Best Sling TV Alternatives (2026)
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DIRECTV STREAM fix Sling's gaps: no CBS, few locals, one stream on Orange, 50-hour DVR.
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Sling TV vs. four alternatives, feature by feature
Sling TV is the baseline column. Lowest recurring monthly rate verified Oct 12, 2026; the plan that delivers a given channel may cost more.
| Feature | Sling TV | YouTube TV | Hulu + Live TV | Fubo | DIRECTV STREAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $45.99/mo | $82.99/mo | $99.99/mo | $55.99/mo | $74.99/mo |
| Simultaneous streams | 1 (Orange), 3 (Blue), 4 (both) | 3 | 2 (add-on for unlimited) | Up to 10 at home | Unlimited at home |
| Cloud DVR | 50 hours | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Local channels | ABC, FOX, NBC on Blue, select markets; no CBS | All four, most markets | All four, most markets | All four, select markets | All four, most markets |
| ESPN | Orange plan | Yes | Yes | Pro and Sports plans | Yes |
| TNT | Both plans | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Regional sports networks | None | NBC Sports RSNs only | Limited | Most, select markets (fee) | Choice and up (fee) |
| Free trial | None | Varies by promotion | Varies (short) | Usually 5 to 7 days | 5 days |
| Contract | None | None | None | None | None |
Channel facts from docs/research/channel-sports-availability.md; plan facts from our evidence store. Local availability depends on ZIP code for every service.
The alternatives, ranked
Order follows our editorial score; Sling itself is not listed because this page is about replacing it.
-
The best all-around cable replacement
- 100+ channels incl. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN
- Unlimited cloud DVR, 3 streams
- Intro offer: $59.99/mo for 2 months
$82.99/mo after the intro period
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- Free Trial
- No Contract
From$82.99/moBase Plan; promo $59.99 for 2 months for new members
Best live TV overall
Editorial scoreExcellent8.0/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
-
Live TV plus three on-demand libraries in one plan
- 95+ live channels with locals, ESPN, TNT
- Includes Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN Select
- Unlimited cloud DVR
2 streams unless you add $9.99/mo
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- On-Demand
- No Contract
From$99.99/moWith ads, rate effective Oct 21, 2026; $109.99 Premium
Best bundle: live TV plus Disney+ and ESPN
Editorial scoreVery good7.4/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
-
Built for fans who need their regional sports network
- Most regional sports networks of any streamer
- Up to 10 streams, unlimited DVR, 4K events
- Free trial usually offered
No TNT or TBS; regional sports fee extra
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- 4K
- Free Trial
From$55.99/moSports tier; Pro $88.99 plus regional sports fee
Best for regional sports networks and soccer
Editorial scoreGood6.7/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
-
Nearly every channel, at a cable-like price
- Deepest channel lineup, up to 185+
- Regional sports plus ESPN and TNT
- 5-day free trial, unlimited at-home streams
Highest price; regional sports fee up to $19.99
- Live TV
- Sports
- DVR
- Free Trial
- No Contract
From$74.99/moMySports genre pack; ENTERTAINMENT $89.99
Best cable-like channel lineup
Editorial scoreGood6.7/10Verified Oct 12, 2026
Why people leave Sling, and the quick fixes
- No CBS anywhere: all four alternatives carry it.
- Locals only in select Blue metros: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM cover most markets.
- One stream on Orange: every alternative allows three or more.
- 50 hours of DVR: every alternative is unlimited.
- No RSNs: Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM (Choice and up), with a fee.
- ESPN and FS1 split across plans: all four have both on one plan.
Why consider an alternative to Sling TV
- No CBS: rules out NFL AFC games, CBS golf and college football, and CBS Champions League matches; Sling suggests an antenna or Paramount+, a second subscription.
- Locals in select markets: ABC, FOX, NBC on Blue in a limited list of large metros, with a surcharge in some, and not on Orange.
- One stream on Orange: no Monday Night Football and Disney Channel at once without Orange & Blue.
- 50 hours of DVR, no RSNs, split lineups: local MLB, NBA, NHL games unavailable; ESPN and FS1 fans pay for both plans.
- If none applies, Sling may still fit; see the Sling TV guide.
Pricing differences
- Every alternative costs more than a single Sling plan; compare against the Sling configuration you need (Orange & Blue, local surcharge, Sports Extra).
- At that point the gap to Fubo's entry plan or YouTube TV's promo rate is smaller than it looks, and the alternatives add unlimited DVR and more streams.
- Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM add a regional sports fee in RSN markets; YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV do not. Sling never charges one because it carries none.
- We show recurring rates because promotions end. Total your own setup with the household cost guide.
Channel availability
- YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV STREAM carry all four locals in most markets plus ESPN and TNT, fixing CBS, locals, and split lineups at once.
- Fubo carries locals in select markets and ESPN but no TNT, TBS, or truTV: wrong for NBA playoffs on TNT or the French Open, right for RSNs and international soccer.
- DIRECTV STREAM carries the most RSNs with ESPN and TNT, but RSNs need Choice.
- YouTube TV lacks MLB Network and NHL Network; Hulu + Live TV's NBA TV, MLB Network, and NHL Network carriage is unconfirmed. See the channel guides and sports pages.
Contract and cancellation policies
- No contracts; all cancel from the account page. YouTube TV allows a pause of up to six months.
- DIRECTV STREAM's five-day trial and Fubo's trial require a card and convert unless canceled; Hulu + Live TV's trial, if offered, is short; Sling uses a discounted first month.
- Price changes: Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM mid-2026, Hulu + Live TV October 2026, YouTube TV January 2025, each with notice but no locked rate. See the cancellation and billing guide.
Pros and cons of each alternative
- YouTube TV. Pros: unlimited DVR (nine months); three streams, six profiles; all four locals in most ZIPs plus ESPN and TNT; six-month pause; multiview and Sunday Ticket. Cons: $82.99/mo after intro; 4K extra; few RSNs. Review
- Hulu + Live TV. Pros: live TV plus Hulu, Disney+, ESPN Select; unlimited DVR; all four locals plus ESPN and TNT; next-day episodes. Cons: two streams; $99.99/mo; app merging into Disney+. Review
- Fubo. Pros: most RSNs; up to ten home streams, unlimited DVR; select 4K; best soccer lineup here; trial usually available. Cons: no TNT, TBS, truTV; regional sports fee; plan names and prices changed repeatedly in 2025 and 2026. Review
- DIRECTV STREAM. Pros: most RSNs plus ESPN and TNT; unlimited home streams and DVR; cable-level depth; five-day trial. Cons: most expensive with the fee on Choice and up; June 2026 increase, ZIP variation; limited 4K. Review
Editorial recommendation by use case
Picks follow the weighted criteria in How We Rank.
- Cheapest: Fubo at $55.99/mo (sports-focused plan); among full lineups, YouTube TV's $82.99/mo Base Plan, with genre plans lower. See cheapest live TV.
- Most channels: DIRECTV STREAM's upper tiers; expect to pay the most.
- Best for sports: DIRECTV STREAM for RSNs plus TNT; Fubo if RSNs outweigh TNT; YouTube TV for national sports, DVR, and Sunday Ticket. See the sports ranking.
- Best bundle: Hulu + Live TV (Hulu, Disney+, ESPN Select included).
Sling TV alternatives FAQ
Which Sling alternative is closest in price?
None matches a single Sling plan; Fubo's sports entry plan and YouTube TV's genre plans are nearest. Compare against the Sling configuration you need.
Which alternative has CBS?
All four, in most or select markets. See the CBS guide.
Which alternative has both ESPN and FS1 on one plan?
All four. Sling is the only ranked service that splits them.
Do any of the alternatives offer a free trial?
DIRECTV STREAM five days, Fubo usually five to seven, YouTube TV varies by promotion, Hulu + Live TV short and not always shown. All need a payment method.
Can I keep Sling and add something cheaper instead of switching?
For CBS alone, Paramount+ Premium streams your local CBS feed for far less than a second live TV service. For other gaps, switching is simpler.
Sources
Plan, price, stream, DVR, and trial facts come from our evidence store, verified Oct 12, 2026; channel facts from docs/research/channel-sports-availability.md. Sling's site blocked automated fetching, so its prices come from dated third-party checks listed in our source registry.
- https://www.sling.com/deals
- https://www.androidcentral.com/sling-orange-vs-sling-blue
- https://macmyths.com/sling-tv-prices-and-plans-full-2026-comparison/
Accessed Oct 12, 2026. See the editorial policy for how we verify facts.
We are an independent publisher and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Sling TV or any service listed. Editorial policy.
We may earn commissions from providers featured here. Compensation can affect placement. Affiliate Disclosure