While most of us prefer streaming to cable, there's still something to be said for having access to live TV—especially if you watch network news or real-time sports. You can find nearly everything if you subscribe to a litany of streaming services, but to get more in one place for a single fee, you may want to consider YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.
Both of these cable alternatives give you access to 100 channels (or more) of live programming, no contract required. While YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV aren't the only TV streaming services out there—other options include Sling TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream—they are two of the best.
YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are closely matched when it comes to pricing, channel selection, and features. YouTube TV offers a few more channels and has the edge for sports fans with full access to things like March Madness and features like multiview, which allows you to watch up to four games at once. Plus, you can bundle NFL Sunday Ticket at a discount during football season.
A Hulu + Live TV subscription, meanwhile, comes with access to streaming content on Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (the ad tiers), so if you care a lot about what's on those platforms, the Hulu + Live TV bundle may be for you.
Pricing
YouTube TV's base plan costs $72.99 per month, which includes six household accounts and three streams, though there are occasional promotions (like $15 off your first three months). You can also add on extra features like 4K and unlimited streams as well as premium channels—Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, NFL RedZone, to name a few—for an additional monthly fee.
The Hulu + Live TV base bundle—which includes Disney+ and ESPN+ with ads—comes in at $76.99 per month for two streams, or you can upgrade to the no-ad tiers of Hulu and Disney+ for $89.99 per month (and add unlimited streams for $10 per month). The Disney Bundle, which includes the ad tiers of Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+, costs $14.99, so you're essentially paying $62 for the live TV portion.
YouTube TV is a little bit cheaper overall, but Hulu + Live TV's value is high.
Channels
The channel lineups on YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are comparable. YouTube TV claims 100+ channels, and Hulu + Live TV has 95+. YouTube TV omits the History Channel, Lifetime, INSP, and A&E, while Hulu lacks Univision, AMC, Sundance, Ion, and both BBC America and BBC World News. Note that the availability of regional and local networks also varies.
If you care a lot about the programming on one of these channels and don't get access to it elsewhere, that may sway your decision.
Features
Both YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV have unlimited DVR, so you can record content to watch later. Both have default picture quality ranging from 720p to 1080p, though YouTube TV lets you get more granular with your settings. As mentioned above, YouTube TV has a 4K add-on package, while Hulu + Live TV includes limited 4K on-demand content on certain devices.
YouTube TV already has a leg up on overall sports content, which is set even further apart by features like multiview and key plays (allowing you to catch up by viewing a game's highlights). The YouTube TV interface is also, arguably, a bit easier to navigate.
Bottom line
YouTube TV is a better choice for sports and has a slight edge on channel lineup—plus, it's a bit closer to the traditional cable TV experience. Hulu + Live TV offers great value for those who want access to on-demand streaming content from Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ as well as the option for live TV.