YouTube TV or Sling TV: Top 2 Streamers Which is Best?

Confused choosing between YouTube TV or Sling TV? When it comes to cutting the cord and switching to streaming services, the biggest question on everyone’s mind is: Which service is best for me? Two of the most popular options in the market are YouTube TV and Sling TV. Both platforms offer live TV streaming, great content, and some pretty awesome features. But they also differ in key areas like pricing, channel offerings, and user experience.

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at both services to help you make an informed decision about which one is right for your needs.

Pricing: YouTube TV or Sling TV

Let’s kick things off with what most people care about — pricing. After all, cutting the cable is supposed to save us money, right?

YouTube TV Pricing:

YouTube TV is priced at $72.99/month for its base plan. While this may seem a bit steep, it includes over 100 channels right out of the gate, including major networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. There are no hidden fees or long-term contracts. You pay the price, and that’s it.

Sling TV Pricing

Sling TV offers a more flexible and affordable pricing structure. They have two main packages:

  • Sling Orange for $40/month, which is geared towards sports and families (Disney Channel, ESPN, etc.)
  • Sling Blue for $45/month, which offers more news and entertainment options (Fox, NBC, etc.).
    You can also combine both packages for $60/month. Sling’s add-on packages are great if you want to customize your channel lineup with options like Sports Extra, Kids Extra, or Comedy Extra.

Winner in Pricing

Sling TV is clearly the more budget-friendly option here, especially if you don’t mind fewer channels in the base plan and the flexibility to add what you want. YouTube TV, while pricier, does come with a more robust channel selection.

Channels Lineup

The channel selection is crucial when choosing a streaming service. Let’s break down what each one offers.

youtube tv channels lineup

YouTube TV Channels Count

With 100+ channels, YouTube TV covers all the major broadcast networks, sports channels (like ESPN and FOX Sports), and a wide variety of news, entertainment, and lifestyle channels. You even get local channels in most areas. Plus, YouTube TV recently added NFL Sunday Ticket, making it a great option for football fans.

Sling TV Channels Count

Sling TV’s channel lineup is more customizable. Sling Orange and Sling Blue each offer a different selection, so you may not get all your desired channels in one package. Sling Orange offers 32+ channels, and Sling Blue has 40+ channels. For premium content like AMC+, Showtime, or HBO Max, you’ll need to pay extra.
Sling excels with its add-ons — you can get Sports Extra, Kids Extra, and other bundles to tailor your viewing experience.

Winner in Channels Count

While Sling TV offers flexibility, YouTube TV provides a broader range of channels in its base plan, making it more appealing for those who want a large selection without the hassle of add-ons.

User Experience & Interface of YouTube TV or Sling TV

No one likes a clunky streaming service interface, so let’s talk about how easy it is to navigate and enjoy these services.

youtube tv or sling tv user experience

YouTube TV

YouTube TV’s interface is super sleek and user-friendly. It’s integrated with the YouTube platform, which means the design is familiar and intuitive. It has a clean, modern interface, an excellent search feature, and an easy-to-navigate channel guide. The ability to seamlessly switch between devices like smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs is a bonus.

Sling TV

Sling TV’s interface is a bit more basic. It’s not as polished as YouTube TV, but it gets the job done. The customization options can make it feel a bit overwhelming to new users since you need to pick your channel bundles and extras carefully. Sling’s guide layout is decent but could be more intuitive, especially if you’re flipping through different genres.

Winner in User Experience

While Sling TV works fine, YouTube TV has a much smoother and more enjoyable user experience, particularly for those who prefer an intuitive and polished interface.

Cloud DVR

Another crucial feature for many users is the cloud DVR. You want the flexibility to record shows, right?

YouTube TV

YouTube TV offers an unlimited DVR that keeps recordings for up to 9 months. This is a massive advantage for those who love to record shows, movies, or sports events. You can record as much as you want, and you don’t need to worry about storage space. It’s all included in the price!

Sling TV

Sling TV provides 50 hours of DVR storage in its base plan, which can be upgraded to 200 hours with an add-on for $5/month. While this is decent, it doesn’t compare to YouTube TV’s unlimited offering.

Winner in DVR

The unlimited DVR feature on YouTube TV blows Sling out of the water. Sling’s upgrade is nice but still limited compared to what YouTube TV offers.

Streaming Quality

Both services stream in HD, but there are slight differences in terms of stream quality and performance.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV offers 1080p HD streaming and even some content in 4K (for an extra cost). The service is generally known for its stable performance and quick loading times, even on slower connections.

Sling TV

Sling TV also streams in HD, but the quality can vary depending on the channel and your internet speed. Some users report occasional buffering issues, especially on live events or during peak times.

Winner in Streaming Quality

YouTube TV offers better streaming quality overall, with the option for 4K content and fewer complaints about buffering.

Simultaneous Streams

If you have a large household, you’ll need to know how many devices can stream at the same time.

YouTube TV

You can stream on 3 devices at the same time, making it a great option for families.

Sling TV

Sling Orange allows for only 1 device at a time, while Sling Blue allows for 3 simultaneous streams. If you combine both packages, you can get 4 streams.

Winner in Simultaneous Streams

Sling TV edges out YouTube TV slightly in terms of flexibility with simultaneous streams.

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Final Verdict: YouTube Tv or Sling TV, Which is Better?

It all depends on what you’re looking for.

  • If you want the best overall experience with a large channel selection, unlimited DVR, great user experience, and solid streaming quality, YouTube TV is the clear winner. Yes, it’s more expensive, but you’re getting a ton of value.
  • If you’re looking to save money and don’t mind a more customized, à la carte approach to live TV, then Sling TV is your best bet. It’s affordable, flexible, and offers the channels you need — as long as you’re okay with piecing together the extras.

At the end of the day, both services are excellent choices. The decision comes down to what fits your needs and budget. Happy streaming!