If you’re looking for a new live TV streaming service, is Hulu Live TV or Philo a better choice? The decision may depend on what you value most. Both are excellent streaming options with lots of pros and cons. You can try each for free, and there’s no contract involved.
If you’d like a quick channel comparison, check out The Streamable’s Service Matchmaker. Let’s dig in to compare your options.
Hulu Live TV vs. Philo: Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | Hulu Live TV | Philo |
|---|---|---|
| Base Price | $82.99 | $28 |
| Base Channels | 105 | 75 |
| Max Channels | 142 | 85 |
| Local Channels | Yes | No |
| Sports Channels | Yes | No |
| DVR | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| On-Demand Content | Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+ | AMC+ |
| Free channels | No | 80+ |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
Winner on Price: Philo
Philo clocks in at $28 / month and Hulu starts at $82.99 / month, so Philo wins, hands-down. Obviously, there are reasons Philo is a fraction of the cost, but it might make a lot of sense, especially if you’re spending money on other services like Netflix or Max. If you’re looking for a live TV option, Philo’s price is nearly impossible to beat.
Winner on Overall Channels: Hulu Live TV
Hulu includes 33 of the top 35 cable channels, which tops Philo’s 18. Overall, Hulu Live TV provides 105 channels in its base package while Philo offers 75.
Hulu will be your choice if you like to watch Bravo, Cartoon Network, CNN, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, E!, ESPN, Fox News, Freeform, FX, FXX, MSNBC, Syfy, TBS, TNT, truTV, and USA Network.
But Philo will be your choice if you like to watch AMC and WE tv.
| Hulu | Philo | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| “Hulu Live TV” | “Philo” | ||
| Free 3-Day Trial | Free Trial | ||
| $82.99 | $28 | ||
| A&E | ✓ | ✓ | |
| AMC | - | ✓ | |
| BET | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Bravo | ✓ | - | |
| Cartoon Network | ✓ | - | |
| CNN | ✓ | - | |
| Comedy Central | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Discovery | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Disney Channel | ✓ | - | |
| Disney Junior | ✓ | - | |
| E! | ✓ | - | |
| ESPN | ✓ | - | |
| Food Network | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Fox News | ✓ | - | |
| Freeform | ✓ | - | |
| FX | ✓ | - | |
| FXX | ✓ | - | |
| Hallmark Channel | ✓ | ✓ | |
| HGTV | ✓ | ✓ | |
| History | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Investigation Discovery | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Lifetime | ✓ | ✓ | |
| MSNBC | ✓ | - | |
| MTV | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Nickelodeon | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Paramount Network | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Syfy | ✓ | - | |
| TBS | ✓ | - | |
| TLC | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TNT | ✓ | - | |
| Travel Channel | ✓ | ✓ | |
| truTV | ✓ | - | |
| USA Network | ✓ | - | |
| VH1 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| WE tv | - | ✓ |
Winner on Local Channels: Hulu Live TV
Hulu Live TV offers ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, and The CW. Philo doesn’t offer local channels, so you’d need to use an antenna if those are important to you.
Winner on Sports Channels: Hulu Live TV
Pro Sports Networks
If you’re a sports fan, Philo is not for you.
Hulu Live TV includes NFL Network. NFL RedZone is included in a $9.99 Sports Add-On, which also includes MAVTV, Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, TVG, and TVG2.
Hulu Live TV also includes free access to ESPN+. We’ll have more on that later, but the service provides a ton of value to sports fans, especially if you like hockey.
| Hulu | Philo | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Free 3-Day Trial | Free Trial | ||
| $82.99 | $28 | ||
| beIN Sports | - | - | |
| Next Level Sports | - | - | |
| ESPNEWS | ✓ | - | |
| FanDuel TV | + $10 | - | |
| Fox Soccer Plus | - | - | |
| Golf Channel | ✓ | - | |
| MLB Network | ✓ | - | |
| NBA TV | - | - | |
| NFL Network | ✓ | - | |
| NFL RedZone | + $10 | - | |
| NHL Network | - | - | |
| Overtime | - | - | |
| Tennis Channel | + $10 | - | |
| Willow TV | - | - |
Regional Sports Networks
Hulu Live TV offers Monumental Sports Network, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia+, and SportsNet NY. Philo offers none.
College Sports Networks
When it comes to college sports, Hulu Live TV wins again. It offers ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPNU, SEC Network, and truTV. Philo offers none.
Winner on Included Features: Hulu Live TV
DVR
Both services include an unlimited cloud DVR. Hulu allows you to keep your recordings for nine months; Philo lets you keep recordings up to one year.
On Demand Library
Hulu Live users get access to Hulu’s vast library of on demand content. You’ll be able to see classic sitcoms, FX series, “The Handmaid's Tale,” “Pam & Tommy,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “Little Fires Everywhere,” and a great rotating library of blockbuster movies.
Philo offers no similar feature.
The Disney Bundle
Subscribers to Hulu Live TV now get automatic, free access to Disney+ and ESPN+. That means you’ll be able to stream most of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, every Star Wars film, Pixar movies, and classic Disney animation, along with the strong sports package on ESPN+, including more than 1,000 NHL games. It’s a staggering amount of content and it comes as part of your normal Hulu Live TV subscription. You can upgrade to ad-free versions for additional fees.
| Standard Hulu Live TV | Remove Ads from Disney+ | Remove Ads from Hulu and Disney+ |
|---|---|---|
| $82.99 / month | $87.99 / month | $95.99 / month |
| Ads on Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ | Ads on Hulu and ESPN+ | Ads only on ESPN+ |
| No downloads | Disney+ downloads available | Download Hulu and Disney+ content |
| No downloads for Hulu and ESPN+ | No downloads for ESPN+ |
72-hour Rewind Feature
Philo is the only service to offer this nifty feature. You can watch shows that you didn’t record, up to three days after they aired. This feature adds a lot of additional shows that aren’t normally available on demand.
AMC+
Philo includes free ad-supported AMC+. You’ll see originals, exclusive movies, and award-winning series, such as Anne Rice’s “Interview with the Vampire” and “Mayfair Witches,” “Dark Winds,” “Mad Men”, “Into the Badlands,” “Orphan Black,” “Snowpiercer,” and “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.”
AMC+ also includes access to Shudder, the home for horror, Sundance Now, featuring thrilling mysteries and dramas, and IFC.
Free Channels
Philo offers more than 80 free channels, even if you don’t sign up for the paid plan. Channels include America’s Test Kitchen, Comedy Dynamics, Game Show Central, Screambox TV, AllBlk Gems, Nashville Channel, and BBC News. Many of these are the same channels you can get on free services like Pluto TV, but it’s a nice feature.
Verdict
Choose Hulu Live TV if…
- You want a comparable lineup to cable
- You watch sports
- You want local news and weather
- You would enjoy movies and TV on the included Disney+ and Hulu on demand
Choose Philo if…
- You’re on a budget
- Sports aren’t important to you
- You prefer general entertainment to live events
- You don’t mind using an antenna at times
Philo and Hulu Live TV are just two great live TV streaming services. Consider your other options like DIRECTV STREAM, Sling TV, Fubo, and YouTube TV.