YouTube TV vs. Sling TV: What's the Difference?

Two of the more directly competitive options for those who have cut the cord on cable television are Sling TV and YouTube TV (not to be confused with regular YouTube). But which is the better choice if you want to keep up with the NFL or watch more episodes of Phineas and Ferb?

We’ve examined the libraries and features of both services to try to give you a better picture of what to expect.

Overall Findings

Sling TV and YouTube TV offer similar live TV experiences at very different prices.

YouTube TV is available on a wider selection of devices (smartphones, streaming devices, smart TVs, tablets, etc.) and provides a much larger number of individual channels.

Its NFL Sunday Ticket add-on is arguably the most affordable version of the plan you’ll find, and the basic YouTube TV subscription provides unlimited DVR storage. However, it’s not as robust when it comes to keeping up with regional MLB, NBA, NFL, and other games in some areas.

Sling TV, however, offers a smaller library of channels but starts at a lower price point. It can be viewed on almost as many devices and platforms as YouTube TV (though not quite) and allows you to add premium channels for an additional cost.

Where it falls a bit short by comparison is in its library and far more limited amount of DVR space (50 hours by default, upgradeable to 200). Sling TV also doesn’t support local channels—it recommends hooking up a TV antenna instead.

Platform and App Availability: YouTube TV Is Just About Everywhere

There’s a good chance at least one of the devices you own—be it a smartphone, smart TV, or video game console—supports either streaming app. That said, Sling TV’s compatibility and availability are a bit more limited when compared to YouTube TV.

Both apps will run on a variety of modern smartphones and tablets, both Android and iOS. They will also work with a number of current smart TVs and streaming devices—YouTube TV runs on even more of them. For example, Sling TV can be used on an Xbox Series X|S, but YouTube TV covers the Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PS5.

Live and On-Demand Content: You’ll Find More on YouTube TV

While there is often some overlap, channel availability varies across different live TV streaming platforms, and the same applies to Sling TV and YouTube TV. Plenty of major channels are on both—such as CBS, NBC, HGTV, and CNN—though some are only on Sling TV’s Orange plan and others are just on Blue.

Of course, some channels on Sling TV aren't on YouTube TV, but in broad strokes, YouTube TV offers a much more extensive library: over 100 channels compared to fewer than 50 (without add-ons). However, the larger selection does come at a tangible price.

NFL coverage is where YouTube TV shines the most, though. Its NFL Sunday Ticket plan is available separately or bundled with the basic plan to bring the price down a bit. You can watch it on any device connected to your account, it doesn’t force you into a contract, and it covers local and national games (including out-of-market Sunday games).

Unfortunately, the monthly payment plan isn't available in Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, or Tennessee; you’ll have to pay up front in these states.

Price: Sling TV Saves You Money, But ...

Both Sling TV and YouTube TV have similar pricing structures. They each have a couple of basic subscription plans that you can later build out (à la carte style) to get more channels or other features.

No matter how you look at it, Sling TV is the cheaper option for basic plans—even if you prefer the $60 per month Orange + Blue bundle. A DVR-upgraded Sling TV bundle still costs less than YouTube TV’s basic subscription ($65 per month versus $72.99). That said, YouTube TV’s DVR limits (i.e., none) are significantly larger than Sling TV’s, no matter what plan combination you choose.

Final Verdict: YouTube Is the Better Value With the Clearer Pricing

Sling TV might be better if you’re looking for the streaming equivalent of cable TV or a lower initial price point. However, that cost will increase as you add more features and channels. It’s also not available on quite as many platforms compared to YouTube TV, and you may find the DVR limits disappointing.

YouTube TV is almost double the price of Sling TV’s most affordable plan, and it's still a bit more expensive than the Orange + Blue bundle + DVR storage. However, that extra cost includes roughly double the channels, even without paying for extras. It provides unlimited DVR storage at any level and works with a broader variety of devices. It also supports three simultaneous streams from the start, with the option to pay more for unlimited streams.

Despite the higher cost overall, YouTube TV does make for a more robust package. However, there are gaps in both services’ libraries. So, if you want a particular channel, make sure one (or both) offers it before signing up.