Choosing the best TV streaming services can be an exciting decision that opens up a whole new world of movies, series, and live events. Streaming platforms allow you to watch TV anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected device, allowing you to choose and personalize the content you want.
Whether you enjoy soap operas, sports, award-winning documentaries, or reality shows, you’ll want to find the perfect streaming service for you and your family. This means choosing a service that not only offers your favorite shows, but also meets your technical and budget needs.
But with so many options, deciding which service or services you want can be confusing. To help you better understand what they have to offer, we’ve selected 10 of the best streaming services on the market.
Our Top 10 Best TV Streaming Services in 2023:
- Honda TV. Best TV Streaming Service
- Hulu: The best combination of broadcast and original content
- DirecTV Streaming: The best deal for live streaming
- ESPN+. The best for live sports
- Filon: The best budget TV option
- Disney+. The best option for exclusive Disney content
- fuboTV: The best option for sports and Latino content
- Video: The best option for live sports anywhere
- Starz: The best content focused on minority voices
- Supreme+. The best way to access Paramount+ compatible channels
Not sure which TV streaming service is right for you? Here’s our list of the ten best TV streaming services available today and why you can join the crowd who are choosing them.
A Closer Look at the Top 10 TV Streaming Services
Perfect for Customizing Your Entertainment Bundle
Base Price: $40-$55
Mobile App: Yes
With three basic plans and a wide range of customization options, Sling TV is an attractive choice for those who want to customize their streaming plan to their tastes. After choosing a basic plan, you can upgrade your subscription to sports, news, or comedy packages. You can also add premium channels like Showtime, Epix, and Starz. When you sign up for a plan, you get 50 hours of free DVR storage, which you can upgrade to 200 hours for $5 per month. While this is more than enough for most viewers, some competitors offer unlimited DVR storage.
In terms of price, Sling TV is one of the more affordable options, with basic plans ranging from $35 to $50. Although the company has poor ratings on Trustpilot, you can try out their service with a 3-year free trial or by subscribing to Sling Free.
- Over 200 channels and over 85,000 on-demand movies and TV shows
- 3-day free trial with paid plans
- Thousands of hours of free content
Cons
- Poor ratings on Trustpilot
- Limited access to local channels.
Great for those looking for an affordable streaming service with a variety of add-ons.
Starting price: $6.99/month
Mobile app: Yes.
Hulu is a streaming service available in the United States and parts of Japan. With plans starting at $6.99 per month, it’s a great option for those looking for a budget-friendly price. It offers quality original programming and frequent updates with new TV shows.
While it doesn’t have many apps or its own, Hulu offers a variety of bundles and add-ons to stream content from other platforms and channels, such as BET, Bravo, TBS, MTV, ESPN, Fox News, and CNN. You can also add unlimited screens for $9.99 per month, which is useful if you live in a large home. Bundles can also save you money.
Hulu’s biggest drawback seems to be the frequency of ads, but you can mitigate that by opting for an ad-free plan. Support is also pretty good, with 24/7 live chat and phone support. Finally, Hulu’s iOS and Android apps let you stream content from anywhere, even outside your home.
Pros
- Affordable price for the basic plan
- Quality original programming
- Various packages and add-ons available
Cons
- Frequent ads (ad-free app available)
- Limited downloads
Ideal for TV, sports, and movie fans
Base price: $69.99 to $149.99 per month (plus tax)
Mobile app: Yes
DirecTV offers a comprehensive, high-tech package for viewers who spend a lot of time watching TV, sports, and movies. You can watch over 140 live channels and over 65,000 on-demand programs with four available plans. With plans ranging from $69.99 to $149.99 per month, the service may not be suitable for those on a tight budget. However, others may appreciate features like unlimited streaming at home, DirecTV voice remote control, and the ability to record on the go. However, before you sign up for any plan, keep in mind that the company has a lot of negative reviews on Trustpilot.
As with any streaming solution, it’s a good idea to thoroughly research your plan options before making a decision.
Pros
- Up to 65,000 on-demand titles and over 140 live TV channels
- Free trial available
- Unlimited streaming
Cons
- Relatively high monthly fees
- Bad reviews on Trustpilot
Ideal for live sports fans
Base price: $10.99/month
Mobile app: Yes
If you’re a sports fan, ESPN+ has a lot to offer. You can watch thousands of live sporting events, original sports content and talk shows, and read premium sports journalism. As a service separate from the traditional ESPN networks, you don’t need an expensive TV package to access this content. And with simultaneous streaming on three devices, your whole family can enjoy the subscription.
ESPN+ could be especially appealing to UFC fans, who can watch exclusive paid events through the service. You can even watch it through the ESPN app. While there is no free trial, the lack of a contract allows you to try ESPN+ without committing to a pricey package. While there are some negative reviews, if you’re a big sports fan, ESPN+ is worth checking out.
Pros
- Exclusive live streams
- Original content like sports documentaries.
- Stream on three devices simultaneously.
Cons
- No free trial.
- Doesn’t include standard ESPN channels.
Perfect for watching live and on-demand content at an affordable price.
Initial price: $25/month.
Mobile app: Yes.
At just $25 per month, Philo is a great option for those looking for a budget-friendly streaming service. Although the company only offers one plan, this package gives you access to popular entertainment channels like AMC, Nickelodeon, MTV, and Lifetime.
Another attractive feature is that Philo offers 24/7 customer support via phone and online chat, which can be very useful for those who like to stream at unusual hours.
Pros
- 24/7 customer support
- 7-day free trial
- Unlimited DVR recordings.
Cons
- Only one plan available.
- Limited selection of news and sports programming.
Great for Disney and Pixar movies.
Base price starts at $7.99 per month
Mobile app: Yes
Disney+ is new to the streaming service market, but it’s already one of the most popular platforms. The $7.99 per month base subscription price offers one of the best deals we’ve seen, and includes a wide library of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic movies.
Additionally, Disney+ has excellent mobile apps, and we found its customer support to be very responsive, although some customers have reported less than positive experiences. As you might expect, its catalog is largely focused on family-friendly content, which is something to keep in mind. But if you’re looking for a streaming service that lets you watch your favorite Disney movies, Disney+ is a great choice.
Pros
- Access to a wide range of Disney content
- Offline downloads on up to 10 devices
- Quite affordable
Cons
- Limited original content
- Premier Access is very expensive
Ideal for sports fans
Base price: $64.99/month
Mobile app: Yes
FuboTV is a TV subscription service that offers a variety of content without the need for a cable TV subscription. It’s perfect for sports fans, with several premium and international sports channels, so you never miss a game. It even offers a quarterly plan that focuses on content from the Latin American community. Streaming on 3 to 10 devices, depending on your plan, helps avoid hassles with remote control. You can record in the cloud to watch later if you need to.
If FuboTV’s current plans don’t meet your needs, you can easily add additional channels with a wide range of paid add-ons. So while FuboTV has a fairly high monthly fee (although it’s usually cheaper than cable TV), you’re sure to find content your whole family will enjoy.
Pros
- Lots of extra features
- 24/7 email support
- Dedicated sports channels
Cons
- High prices
- Not all events are available in 4K/HDR quality
Ideal for an affordable TV service that prioritizes women and minority voices.
Starting price: $8.99/month
Mobile app: Yes
STARZ is a premium subscription service owned by Lionsgate. It’s a great alternative for those who have already watched most of the exciting content offered by streaming giants like HBO or Netflix. For $8.99 per month, you get 20 channels and over 1,400 movies, plus the ability to watch on up to 5 devices simultaneously.
STARZ is worth a try if you’re willing to wait for new content to be released. You can always try the free trial if you’re not interested in joining STARZ from scratch. Within seven days, you should have all the information you need to decide if a STARZ subscription is right for you.
Pros
- Monthly and annual subscriptions available
- Great streaming options for kids
- More original content coming soon
Cons
- Lacks robust interface
- Limited TV catalog
Perfect for accessing Paramount+-compatible channels
Base price: $4.99 per month
Mobile app: Yes
At first glance, Paramount+ seems appealing, with competitive pricing, a large selection of unique titles, and attractive apps for both mobile and desktop. It’s relatively inexpensive, starting at just $4.99 per month with an ad-supported subscription. Customer service is mediocre at best. But if you’re looking for the titles Paramount+ offers, the 7-day free trial lets you try it out without committing to a subscription.
The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, and the mobile apps are clean and functional. If you can overlook the flaws, you’ll find a unique selection of multimedia content on Paramount+ that you might be interested in.
Pros
- Extensive media library
- 7-day free trial
- Easy-to-use mobile and desktop apps
Cons
- General performance issues
- Poor customer service
Ideal for families with preschoolers
Base price: $7.99/month
Mobile app: Yes
Noggin includes an extensive content library, including over 1,000 episodes of Nick Jr. series featuring beloved characters like Dora the Explorer, Paw Patrol, and Peppa Pig. You also get access to videos created by education experts, educational games, and e-books that you can read together.
Noggin can be a great option if you have kids between the ages of 2 and 6. With so much to explore together, it’s more than just a TV streaming service. While it may not be suitable for older kids, with a monthly subscription you’re not locked into a long-term contract and can switch platforms when your family is ready. Noggin can support your child’s development and can also be a great way to keep them entertained.
Pros
- It’s designed to support children’s learning.
- It combines TV, books, games, and other entertainment.
- One account works on multiple devices.
Cons
- Users have had technical issues with the app.
- It’s only suitable for preschoolers.
What is TV Streaming?
Streaming is the process of watching television on devices connected to the internet, such as smart TVs, laptops, smartphones, and video game consoles. It allows you to stream pre-recorded or on-demand content, such as movies and TV series, as well as live broadcasts, such as sporting events and award shows.
Watching TV via streaming usually requires a subscription to a service that offers access to its content for a monthly fee.
While there are dozens of streaming services, providers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and Sling TV are among the most popular. Since their emergence in the mid-2010s, many of the best TV shows and documentaries have been offered exclusively on these services. After a streaming service launches, some programs are also released in other formats, such as DVD.
Unlike scheduled programming, on-demand streaming doesn’t require you to watch at a specific time of day, making it a more convenient option for many viewers. And unlike broadcast or cable TV, most of the live and on-demand content available through streaming services is ad-free.
In addition to TV shows and movies, you can use streaming to watch or listen to music videos, podcasts, and webcasts.
How Does TV Streaming Work?
Streaming works by transmitting video and audio data over a computer network or internet connection, which your device then plays in real time.
Like any file sent over the internet, streaming audio and video files for TV are broken up into data packets, each containing a portion of the file. When your device receives the information from these files, it converts them into images and sounds that appear on your screen.
Since the transfer is continuous, you can start watching a portion of the content while the rest continues streaming. The rest of the file will be sent as you watch it, meaning there shouldn’t be any interruptions.
While many people confuse streaming with TV streaming, there are some key differences between the two. Unlike streaming, downloading requires you to acquire the entire file before playing it, which typically makes streaming faster and more efficient. And unlike downloaded files, streaming content isn’t stored on your device.
What Do I Need to Use TV Streaming?
To start streaming TV, you typically need a stable internet connection, access to a streaming service, and an internet-connected device.
If you plan to watch on your TV, you’ll need a smart TV or streaming device. Almost all TVs sold today are smart TVs, meaning they can connect to the internet and have streaming service apps installed.
A streaming device connects to your home theater system or TV and allows you to watch content via a streaming service. Popular streaming devices include Amazon Fire TV Sticks and Roku Streaming Sticks.
You should also check your data allowance before watching TV online, as streaming can use up a significant portion of your data allowance. According to Netflix, one hour of streaming standard definition video uses approximately 1 GB of data, HD streaming can use up to 3 GB, and Ultra HD can use up to 7 GB.
How to Choose The Right TV Streaming Service for Your Needs?
With so many great streaming services out there, finding the right one is ultimately a personal decision. However, there are a few key factors you should consider.
When choosing a subscription service, your top priority should be finding a provider that offers the TV shows or genres you’re interested in. If you prefer to watch live, you should also look for a provider that offers your favorite channels. The table above provides more information on which services are best for each type of screen.
While there are a few free streaming services, they often offer very limited content, which may not be suitable for the most dedicated viewers. For many, ease of use is another important factor when choosing a streaming service.
If you’re not tech-savvy, you won’t want to waste time searching through a service’s catalog for the show or stream you need. While more established services have a long history of creating an intuitive viewing experience, some of the interfaces on newer streaming services can be easier to navigate.
If you like to watch TV on the go, you may want to choose a streaming service with a reliable mobile app that lets you stream content to your phone wherever you are.
It’s a good idea to consider whether you need a provider that offers simultaneous streaming. As the name suggests, this feature allows you and other members of your family to watch multiple programs at the same time on a single account.
If you and your family have different TV preferences, the freedom to watch multiple streams can be important for family harmony. While every service is different, some providers allow you to watch up to four streams at the same time.
Is TV Streaming Cheaper Than Cable?
Streaming TV is generally cheaper than cable, although this varies depending on where you live and what content you’re watching.
If you choose to stream without live coverage, it will definitely be cheaper than cable, even if you subscribe to multiple streaming services. Live coverage is more affordable than cable, even if your internet service is included.
Cable TV can only be cheaper if you want to watch a lot of sports from regional networks.
Which Streaming Service Is Best for Live Sports?
ESPN+ is a popular option. It lets you watch thousands of live sporting events and is a standalone service that you can add to your existing TV package.
ESPN+ includes a wide variety of live broadcasts, both national and international. It offers on-demand replays of games you miss and is especially great for UFC fans, as they can get exclusive access to pay-per-view events.
FuboTV is another great option. You can choose the channel packages that interest you most. Sports Plus includes 25 specialty sports channels with NFL RedZone, while International Sports Plus offers 11 sports channels focused on international events.
Can I Watch Local Channels Without Cable?
Many people prefer their traditional cable service so they don’t miss out on their local channels, but many streaming services now allow you to watch them as well. DirecTV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV are streaming services that offer local TV channels.
Other services, such as Sling TV and Vidgo, offer a more comprehensive range of local channels, but availability varies by location.
How Did We Choose These Live TV Streaming Services?
We recorded and tested live TV programming from every live TV streaming service available in the United States. We consider these to be the most important criteria for a great live TV service.
- Number of channels included
- Local channel coverage
- Premium channel lineup (Food Network, Fox Sports, HBO Max, Apple TV, MLB Network, and more)
- Value
- Mobile apps
- Plan customization
- Reliability
- User interface
- User reviews
- Additional features like streaming recording
More TV Streaming Services We Reviewed:
- DAZN:
- Noggin:
- Showtime:
Our Related TV Streaming Services Articles:
- 10 reasons why TV streaming is the future of TV
- Ten tips for choosing a TV streaming service for the whole family
- 10 reasons to switch to live streaming
The Bottom Line
with great on-demand and live streaming options, streaming services have never been more competitive. It’s now easier than ever to replace your traditional cable service with a TV streaming service, which can save you money in the long run.
Our top 10 streaming TV services include Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, ESPN+, Philo, Disney+, fuboTV, Hulu, Vidgo, Prime Video, and Starz.
Choosing the right streaming TV service for you depends largely on the channels you watch and your budget. The ten streaming services listed above represent the best options currently available.
