Streaming / Live TV · Tool Face-Off

Sling TV vs Paramount+

Quick answer

Sling TV wins for live TV addicts who want cable-like channel bundles without a contract. Paramount+ is the better pick for on-demand movie and show fans who also want CBS live — but it's a weaker replacement for traditional TV.

Our pick

Sling TV

Skinny cable that actually fits your budget

3.8★

Paramount+

Paramount's vault plus live CBS in your pocket

3.6★

Starting Price

$40/mo (Sling Orange or Blue)

$7.99/mo (with ads)

Ad-Free Tier

No true ad-free option

$13.99/mo (Paramount+ with SHOWTIME)

Live Channel Count

30–50+ channels depending on plan

Primarily CBS + CBS Sports Network live

On-Demand Library

Limited; mostly network catch-up

10,000+ episodes & movies from Paramount vault

Cloud DVR

50 hrs free; upgradeable to 200 hrs for $5/mo

No DVR (live content only, no recording)

Sports: NFL

ESPN, NFL Network (varies by plan)

CBS NFL games + NFL on Nickelodeon specials

Simultaneous Streams

1 (Orange) or 3 (Blue); both = 4 streams

3 streams on most plans

Contract Required

No contract, cancel anytime

Originals

None

Yellowstone prequels, Halo, Tulsa King, more

Local Channels

ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS (market-dependent)

CBS only (live); others not included

Add-On Channels

Sports Extra, Kids Extra, Hollywood Extra, etc.

SHOWTIME bundle available

Free Trial

Occasional promos; no standard free trial

7-day free trial available

Sling TV

Pricing★★★★½

Ease of Use★★★½☆

Device Support★★★★☆

DVR & Recording★★★½☆

Sports Coverage★★★★☆

Live TV Selection★★★★½

On-Demand Library★★½☆☆

Paramount+

Pricing★★★★☆

Ease of Use★★★★½

Device Support★★★★½

DVR & Recording★★☆☆☆

Sports Coverage★★★½☆

Live TV Selection★★½☆☆

On-Demand Library★★★★½

Worth knowing

Sling TV was the first live TV streaming service in the US, launching way back in 2015.
Paramount+ streams over 1,000 live sporting events per year including UEFA Champions League soccer.
Sling Orange locks you to 1 stream — meaning your roommate can boot you off your own account.
Paramount+ has content from MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, and Smithsonian Channel — not just CBS.
Sling TV offers a 'Best of Live TV' bundle combining Orange + Blue for up to 4 streams and 50+ channels.

Paramount+ once aired an NFL game exclusively on Nickelodeon — complete with slime graphics and kid-friendly commentary. Adults had to switch to CBS. The children won that day.

If you want

You want to ditch cable but keep 30+ live channels

Sling's channel bundles and add-ons come closest to a real cable replacement at a fraction of the cost.

→ Pick Sling TV

If you want

You want a cheap on-demand streaming service with solid originals

Paramount+ at $7.99/mo gives you a massive vault plus new originals — way more bang for buck than Sling for on-demand.

→ Pick Paramount+

If you want

You love recording live sports and shows to watch later

Sling's cloud DVR (50 hrs free) is a huge advantage — Paramount+ offers zero DVR functionality.

→ Pick Sling TV