With each passing day, streaming services are becoming more popular for providing uninterrupted viewing experiences at affordable prices. These platforms have transformed media consumption habits, enabling many individuals to cut the cords that tied them to expensive traditional TV services.
However, with numerous platforms and studios launching their own streaming services, it is not easy to find the right alternative to your entertainment requirements. This Sling TV vs. DIRECTV Stream comparison can be your answer to find the suitable option for your needs. Both streaming services offer an excellent collection of channels and On-Demand titles, but which one is the right fit for you? Let’s take a closer look.”
Which One is Better – DIRECTV Stream or Sling TV?
Sling TV and DIRECTV Stream are two live TV streaming platforms that have become household names due to their excellent channel lineups. However, they both have different features, prices, and marketing policies. Here is a side-by-side comparison of these streaming services to help you understand their essential details.
| Comparison | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Streaming Service | Streaming Service |
| Plans | 4 | 3 |
| Starting Price Range | $79.99 to $164.99/mo. (standalone) | $20.00 to $30.00/mo. for 1 month (varies with location) |
| $84.98 to $169.98/mo. (bundled) | ||
| Contract | Not needed | Not needed |
| Availability | All the states of the USA | All the states of the USA |
| Max. No. of Channels | Over 185 | Up to 46 |
| On-demand Content | More than 90,000 | Up to 50,000 |
| Trial Period | 5 days | None |
| Promotions | Available | Available |
| Cloud DVR | Unlimited | Up to 50 hours of storage |
| Additional Costs | None | Up to 5.00/mo. for 200 hours of DVR storage |
| Simultaneous Streams | At home: Unlimited | Up to 3 devices |
| On-the-go: 3 devices |
DIRECTV Stream
DIRECTV Stream is a streaming service BY DIRECTV, a multichannel video programming distributor in America owned by AT&T. Formerly known as AT&T TV, this streaming division of DIRECTV is similar to traditional cable and satellite TV services in terms of an extensive channel lineup, giving users a cable-like experience along with thousands of On-Demand movies and shows.
Consequently, it is also one of the most expensive streaming services. DIRECTV Stream is an excellent choice for sports enthusiasts, presenting an impressive selection of local and national sports networks. This app-based service makes it easier to access a wide variety of content and is perfect for large families. It is also available throughout the country.
Pros
- Excellent collection of regional sports networks
- Unlimited Cloud DVR storage
- Supports simultaneous streaming on unlimited devices at home
- Special offer on premium networks
- Contract-free plans
Cons
- Expensive subscription
Sling TV
Sling TV is a perfect streaming service for people looking to cut their cords. This American live TV streaming service owned by Sling TV LLC, a subsidiary of DISH Network, aims to provide affordable and flexible alternatives to traditional cable and satellite TV services.
Founded in 2015, Sling TV has grown to be one of the top streaming services, with approximately 2.1 million subscribers. It offers a small selection of major cable channels and provides access to thousands of On-Demand titles via smart TVs and mobile phones. This internet-based streaming service is available throughout the US and is famous for its affordability.
Pros
- Affordable subscription
- Contract-free plans
- Customizable packages
Cons
- Small channel lineup
- Unsuitable for large families
Plans and Pricing – DIRECTV vs Sling TV
Sling TV and DIRECTV Stream lie at opposite extremes of the price range. DIRECTV Stream is typically more expensive than Sling TV, as it offers a broader range of channels and more advanced features. Sling TV is a more budget-friendly option, with plans starting at a lower price point and a more limited selection of channels.
DIRECTV Stream
DIRECTV Stream gives you four subscription options with varying channel lineups and benefits. The streaming service is significantly more expensive than Sling TV, as its standard plan alone starts at $79.99 per month. The price increases as you move to higher tiers, and even with the promo discount, your bill can go up to $154.99 per month.
However, the high price is mainly due to the higher channel count. With over 185 networks, DIRECTV Stream gives you more content than Sling TV. It also features an impressive collection of regional sports networks and unlimited cloud DVR storage. The best part? It is contract-free and allows simultaneous streaming on multiple devices at home.
| DIRECTV Stream Plans | |||
| Plan | Promotional Price | Live TV Channels | Contact DIRECTV |
| ENTERTAINMENT + Sports Pack | $84.98/mo. + tax for 3 mos. | 90+ | Call Now |
| CHOICE™ + Sports Pack | $98.99/mo. + tax for 1 mo. | 125+ | Call Now |
| ULTIMATE + Sports Pack | $109.99/mo. + tax for 1 mo. | 160+ | Call Now |
| PREMIER + Sports Pack | $169.98/mo. + tax for 3 mos. | 185+ | Call Now |
**Entertainment subscribers must add the DIRECTV Sports Pack to get the promo discount.
***Sports Pack is included for 1 month on Choice and Ultimate packages for free, after which a monthly fee of $14.99 will apply.
Sling TV
Sling TV, in contrast, has three incredibly cost-effective subscription options: Orange, Blue, and a combination of both. However, there is a catch! The channel lineup is considerably smaller than DIRECTV Stream, and it costs a significant amount to include multiple add-ons. But on the bright side, you can customize any Sling TV package according to your preferences with these add-ons.
The service offers more than 50,000 On-Demand titles and includes 50 hours of cloud DVR storage. However, Sling TV is unsuitable for large households as its packages only allow 1 to 3 simultaneous streams per account.
| Sling TV Plans | |||
| Plans | Promo Price | Regular Price | Live TV Channels |
| Orange | $30.00/mo.* | $40.00/mo. | 32 |
| Blue | $35.00/mo.* | $45.00/mo. | 42 |
| Orange + Blue | $50.00/mo.* | $60.00/mo. | 46 |
**Prices and channels are based on New York City and may vary depending on your location.
Who has a Better Channel Lineup – Sling TV or DIRECTV Stream?
DIRECTV Stream is the ultimate winner due to its comprehensive channel lineup, offering a diverse collection of channels. Its packages include everything from popular channels to impressive regional sports channels and even some months of premium networks, giving you an unparalleled entertainment experience.
On the other hand, Sling TV is more like the a la carte menu, where you select your preferred package with specific channels and personalize it with add-ons. To summarize, Sling TV is perfect for those who want a customized viewing experience, whereas DIRECTV Stream is suitable for large families.
Local Channels
Local channels are your source for keeping up with your hometown/country. They keep you up-to-date on all the latest news, weather, and events in your area, bringing a sense of community to your viewing experience.
Sling TV is a better choice for watching local content, giving you access to popular dramas, hit comedies, famous reality shows, and the latest news. The service keeps you connected to your people, no matter where you are.
| Local Channels | DIRECTV Stream | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| ABC | No | Yes |
| CBS | No | No |
| FOX | No | Yes |
| NBC | No | Yes |
| PBS | No | No |
| The CW | No | No |
**DIRECTV Stream only offers local networks at certain locations.
Popular Channels
We have prepared a detailed comparison of some of the popular networks offered by both services, so you can identify the most suitable service for your home based on your preferred channel lineup.
| Popular Channels | DIRECTV Stream | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| A&E | Yes | Yes |
| ACC Network | Yes | No |
| ACCU Weather | Yes | No |
| AMC | Yes | Yes |
| American Heroes Channel | Yes | No |
| Animal Planet | Yes | No |
| Aspire | Yes | No |
| AXS TV | Yes | Yes |
| BBC America | Yes | Yes |
| BBC News | Yes | No |
| BET | Yes | Yes |
| BET Her | Yes | No |
| Big Ten Network | Yes | No |
| Bloomberg TV | Yes | Yes |
| Boomerang | Yes | No |
| Bravo | Yes | Yes |
| C-SPAN | Yes | No |
| C-SPAN 2 | Yes | No |
| Cartoon Network | Yes | Yes |
| CMT | Yes | No |
| CNBC | Yes | No |
| CNN | Yes | Yes |
| Comedy Central | Yes | Yes |
| Cooking Channel | Yes | No |
| Destination America | Yes | No |
| Discovery Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Disney Channel | Yes | Yes |
| E! | Yes | Yes |
| ESPN | Yes | Yes |
| ESPN2 | Yes | Yes |
| ESPN3 | No | Yes |
| ESPNews | Yes | No |
| ESPNU | Yes | No |
| Food Network | Yes | Yes |
| FOX Business Network | Yes | No |
| Fox News | Yes | Yes |
| FS1 | Yes | Yes |
| FS2 | Yes | No |
| Freeform | Yes | Yes |
| Fuse | Yes | Yes |
| FX | Yes | Yes |
| FXM | Yes | No |
| FXX | Yes | No |
| fyi, | Yes | No |
| Galavision | Yes | No |
| Golf Channel | Yes | No |
| Hallmark Channel | Yes | No |
| HGTV | Yes | Yes |
| HLN | Yes | Yes |
| IFC | Yes | Yes |
| Investigation Discovery | Yes | Yes |
| Lifetime | Yes | Yes |
| LMN | Yes | No |
| Magnolia Network | Yes | No |
| MLB Network | Yes | No |
| MotorTrend | Yes | Yes |
| MSNBC | Yes | Yes |
| MTV | Yes | No |
| National Geographic Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Nat Geo WILD | Yes | No |
| NBA TV | Yes | No |
| NHL Network | Yes | No |
| Nickelodeon | Yes | No |
| Nick Jr. | Yes | Yes |
| Nicktoons | Yes | No |
| OWN | Yes | No |
| Oxygen True Crime | Yes | No |
| Paramount Network | Yes | No |
| QVC | Yes | Yes |
| Science | Yes | No |
| SEC Network | Yes | No |
| SHOWTIME 2 | Yes | No |
| Smithsonian Channel | Yes | No |
| STARZ | Yes | No |
| SundanceTV | Yes | No |
| Syfy | Yes | Yes |
| Tastemade | Yes | No |
| TBS | Yes | Yes |
| TeenNick | Yes | No |
| Telemundo | No | No |
| Tennis Channel | Yes | No |
| The History Channel | Yes | Yes |
| TLC | Yes | Yes |
| TNT | Yes | Yes |
| Travel Channel | Yes | Yes |
| TruTV | Yes | Yes |
| TV Land | Yes | No |
| USA Network | Yes | Yes |
| VH1 | Yes | No |
| VICE | Yes | Yes |
| WEtv | Yes | No |
Premium Channels
Both Sling TV and DIRECTV Stream offer a variety of premium channels. But DIRECTV Stream has better deals for you premium entertainment lovers! This streaming service offers an impressive collection of networks, including the most coveted Max, for three months with the first three plans at no additional cost. Meanwhile, DIRECTV Stream’s Premier subscribers get unlimited access to all premium channels, excluding MGM+.
| Premium Channels | DIRECTV Stream | Sling TV | |
| ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE & ULTIMATE | PREMIER | ||
| Max | $0 for 3 mos., then $15.99/mo. | Included | ╳ |
| CINEMAX® | $0 for 3 mos., then $10.99/mo. | Included | ╳ |
| Paramount+ with SHOWTIME | $0 for 3 mos., then $11.99/mo. | Included | $10.00/mo. |
| STARZ® | $0 for 3 mos., then $10.99/mo. | Included | $9.00/mo. |
| MGM+™ | $0 for 3 mos., then $5.99/mo. | $0 for 3 mos., then $5.99/mo. | $5.00/mo. |
Sports Channels
Whether you are a die-hard or a seasonal sports fan, you should have access to all the major sports channels. While DIRECTV Stream is pricier than Sling TV, it offers more sports networks, giving you a taste of local and international leagues and events. In contrast, Sling TV provides most sports channels as add-ons.
| Sports Channels | DIRECTV Stream | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| ACC Network | Yes | No |
| Big Ten Network | Yes | No |
| CBS Sports Network | Yes | No |
| ESPN | Yes | Yes |
| ESPN2 | Yes | Yes |
| ESPN3 | No | Yes |
| ESPNews | Yes | No |
| ESPNU | Yes | No |
| FanDuel TV | Yes | No |
| FOX Sports 1 | Yes | Yes |
| FOX Sports 2 | Yes | No |
| Golf Channel | Yes | No |
| MLB Network | Yes | No |
| MotorTrend | Yes | Yes |
| NBA TV | Yes | No |
| NFL Network | Yes | Yes |
| NHL Network | Yes | No |
| SEC Network | Yes | No |
| SportsGrid | Yes | No |
| Sportsman Channel | Yes | No |
| Tennis Channel | Yes | No |
| TUDN | Yes | No |
Compatible Devices – Sling TV vs DIRECTV Stream
Compatibility is crucial for accessing the content of your streaming service. Otherwise, even if you have a subscription, you won’t be able to watch your preferred content on incompatible devices.
You don’t need special equipment to access DIRECTV Stream or Sling TV. Both streaming services are app-based and are compatible with a range of devices. However, Sling TV wins over DIRECTV Stream since it is available on more platforms, including Xbox One game consoles and smart TVs from Vizio. Ultimately, the choice of service may depend on your preferences and the devices you already own. Here is a detailed comparison of both services.
| Devices | DIRECTV Stream | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Fire Cube, Stick, TV | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Android phones | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Android TV | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Apple TV | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Chromecast | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Echo Show | ❌ | ❌ |
| iOS | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| LG Smart TVs | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Nintendo Switch | ❌ | ❌ |
| PlayStation 4 | ❌ | ❌ |
| Roku | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Samsung TV (select models) | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| TIVO Stream | ❌ | ✔️ |
| VIZIO | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Xbox One | ❌ | ✔️ |
Final Verdict – Sling TV or DIRECTV?
Sling TV and DIRECTV Stream are two of the top streaming services in the market, offering users a wide range of channels, features, and benefits. But which service provides the best viewing experience and is more valuable?
Although the choice is yours, DIRECTV Stream is a far better option for large families and sports or premium content fans. This DIRECTV Stream vs Sling TV comparison reveals that despite being more expensive, the streaming service by DIRECTV provides complete entertainment with an extensive channel lineup, unlimited Cloud DVR storage, and exclusive deals.
