There’s no denying that cable and satellite are on the way out in the United States. Less than half of the population now has a pay-TV subscription, and each of the major cable providers is bleeding subscribers as customers increasingly turn to live TV streaming services to fulfill their entertainment needs.

But with so many choices available when it comes to live TV streaming, it can be hard for cord-cutters to know which one to pick. That’s why The Streamable has extensively researched pay-TV providers and live TV streamers to determine the best options for customers who want to replace their cable or satellite subscription, but must mind a tight budget.

The best choice for consumers who are especially concerned with the price of their entertainment providers is Philo. The streaming skinny bundle offers many of the top entertainment-focused cable channels. And, at a price of $25 per month, it beats out every major cable and satellite provider in terms of bang for your buck.

We run through some of the ways that Philo outperforms traditional cable and satellite subscriptions:

How Many Channels Does Philo Offer?

Philo offers a total of more than 70 channels. Though the service doesn’t carry any national or regional sports networks like ESPN or FS1, or local channels like ABC, CBS, FOX or NBC, this allows Philo to keep its price point lower than any service on the market offering this level of programming. While there are channels that Philo doesn’t offer, it does carry many of the top entertainment networks on cable, including A&E, Discovery, Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, and more. For a complete channel listing on Philo, click here.

Does Philo Require a Long-Term Contract?

It sure doesn’t! Unlike cable and satellite providers that require you to sign up for months or even years at a time, Philo is a month-to-month subscription. That means you always have flexibility with your service and can cancel whenever you need to if you find that the service doesn’t work for you for whatever reason.

Does Philo Offer a Free Trial?

Like many live streamers, Philo does offer a free trial in order to let consumers give the service a test drive before having to make their first payment. This is yet another significant distinction between Philo and cable and satellite companies. With traditional TV providers, you have to sign a contract — and in some cases pay — before your service is even turned on. That’s not how things work with Philo.

How Does Philo Compare with Major Pay-TV Providers?

When stacked against the biggest pay-TV providers on the market, Philo clearly stands out in terms of value. Its channel lineup may not reach the gaudy heights of some cable and satellite companies, but its free trial, unlimited DVR, and lack of requirement for set-top boxes put it head and shoulders above traditional pay TV.

What Devices Can You Use to Stream Philo?

Since Philo does not require a set-top box to watch, all you’ll need is a broadband connection and a compatible device to start watching Philo immediately. Fortunately, there is a wide range of streaming players that work with Philo, including Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV 4K, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.

7-Day Trial

philo.com

Philo

Philo is a live TV streaming service designed for entertainment lovers, offering flexible ways to watch without the high price of traditional TV bundles. The service now features two paid plans — Essential and Bundle+ — alongside its existing free streaming offering, giving customers a range of options depending on how much live and premium content they want.

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The Essential plan costs $25 per month and includes 70+ live TV channels focused on entertainment and lifestyle programming, such as AMC, HGTV, Hallmark Channel, Nickelodeon, and Food Network. Subscribers also get access to 120+ free streaming channels, more than 80,000 movies and shows on demand, and unlimited DVR with one-year storage. Essential also includes a 7-day free trial for new customers.

For viewers who want more premium content, Philo offers the Bundle+ plan for $33 per month (formerly the Philo Core plan). Bundle+ includes everything in Essential, plus ad-supported AMC+ and access to the HBO Max (Basic with Ads) app. Users can also access discovery+ content directly within the Philo app. While Bundle+ adds a full premium streaming bundle for just $8 more per month, it does not include a free trial.

The service is available on most major devices, including Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, smart TVs, mobile devices, and web browsers. In addition to its paid plans, Philo also offers a free ad-supported streaming experience, allowing users to explore content before deciding whether to upgrade to a live TV subscription.

While it doesn’t include local broadcast stations or sports networks like ESPN, FS1 or NBC Sports Network, Philo remains one of the most affordable live TV streaming options for entertainment-focused viewers. With a simple lineup, generous DVR storage, and a clear path from free streaming to live TV and premium bundles, Philo is an appealing choice for cord-cutters who want to keep costs down while still enjoying a wide range of popular programming.

7-Day Trial

$25+ / month

philo.com