The cheapest of the three streaming service in order are: Sling Orange + Blue ($60), YouTube TV ($72.99), and the most expensive of the bunch, DirecTV Stream ($79.99).
Sling Orange + Blue vs DirecTV Stream vs YouTube TV channel lineups
| Channel | Sling Orange + Blue $60/month |
DirecTV Stream $79.99/month |
YouTube TV $72.99/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| A&E | Yes | - | - |
| ABC | - | - | Yes |
| ABC News | - | - | Yes |
| ACC Network | - | Yes | - |
| AccuWeather | - | Yes | - |
| Adult Swim | - | - | Yes |
| AMC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Animal Planet | - | Yes | Yes |
| AXS TV | Yes | Yes | - |
| Baby First TV | - | Yes | - |
| BBC America | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BBC World News | - | - | Yes |
| BET | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BET Her | - | - | Yes |
| Big Ten Network | - | - | Yes |
| Bloomberg | Yes | Yes | - |
| Bloomberg Television | Yes | Yes | - |
| Boomerang | - | Yes | - |
| Bounce | - | - | Yes |
| Bravo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| C-SPAN | - | Yes | - |
| C-SPAN2 | - | Yes | - |
| Cartoon Network | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CBS | - | Yes | Yes |
| CBS local channels | - | Yes | Yes |
| CBS Sports Network | - | - | Yes |
| Charge! | Yes | - | - |
| Cheddar | - | - | Yes |
| Cheddar News | - | - | Yes |
| Cleo | - | Yes | - |
| Cleo TV | - | Yes | - |
| CMT | - | Yes | Yes |
| CNBC | - | Yes | Yes |
| CNBC World | - | - | Yes |
| CNN | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CNN en Espanol | - | Yes | - |
| Comedy Central | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Comedy TV | - | - | Yes |
| Comet | Yes | - | Yes |
| Court TV | - | Yes | Yes |
| Cozi TV | - | - | Yes |
| CW | - | - | Yes |
| Dabl | - | - | Yes |
| Daystar | - | Yes | - |
| Discovery | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Discovery Channel | Yes | - | - |
| Disney Channel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Disney Jr | - | Yes | - |
| Disney Junior | - | - | Yes |
| Disney XD | - | Yes | Yes |
| Docurama | - | - | Yes |
| Dove Channel | - | - | Yes |
| E! | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| E! Entertainment | - | Yes | - |
| EPIX Drive-In | Yes | - | - |
| ESPN | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ESPN U | - | - | Yes |
| ESPN2 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ESPN3 | Yes | Yes | - |
| ESPNews | - | - | Yes |
| FMC | - | Yes | - |
| Food Network | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FOX | - | Yes | Yes |
| Fox Business | - | Yes | Yes |
| Fox Business Network | - | Yes | - |
| Fox News | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fox News Channel | Yes | Yes | - |
| FOX SOUL | - | Yes | Yes |
| Fox Sports | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fox Sports 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fox Sports 1 (FS1) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fox Sports 2 | - | - | Yes |
| Fox Sports 2 (FS2) | - | - | Yes |
| Fox Weather | - | Yes | Yes |
| Freeform | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FS1 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FS2 | - | - | Yes |
| FUEL TV | - | Yes | - |
| Fuse | Yes | Yes | - |
| Fuse Music | - | Yes | - |
| FX | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FXM | - | - | Yes |
| FXX | - | Yes | Yes |
| Galavision | - | Yes | Yes |
| Game Show Network | - | - | Yes |
| Get TV | - | - | Yes |
| Golf Channel | - | - | Yes |
| Hallmark | - | Yes | Yes |
| Hallmark Channel | - | Yes | Yes |
| Hallmark Family | - | - | Yes |
| Hallmark Mystery | - | Yes | Yes |
| HGTV | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| History | Yes | - | - |
| HLN | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Home Shopping Network | - | Yes | - |
| HSN | - | Yes | Yes |
| ID | Yes | - | - |
| IFC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Investigation Discovery | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Investigation Discovery (ID) | Yes | - | - |
| ION | - | Yes | Yes |
| ION Television | - | Yes | - |
| Jewelry Television | - | Yes | - |
| Justice Central | - | - | Yes |
| Justice Central TV | - | - | Yes |
| Law & Crime | - | - | Yes |
| Lifetime | Yes | - | - |
| Local Now | Yes | - | Yes |
| Localish | - | - | Yes |
| MotorTrend | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MSNBC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MTV | - | Yes | Yes |
| MTV Classic | - | Yes | Yes |
| MTV2 | - | Yes | - |
| Nat Geo Wild | - | - | Yes |
| National Geographic | Yes | - | Yes |
| NBA TV | - | Yes | Yes |
| NBC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NBC local channels | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NBC News Now | - | - | Yes |
| NBC Universo | - | - | Yes |
| NBCLX | - | - | Yes |
| NBCSN | - | - | Yes |
| News Nation | - | Yes | Yes |
| NFL Network | Yes | - | Yes |
| Nick Jr. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Nickelodeon | - | - | Yes |
| Nicktoons | - | - | Yes |
| One America News | - | Yes | - |
| Ovation | - | Yes | - |
| OWN | - | - | Yes |
| Oxygen | - | Yes | Yes |
| Oxygen True Crime | - | Yes | Yes |
| Paramount Network | - | Yes | - |
| PBS | - | Yes | Yes |
| PBS Kids | - | Yes | Yes |
| PBS local channels | - | Yes | Yes |
| Pop | - | - | Yes |
| Pursuit | - | Yes | - |
| Pursuit Channel | - | Yes | - |
| QVC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| QVC2 | - | Yes | - |
| QVC3 | - | Yes | - |
| Recipe.TV | - | - | Yes |
| REELZ | - | Yes | - |
| REVOLT | - | Yes | - |
| RFD-TV | - | Yes | - |
| RSNs | - | Yes | Yes |
| Scientology Network | - | Yes | - |
| Scripps News | - | - | Yes |
| SEC Network | - | - | Yes |
| Shop LC | - | Yes | - |
| Smithsonian Channel | - | - | Yes |
| SportsGrid | - | Yes | - |
| Start TV | - | - | Yes |
| Sundance TV | - | - | Yes |
| SundanceTV | - | Yes | - |
| SYFY | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tastemade | - | Yes | Yes |
| Tastemade Home | - | Yes | - |
| Tastemade Travel | - | Yes | - |
| TBS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TCM | - | Yes | - |
| Teen Nick | - | - | Yes |
| TeenNick | - | Yes | - |
| TeleHit | - | - | Yes |
| Telemundo | - | Yes | Yes |
| Telemundo local channels | - | Yes | Yes |
| The CW | - | - | Yes |
| The First | - | Yes | - |
| The Weather Channel | - | - | Yes |
| theGrio | - | Yes | - |
| TLC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TNT | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Travel Channel | Yes | - | Yes |
| Tru TV | - | - | Yes |
| True Crime | - | Yes | Yes |
| truTV | Yes | Yes | - |
| Turner Classic Movies | - | - | Yes |
| TV Land | - | Yes | Yes |
| TV One | - | Yes | - |
| Unimas | - | - | Yes |
| Unimas local channels | - | - | Yes |
| Universal Kids | - | - | Yes |
| Universo | - | - | Yes |
| Univision | - | Yes | Yes |
| Univision local channels | - | - | Yes |
| Up TV | - | Yes | - |
| USA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USA Network | - | Yes | - |
| VH1 | - | Yes | Yes |
| Vice | Yes | - | - |
| W | - | Yes | Yes |
| WE tv | - | Yes | Yes |
| Weather Channel | - | - | Yes |
Device availability comparaison
Where each streaming service has an app:| Device | Sling Orange + Blue $60/month |
DirecTV Stream $79.99/month |
YouTube TV $72.99/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airplay | Yes | - | Yes |
| Airplay supported | Yes | - | Yes |
| AirTV | Yes | - | - |
| Amazon Fire TV | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Android TV | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Apple TV | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chromecast | Yes | - | - |
| Cox | Yes | - | - |
| Fire TV | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone | Yes | - | - |
| LG | Yes | - | Yes |
| LG TV | Yes | - | Yes |
| Mi Box | Yes | - | - |
| PlayStation | - | - | Yes |
| Roku | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Roku TV | - | Yes | - |
| Samsung | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Samsung TV | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shareplay supported | - | - | Yes |
| Sharp | - | - | Yes |
| TiVo | Yes | - | - |
| Vizio | Yes | - | Yes |
| Vizio Smart TV | Yes | - | - |
| Windows 10 | Yes | - | - |
| Windows 11 | Yes | - | - |
| Xbox | Yes | - | Yes |
| Xbox One | Yes | - | - |
Trial: Sling Orange + Blue does not offer a trial
Sling Orange + Blue is currently not offering a trial.
Trials: DirecTV Stream includes a free trial
DirecTV Stream has a free trial of 5 days.
Trials: YouTube TV includes a free trial
YouTube TV has a free trial of 7 days.
Why get Sling Orange + Blue?
Sling is a great option if you want to cut the cord but keep access to many channels. If you don't watch sports, you don't have to get the package for them.
Why get DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV Stream is a Live TV streaming platform with a twist: you can download the app on any of your existing devices, or for a $120, you can get a box with a custom remote control for the service. But without the box, DirecTV Stream functions like a Netflix or Hulu, allowing you to stream Live TV from anywhere by downloading the app. Within your home, you can stream on up to 20 devices (!), and from outside your home you can stream on up to three devices.
Why get YouTube TV?
Youtube TV boasts a wide offering of almost every major channel, unlimited DVR, six accounts, and up to three simultaneous streams. It's the perfect option for families. The cost is a little steep, and there are cheaper options out there, but with a great interface (Live TV services are not known to always have the most intuitive interfaces) and wide availability across devices, it's fair to say that you'll get your dollar's worth.
Youtube TV boasts a wide offering of almost every major channel, unlimited DVR, six accounts, and up to three simultaneous streams. It's the perfect option for families. The cost is a little steep, and there are cheaper options out there, but with a great interface (Live TV services are not known to always have the most intuitive interfaces) and wide availability across devices, it's fair to say that you'll get your dollar's worth.
Price: $72.99/month
Free Trial: 7 days
Device availability: Airplay supported, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, LG TV, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung TV, Shareplay supported, Sharp, Vizio, Xbox
Channel lineup: ABC, ABC News, ACCN, Adult Swim, AMC, Animal Planet, BBC America, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, Big Ten Network, Bounce, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS local channels, CBS Sports Network, Cheddar, Cheddar News, CMT, CNBC, CNBC World, CNN, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Comet, Court TV, Cozi TV, Dabl, Discovery, Disney, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Docurama, Dove Channel, E!, ESPN, ESPN U, ESPN2, ESPNews, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business, Fox News, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Weather, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX, Galavision, Game Show Network, Get TV, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Family, Hallmark Mystery, HGTV, HLN, HSN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, ION, Justice Central TV, LAFC Channel, Law & Crime, Live Now, Local Now, Localish, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV 2, MTV Classic, My TV, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBA TV, NBC, NBC local channels, NBC News Now, NBC Universo, NBCLX, NBCSN, NECN, News Nation, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Orlando City Channel, OWN, Oxygen, Oxygen True Crime, Paramount, PBS, PBS Kids, PBS local channels, PC Mag, Pop, QVC, Recipe.TV, RSNs, Scripps News, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, SNY, Start TV, Sundance TV, SYFY, Tastemade, TBS, Teen Nick, TeleHit, Telemundo local channels, The CW, The Great Courses, The Weather Channel, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, Tru TV, Turner Classic Movies, TV Land, TYT, Unimas, Unimas local channels, Universal Kids, Univision, Univision local channels, USA, VH1, WE tv
Ready to cut the cord? Here are the 14 live TV streaming services that offer a free trial.
More lists
Lists on how to save money by cutting the cord.
The streaming services on this page were chosen by our editors. If you choose to subscribe to a streaming service we recommend as a result of our research, analysis, and curation, our work is sometimes (but not always) supported by an affiliate commission from the streaming service when you make a purchase.