Live TV Streaming · Tool Face-Off

YouTube TV vs Sling TV

Quick answer

YouTube TV wins on channel depth and polish, but Sling TV wins on price and flexibility — pick your poison based on your wallet and must-have channels.

Our pick

YouTube TV

The cable replacement that actually replaces cable

4.4★

Sling TV

Skinny bundles for cord-cutters on a budget

3.6★

Starting Price

$72.99/mo

$40/mo (Orange or Blue)

Full Package Price

$72.99/mo (all-in)

~$60/mo (Orange + Blue)

Channel Count

~100 channels

~40-90 channels (plan dependent)

DVR Storage

Unlimited cloud DVR

50 hrs free, 200 hrs for $5/mo extra

Simultaneous Streams

3 streams included

1 (Orange) or 3 (Blue) streams

Local Channels (ABC/NBC/CBS/FOX)

Yes, in most markets

FOX & NBC only (Blue plan); ABC/CBS limited

ESPN

Yes, included

Orange or Orange+Blue plan only

NFL RedZone Add-on

Yes, ~$10/mo extra

Free Trial

None currently

Contract

No contract, cancel anytime

4K Streaming

Yes (select content)

Limited/rare

Add-on Packages

Few (Sports Plus, etc.)

Extensive à la carte add-ons

YouTube TV

Pricing★★★☆☆

Ease of Use★★★★½

Channel Count★★★★½

DVR & Storage★★★★★

Device Support★★★★½

Sports Coverage★★★★½

Streaming Quality★★★★½

Sling TV

Pricing★★★★½

Ease of Use★★★½☆

Channel Count★★★½☆

DVR & Storage★★★☆☆

Device Support★★★★☆

Sports Coverage★★★½☆

Streaming Quality★★★½☆

Worth knowing

YouTube TV raised its price from $49.99 to $72.99/mo since 2020 — a 46% jump in just a few years.
Sling TV was the very first live TV streaming service in the US, launching back in 2015.
YouTube TV's unlimited DVR stores recordings for 9 months — long enough to forget you saved something.
Sling Blue lets 3 people stream simultaneously; Sling Orange caps at just 1 — read the fine print.
YouTube TV bundles all local affiliates and cable channels in one flat price with zero add-on confusion.

Sling TV is owned by Dish Network — the same satellite TV company it was supposed to make obsolete. Awkward family dinner, that.

If you want

You want the closest thing to cable with zero hassle

YouTube TV's 100 channels, unlimited DVR, and solid local coverage make it a true cable killer at one flat price.

→ Pick YouTube TV

If you want

You're on a tight budget or only watch a handful of channels

Sling's $40 entry point and à la carte add-ons mean you only pay for what you actually watch.

→ Pick Sling TV

If you want

You're a sports fanatic who needs ESPN AND local FOX/NBC

Sling Orange+Blue combo gets you ESPN plus the sports-heavy Blue lineup for ~$60 vs YouTube TV's $73.

→ Pick Sling TV

If you want

You record everything and hate storage limits

Unlimited cloud DVR with 9-month retention is a league of its own — Sling's 50-hour free limit disappears fast.

→ Pick YouTube TV

NBA League PassVSYouTube TV

Hulu Live TVVSSling TV

Live TV Streaming

Paramount+VSSling TV

Streaming (Lioness S3 viewers)

Sling TVVSDirecTV Stream

Live TV Streaming

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YouTube TV vs Sling TV

YouTube TV

Sling TV

Worth knowing

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