Wireless has taken over the modern world. The revolution started by video killing the radio star, followed by the creation of live TV streaming services that soon became the best alternative to cable.
On that note, we decided to create a list of companies that provide first-rate live and on-demand services out there, based on the following criteria:
- Content
- Number of channels
- Device support
- DVR storage
- Recommended internet speed
- Trial and price
Now, cut the cord to your outdated TV-set and tune in to discover what technological advances have got to offer!
8 Exciting Cable TV Alternatives in 2022
We may earn a commission on sales made from partner links on this page. This doesn’t affect our research and evaluation process. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure. 1. YouTube TV
Most Popular Choice
- Unlimited DVR recording
- Pausing membership for up to six months
- Original shows and movies
2. Hulu With Live TV
Best Original Content
- Entertainment and sports programs
- No contract
- You can choose a subscription plan that excludes ads
4. Sling TV
Excellent Customizable Subscription Plans
- Low-cost subscription plans
- Free switch between two subscription plans
- Affordable add-ons
6. DIRECTV
Best Variety of Subscription Plans
- Numerous subscription plans
- 500 hours of DVR storage
- HBO Max and Cinemax included
7. Frndly TV
Most Family-Friendly
- Family entertainment programs
- Inexpensive
- Unlimited DVR recordings
- 2–4 simultaneous streams
8. TVision
Best for T-Mobile Users
- Two simultaneous streams
- Local, sports, and entertainment channels
- 100 hours of DVR
- Four subscription plans
Top 8 Cable Alternatives (Detailed Reviews)
1. YouTube TV
Most Popular Choice
- Best for: Watching various programs, videos, and original content
- Library: 85+ channels
- Device support: Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, and others
- DVR storage: Unlimited space
- Recommended internet speed: 3–13 Mbps
- Trial: 7–14 days
Highlights — Launched in 2017, YouTube TV is a live streaming TV service that offers sports, news, and entertainment channels. YouTube is considered the best alternative to cable and satellite TV for many reasons.
First, it has a familiar interface as we all have used YouTube at least a couple of times. Secondly, it offers various channels — entertainment, sports, and news. Lastly, it comes with unlimited DVR storage that keeps your recordings for nine months.
Let’s not forget that YouTube TV offers original shows and movies and broadcasts local news channels — ABC, CBS, PBS, and others. Moreover, Youtube TV is a great choice for Gen Z since 89% of these neo-digital natives use YouTube at least once a week.
In a nutshell, if you want the good cable TV alternatives that offer live TV, on-demand movies, unlimited DVR recording, original content, popular TV shows, local news channels, and YouTube videos — YouTube TV is worth considering.
Subscription plans — YouTube TV has only one subscription plan that costs $64.99 per month. It includes over 85 channels, from sports channels (ESPN, NBA TV, CBS Sports Network) to news (MSNBC, CNBC, BBC World News), lifestyle (Food Network, Nat Geo, Pop), and kids channels (Disney, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon).
Then again, if you’re a fan of History Channel, you’re in for a rude awakening. Keep a watchful eye, though, since it just added Hallmark channels.
YouTube TV could be your best replacement for cable TV for yet one more reason — you can pause or cancel the subscription at any time. So, if you need a breather after the heartbreaking Season 5 finale of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you can pause your subscription for up to six months and reactivate it without losing any of the recorded material.
On the flip side, if you cancel the subscription, your recordings will expire after 21 days.
Add-ons — YouTube TV offers dozens of add-ons, including the following:
- HBO, HBO Max ($15)
- Showtime ($11)
- Starz ($9)
- EPIX ($6)
- Hallmark Movies Now ($6)
- AMC Premiere ($5)
Pros
- + Unlimited DVR recording
- + Pausing membership for up to six months
- + Original shows and movies
Cons
- − Not among the cheapest
2. Hulu With Live TV
Best Original Content
- Best for: Watching original content and mixed (entertainment and sports) programs
- Library: 65+ channels
- Device support: PC, iOS, Xbox, PS4, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, etc.
- DVR storage: 50–200 hours
- Recommended internet speed: 3–16 Mbps
- Trial: 30 days
Highlights — Hulu, a cable alternative, was founded 13 years ago as a video-on-demand service, while the company launched its Hulu + Live TV service in 2017. Now, if there is one thing we all associated with this service in 2017, it was Hulu’s original, Emmy awarded TV series, The Handmaid’s Tale, based on the fantastic novel by Margaret Atwood.
As an online streaming service that’s all about original TV shows, Hulu + Live TV comes with two subscription plans that include more than 65 channels (ABC, TLC, Cartoon Network, and many others). Hulu’s program list is not limited to entertainment only as there are also sports channels, like ESPN, CBS, FS1, and FOX.
As you know, the best cable TV replacement doesn’t require cable boxes, and the same goes for Hulu. Furthermore, you can cancel your subscription at any time.
Subscription plans — Hulu offers four subscription plans:
- Hulu — $6.99 per month
- Hulu (No Ads) — $12.99 per month
- Hulu + Live TV — $69.99 per month
- Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+ — $75.99 per month
While with Hulu you won’t be able to watch AMC, BBC America, MLB Network, and NBA TV, if you sign up for the Hulu Plus Live TV package, you’ll get to watch Disney+ and ESPN+, which cost $14.00 on their own.
Now, hardly any cable replacement services will save you from skipping the ads. The only way to get rid of them is to subscribe to the no ads plan or to pay an additional $9.99 for an upgrade that will also increase your DVR storage from 50 to 200 hours.
Add-ons — Hulu offers various add-ons:
- HBO Max ($14.99)
- Showtime ($10.99)
- Cinemax ($9.99)
- Unlimited screens ($9.99)
- Starz ($8.99)
- Español add-on with Spanish-language live streams ($4.99)
Pros
- + Entertainment and sports programs
- + No contract
- + You can choose a subscription plan that excludes ads
Cons
- − Only two simultaneous streams (unless you pay extra)
3. Philo TV
Great Value for Money
- Best for: Those on a budget
- Library: 60+ channels
- Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, iPhones, iPads, Android, etc.
- DVR storage: Unlimited
- Recommended internet speed: 13 Mbps
- Trial: 7 days
Highlights — Philo, a cable TV alternative, was named after a television pioneer, Philo Farnsworth. Compared to other streaming services, Philo is one of the less expensive platforms that offers 60+ channels, with an emphasis on entertainment programs (cooking shows, cartoons, reality shows). In short, there are no sports and local news channels (except for the Motor Trend channel).
Not only is Philo one of the cheaper alternatives to cable TV, but it also has one exceptional feature — unlimited DVR. In other words, you’ll be able to save any program you want with no limitation. Be that as it may, all the programs you saved on the DVR will be deleted after 30 days, so make sure to keep track.
What’s more, there are no contracts whatsoever. To sign in, you just need to enter your email address or phone number. Finally, you’ll be able to cancel your subscription any time you want.
Subscription plans — Is Philo the most affordable replacement for cable TV? It looks that way. Philo comes with only one subscription plan that costs $25.00 per month (a $5 increase in recent years). With the subscription, you’ll get 60+ channels, mostly entertainment (Animal Planet, Cooking Channel, Crime and Investigation). Similar to most cheap cable alternatives, though, Philo doesn’t offer sports and local news channels.
Add-ons — In the same fashion as other TV streaming platforms, Philo offers multiple add-ons. For example, if you’re a fan of movies, you can add Starz to your subscription for $9 or Epix channels for $6 to rewatch Hollywood’s Golden Era classics.
There is one downside, however. According to the reviews, you can at times get a “Recording Disabled” error when trying to DVR a show. That is because the platform doesn’t have the right to record that program or show where you live.
Pros
- + 60+ channels for $25
- + No binding contract
- + Unlimited DVR
Cons
- − Occasionally you can’t record everything
4. Sling TV
Excellent Customizable Subscription Plans
- Best for: Customizing subscription plans
- Library: About 32–47 channels
- Device support: Xbox, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, iPhones, iPads, Android TV, and more
- DVR storage: 50 hours (free) — 200 hours
- Recommended internet speed: 25 Mbps
- Trial: 7 days
Highlights — Sling TV is a streaming service launched in 2015, and at first, its intention was not to be one of the alternatives to cable and satellite TV but to be a complement to online subscription-based services.
As is often the case, people behind Sling changed their minds in 2017 and joined the race for the number one spot in the online TV streaming industry.
Folks among us remember how dull the installation of cable TV was and how it included receivers, cords, and other equipment. Luckily for us, Sling TV is like cable, but without a hard-line connection.
To put it differently, all you need is good internet speed (at least 25 Mbps) and a long wish list since you’ll be able to watch up to 40 cool channels on your smart TV, phone, or computer.
Subscription plans — When it comes to subscription plans, you can pick from the following:
- Sling Orange — $35 per month
- Sling Blue — $35 per month
- Sling Orange + Blue —$50 per month
Here’s an overview of each plan.
- Sling Orange. This package will allow you to watch 31 channels (ESPN, Cartoon Network, HGTV, and many others). Sling positions the package as the most suitable for large family gatherings and sports events.
- Sling Blue. This package for those keen on news and entertainment comes at the same price as the Orange plan. However, you get to watch more channels — 42 (SYFY, History Channel, USA Network, and many others). In other words, you’ll get the same channels from the Orange plan and a few more.
- Sling Orange + Blue. This customized plan includes 47 channels and you can stream them on up to three devices.
They definitely improved their cable DVR storage. From only 10 hours for free, now you have 50 hours without additional charging with Sling’s cable alternative service. Also, there is a possibility that you upgrade the DVR cloud to 200 hours. It will only cost an additional $5.
Add-ons — Sling offers add-on packages that cost between $5–$15 per month. You can add any channel you like (HBO, Showtime, Cinemax) for an additional price.
Some of the add-ons include:
- Showtime ($10)
- Kids add-ons ($6)
- News ($6)
- Lifestyle ($6)
- Hollywood ($6)
Sling is one of the good alternatives to cable TV that offers the best customization at a low price. Furthermore, if you want, you can switch between the two plans. You won’t be charged for that.
Pros
- + Low-cost subscription plans
- + Free switch between two subscription plans
- + Affordable add-ons
Cons
- − Partial access to local channels
5. FuboTV
Best for Sports
- Best for: Sports enthusiasts
- Library: 100+ channels
- Device support: Android, iOS; Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Roku
- DVR storage: 30–1,000 hours
- Recommended internet speed: 10 Mbps
- Trial: 7 days (for some plans)
Highlights — Watching an important game before the rise of the internet meant running all over the city, hitting countless sports bars, and begging baristas to allow you to watch a match while spending dollar after dollar on snacks and beverages.
Yet, it all changed with the arrival of the best alternatives to cable TV that gave us online streaming services like FuboTV. This young streaming service was launched in 2015. What started as a soccer streaming platform became one of the best all-sports streaming services.
Not only does FuboTV offer various sports programs, but it also provides most on-demand and some live programs in 4K. Interestingly, FuboTV launched its live streaming in 4K not that long ago — during the 2018 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Furthermore, FuboTV was recognized as an awesome cable alternative for sports, thanks to its streaming of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Lucky subscribers were able to watch all matches in 4K. Thanks to FuboTV, they could witness the thrilling US vs. Netherlands finale where Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle brought the 4th World Cup title to the US.
Subscription plans — Fubo TV has three subscription plans:
- Latino — $32.99 per month
- Pro — $92.96 per month
- Elite — $103.94 per month
All in all, Fubo might be the best alternative to cable internet, especially when it comes to sports channels, but compared to other streaming services, it doesn’t come cheap.
- Fubo Latino. This plan comes at a price of $32.99 per month. You’ll get 42 channels, 2 simultaneous streams, and 250 hours of space.
- Fubo Pro. You’ll get 121 channels, unlimited streams, and 1000 hours of DVR for $92.96 per month.
- Fubo Elite. Fubo’s best offer is its Elite plan that costs $103.94 per month. It comes with 176 channels, 1000 hours of DVR, unlimited streams, Fubo extra package with 43 entertainment channels, and 12 extra news channels.
Another key point we need to mention when talking about the channels is the RSN (regional sports networks) accessibility. Long story short, the access to specific channels will depend on your location. On the bright side, you can watch national sports regardless of your location.
Add-ons — Add-on packages include:
- Showtime + Starz + Epix for $19.99
- Sports Plus with NFL RedZone for $10.99
- RAI Italia for $8.99
- International Sports Plus for $6.99
- Adventure Plus (Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel) for $4.99
Pros
- + 4K resolution
- + Many sports add-ons
- + Three subscription plans
Cons
- − Limited RSN accessibility
6. DIRECTV
Best Variety of Subscription Plans
- Best for: Watching local and popular channels
- Library: 65–140 channels
- Device support: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, etc.
- DVR storage: 500 hours (unlimited option for additional fee)
- Recommended internet speed: 12 Mbps
- Trial: 7 days for some packages
Highlights — We decided to add DIRECTV (ex AT&T TV NOW) to our best cable alternatives list because of its diversity of subscription plans. Not only will you be able to choose one of the four plans, but you’ll also get the chance to subscribe to the Spanish and international packages.
Put 500 hours of DVR into the bargain, and you’ll get yourself a pretty good deal.
Subscription plans — DIRECTV might be the best replacement for cable, but it’s not the cheapest. Here is a list of its subscription plans:
-
- Entertainment — $69.99 per month, 65+ channels
- Choice — $89.99 per month, 90+ channels
- Ultimate — $104.99 per month, 130+ channels
- Premier — $149.99 per month, 140+ channels
At Capital Counselor, most of us are millennials who love tech and spend much money on the newest gaming consoles, and that’s why it took us by surprise that DIRECTV is not compatible with our beloved boxes.
Add-ons — As mentioned in many alternative to cable reviews, DIRECTV allows you to get the following premium channels:
- HBO Max ($15 per month)
- Showtime ($11 per month)
- Cinemax ($11 per month)
- Starz ($11 per month)
- EPIX ($6 per month)
- Movies Extra Pack ($5 per month)
Pros
- + Numerous subscription plans
- + 500 hours of DVR storage
- + HBO Max and Cinemax included
Cons
- − Not compatible with gaming consoles
7. Frndly TV
Most Family-Friendly
- Best for: Watching family-friendly programs
- Library: 35+ channels
- Device support: Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast
- DVR storage: Unlimited
- Recommended internet speed: 5 Mbps
- Trial: 7 days
Highlights — What is the best alternative to cable that has family-friendly programs? Meet Frndly TV! This service offers 15 channels that include live and on-demand content — from news and sports to movies and TV shows. The devices that support Frndly TV’s app include Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Apple TV.
As mentioned above, this inexpensive service comes with family-friendly programs — another win for fans of Hallmark — that include the following channels:
- BabyFirst TV
- Game Show Network
- INSP
- Vice
- Outdoor Channel
- PixL
- Sportsman Channel
- The Weather Channel
Subscription plans — A great alternative to cable, this internet-based service comes with three subscription plans:
- Basic — $6.99 per month (limited to one simultaneous stream, SD quality videos, 20+ channels)
- Classic — $8.99 per month (two simultaneous streams, unlimited DVR recordings that are stored for three months, HD quality videos)
Premium — $10.99 per month (four simultaneous streams, unlimited DVR recordings that are kept for nine months, HD quality videos)
Pros
- + Family entertainment programs
- + Inexpensive
- + Unlimited DVR recordings
- + 2–4 simultaneous streams
Cons
- − Few channels compared to competition
8. TVision
Best for T-Mobile Users
- Best for: T-Mobile users
- Library: 30–50 channels
- Device support: Android TV, Apple TV, iPhones/iPads, Android phones/tablets, smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast
- DVR storage: 100 hours
- Recommended internet speed: 50 Mbps
- Trial: No such option
Highlights — In a nutshell, the giants of the industry, T-Mobile, decided to create an alternative to cable TV — TVision. This is a relatively new service (launched in November 2020) that became available to everyone in 2021.
If you’re a T-Mobile user that wants to learn how to watch TV without cable or satellite, you should try this new streaming service while it’s hot.
TVision currently offers 30–50 channels, including local ABC and NBC channels, sports channels like ESPN, and entertainment channels like AMC, TLC, Discovery, and Hallmark. On top of that, you can record 100 hours on your DVR that will be kept for nine months.
Subscription plans — When it comes to the subscription plans, you can choose from the following:
- Vibe — $10 per month, 30+ channels
- Live TV — $40 per month, 30+ channels
- Live TV+ — $50 per month, 40+ channels
- Live Zone — $60 per month, 50+ channels
We simply couldn’t steer clear of adding TVision to our list as it might become one of the cable replacements not only for T-mobile users but also for all other customers who want to cut the cord.
Add-ons — You can add premium channels like EPIX ($5.99), Starz ($8.99), and Showtime ($10.99).
Pros
- + Two simultaneous streams
- + Local, sports, and entertainment channels
- + 100 hours of DVR
- + Four subscription plans
Cons
- − Lack of additional add-ons
Buyer’s Guide to Cable TV Alternatives
Online shopping became the new normal in the 21st century, with 8 in 10 Americans shopping online, so it’s no surprise that live streaming services are about to replace cable TV. Not only do these new platforms offer more variety, but they are also compatible with numerous devices (Android, iOS, Xbox, Roku, to name a few).
Generally, there are two types of streaming services — on-demand and live streaming. What’s the difference, and what are the alternatives to cable TV?
When it comes to on-demand videos, you need to subscribe to access a library full of different content that you can choose to watch any time you want without downloading it. The best example of a video-on-demand service is Netflix.
Live streaming TV means that you’ll be able to watch live content, like concerts, sporting events, etc. The best example here is YouTube Live.
Now that we got that out of the way, when choosing an option to replace your cable TV, pay attention to the following:
- Content preferences (sports, movies, live content)
- Number of channels
- Device support
- DVR storage
- The price
Content Preferences
Choose the service that offers programs that you like to watch — from live content (news, sporting events, concerts) to on-demand movies, documentaries, TV shows, etc.
For example, Hulu With Live TV offers the best original content, while Fubo TV has the best sports channels.
Number of Channels
The majority of the alternative to cable reviews will talk about the number of channels these services offer.
For the most part, services that offer numerous channels (over 100) have only a few quality or popular channels, and they rely heavily on channels dedicated to a specific topic (like a TV show). These services are usually free and full of ads (like Xumo TV and Pluto TV).
At the same time, services that offer fewer channels usually come with different add-ons that can be purchased separately.
Device Support
Choose the best cable replacement service based on the preferred watching device. Most services are compatible with Android phones, iPhones, iPads, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku.
That said, some services are not compatible with gaming consoles. Of course, these imply you already have bought a suitable TV set (at a fine price).
DVR Storage
It goes without saying that having unlimited DVR storage is more than appreciated by most of us. With unlimited DVR, you’re able to record your favorite programs and watch them whenever you can.
It’s important to note, though, that, more often than not, DVR storage comes with set time and price limits. In other words, make sure to check the information about DVR expiry before hitting that subscribe button.
The Price
Finally, make sure that the chosen service fits your budget. Take into consideration that some services come for free, while others offer subscription plans. DIRECTV, for instance, offers nine packages for you to choose from. Don’t let your expenses add up despite the fact you can find installment loans for bad credit easily.
Wrapping Up
We’re finishing our alternative to cable reviews with the hope that you managed to learn about all the advantages and disadvantages of each service on our list.
We made sure to include the companies that offer multiple choices when it comes to the selection of channels, live and on-demand content, as well as different price ranges.
Finally, we also suggest that you check our buyer’s guide to get more insight into online streaming services before making the final decision to cut the cord and enter the wireless world of possibilities.
FAQ
How do I get rid of cable and keep local channels?
First, you can use your indoor antenna — simply attach it to the TV. Second, you can buy a streaming device and subscribe to one of the online streaming services.
How do I get rid of cable and still watch TV?
First of all, you need to have a stable internet connection (at least 10 Mbps). Secondly, you need a streaming platform. The most used ones include Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast.
Furthermore, video game developers made sure to make their gaming devices compatible with streaming services, so PS4, Wii, and Xbox can also be used for watching your favorite shows online.
Which TV streaming service is the best?
It’s safe to say that DIRECTV is the best choice for people that want to watch local and popular channels. There are multiple subscription plans, including international channels (Spanish, Vietnamese, Brazilian, and
Korean).
What’s more, DIRECTV comes with premium channels that can be purchased separately (HBO, Starz, EPIX). The only drawback is that DIRECTV is not compatible with gaming consoles.
What is the best alternative to cable or satellite?
After conducting thorough research, we believe that YouTube TV is the best alternative. With its subscription plan, you’ll get various channels on different topics — from entertainment to sports and news, followed up by unlimited DVR storage.
On top of that, YouTube TV doesn’t lack creativity with its original shows, making it the best alternative to cable.