YouTube TV vs. Sling TV in 2024
By Staff, Davan Hamilton• Edited by Lisa Holden • Updated Dec 04, 2023
The video streaming industry worldwide was worth around $60 billion in 2021, and that figure should increase to $330 billion in 2030. The reports indicate that 85% of US households have one or more subscriptions to streaming platforms. Live TV services that enable cutting the cord become more popular every day. If you are among those ready to transfer to watching TV without cable, you might be considering YouTube TV or Sling TV.
These two streaming platforms are popular, but which is better? It’s all about identifying the live TV service that fits your needs. Our experts offer a detailed comparison of all YouTube TV and Sling TV features. Here’s what you should know before deciding on a streaming platform!
A quick overview of YouTube TV vs. Sling TV
If you were wondering if Google is the company behind YouTube TV, the answer is yes. The tech giant launched the streaming service in 2017, and it’s exclusively available in the United States. YouTube TV has over four million users and over 100 channels.
Sling TV is the pioneer of the live TV streaming industry. It started in 2015 and currently stands at around 2.5 million users in the United States. Sling TV offers affordable basic packages with 30-50 channels, as well as add-ons.
YouTube TV vs. Sling TV – Which offers better pricing?
While considering pricing, you need to assess two things. The first thing is the actual cost, and the other is value for money. There’s no doubt that Sling TV is a more affordable platform. It has two default subscriptions – Sling Orange and Sling Blue. They secure approximately 30-50 channels, depending on your location and the package chosen. You can choose either package or choose to bundle them together, getting all of the channels that Sling has to offer.
That’s still lower than YouTube TV’s plan. It’s also the only tier available, so there’s no braining when choosing a package. But although YouTube TV is more expensive, it delivers a better channel value. You can access over 100 channels from different niches, making this option an excellent value for money.
Can you expect a free trial with YouTube TV or Sling TV?
Yes, but only for YouTube TV. The service allows free access for an entire week to new users. Sling TV doesn’t currently offer a free trial, though it has in the past.
Youtube TV’s free trial starts as soon as you register. Make sure you cancel it before the expiration, or you risk the platform charging your card with a monthly subscription automatically.
YouTube TV vs. Sling TV – Which has better channels and add-ons?
Channel requirements are highly individual, and both YouTube TV and Sling TV have a decent lineup. You can enjoy more channels on YouTube TV, so we can pronounce it as the winner in that category. Both platforms offer multiple add-on packages. They allow spicing up the default subscription tier and watching channels from your favorite categories.
What to watch on YouTube TV?
The default YouTube TV subscription offers over 100 channels for all ages and preferences. Check out the entire list on this page, and here are some of our favorites in each category:
- News – Fox News, CNN, BBC World News
- Sports – NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports, ESPN, NBA TV
- Kid-friendly – NickJr, PBS Kids, Cartoon Network. Disney Channel
- Documentaries – Discover Channel, Animal Planet, Smithsonian Channel
- Movies and TV shows – AMC, TCM, The CW
- Entertainment – MTV, HGTV, TLC, VH1
If the default lineup doesn’t seem enough, you can unlock additional channels for extra money. The cost depends on the selected package but goes from $5 to $15. The premium channels include sports options like Fox Soccer Plus and beinSports, but also HBO, Showtime, Epix, etc.
What to watch on Sling TV?
Sling TV has two basic subscriptions – Orange and Blue. But regardless of which tier you choose, you’ll have access to 30+ channels, including the following:
- AMC
- Cartoon Network
- CNN
- TBS
- TNT
If you’d like to check the entire basic channel lineup, check out our Sling TV programming guide. Besides the channels in both packages, there are exclusive options for Blue and Orange tiers. The Orange subscription focuses on sports content, with three ESPN channels included. You also get Disney Channel, Freeform, and Motor Trend. Sling Blue unlocks 15 additional channels, including Fox Sports 1 and NFL Network, but also NBC, TLC, E! and Discovery.
Sling TV offers extra add-ons focused on specific content. The News package is the cheapest and costs $6, while the Sports package costs $11 and unlocks all-around sports coverage with 10+ new channels.
YouTube TV vs. Sling TV – Which has better device support?
Both platforms do an excellent job, so we can call it a tie in this category. Whether you choose YouTube TV or Sling TV won’t matter much since device support is impressive. If you watch on big screens, you can use specialized apps on Android, Samsung, LG, and other smart TVs. Portable screens are also supported, including iOS and Android smartphones, tablets, etc.
And if you plan to use streaming media players, Roku and Amazon Fire TV work flawlessly. In addition, the video quality remains impressive regardless of the device used.
YouTube TV vs. Sling TV – Which is better for simultaneous streaming?
YouTube TV is a close winner in this category, but only because it’s clear about its simultaneous streams. Regardless of which channels you watch, you can use YouTube TV on three different devices. A single account is enough, and you can create multiple profiles for easier navigation.
Sling TV offers up to four simultaneous streams, but it has a complex scheme. If you use Sling Blue, you can watch on up to three devices. But if you pick Sling Orange, you can only watch those specialized channels on a single device.
The confusion arises when you pick Sling Blue + Orange package. It allows watching on up to four streams, but only one device can watch channels exclusive to Sling Orange. The service will prevent you from watching if you try accessing them from another device.
YouTube TV vs. Sling TV – Which has better DVR?
It’s not only that YouTube TV is better than Sling Tv, but it’s the best in this category on the entire market. Google has huge resources, so it’s no wonder there’s unlimited DVR storage available for YouTube TV. Furthermore, the platform will store anything you recorded for up to nine months!
That sounds impressive and can’t compare to the 50 hours of DVR storage offered by Sling TV. It’s worth noting you can choose an add-on that costs $5 monthly and unlocks a 200-hour DVR capacity. Fortunately, that’s still enough for most users, so Sling TV does a decent job in this category.
Final thoughts – Is YouTube TV better than Sling TV?
Each platform has millions of users for a good reason. It ultimately comes down to your preference. Sling TV is among the most affordable live TV streaming options. You can get dozens of channels, and add-ons allow huge customization freedom. If you are looking for an entry-level and budget-friendly service, you can’t go wrong with this platform.
YouTube TV seems better for users who appreciate a bigger channel selection. It has over 100 channels in the default package, including premium options like ESPN and Disney Channel. It also has impressive DVR storage, so you don’t miss a minute of programming you want to watch.
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Aneeca Younas • Author
Aneeca Younas is a graduated journalist with years of experience writing in different niches based in Oakland, CA. She is a huge movie fan that also enjoys watching sports. That's why she spends hours daily using various streaming services. Over the years, Aneeca profiled herself as an expert in cable-free and VOD platforms.
Lisa Holden • Editor
Lisa Holden is an editor and creative based in Houston, TX. Lisa holds a BA in African-American Studies from Temple University and has spent her career working in news publications and magazines, even founding a magazine herself. When she’s not editing or working on one of her many creative endeavors (whenever that is), she enjoys traveling to new places and biking on sunny days.