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YouTube TV vs DirecTV Stream

Quick answer

YouTube TV is the better pick for most cord-cutters: cleaner interface, unlimited DVR, and a lower base price. DirecTV Stream wins if you need regional sports networks or want premium add-ons bundled in higher tiers.

Our pick

YouTube TV

Google's living-room-friendly cable killer

4.4★

DirecTV Stream

Satellite TV's attempt to go cloudward

3.6★

Base Plan Price

$72.99/mo (Base)

$79.99/mo (Entertainment)

Top Tier Price

$72.99/mo (one plan)

$169.99/mo (Premier)

DVR Storage

Unlimited cloud DVR

20 hours (unlimited on higher tiers)

Simultaneous Streams

3 (up to 6 with Family Sharing)

Unlimited in-home; 3 outside

Local Channels

ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox in most markets

Regional Sports Networks

Not included

Included on Choice tier+

Contract Required

No contract

Free Trial

No current trial

5-day free trial

4K Streaming

Available (4K Plus add-on, ~$9.99/mo)

Available on select content

Number of Channels (base)

~100+ channels

~75 channels

Supported Devices

Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android, iOS, web, smart TVs

Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android, iOS, web (no Samsung smart TV app)

Español/International Add-ons

Limited Spanish-language add-ons

More robust Spanish & international packages

YouTube TV

Pricing★★★★☆

Ease of Use★★★★★

Device Support★★★★½

DVR & On-Demand★★★★★

Sports Coverage★★★★☆

Channel Selection★★★★☆

Streaming Quality★★★★½

DirecTV Stream

Pricing★★½☆☆

Ease of Use★★★½☆

Device Support★★★½☆

DVR & On-Demand★★★☆☆

Sports Coverage★★★★½

Channel Selection★★★★½

Streaming Quality★★★★☆

Worth knowing

YouTube TV launched in 2017 and now has over 8 million subscribers.
DirecTV Stream replaced the AT&T TV brand in 2021 after a rocky rebrand history.
YouTube TV's unlimited DVR stores recordings for 9 months — longer than most competitors.
DirecTV Stream's Premier tier includes HBO Max, Starz, and Showtime bundled in.
Neither service requires a physical dish, set-top box, or a two-year lock-in contract.

DirecTV has rebranded so many times (DirecTV Now → AT&T TV Now → AT&T TV → DirecTV Stream) that its own marketing team probably needs a flow chart to keep up.

If you want

You want the best value and simplest experience

YouTube TV's single flat-rate plan with unlimited DVR beats DirecTV Stream's confusing tier ladder on almost every metric.

→ Pick YouTube TV

If you want

You need regional sports networks (MLB, NBA, NHL local games)

DirecTV Stream is one of the few streamers that still carries RSNs, making it essential for die-hard local sports fans.

→ Pick DirecTV Stream

If you want

You're a heavy multi-room streamer at home

Unlimited in-home simultaneous streams on DirecTV Stream means the whole household can watch different things without hitting a cap.

→ Pick DirecTV Stream