Sling TV vs YouTube TV
Live TV streaming · Updated May 2026
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Sling TV

Orange or Blue ~$45.99 / both ~$60.99 per mo

VS
Y

YouTube TV

~$82.99 per mo (lower genre plans available)

Sling TV vs YouTube TV (2026): cheap vs complete live TV

Sling TV is the budget option with smaller, customizable channel packages and a much lower price. YouTube TV is a full cable replacement with all local networks, unlimited DVR, and strong sports, at roughly double the cost. Sling wins on price; YouTube TV wins on completeness.

TL;DR: pick in 10 seconds

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Pick Sling TV if...

Pick Sling TV if your priority is a low monthly bill and you only need a smaller set of channels you can customize.

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Pick YouTube TV if...

Pick YouTube TV if you want a true cable replacement with all your local networks, unlimited DVR, and strong sports, and you will pay more for it.

Sling TV and YouTube TV solve the same problem at very different price points. Sling is the budget cord-cutting service: you pick Orange, Blue, or both, each a smaller curated bundle, and you pay roughly $45.99 to $60.99 a month. YouTube TV is a full cable replacement at around $82.99, with nearly every local and cable channel, unlimited DVR, and strong sports.

The trade-off is coverage. Sling deliberately omits or limits some local broadcast stations and splits popular channels across Orange and Blue, which is why it is cheaper. YouTube TV aims to replace cable wholesale, so you rarely have to think about which package a channel is in.

We compare price, channels, local stations, DVR, and sports.

Sling TV vs YouTube TV at a glance

Quick factsSling TVYouTube TV
Base price~$45.99/mo (one package)~$82.99/mo
Local networksLimitedComprehensive
DVRGenerous (capped)Unlimited
Channel approachCustomizable packagesFull lineup
Best forLowest billComplete coverage

Side-by-side: feature comparison

Each row reflects the feature on each product's current public release.

Feature
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Sling TV
Y
YouTube TV
Major broadcast networksLimitedYes
Unlimited cloud DVRNo (large but capped)Yes
Customizable channel packagesYesNo
Simultaneous streams1 to 3 by package3 (more as add-on)
Sports coverageDepends on packageStrong + add-ons
Lowest monthly priceYesNo
Local station coverageSpotty by marketComprehensive
À la carte add-onsManySome

Pricing and features change often. Always verify the current details on each product's official site. Last reviewed 2026-06-21.

Honest tradeoffs

Things neither product's marketing page leads with.

1

Sling is far cheaper but deliberately limited, with spotty local-station coverage and channels split across two packages.

2

YouTube TV is nearly twice the price but replaces cable completely, so you stop thinking about which package has what.

3

If sports and local news matter, Sling's gaps can be frustrating; if budget is the priority, YouTube TV can feel expensive.

S From Subkept

Whichever you pick, Sling TV and YouTube TV are recurring charges. Track them so they never surprise you.

The average person juggles a dozen subscriptions and forgets at least one. Subkept is a privacy-first subscription tracker: add Sling TV, YouTube TV, and everything else, then get renewal reminders, price-hike alerts, and a clear monthly total, with no bank connection, ever. Free for up to 5 subscriptions, no time limit.

See how the price has moved

Frequently asked questions

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