Best TV Streaming Apps of 2023 (2023)

Best Overall: YouTube TV

Key Specs

• Cost: $64.99 per month
• Number of Channels: 85+
• Add-ons: Showtime, Fox Soccer Plus, and STARZ

Why We Chose It

YouTubeTV includes all of the major television networks, plus unlimited DVR cloud storage to record your favorite live shows.

Pros & Cons

Overview

YouTube TV offers all the major networks and dozens of additional cable channels, so it's average in terms of cost and coverage. It also includes access to YouTube Originals. The service works on Android, iOS, Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox One, compatible smart TVs, PC (via web browser).

One of the big things that YouTube TV has going for it is unlimited digital video recorder (DVR) cloud storage, which means you can record as many shows as you want, and access them from any device, without any extra charges. Three shows can be watched at the same time.

YouTube TV also includes access to shows like Cobra Kai that are normally only available to YouTube Premium subscribers.

Best to Replace Cable: DirecTV Stream

Key Specs

• Cost: $69.99 per month to $139.99 per month
• Number of Channels: 65+ channels to 140+ channels
• Add-ons: HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, and STARZ

Why We Chose It

DirecTV Stream is the best option to replace a cable subscription, offering the most live TV channels of all streaming services (but they come with a higher cost).

Pros & Cons

Overview

If you want a direct replacement for your high-end cable or satellite television subscription, then DirecTV Stream (previously AT&T TV Now) is probably the only streaming service that will even come close to satisfying you.

This streaming service offers more live streaming channels than any other service, with 140+ included in its premium subscription. However, the standard subscription includes fewer channels than some competitors for a higher monthly cost.

AT&T customers are sometimes eligible for specific bonuses. The service works on Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Android, iOS, compatible smart TVs, PC (via web browser), and two shows can be watched at the same time.

Best for Sports Fans: fuboTV

Key Specs

• Cost: $64.99
• Number of Channels: 100+
• Add-ons: Additional DVR storage, family share plan, and Showtime, plus packages for international sports, sports, adventure, Portuguese language, Spanish language, and cycling

Why We Chose It

fuboTV is a great choice for sports fans, offering college, national, and international sports along with major television networks.

Pros & Cons

Overview

While fuboTV offers a decent selection of live television channels, the real selling point of the service is sports. Most other services offer some sports channels, but fuboTV has some, like GOL TV, that you can't find elsewhere.

If watching live sports on the internet is your primary goal, then fuboTV is probably going to knock it out of the park. It's also a great choice if you want to watch either Spanish or Portuguese language sports channels. That said, it doesn't work with VPNs, which might be a knock against it if you're hoping to utilize one.

fuboTV is available to stream on Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, Android TV, PC (via web browser). Three shows can be watched at once, but additional streams are available for an extra charge.

Best for General Entertainment: Sling TV

Key Specs

• Cost: $40 to $55 per month
• Number of Channels: 31 to 47
• Add-ons: Cloud DVR, HBO, Cinemax, Starz, Showtime, Epix, and packages for kids, news, lifestyle, NBA League, and multiple languages

Why We Chose It

Sling TV is more affordable than many other live TV streaming services, providing major networks and sports with options to upgrade with specific packages.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Sling TV offers a whole lot of options, so it's a good choice for anyone who's really looking to tailor their experience. The budget-priced Orange plan is one of the least expensive options out there, offering 31 channels and 50 hours of DVR storage.

This service is a good choice for anyone who wants access to both sports and general entertainment channels. The optional sports package adds the NHL network, NBA TV, and ESPNU, and another optional add-on brings NBA League Pass to the table.

Sling TV is available to stream on Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Android TV, iOS, Android, Xbox One, compatible smart TVs, and PC (via web browser). Subscribers to Sling Orange can only watch one show at a time, but Sling Blue allows up to three shows simultaneously.

Best for Bundling: Hulu With Live TV

Key Specs

• Cost: $64.99 per month
• Number of Channels: 65+
• Add-ons: Enhanced DVR, additional concurrent streams, premium channels (HBO, Cinemax, Showtime)

Why We Chose It

Hulu With Live TV can bring live channels to a streaming service you already use, or it can be purchased on its own for an average monthly cost.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Hulu is one of the oldest and most trusted names in the streaming world, but the basic service doesn't include live television. Hulu With Live TV is an additional subscription, above and beyond the regular subscription, that adds access to live television channels.

If you're already a long-time Hulu subscriber, then this is a great way to seamlessly add a live television option to a service you already use regularly.

Hulu With Live TV is available to stream on Android, iOS, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, Xbox 360, compatible smart TVs, and PC (via web browser). Two shows can be watched at once, but additional streams are available for an added monthly charge.

Best Budget: Philo

Key Specs

• Cost: $25 per month
• Number of Channels: 60+ channels
• Add-ons: Epix and STARZ

Why We Chose It

Philo is the best budget live TV streaming service for a standard lineup of channels, and it's a great pick if the specific channels you're interested in are available (though it's not recommended for sports fans).

Pros & Cons

Overview

Philo is the most affordable multi-channel streaming service that offers live television, but it also has the fewest options and the sparsest lineup. Its plan doesn't include either ESPN or Fox Sports, for instance.

If you're looking for a cheap way to watch live television online and Philo has the channels you're looking for, then it's a great choice. The service is available to stream on iOS, Android, Roku, Chrome, and PC (via web browser) and allows you to stream three different shows at a time.

Best for Exclusive CBS Shows: Paramount+

Key Specs

• Cost: $4.99 to $9.99 per month
• Number of Channels: 4
• Add-ons: Showtime, plus a commercial-free option for $9.99 (allows content downloading for offline watching)

Why We Chose It

Paramount+ isn't the best choice for a variety of live TV channels, but it does provide access to exclusive CBS shows that are popular among many fans.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Unlike the other options for watching live television online, Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access) doesn't provide a ton of different channels. Its live TV options only include CBS, CBSN, CBS Sports HQ, and ET Live.

The main draw for Paramount+ is that it provides access to a number of exclusive, online-only CBS shows. For instance, the only way to watch Star Trek: Discovery is to sign up for Paramount+.

Paramount+ is an expansion of its previous incarnation, CBS All Access. In addition to its CBS content, Paramount+ adds exclusive streaming content from Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, and the Smithsonian Channel. There are also hundreds of Paramount movies and a ton of live sports, original content, and reboots.

If you're a fan of a lot of CBS shows and streaming new Paramount movie releases sounds fun, the inexpensive price tag makes Paramount+ a great deal.

Paramount+ allows three shows to be streamed at the same time, and it's available via Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, LG, Samsung, Vizio, Xfinity, computer with Chrome or Firefox web browsers.

Best for Add-Ons: Amazon Prime Video

Key Specs

• Cost: $14.99 per month or $139 per year
• Number of Channels: Must be purchased separately
• Add-ons: HBO, Starz, BET, AMC, Showtime, Cinemax, Discovery, PBS, BBC, and more

Why We Chose It

Amazon Prime Video doesn't offer live TV channels in its standard subscription, but it does have great add-on options for users who want specific channels.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Amazon Prime Video is included in a standard Amazon Prime subscription, so users get all the perks of Prime with one payment. However, its live TV options are better for customers that want specific channels rather than a full catalog.

Most live TV channels on Amazon Prime must be purchased separately, like HBO, Starz, BET, AMC, Showtime, Cinemax, Discovery, PBS, BBC, and more. Subscribers can often get these channels cheaper as add-ons to Prime than by purchasing subscriptions to them elsewhere, so Prime is still a good option depending on what you'd like to watch.

Plans start at $14.99 per month or $139 per year for most subscribers, but students and qualified government assistance recipients can sign up for cheaper rates ($7.49 per month or $6.99 per month, respectively).

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