Cheapest live TV streaming services in the US (2026)
Ranked by the lowest monthly plan read from each official page on 2026-10-12, this is every licensed live-TV service in United States from cheapest to most expensive, with what the entry plan leaves out so a low price does not turn into a second subscription.
Cheapest first
Philo $25/month
Best for entertainment-only viewers who get local channels from an antenna and never watch live sports.
Simultaneous streams: 3 · Recording / DVR: Unlimited, saved 1 year · Free trial: 7 days
Sling TV from $45.99/month
Best for cord-cutters who know the handful of cable channels they need and already get locals from an antenna.
Simultaneous streams: 3 · Recording / DVR: 50 hours included (200 hours with DVR Plus) · Free trial: None; first-month discounts instead
YouTube TV $82.99/month
Best for households that want everything cable offered without the box, and for NFL fans who want Sunday Ticket on the same account.
Simultaneous streams: 3 · Recording / DVR: Unlimited, kept 9 months · Free trial: 10 days
Hulu + Live TV from $82.99/month
Best for families who want Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu originals alongside live TV in one bill.
Simultaneous streams: 2 · Recording / DVR: Unlimited (9 months) · Free trial: 3 days (varies)
Fubo from $84.99/month
Best for fans of regional teams and international soccer; check the regional sports fee for your ZIP code before you decide.
Simultaneous streams: 10 · Recording / DVR: 1,000 hours · Free trial: 7 days (varies by promotion)
DIRECTV Stream $89.99/month
Best for sports fans who need both TNT and their regional sports network; shop the genre packs before the full tiers.
Simultaneous streams: Unlimited at home · Recording / DVR: Unlimited · Free trial: 5 days
Services compared
| Plan | Monthly price | Simultaneous streams | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $82.99/month | 3 | 10 days |
| Fubo | from $84.99/month | 10 | 7 days (varies by promotion) |
| Sling TV | from $45.99/month | 3 | None; first-month discounts instead |
| Hulu + Live TV | from $82.99/month | 2 | 3 days (varies) |
| DIRECTV Stream | $89.99/month | Unlimited at home | 5 days |
| Philo | $25/month | 3 | 7 days |
Free legal live TV
- Pluto TV: Paramount-owned, 350+ live channels including CBS News, news, sport replays and themed movie channels. No account needed.
- Tubi: Fox-owned, 200+ live channels and the largest free on-demand film library.
- The Roku Channel: 400+ live channels; works in a browser and on every Roku device.
- Sling Freestream: Sling’s free tier: 500+ channels, no card required.
- Xumo Play: Comcast and Charter’s FAST service with NBC News Now and local news.
Frequently asked questions
Is IPTV legal in United States?
Licensed IPTV is legal; unlicensed subscriptions are not. The legality page linked on this page summarises the statute and enforcement in United States.
What is the cheapest legal live-TV service in United States?
The public-broadcaster apps are free. Among paid services, the lowest entry plan in this comparison is Philo; see the table for current prices.
Which service is best for sport in United States?
Philo hold the main sports rights; the table lists what each carries.
What internet speed do I need?
10 Mbps per HD stream and 25 Mbps per 4K stream, with a wired or 5 GHz connection for the television that matters most.
Can I watch on several TVs?
Each service allows a set number of simultaneous streams (two to four for most); the table shows the limit per service.