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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Philo at $25 a month and Sling Select at $19.99 a month are cheaper starting points than YouTube TV, but neither is a full replacement. Philo focuses on entertainment and lifestyle channels; Sling Select has a smaller sports-and-news lineup. Before switching, check whether a candidate carries your local stations, sports rights, and must-watch channels in your ZIP code.
How much cheaper are the alternatives?
The prices below are regular monthly rates in a comparison updated September 12, 2026; promotions and discounts are excluded. Prices and lineups can change, and channel counts or local availability depend on package and location. Confirm the current price and your household’s lineup on the provider’s site before subscribing.
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| Service and plan | Monthly price | Listed channel count | What the comparison says |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV main plan | $82.99 | 100+ | Locals, sports, news, and entertainment; the provider lists unlimited cloud DVR and up to six household accounts. YouTube TV |
| Sling Select | $19.99 | 10+ | Pared-down selection focused on sports and news. |
| Sling Orange | $45.99 | 30+ | Leans toward ESPN and Disney programming. |
| Sling Blue | $45.99 | 40+ | Includes more FOX and NBC channels; local channels are available in some locations. |
| Sling Orange & Blue | $60.99 | 50+ | Combines the Orange and Blue lineups. |
| Philo | $25 | 70+ | Mainly entertainment and lifestyle channels; not a full live-TV substitute for viewers who need local stations or major sports. |
| DIRECTV Entertainment streaming plan | $89.99 | 90+ | A broader plan, not a cheaper choice than YouTube TV at the listed prices. |
| DIRECTV Genre Packs | From $20.99 | Not stated in the cited comparison | Narrower genre-focused packages, not equivalent to a full channel lineup. |
| Fubo Sports + News | $64.99 | 23 | The comparison says NBC local stations are excluded from this plan. |
| Fubo Pro | $88.99 | 212 | The comparison says NBC local stations are excluded from this plan. |
| Hulu + Live TV | $89.99 | 95+ | Includes local channels and bundled on-demand services in the comparison; costs more than YouTube TV at the listed rates. |
Prices and channel counts in this table come from Cord Cutters News’ comparison, updated September 12, 2026. YouTube TV’s service-page details are from YouTube TV. DIRECTV’s distinction between its full plan and genre packages is also shown on its official comparison page. A separate 2026 cross-check by Kiplinger lists YouTube TV at $82.99, Hulu + Live TV at $89.99, and Sling packages from $19.99 to $60.99.
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Choose Philo if entertainment channels matter more than live sports or local TV
Philo is the straightforward low-cost candidate for viewers whose priorities are entertainment and lifestyle programming. Its $25 monthly price buys a different, narrower kind of service than YouTube TV: the cited comparison does not position it as a source for local broadcast stations or major sports. Check its lineup for the specific shows and channels you watch rather than relying on the channel count alone.
#1 Best Overall
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
Choose Sling Select for a small sports-and-news lineup
At $19.99 per month, Sling Select is the least expensive listed option, but its 10-plus channels make it a pared-down choice rather than a broad cable replacement. Sling’s more expansive plans cost more and differ in channel mix: Orange leans toward ESPN and Disney programming, while Blue carries more FOX and NBC channels and may include local channels in some locations. The Orange & Blue combination costs $60.99 in the cited price snapshot.
Look beyond the lowest price if regional sports or local affiliates are essential
“Sports” is not a consistent package guarantee. Regional sports network availability depends on market and package, according to DIRECTV’s plan comparison. The cited Fubo comparison excludes NBC locals from both listed plans, and local and regional sports availability can vary by location. Verify the exact local affiliate, regional sports network, league channel, and event rights you need before choosing a plan.
Rank #2
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
Consider DVR and household streams as part of the cost
The September 2026 comparison lists unlimited DVR for YouTube TV, DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and Philo; Sling includes 50 hours with an upgrade option. It lists three simultaneous streams for YouTube TV, ten on Fubo’s home network, two at Hulu + Live TV’s base price, three for Philo, and package-dependent stream limits for Sling. Check current terms for the plan you are considering, especially if multiple people watch or record at once.
Pay more only if the bundle or larger lineup earns its place
Hulu + Live TV is not a lower-priced alternative in this snapshot, but its bundled on-demand services may matter to a household that already values them. Fubo’s Sports + News tier is cheaper than YouTube TV but has only 23 listed channels; Fubo Pro costs more than YouTube TV at the listed prices. Compare the channels and extras you will actually use, not just a service’s headline count.
Rank #3
- Advanced 4K streaming - Elevate your entertainment with the next generation of our best-selling 4K stick, with improved streaming performance optimized for 4K TVs.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Cloud gaming, no console required – Stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and hundreds of games on your Fire TV Stick 4K Select with Xbox Game Pass and Luna via cloud gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscription and compatible controller required. Each sold separately.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Wi-Fi 6 support - Enjoy smooth 4K streaming, even when other devices are connected to your router.
How to compare plans before cancelling YouTube TV
- List what your household watches. Include named channels, local broadcast affiliates, regional sports networks, and live events—not just broad categories such as “news” or “sports.”
- Check each lineup for your ZIP code. Use the provider’s current channel lookup or checkout flow. National channel charts are only a starting point because availability varies by market and tier.
- Calculate the recurring total for the plan that carries those channels. Include required add-ons and any DVR upgrade, rather than comparing a low entry price with a fuller YouTube TV lineup.
- Match recording and screen limits to your household. Compare DVR capacity and retention as well as simultaneous streams against how people actually watch.
- Review the final terms before switching. On the provider’s own checkout page, confirm any trial, promotional period, price after the promotion, and cancellation rules.
Plan prices, features, and regional lineups are volatile; the figures here reflect the cited comparison updated September 12, 2026, and provider pages accessed October 7, 2026. Check the providers’ current pages before making a change.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Upgrade your TV, instantly – Fire TV Stick HD is our fastest HD streaming stick ever, with a streamlined navigation that jumps straight to your movies, shows, and live TV. Take your entertainment on the go with the new ultra-portable profile. And watch it all come to life with crisp Full HD and Wi-Fi 6 support.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- All your apps in one place – Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, and thousands more. It’s easy to find what to watch from hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes, including free, ad-supported content. Subscription fees may apply.
- Our most portable stick – Thin and light, without extra clutter. Connects directly to your TV's HDMI port without blocking other ports.
- Easier than ever to set up – Now with Direct Power, it's powered by your TV with the included USB-C cable and eliminates the need for a wall adapter.
Rank #4
- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
