Sling TV vs DirecTV Cable: Which is better?
Sling TV and DirecTV Cable are both popular options in their respective realms. Cord-cutters flock to Sling because it gets you the most bang for your buck, while TV traditionalists like DirecTV because it's both comprehensive and uncomplicated. But they differ in many crucial ways, so we take a closer look at them below.
For the purposes of this review, we'll be referring to Sling's Orange + Blue plan, which costs $55/month, and DirecTV's basic cable plan, which costs $85/month.
Advantages of Sling over DirecTV Cable: price and flexibility
Never mind the $30/month difference between the two—unlike traditional cable packages, a live TV streaming service like Sling will have upfront fees. You don't have to worry about hidden fees or even taxes depending on where you live. Yes, DirecTV Cable's 2-year contract prevents the service from increasing its price during that time, but it's unlikely that Sling, which has branded itself as the economical TV option, will soar to DirecTV prices.
Sling is also contract-free, so you can cancel your subscription anytime you want. In comparison, DirecTV Cable will charge you $20 if you decide to cancel before the contract ends.
Advantages of DirecTV Cable over Sling: variety, a TV box, and price lock
The main advantage DirecTV has over Sling is variety. DirecTV has more than double Sling's channels, and that includes local networks and the option to add premium channels like HBO for a fee. Meanwhile, Sling only provides local channels where available. If your area isn't covered you'll have to buy an OTA antenna or purchase Sling's AirTV device. That's another DirecTV advantage: it already comes with a TV box, Gemini, so you don't have to worry about extra equipment.
The last advantage of DirecTV is its price lock. We know we said Sling's prices don't even come close to DirecTV, but there is comfort in knowing that despite inflation and price hikes, your DirecTV billing, at least, remains the same.
Channels on Sling Orange + Blue and not DirecTV Cable
The channels that Sling Orange + Blue has and which are not available on DirecTV Cable:
Channels on DirecTV Cable and not Sling Orange + Blue
The channels that DirecTV Cable has which are not available on Sling Orange + Blue:
- ABC
- AccuWeather
- Animal Planet
- Antena 3
- Aquí
- BabyFirst TV
- BabyTV
- Bandamax
- Blossom
- Boomerang
- BYUtv
- C-SPAN
- C-SPAN 2
- CBS
- CBS local channels
- Cleo TV
- CMT
- CNBC
- CNN en Espanol
- CNN International
- CTN
- Daystar
- Daystar Español
- DIRECTV 4K Live
- DIRECTV 4K Live 2
- DIRECTV News Mix
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- EarthX
- Enlace
- ESNE
- EWTN
- Family Movie Channel
- FETV
- FOX
- Fox Business Network
- Free Speech TV
- FS1
- FXX
- Galavision
- GEB America
- GOD TV
- Hallmark Channel
- Hallmark Movies and Mysteries
- HITN
- Hope
- HSN
- HSN2
- ID
- Impact Television Network
- INSP
- ION Television
- JBS
- Jewish Life Television
- Living Faith Network
- MavTV
- MTV
- MTV2
- MUSIC CHOICE
- NASA TV
- Newsmax
- NewsNation
- NHK
- Nickelodeon
- NRBTV
- ONCE MEXICO
- Ovation
- Paramount Network
- PBS
- PBS Kids
- PBS local channels
- Pursuit Channel
- QVC2
- QVC3
- REELZ
- REVOLT TV
- RFD-TV
- RSNs
- Scientology Network
- Shop LC
- ShopHQ
- So Yummy!
- SonLife Broadcasting
- SundanceTV
- TBN
- TBN Inspire
- TCM
- TCT
- TeenNick
- Telemundo local channels
- The CW
- The First
- The Grio
- The WORD Network
- TV Land
- TV One
- Univision
- USA Network
- VH1
- Victory
- WE tv
- World Harvest Television
Price: Sling Orange + Blue is cheaper than DirecTV Cable
Sling Orange + Blue's costs $60 whereas DirecTV Cable costs $85. Getting DirecTV Cable instead of Sling Orange + Blue will set you back $25 more every month.
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.
Go to Sling Orange + Blue
Why get DirecTV Cable?
DirecTV's cable packages are some of the most comprehensive you'll find on the market. The cheapest plan, known as the Entertainment package, starts at $85/month and comes with 200 hours of HD DVR (unlimited on cloud). As for channels, some of the more notable ones include CNN, ESPN, The Food Network, TBS, The Disney Channel, and local networks where available. During your first three months, you'll also have access to premium channels like HBO and Showtime. DirecTV's other packages are Choice (which has RSNs), Ultimate (which has even more sports and entertainment), and Premier (which has everything plus premium channels). It may not be explicit about it, but DirecTV does have a 2-year contract, the early termination of which will cost you $20 for each of the remaining months. If this is a deal-breaker, you might want to consider DirecTV Stream, which is the provider's cordless and contractless alternative.
Go to DirecTV Cable
Devices: Sling Orange + Blue is more widely available than DirecTV Cable
Sling Orange + Blue is available on Airplay supported, AirTV, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Cox, Google TV Streamer, iOS, iPhone, LG TV, Mi Box, Roku, Samsung TV, TiVo, Vizio, Vizio Smart TV, Windows 10, Windows 11, Xbox or Xbox One.
Whereas DirecTV Cable is available on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Google TV, Roku TV, Samsung TV or Vizio. That's 15 less devices than Sling Orange + Blue.
Trial: Sling Orange + Blue does not offer a trial
Sling Orange + Blue does not offer a free trial.
Find out more on Sling Orange + Blue
Trial: DirecTV Cable does not offer a trial
DirecTV Cable does not offer a free trial.
Find out more on DirecTV Cable
Channels on both DirecTV Cable and Sling Orange + Blue
The channels that are available on both DirecTV Cable and Sling Orange + Blue are:
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DirecTV's cable packages are some of the most comprehensive you'll find on the market. The cheapest plan, known as the Entertainment package, starts at $85/month and comes with 200 hours of HD DVR (unlimited on cloud). As for channels, some of the more notable ones include CNN, ESPN, The Food Network, TBS, The Disney Channel, and local networks where available. During your first three months, you'll also have access to premium channels like HBO and Showtime. DirecTV's other packages are Choice (which has RSNs), Ultimate (which has even more sports and entertainment), and Premier (which has everything plus premium channels). It may not be explicit about it, but DirecTV does have a 2-year contract, the early termination of which will cost you $20 for each of the remaining months. If this is a deal-breaker, you might want to consider DirecTV Stream, which is the provider's cordless and contractless alternative.
Ready to cut the cord? Here are the 14 live TV streaming services that offer a free trial.
More lists
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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.