YouTube TV nabbed our pick for best overall cable alternative, because it has a large, comprehensive channel lineup, plus other handy features. Your channel lineup will vary by location, but in my neck of the woods, this platform has close to 200 channels. Monica Yoshida, who tested and reviewed YouTube TV for Reviews.org, gives it a thumbs up. The busy mom of three loves YouTube’s mix of live TV and streaming but isn’t crazy about the high-ish price tag.

Kids have an unending appetite for watching the same shows over and over (and over) again. For parents like Yoshida, unlimited DVR storage is a huge plus. So is the ability to watch four simultaneous live games or news channels on one screen.   

We also like YouTube’s new Sports Plan, even though it has limited RSN coverage. If you only watch live sports, this package may have appeal, since it’s budget-priced at $54.99 a month for new subscribers (rising to $64.99 after the first year).  

Popular channels: Disney Channel, TNT, ESPN, Nat Geo, CBS

As cable alternatives go, Hulu + Live TV is expensive. But for many users, access to tons of live channels, Disney+, ESPN, and a large library of buzzy originals make it worth the cost. John Schmoll did a deep dive into this platform for Reviews.org. He found lots to love about it, but still feels the price somewhat outweighs the benefits.

Schmoll finds the interface clunky, and many users agree. If your budget aligns with the cost, benefits that outweigh the negatives include a huge on-demand library, unlimited DVR storage, access to Spanish networks, and the option to house seven profiles. 

Popular titles: “The Bear,” “The Testaments,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

My current cable lineup has around 800 channels. But like most consumers, I regularly watch less than 20 channels, max. If you’re a casual viewer who doesn’t need a large channel lineup or original streaming content, Sling TV’s least expensive plans may be the way to go. Sling’s sports plans are pricier but give fans a nice selection of options, including ESPN 4K.

Peter Hoslin, who tested Sling for our audience, found himself enjoying this platform more than he expected to. He especially liked Sling’s day passes for watching special events, its on-demand movie library, and intuitive interface. Not bad for $19.99 a month.

Popular channels: Freeform, Disney, FS1, and Vice

Despite the ebb and flow of carriage disputes, Fubo continues to provide rich, comprehensive sports coverage at a reasonable monthly price. Fubo’s channel lineup also includes local network TV and cable favorites.

If your love of sports is limited to one league only, Fubo’s low-cost, sport-specific plans may appeal to you. You also have the option of going full-out comprehensive with the Ultra plan, which has close to 300 channels, including ESPN Unlimited and local NBA, NHL, and MLB coverage.

Popular channels: ESPN, YES Network, NFL Network, Comedy Central, Bravo

If you hate the satellite dish but want everything DIRECTV has to offer, DIRECTV’s streaming service may appeal to you. This cable alternative offers up lots of options for packages that range from genre-specific to comprehensive. Monthly package costs range too, from very low to moderate.

The most comprehensive packages include tons of channels, lots of sports, local broadcasting, and access to Hulu, Paramount+, Starz, Disney+, HBO Max, and more. The offerings are luxe to be sure, but according to Brianne Sandorf, who rigorously tested DIRECTV Streaming for Reviews.org, so are the glitches. Sandorf notes that the platform is occasionally so error-laden, it’s sometimes impossible to watch. That’s super frustrating, especially if you just tuned in to watch live TV. Kids don’t do well with this type of issue either, so parents take note. Luckily, more days are smooth sailing than rough, so the huge viewing selection you get with this platform may be well worth it.

Popular channels: NFL Redzone, MLB.TV, Cinemax Classics, Disney Junior, E!

If you want to ditch cable without paying a dime, these free options can cover the basics — from local news to on-demand movies and shows.

OTA antennas capture broadcasting signals through airwaves, so your digital TV can bypass cable and show local TV shows for free. 

Tubi is an ad-supported streaming service that provides on-demand access to free movies, TV shows, and live TV.

Pluto follows the same free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) model that Tubi does, but it includes linear channels as well as on-demand movies and shows.

Roku devices have access to the free Roku Channel, which broadcasts live news, movies, TV shows, and Roku original content.

YouTube is a free, ad-supported, video-sharing platform that contains a combination of amateur and premium content.

MyFree DIRECTV is an ad-supported streaming platform that houses 100+ live channels and an on-demand library.

Before you commit to a plan, here are a few pricing tricks and perks worth knowing about.