The 9 Best Cable Alternatives

Key Points:

• Cable alternatives allow you to cherry-pick your live channels from designated packages at less than half of what the average American is paying for proper cable.
• The latest figures put the average monthly cost for cable in America at more than $215 a month.
• Available to Spectrum Internet subscribers for an add-on price of $25, Spectrum TV Stream gives you access to 25 of the most popular live television channels through their designated Spectrum TV app.
• Offering two packages—Sling Orange and Sling Blue—for $35 each or the option to combine them both for $50, Sling TV brings the very best of sports, entertainment, news, and more.

Cable isn’t getting any cheaper. Sure, streaming services keep increasing their prices, too, but they’re still a fraction of what cable costs per month. The latest figures put the average monthly cost for cable in America at more than $215—you could bundle several streamers together and still come in at less than half that per month.

With this in mind, it makes sense to learn that more than five million cable customers canceled their plan in 2020 alone. Still, some crave the convenience and comfort of live television.

For this reason, it’s worth asking: what are the best cable alternatives?

Let’s break down the cable alternatives that will get you the best bang for your buck.

What is a Cable Alternative?

As of late, many streaming services, cable and internet providers, and online startups alike have begun offering what’s known as “cable alternatives.” But, what does this mean?

Across the board, all of these different so-called cable alternatives have one thing in common: they deliver live television channels at streaming service prices. If you’re looking for the catch, there really isn’t one. Yeah, there aren’t as many channels as cable, and sure, service can occasionally be laggy or spotty, but think about it: do you really need all those channels to begin with? And who hasn’t had their cable go out on them before?

By and large, cable alternatives allow you to cherry-pick your live channels from designated packages at less than half of what the average American is paying for proper cable. What’s not to love about that? The savings to be enjoyed by switching to a cable alternative far outweigh any potential downsides, such as limited channel offerings or occasional outages.

Types of Cable Alternatives

Before ranking the best cable alternatives below, let’s first discuss the different types of cable alternatives, which are:

• Internet company add-on
• Streaming service add-on
• Designated cable streaming service
• Physical hardware

Internet company add-ons allow you to keep your internet service provider while adding on their cable streaming service to your monthly bill.

Streaming service add-ons function similarly, allowing you to add on live TV to your pre-existing streaming subscription.

Designated cable streaming services are a different option entirely, functioning much like a cable company would by offering you a set number of live TV channels at a base price.

Last but not least, physical hardware—such as an antenna—allows you to access the limited number of HDTV channels that are broadcasting for free.

The Best Cable Alternatives: Listed

Here, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best cable alternatives that you can choose from today. They represent the full range of options available to you today, stretching from ISP or streaming service add-ons to designated cable streaming services to physical hardware. Notice the differences in prices, number of channels, and other specs below.

9. Spectrum TV Stream

If you’re a Spectrum Internet subscriber but aren’t interested in paying significantly more for Spectrum television, Spectrum TV Stream is a great alternative for you.

Available to Spectrum Internet subscribers for an add-on price of $25, Spectrum TV Stream gives you access to 25 of the most popular live television channels through their designated Spectrum TV app.

These channels include FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, FX, A&E, HGTV, Comedy Central, and more. It’s an excellent range, truly—and that $25 add-on isn’t that much when you consider it as $1 per channel per month. The only downside is that this cable alternative is limited to Spectrum customers. As such, any Spectrum outages will result in Spectrum TV Stream outages.

8. Pluto TV

Not all of the best cable alternatives come at a cost. In truth, some are completely and totally free—no strings attached. Take Pluto TV, for example.

Offering more than 250 channels completely free of charge, the Paramount-owned service delivers linear live television that users can stream via the Pluto TV app. While you’re unable to customize what you’re given access to, cannot record programs, and are barred from watching any of the streams on demand, you just can’t beat that non-existent price tag.

Pluto TV channels aren’t going to look or feel like what you’re used to, but that doesn’t make them inherently inferior. You aren’t going to find NBC, FOX, ABC, or the like, but you’ll find comparable live channels that mimic the quality and service of these trusted names in TV. Pluto TV channels include include WeatherNation, Bloomberg Television, Sky News, CNN, and hundreds more.

7. Vidgo

One of the newer options among these best cable alternatives, Vidgo delivers more than 110 channels to subscribers for $60 a month.

Streaming quality is as high as 1080p, and subscribers also have access to on-demand content as well as a select number of cloud-based DVR hours. Many sports fans have flocked to Vidgo for its 12 distinct college sports channels as well as ESPN, NFL Network, MLB Network, and other sports-centric channels.

This is one of the best advantages of live television over streaming services, and Vidgo is all the better for understanding that one of the biggest downsides of cable-cutting is the loss of live sports. While other cable alternatives have sports packages that can be added on for an additional monthly fee, Vidgo delivers plenty of live sports channels in the base price. While Vidgo lacks CBS, NBC, CW, and the option to add on premium networks like Showtime and HBO, they more than make up for it with those sports channels.

6. DIRECTV Stream

Formerly known as AT&T TV and DIRECTV Now, DIRECTV Stream is undoubtedly the most customizable of all the best cable alternatives. Giving subscribers several different options to choose from, including an entertainment package, a premier package, and an ultimate package, DIRECTV Stream is just about the closest thing to proper cable that streaming television has to offer. (It makes sense that DIRECTV is also a proper satellite television provider).

Of course, all these different packages and such a wide range of basic and premium cable offerings come at a price. As a matter of fact, it’s one of the priciest cable alternatives on the market today. However, you’re not paying for nothing. You’re getting great channels across a wide range of sports, entertainment, and news offerings—and you’re getting them from a trusted brand name.

5. YouTube TV

Formed back in 2017 and delivering quality live television ever since, YouTube TV is a tried and true cable alternative that offers a solid range of channels for a modest price. Some of the best cable alternatives are cheaper for fewer channels, while others are more expensive for more channels. YouTube TV splits the difference, offering more than 100 channels for around $65 a month. Plus, you have access to cloud-based DVR.

As far as channel selection is concerned, YouTube TV gives subscribers access to CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, PBS, CW, and dozens of other entertainment, sports, and cable news options. As an added bonus, subscribers can pay a little more to customize their selection and add on additional packages like Sports Plus or Entertainment Plus for an extra fee.

All in all, it’s a solid choice for an alternative to cable.

4. FuboTV

FuboTV began as a sports-only cable alternative but has since grown to be something much bigger and better than that. (Of course, they’ve still got those sports channels subscribers crave).

With packages ranging from around $70 a month for more than 100 channels to around $100 a month for more than 200 channels, FuboTV has a seriously great selection at some seriously great prices.

The massive number of sports offerings make FuboTV a nice competitor to Vidgo. While Vidgo is slightly cheaper, FuboTV offers more sports channels for not that much more money. Alas, the difference between $60 and $100 can be quite drastic for those looking to save money compared to cable. More than anything else, this factor is really what distinguishes these two sports-heavy cable alternatives.

3. Hulu with Live TV

Perhaps the biggest draw of Hulu with Live TV is the fact that subscribers get access to Hulu’s streaming service in addition to more than 75 live TV channels. It’s sort of like the best of both worlds, combining the strengths of streaming services with the benefits of live television broadcasts. Plus, with a price point of $69.99, Hulu with Live TV comes in at the same price as many other best cable alternatives with the added bonus of a full streaming service library included in the price.

Of course, Hulu with Live TV’s 75+ channels are slightly less than some of the competition’s offerings, but keep in mind that other cable alternatives don’t come equipped with a streaming service included. It’s a give and a take: you’re losing out on more live television channels, but you’re gaining the Hulu streaming library in exchange. Plus, you can always add on some premium bundles to the base price.

2. Philo

Originally known as Tivli back at its founding in 2009, Philo has since evolved to be one of the very best cable alternatives in the game. Just look at that price: $25 a month for more than 60 channels. There’s got to be a catch, right? Truthfully, there isn’t one.

You’re getting fewer channels at a lower price, and it’s as simple as that. It’s what draws people to Philo in the first place: you’re getting the basics of live television, and you’re not paying an arm and a leg for it, either.

Philo lacks any local stations or sports channels, which is what contributes heavily to that lower price point. For those of us cord-cutters who just don’t care to see local offerings and don’t have a desire to stream any sports stations, Philo is an unbeatable option.

Plus, with backing from AMC Networks, Paramount Global, and Warner Bros. Discovery in addition to A&E Networks (which is itself owned by Hearst Communications and Walt Disney Company), there’s no shortage of big cable names on Philo.

1. Sling TV

Of all the best cable alternatives, Sling TV is the one that takes the cake. Offering two packages—Sling Orange and Sling Blue—for $35 each or the option to combine them both for $50, Sling TV brings the very best of sports, entertainment, news, and more. (And all for less than much of the competition to boot).

What’s more, Sling has a massive selection of premium add-ons that only cost around $6 a month in addition to the base price.

Even with several add-ons and both Sling Orange and Sling Blue, you are still likely to come in at a cheaper price than much of the cable alternatives competition. This is what puts Sling TV in the top spot: affordable prices, great selections, and maximum customization options. Simply put, it’s just about everything cable-cutters are looking for.

Which of the Best Cable Alternatives Should You Use?

So, with all these cable alternatives in mind, which one is the best choice for you?

In order to come up with an answer, you’ll need to ask yourself a series of questions. What’s your budget? What channels are most important to you? Are you looking for the most channels possible, or are you more interested in a limited number of only the essentials? The answers to each of these questions will help guide you toward the best cable alternative for your specific needs.

Ultimately, it’s hard to go wrong with any one of these cable alternatives. You’ll be saving money, you’ll still be getting live television, and you’ll have far more options to customize compared to even the best cable or satellite television providers.

To help make your choice easier, consider pursuing some of the free trials these alternatives provide. Philo, DIRECTV Stream, Hulu with Live TV, and FuboTV all give you the option to try before you buy.

Up Next…

• The Best Costco TV Deals Today: Looking for a new TV on a budget? Check out these great deals at Costco!
• Vizio V Series vs. M Series: Key Differences and Full Comparison: Vizio TVs are great quality at an affordable price – we can help you to decide which one to buy!
• Roku Ultra vs Ultra LT: Top 3 Key Differences and Full Comparison: Roku is an outstanding streaming device – but which one should you get?

The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Robert Daly.