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
- This guide lists licensed services only. Unlicensed IPTV sellers that promise thousands of channels for a few dollars carry legal and security risks, and we do not list them.
- YouTube TV is the closest full cable replacement, with major locals, sports, and unlimited DVR.
- Hulu + Live TV bundles live channels with the Hulu on demand library, Disney+, and ESPN+.
- Sling TV is the cheapest paid cable style option, with Orange and Blue packages you can mix.
- Fubo leads for sports fans, while DIRECTV Stream leads for regional sports networks.
- Philo is the budget pick for entertainment channels, and Tubi is free with ads for movies and shows.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 YouTube TV | Full cable replacement | See website | Free trial |
 Hulu + Live TV | Live plus on demand bundle | See website | Free trial |
 Sling TV | Budget cable style plan | See website | Free trial |
 Fubo | Sports fans | See website | Free trial |
 DIRECTV Stream | Regional sports and premium | See website | Free trial |
 Philo | Budget entertainment | $25 per month | Free channels |
 Tubi | Free movies and shows | Free | Yes |
Is your product missing or out of date?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.
The best TVPass alternatives
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
YouTube TV streams live TV from ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and popular cable networks in English and Spanish, with recording that has no DVR storage space limits and a free trial with cancellation anytime. Comparison sources report more than 100 channels, including major locals, top sports channels like ESPN and FS1, and entertainment hubs like HGTV, TNT, and Bravo.
The trade-offs are price and regional sports. YouTube TV costs more than budget options, and it does not carry every regional sports network. For most households that want one service to replace cable with minimal compromise, YouTube TV remains the default pick.
What we like- Major locals plus ESPN and popular cable networks
- Unlimited DVR storage
- Spanish language networks included
Watch out for- Price has risen over the years
- Some regional sports networks are missing
#2Hulu + Live TV
Best for: Live plus on demand bundle1.3/5 on
Trustpilot (3,338 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit hulu.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Hulu + Live TV combines live television with the full Hulu on demand library, plus Disney+ and ESPN+ in the bundle, giving one subscription for both live and on demand viewing. Comparison sources report more than 95 live channels and a large on demand catalog, making it the most complete entertainment package on this list.
The caveat is evidence: the Hulu homepage was blocked by policy in this session, so this listing rests on search evidence rather than a homepage open, and buyers should confirm current pricing and channel lineups on the vendor site. For households that already want Disney+ and ESPN+, the bundle value is hard to beat.
What we like- 95 plus live channels
- Bundles Disney+, ESPN+, and the Hulu on demand library
- Unlimited DVR on higher tiers
Watch out for- Homepage could not be opened in this session due to a policy block, so details rest on search evidence
- Price is premium
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Sling TV is the budget way to keep live channels. Its terms page confirms the stream limits that define the service: Sling Orange allows one stream at a time, Sling Blue allows up to three, and Orange plus Blue together allow up to four, with local channels including ABC, FOX, and NBC available only in select markets. Programming is US only, and prices and features can change without notice.
The trade-off is coverage. Sling costs less because it carries fewer channels and fewer locals than YouTube TV or DIRECTV Stream, and CBS is not included in most markets. For viewers who mainly watch a subset of channels and want the lowest paid bill, Sling is the right pick.
What we like- Lowest cost paid cable style option
- Orange for sports and family, Blue for entertainment and news
- Mix both for more channels
Watch out for- Local channels only in select markets
- One stream on Orange, three on Blue
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Fubo is the sports first live TV service. Its homepage promotes live sports and TV without cable, with a free trial and no commitment, and lists channels including ESPN, ABC, NFL Network, FOX Sports 1, ESPN2, FOX, Big Ten Network, NHL Network, SEC Network, CBS Sports Network, CBS, NBC, ACC Network, and Telemundo. Reviewers cited on the homepage call it top tier for sports.
The catch is price and entertainment gaps. Fubo costs more than Sling or Philo, and some entertainment channels that cable carries are absent. For households where live sports, especially regional teams, are the core requirement, Fubo is the strongest pick on this list.
What we like- Strong sports coverage including ESPN, FOX Sports, NFL Network, and regional sports
- Free trial with no commitment
- Apps for all devices
Watch out for- Premium price
- Some entertainment channels are missing compared with cable
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
DIRECTV Stream is the premium cable replacement. Its homepage describes streaming live TV with the ultimate pro basketball, football, and hockey experience, ESPN Unlimited included in streaming packages, and streaming apps included with the Gemini device. Comparison tables on the page claim most in market regional sports networks, unlimited streams on the home network, and multiview for up to four channels at once.
The trade-off is price. DIRECTV Stream is the most expensive service here, and its top tier can cost as much as traditional cable. For viewers who want regional sports networks that other services lack, or who want the closest thing to a traditional cable experience, DIRECTV Stream is the only choice that fits.
What we like- Most in market regional sports networks
- Unlimited streams on home network
- Multiview for up to four channels
- ESPN Unlimited included in packages
Watch out for- Most expensive option on this list
- Premium tiers can cost as much as cable
Starting price$25 per month
Free planFree channels
Philo is the cheapest paid live TV service that still feels like TV. Its homepage confirms the Essential plan at $25 per month with 70 plus live channels and more than 75,000 movies and shows on demand, plus a 7 day free trial, and a Bundle+ plan at $33 per month that adds the AMC+ library, HBO Max Basic with Ads, and discovery+. Both plans include 1 year unlimited cloud DVR, up to 3 devices at once, up to 10 profiles, and cancellation anytime with no contract.
The catch is scope. Philo carries entertainment, lifestyle, and news channels like BET, Discovery, HGTV, and Hallmark, but no sports and no local networks. Pair it with an antenna for locals, or use it as a cheap supplement to a sports service. For entertainment only households, Philo is the best value on this list.
What we like- Essential plan at $25 per month with 70 plus channels
- Unlimited DVR for 12 months
- 7 day free trial
- Free channels tier with no credit card
Watch out for- No sports or local networks
- Entertainment only
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Tubi is the free option that makes a paid service optional for casual viewers. Its homepage shows a large library of free movies and TV shows, from classics like Looney Tunes and Scooby-Doo to recent films and originals, all available without a subscription. Tubi also carries free ad supported live channels, so it works for channel surfing as well as on demand viewing.
The trade-offs are ads and coverage. Tubi is ad supported, and it does not replace premium live sports or cable channels. As a free supplement, or as the whole TV diet for light viewers, Tubi costs nothing and requires no commitment, which makes it the safest first try on this list.
What we like- Completely free with ads
- Large movie and show library
- Live channels included
- No subscription required
Watch out for- Ad supported
- No premium live sports or cable channels
- Catalog rotates
How we chose
We compared licensed live TV and streaming services only, since unlicensed IPTV sellers carry legal and security risks and cannot guarantee channel rights. Each vendor homepage was opened to confirm the service exists today and matches its category, except Hulu, whose homepage was blocked by policy in this session and is listed on search evidence with that flag. Pricing was taken from vendor pages where published, and written as See website where prices vary by package or have changed recently. We kept a mix of full cable replacements, sports focused services, budget entertainment, and free options, since TVPass seekers range from cord cutters to casual viewers. Prices change often in streaming, so confirm the current price on the vendor site before subscribing.
Watching legally without overpaying
Start with what you actually watch. List the channels and shows your household cannot miss, then check each service's current lineup for those exact channels, since lineups change and local availability varies by market. Free services like Tubi and Philo's free channels tier cost nothing to try, and an antenna can cover local networks for free in many areas.
Beware of sellers promising thousands of premium channels for a few dollars a month. Those services typically lack content rights, can disappear overnight, and may expose your payment details and devices to risk. Licensed services cost more, but they carry real rights, reliable streams, customer support, and refunds. Finally, trial before you commit: every paid service here offers a free trial, and month to month billing means you can cancel if the lineup does not fit.
Frequently asked questions
Is TVPass still available?
TVPass related sites have faced shutdown reports, and availability varies. This guide lists licensed services that do not depend on any single IPTV seller, so your subscription stays valid regardless of what happens to TVPass.
Which TVPass alternative is cheapest?
Tubi is free with ads. Philo is the cheapest paid option at $25 per month for 70 plus entertainment channels. Sling TV is the cheapest paid cable style option with sports channels. Check each service free trial length before paying, since trial terms change from time to time.
Do any of these services carry regional sports networks?
DIRECTV Stream carries the most in market regional sports networks, and Fubo carries many as well. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV carry few or none, so check your team's network before subscribing.
Can I watch local channels on these services?
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DIRECTV Stream include major locals in most markets. Sling TV carries locals only in select markets. Philo and Tubi do not carry locals, so pair them with an antenna if locals matter.
Are free services like Tubi legal?
Yes. Tubi is a licensed, ad supported streaming service owned by Fox Corporation, with rights to its catalog and channels. Free does not mean unlicensed: the difference is advertising revenue versus subscription revenue.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes, all paid services here are month to month with no long term contract, and most offer free trials. Cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges, and check each service's terms for DVR and add on billing.
Sources we checked (7)
- https://tv.youtube.com
- https://www.hulu.com/live-tv
- https://www.sling.com
- https://www.fubo.tv
- https://www.directv.com/stream
- https://www.philo.com
- https://tubitv.com
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.