How We Rank Streaming Services

Scoring weights

Overall score = Σ (sub-score × weight), rounded to one decimal. A score of 10 would mean a service leads the market on every criterion; no service currently scores above 8.5.

Rubric for each criterion

Pricing and value (25%)

Based on the lowest recurring monthly price for new subscribers, what that entry plan includes, the cost of the plan most people actually need (ad-free, 4K, or locals), mandatory fees such as regional sports fees, and the availability of annual discounts. On-demand services at under $10 score 8; live TV bundles above $90 score 5 or lower; a mandatory fee on top of the advertised price costs one point.

Programming and content (25%)

For live TV: local networks, ESPN and TNT, regional sports networks, and channel depth. For on-demand: catalog breadth, original programming, and live events. For hybrids: both. Carriage facts come from our channel and sports research.

Streaming quality and reliability (15%)

Simultaneous streams, DVR capacity and retention, 4K availability and whether it costs extra, and documented limitations (for example, one stream on Sling Orange). This criterion is assessed from provider documentation, not from hands-on measurement.

Device compatibility (10%)

Support for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV and Google TV, Chromecast, Samsung and LG TVs, Xbox, PlayStation, iOS, Android, and web. Full coverage scores 10; each missing major platform costs a point.

User interface (10%)

Guide usability, profiles, parental controls, search, and whether the app is in a transition that affects the experience. This is the most judgment-based criterion, and we explain it in each review.

Subscription flexibility (10%)

No contract (required for inclusion), ability to pause, plan changes without penalty, add-on granularity, and clear cancellation paths.

Customer support options (5%)

Availability of live chat, phone, and documented help resources as published by the provider. We do not test response times, which is why the weight is low.

Score descriptors

Cards show a one-word descriptor next to the score. It is a fixed mapping, not a separate judgment: 8.0 and above "Excellent", 7.0 to 7.9 "Very good", 6.0 to 6.9 "Good", below 6.0 "Fair".

Tie-break rule

When two services have the same rounded score, the one with the lower starting price ranks higher. Commercial relationships are not used to break ties.

Category pages and intent pages

Category pages (live TV, on-demand) show the same scores restricted to that category. Sports and channel pages order providers by relevance to the page's question (for example, breadth of NFL coverage) rather than by overall score, and they say so. Alternatives pages exclude the brand named in the title.

How commercial relationships affect what you see

We earn affiliate commissions from some providers. Commissions may affect which services are included in the ten, which CTA label is shown, and placement in sponsored positions if we ever add them (none exist as of Oct 12, 2026). Commissions do not change sub-scores, overall scores, or ranking order within a page. If that changes, this page and the Advertiser Disclosure will say so.

Inclusion criteria

• Licensed, authorized U.S. service with published pricing.
• No contract required.
• Available nationally (local availability may vary).
• Not an IPTV reseller or any service that distributes channels without rights.

Verification and updates

Prices and plans are re-verified at least every 30 days and whenever a provider announces a change. Sports rights are re-verified before each season and carry an expiry date on each page. Scores are reviewed quarterly. See the editorial policy.

Current sub-scores

Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM tie at 6.7; Fubo ranks higher on the lower starting price. Sub-scores are maintained in the site's provider data file and rendered on each review.