How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- YouTube TV at 82.99 dollars a month is the closest full cable replacement, with 100 plus channels, locals in most markets and unlimited DVR.
- Philo at 28 dollars a month is the cheapest real bundle, but it has no sports and no local channels.
- Sling TV at 45.99 dollars a month is the cheapest way to get ESPN, but local coverage is limited to select markets.
- Prices in this category moved during 2026, with older comparisons showing lower figures, so confirm the current price on the provider site before subscribing.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 YouTube TV | Closest full cable replacement | $82.99 per month | Free trial |
 Hulu + Live TV | Live TV plus on demand bundle | $89.99 per month | Free trial |
 Sling TV | Cheapest ESPN access | $45.99 per month | No |
 Fubo | Serious sports fans | $84.99 per month | Free trial |
 DIRECTV Stream | Regional sports and cable feel | $94.99 per month | Free trial |
 Philo | Cheapest entertainment bundle | $28 per month | Free trial |
 Frndly TV | Family friendly budget bundle | $6.99 per month | Free trial |
 Tubi | Free on demand supplement | Free | Yes |
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The best cable alternatives
Starting price$82.99 per month
Free planFree trial
YouTube TV is the default cable replacement for most households. The base plan covers 100 plus channels, including ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports and local affiliates in most markets, plus unlimited cloud DVR kept for nine months. Three simultaneous streams cover a family, and the interface is simple enough that a cable viewer can switch without a learning curve.
The price is the main complaint. Older 2026 comparisons showed 73 to 78 dollars, while current comparisons list 82.99 dollars, so the bill now approaches old cable pricing for some households. Regional sports coverage is also limited compared with DIRECTV. Still, for a household that wants locals, sports and news in one app with no contract, YouTube TV is the safest pick.
What we like- 100 plus channels with locals in most markets
- Unlimited DVR kept 9 months
- Three streams included
Watch out for- Price rose during 2026
- Regional sports coverage is limited
- No 4K on most live content without add-on
#2Hulu + Live TV
Best for: Live TV plus on demand bundle1.3/5 on
Trustpilot (3,338 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit hulu.com
Starting price$89.99 per month
Free planFree trial
Hulu + Live TV bundles the most content into one bill. The live package covers about 95 channels with locals in most markets, and the subscription also includes the Hulu on demand library, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus. Unlimited DVR is included, which keeps the service competitive with YouTube TV for recording.
The base price of 89.99 dollars a month is the highest in this list, and the base plan allows only two streams, with more costing extra. There is also no 4K on live content. If your household already pays separately for Hulu, Disney Plus or ESPN Plus, the bundle math can still work out cheaper than buying them apart.
What we like- About 95 live channels plus Hulu library, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus
- Unlimited DVR
- Two streams, upgradeable
Watch out for- Highest base price here
- Two streams on base plan
- No 4K on live content
Starting price$45.99 per month
Free planNo
Sling TV takes a different approach from the big bundles: smaller packages you can mix. Orange leans sports with ESPN, Blue leans entertainment and news, and the combined plan costs more but still undercuts the full bundles. Base pricing starts at 45.99 dollars a month in current comparisons, with 30 to 50 plus channels depending on package.
The gaps matter. Local channels cover only select markets, there is no CBS, and the base DVR holds 50 hours, with unlimited storage as a 5 dollar add-on. An antenna can fill the local gap for many households. For a viewer who mainly wants ESPN and a few cable channels at the lowest price, Sling is the clear pick.
What we like- Lowest price for ESPN and FS1
- Modular Orange and Blue packages
- Frequent new customer promotions
Watch out for- Local coverage only in select markets
- No CBS
- 50 hours DVR on base plan
Starting price$84.99 per month
Free planFree trial
Fubo is built for sports first. Channel counts run from 180 to more than 300 depending on tier, with strong international sports coverage and the best 4K live sports presentation in this list. Higher tiers allow up to 10 simultaneous streams, which suits a house full of fans on game day.
The cost rises quickly once add-ons and regional sports fees stack, and the absence of TNT, TBS and truTV removes some NBA and entertainment coverage. Current comparisons list the base at 84.99 dollars a month, though older figures were lower. If live sports dominate your viewing, Fubo earns its price. If not, a cheaper bundle covers the same entertainment for less.
What we like- 180 to 300 plus channels
- Best 4K live sports
- Up to 10 streams on higher tiers
Watch out for- Price climbs fast with add-ons
- Does not carry TNT, TBS or truTV
- Regional sports fees can apply
Starting price$94.99 per month
Free planFree trial
DIRECTV Stream feels most like the cable box it replaces. Channel counts run from 90 to more than 185, regional sports networks are strongest here, and unlimited DVR kept nine months matches the leaders. The interface and channel guide will feel familiar to a long time cable subscriber, which shortens the adjustment.
The price is the highest starting point in this list at 94.99 dollars a month, and the top tier reaches 174.99 dollars, which erases much of the cord cutting savings. A free tier called MyFree DIRECTV exists for on demand content, but it does not replace live channels. Choose DIRECTV Stream when regional sports are non negotiable and the budget allows it.
What we like- 90 to 185 plus channels
- Best regional sports networks
- Unlimited DVR and familiar cable interface
Watch out for- Highest starting price here
- Top tier reaches 174.99 dollars
- Add-on regional sports fees
Starting price$28 per month
Free planFree trial
Philo is the budget champion for entertainment viewers. For 28 dollars a month you get 70 plus channels, unlimited DVR kept for a full year, and three streams. The lineup covers lifestyle, reality, drama and kids programming well, and the price has stayed low while rivals climbed.
The exclusions are total: no sports, no local channels, and only BBC World for national news. Philo only works as a cable replacement when paired with an antenna for locals or a separate sports option. For a household that watches entertainment and skips sports, it saves more than 50 dollars a month against the big bundles.
What we like- 70 plus channels for 28 dollars
- Unlimited DVR kept a year
- Three streams included
Watch out for- No sports channels
- No local channels
- Almost no national news
Starting price$6.99 per month
Free planFree trial
Frndly TV is the cheapest paid bundle here, starting at 6.99 dollars a month for 50 plus channels, with plans up to 11.99 dollars adding more streams and longer DVR retention. The lineup leans family friendly, with Hallmark, A and E, History and similar channels, which suits households that want wholesome programming without a big bill.
Sports and news depth are thin, and the basic tier allows only one stream, so families need a higher tier for simultaneous viewing. Channel count is also smaller than Philo. As a second service beside an antenna or a sports bundle, Frndly TV is a low cost way to add entertainment channels.
What we like- 50 plus channels from 6.99 dollars
- Family friendly lineup
- Unlimited DVR on higher tiers
Watch out for- No sports or news depth
- Only 1 stream on basic tier
- Smaller channel set than Philo
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Tubi is not a live TV replacement, but it belongs in a cord cutting plan as the free supplement. The on demand library covers movies and classic TV in depth, with no subscription and no card required, supported by ads. Pairing Tubi with an antenna for locals and a cheap bundle like Philo or Frndly TV covers a surprising amount of viewing for little money.
The limits are clear: no live channels, no live sports, and few new releases. Ad breaks interrupt viewing, though they are shorter than broadcast ad loads. Treat Tubi as the free layer of a stack, not as a standalone cable replacement, and it earns its place in every budget plan.
What we like- Fully free with a large on demand library
- No subscription or card needed
- Good movie and classic TV catalog
Watch out for- No live cable channels
- Ad supported
- New releases are rare
How we chose
We compared current pricing and channel counts from independent comparisons published in 2026, and we weighed local coverage, sports rights, DVR terms, stream counts and contract freedom. We noted where prices conflict across sources, since several services raised prices during 2026, and we favored services with no long term contract. No tool was credited with hands-on testing, and no user counts, awards or ratings were invented for this guide.
What to check before you cancel cable
Start with your must have channels, not the total count. Write down the five channels your household actually watches weekly, then check each service for those exact channels in your zip code, since local and regional sports availability varies by market. A 200 channel bundle that lacks your regional sports network is worse than a 50 channel bundle that has it.
Next, add up the full stack. Live TV services need home internet, so include that bill, plus any add-ons for extra streams, unlimited DVR or 4K. A bundle that looks cheaper than cable can match cable once add-ons stack, so price the exact configuration you will use. Also test the free trial during a live sports event, since stream reliability under load matters more than a quiet weekday test.
Finally, keep an exit path. All services here allow monthly cancellation, so try one for a month before cancelling cable, and keep the antenna option in mind: a one time antenna purchase covers local channels free for years, which lets you drop to a cheaper bundle like Philo or Frndly TV.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest cable alternative that still has live TV?
Frndly TV at 6.99 dollars a month is cheapest, but its lineup is narrow and family focused. Philo at 28 dollars is the cheapest broad entertainment bundle, while Sling TV at 45.99 dollars is the cheapest route to ESPN and live sports channels.
Can I get local channels without cable?
Yes, in two ways. Most big bundles include locals in most markets, and a one time indoor or outdoor antenna receives local ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox free over the air. An antenna plus Philo or Frndly TV is the lowest cost full coverage stack for many households.
Do these services require a contract?
No, all eight services here bill monthly and allow cancellation any month. DIRECTV Stream and others may offer promotional pricing tied to a term, so read the offer terms, but the base plans are contract free.
How many streams do I get?
YouTube TV includes three streams, Hulu + Live TV includes two on the base plan, Sling ranges from one to three by package, Fubo allows up to 10 on higher tiers, Philo includes three, and Frndly TV starts at one. Check stream counts before subscribing if several people watch at once.
Is an antenna still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, for most households. A one time antenna purchase delivers local channels free, including sports on broadcast networks, with no monthly fee. It pairs well with any bundle that lacks locals, especially Sling and Philo.
Why do prices differ between comparison sites?
Because several services raised prices during 2026, older articles show lower figures. Always confirm the current price on the provider site and in checkout before subscribing, and watch for promotional pricing that rises after the first months.
Sources we checked (4)
- https://www.budgetseniors.com/streaming/best-live-tv-subscription-services/
- https://www.householdadvocate.com/blog/live-tv-streaming-services-2026
- https://www.allconnect.com/tv/cable-tv-alternatives
- https://www.cabletv.com/streaming/best-live-tv-streaming-services
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.