Best Philo Alternatives in 2024
By Staff, Deja Harris• Edited by Lisa Holden • Updated Dec 04, 2023
Philo is a popular, budget-friendly streaming service, but it's not for everyone. If you're looking for something similar to Philo, but with more channels, better compatibility, or extra features, this guide will offer up some options. We'll take a look at the best Philo alternatives, including Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Stream.
Philo and DirecTV Stream make entertainment easy to access
Another thing that many people like about Philo is how easy it is to access. It runs on a range of devices, like Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, Android and iOS mobile devices, browsers, and smart TVs from select brands like Sony, too. If you love that kind of accessibility, you’ll enjoy DirecTV Stream, too.
DirecTV Stream has incredible device compatibility, running on a huge list of devices that includes Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, phones from Android and iOS, web browsers like Chrome and Firefox, and smart TVs, too. Plus, it offers up to 20 simultaneous streams on your home network and an impressive unlimited amount of hours of DVR space.
It's a lot more expensive than Philo, but you do get a lot more content for your money with DirecTV Stream, with the top-end plans offering over 150 channels and the on-demand library of Max.
Fubo provides superior sporting content to Philo
One of the downsides to Philo is that it doesn't offer any kind of sports content. This is a pretty big hole in the service, and if you feel like you're missing out on sporting action with Philo, Fubo could be the answer. This service takes everything good about Philo and builds on it, with more channels and especially more sports content.
Fubo offers 170+ channels by default, rising to over 240 channels if you opt for the Elite package. There are also lots of add-ons and optional channels to customize your package with Fubo, giving you much more content than Philo can hope to provide.
Fubo also runs on more devices than Philo, working well with iOS and Android mobile devices, living room devices like Roku and Chromecast, smart TVs from leading brands, and more. It has up to 10 simultaneous streams and 1,000 hours of DVR space, too.
Philo and Hulu+ Live TV offer great on-demand content
One of the things that many people appreciate about Philo is how it blends live TV with on-demand content, giving you multiple ways to watch your favorite shows and films. If you enjoy this kind of versatility, you'll also like Hulu + Live TV, which blends all of the on-demand content of the Hulu library with dozens of live TV channels.
Hulu + Live TV is a great fusion of live and on-demand viewing experiences. It not only gives you full access to Hulu but also comes with ESPN+ and Disney+, too, giving you sporting action and family-friendly content to watch again and again.
In terms of channels, you'll also find the likes of local CBS and NBC news, SyFy, A&E, and Fox Sports on Hulu + Live TV. When it comes to features, Hulu + Live TV has an optional "Unlimited Streams" add-on to watch on as many devices as you like at home, as well as an unlimited amount of DVR storage, too.
Philo and Sling TV are both great for budget-conscious people
Budget is a big concern for a lot of people when it comes to picking a streaming service to sign up for, and this is one of the main reasons why Philo is so popular. With its super low monthly cost, Philo has attracted a lot of budget-conscious cord-cutters over the years, and Sling TV is another affordable option to consider.
Sling TV is still more expensive than Philo, but it's still very affordable compared to many of the other streaming services on the market. And it offers great value for money, as you can get access to ESPN, major news networks, and a range of entertainment channels like Comedy Central and Disney Channel, too.
Sling also runs well on a lot of different devices, including Chromecast, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android and iOS phones, video game consoles, and more. Plus, it offers up to four simultaneous streams per use, which is slightly better than Philo's three simultaneous streams policy.
Philo and YouTube TV have great family content
A lot of families sign up for Philo and enjoy the platform's family-focused content. Well, if you're looking for another streaming service that is also great for families with kids, YouTube TV is worth considering.
It may be quite a new streaming service, but YouTube TV is already making waves in the streaming world due to its huge number of channels and ease of use. You get access to 100+ channels in total, and this includes plenty of family-friendly fun like Cartoon Network, Animal Planet, Disney Channel, and Nickelodeon. It also comes with sports channels, news channels, documentaries, and more.
In terms of devices, YouTube TV and Philo are quite similar and you can watch YouTube TV on your web browser, your phone, tablet, smart TV, and select living room devices. YouTube TV also offers three simultaneous streams, just like Philo, and it has the advantage of unlimited DVR space for up to 9 months.
Khadija Bilal • Author
Khadija Bilal is an accomplished writer with over a decade of experience under her belt. Having developed a versatile writing style that allows her to tackle a wide range of topics, Khadija has several publications to her name. Khadija’s expertise includes in-depth guides and how-to articles.
Lisa Holden • Editor
Lisa Holden is an editor and creative based in Houston, TX. Lisa holds a BA in African-American Studies from Temple University and has spent her career working in news publications and magazines, even founding a magazine herself. When she’s not editing or working on one of her many creative endeavors (whenever that is), she enjoys traveling to new places and biking on sunny days.