If you’re looking for a new live TV streaming service, is YouTube 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. If you’d like a quick comparison, check out The Streamable’s Service Matchmaker. Let’s dig in to compare your options.
Winner on Price: Philo
Philo clocks in at $25 / month and YouTube TV is $72.99 / 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 HBO Max. If you’re looking for a live TV option, Philo’s price is nearly impossible to beat.
Winner on Overall Channels: YouTube TV
YouTube TV includes 32 of the top 35 cable channels, which tops Philo’s 18. Overall, YouTube TV has 114 channels while Philo offers 74.
YouTube TV offers these channels that Philo doesn’t: 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 A&E, History, and Lifetime
| YouTube | Philo | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| “YouTube TV” | “Philo” | ||
| Sign Up | Free Trial | ||
| $72.99 | $25 | ||
| 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: YouTube TV
YouTube TV offers ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, The CW, and Univision. Philo doesn’t offer local channels, so you’d need to use an antenna or a service like Locast ($5.50/month) if those are important to you.
Winner on Sports Channels: YouTube TV
Pro Sports Networks
If you’re a sports fan, Philo is not for you.
YouTube TV offers access to NBA TV and NFL Network. For $11/month, you can also add Sports Plus for beIN Sports, Billiard TV, FanDuel TV, Fight Network, Fox Soccer Plus, GOLTV, IMPACT Wrestling, MAVTV, NFL RedZone, Outside Television, PlayersTV, PokerGO, SportsGrid, Stadium, Tennis Channel, TVG, and VSiN. NFL RedZone is an absolute game-changer for any football fan.
Regional Sports Networks
YouTube TV offers Monumental Sports Network, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Chicago, NBC Sports Philadelphia, and NBC Sports Philadelphia+. Philo offers none.
College Sports Networks
When it comes to college sports, YouTube 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: Philo
DVR
If you’re the kind of person who records a lot of TV, YouTube TV holds a slight edge with its unlimited cloud DVR. You can store recordings up to nine months. On Philo, your unlimited DVR only allows you to keep shows for 30 days.
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.
Free Trial
Philo offers a free trial, while YouTube TV does not.
Verdict
Your decision comes down to whether you need sports and local channels. If those are important to you, YouTube TV is the obvious choice. But if you’re the kind of person who spends most of their time on other video services, Philo can give you some taste of live TV without the hefty bill.
YouTube TV might be less jarring if you’re jumping over from cable, but veteran cord-cutters or those looking to save money should find a great value with Philo.