In this Fubo vs YouTube TV showdown, I compare the two services based on plans, pricing, and other features to help you make an informed decision.
Over-the-top TV streaming services, commonly referred to as IPTVs, have gained popularity over the years, providing a convenient alternative to traditional cable TV. YouTube TV and Fubo are two of the most widely used IPTV services among cord-cutters, with 9.4 million and 1.7 million subscribers, respectively.
The two provide access to live TV channels across entertainment, news, and sports genres. They also offer features like unlimited DVR to record shows and watch later, as well as special add-ons for sports, international, and Spanish content.
Despite the similar offerings, YouTube TV and Fubo have considerable differences in pricing, plans, and other aspects. We have prepared this Fubo vs. YouTube TV review to compare the two services and help you determine which one best suits your streaming needs.
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Fubo Overview
Fubo started as a sports streaming service, pulling large audiences from American sports fanatics. It focused on soccer, providing various soccer-specific live coverage at a fee. In 2017, Fubo expanded its sports coverage in response to a growing demand for sports streaming.
In 2020, Fubo partnered with media networks to tap into the IPTV sector. The platform added non-sports live TV channels, such as ABC, CBS, and Fox, as well as hundreds of national and regional networks. Today, Fubo has hundreds of live channels across entertainment, news, lifestyle, kids and family, and sports.
The sports focus is still huge for Fubo. It stands out by offering a significantly larger number of national and regional sports networks (RSNs) than its competitors.
Notable features that draw users to Fubo include unlimited cloud DVR, simultaneous connections, and multi-device compatibility. You can watch Fubo on various devices, including smart TVs, streaming sticks (such as FireStick and Roku), TV boxes, computers, gaming consoles, and mobile devices.
YouTube TV Overview
YouTube TV was launched in 2017 and has since grown to become one of the most popular pay-TV services in the United States. It is ranked fourth among all IPTV services and for good reasons. Users praise the service for its well-balanced channel lineup, which includes local, news, entertainment, kids, and sports channels.
Other factors that make YouTube TV a favorite include unlimited DVR, up to 4K streaming quality, and a user-friendly interface.
YouTube TV also provides a decent library of on-demand content, including movies and TV shows from participating partners.
This service has established itself as a convenient alternative to cable TV for households, thanks to the necessary infrastructure in place. It’s family-friendly, offering multiple user profiles, multiple simultaneous connections, and compatibility with various home devices, including smart TVs, streaming sticks, Android TV boxes, and mobile devices.
Fubo vs. YouTube TV: A Comparison of The Two Streaming Services
| Feature | FuboTV | YouTube TV |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $79.99/month (Pro Plan) | $72.99/month |
| Free Trial | Yes (varies) | Yes (usually 7 days) |
| Channel Count | 160+ channels (sports-heavy) | 100+ channels |
| Sports Coverage | Extensive – NFL RedZone, NBA TV, MLB Network, regional sports | Strong – ESPN, TNT, NFL Network, no regional sports in most markets |
| Cloud DVR | 1000 hours included | Unlimited storage |
| Simultaneous Streams | Up to 10 devices at home | 3 devices |
| Supported Devices | FireStick, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, smart TVs, mobile, web | FireStick, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, smart TVs, mobile, web |
| Key Strength | Best for sports fans wanting maximum coverage | Best for overall channel mix with unlimited DVR |
We’ve compared Fubo and YouTube TV based on various aspects, including pricing, channel lineup, features, addons, user experience, device support, and customer support.
Let’s see how they compare.
Channel Line Up
The number and range of channels are significant factors that many cord-cutters consider when choosing an IPTV service. You want a package that offers what you are looking for on live TV, from sports and news to special programs like reality TV, music, cooking, lifestyle, movies, kids, and family content.
Both Fubo and YouTube TV offer a diverse range of channels across various genres.
Fubo offers up to 300 channels, depending on your plan and location. These include mainstream networks like ABC, NBC, FOX, and CBS. Other available channels include entertainment channels such as Bravo, E!, and USA, as well as kids’ TV networks like Nickelodeon.
As a sports-centric platform, Fubo has over 50 sports channels. These include national sports networks like CBS Sports HQ, ESPN, NFL Network, and FS1. You can access more sports channels through a Sports Addon, which we will discuss later under Addons and Customization.
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) are where Fubo really shines. If you’re looking for a service that offers a wide range of RSNs, Fubo has a strong lineup featuring FanDuel (Bally Sports), AT&T SportsNet, Altitude Sports, NBC Sports, and Marquee Sports Network.
YouTube TV offers at least 100 channels, approximately half of what Fubo offers. It focuses more on mainstream cable TV and local programming. Channels range from major networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX to entertainment channels like Freeform, Food Network, Comedy Central, and AMC.
Kids’ and family channels are also available, including Nickelodeon and Disney Channel.
While YouTube TV’s sports lineup is not as extensive as that of Fubo, the platform offers essential sports networks, including ESPN, FS1, TNT, and NFL Network. You can also get a Sports addon with more sports networks. There are a few RSNs on YouTube, mostly from NBC.
Features
Both Fubo and YouTube have various features that optimize the streaming experience. You can create multiple profiles, set parental controls, record shows to watch later, and more.
Let’s discuss the various notable features and compare them to one another.
- User Accounts and Profiles: Fubo allows you to create up to six user profiles with a single account. This is also true for YouTube TV. Having multiple profiles is essential, especially in households with children, teenagers, older adults, and other family members. Each profile has its own settings, such as recommendations and DVR settings.
- Simultaneous Connections: Fubo allows up to 3 simultaneous connections with the base plan. Top-tier plans allow unlimited simultaneous streaming, provided all connections are using the same home network. For YouTube, households can have unlimited simultaneous streaming provided they are using the same network. If using different networks, YouTube TV allows up to 3 connected devices.
- Unlimited DVR: Both Fubo and YouTube TV offer unlimited cloud DVR storage, allowing you to record shows for later viewing. They also have a 9-month retention period before the recordings can be deleted. However, they differ in certain aspects, such as the DVR interface and the ability to record entire seasons for shows.
Plans and Pricing
Fubo and YouTube TV fall in the same price range. However, each service has its unique plans and pricing.
Fubo has four plans. These are:
- Pro plan at $54.99 per month
- Elite plan at $74.99 per month
- Deluxe plan at $84.99 per month
- Latino plan at $9.99 per month
For a detailed comparison of what each plan includes, see Fubo’s pricing page.
Fubo offers a 5-day free trial.
YouTube TV offers a single basic plan at $82.99 per month. For the first two months, users get a discount, paying only $49.99 per month. YouTube TV used to offer a Spanish package, but the package is now offered as an addon. It offers a fluctuating free trial, with new users getting anywhere between 5 and 10 days of free trial.
Addons and Customization
Addons offer better personalization and add value to basic plans. Perhaps you would like to add additional sports channels or events not included in the regular package. In that case, you can get a sports addon with extra channels and exclusive events.
Both Fubo and YouTube TV offer various addons. Let’s begin with Fubo’s addons.
Fubo’s Addons
- Sports Plus with NFL RedZone at $10.99 per month. It includes 32+ sports channels, including NFL RedZone, ESPNews, and ESPN U.
- Sports Addons: MLB.TV at $29.99/mo, International Sports Plus at $6.99/mo, Adventure Plus at $4.99/mo, Sports Lite at $9.99/mo, and DAZN at $29.99/mo.
- Premium Addons: Paramount+ with SHOWTIME at $10.99/mo, STARZ at $10.99/mo, MGM+ at $6.99/mo, and all combined at $19.99/mo.
- Entertainment Addons: Fox Nation at $7.99/mo, RAI Italia at $8.99/mo, TV5MONDE at $9.99/mo, Hallmark+ at $7.99/mo, and Zee Family at $10.99/mo.
- Features Addons: 4K Plus at $4.99/mo, Unlimited Screens at $9.99/mo, etc.
YouTube TV’s Addons
- 4K Plus Addon at $9.99/mo.
- Premium TV Addon (ALLBLK, MGM+, and Shudder) at $1.99/mo.
- Entertainment Plus Addon (HBO Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, and STARZ) all for $29.99/mo.
- Sports Plus with NFL RedZone at $10.99/mo.
- Spanish TV Addon at $14.99/mo.
- NFL Sunday Ticket at $34.50/mo for new users and $47.25/mo for returning users.
User Experience
What is the user experience like on Fubo compared to YouTube TV? What is the streaming quality, especially for high-traffic live sports events? Any buffering? What about navigating the user interface?
Fubo supports high-quality streams, mainly 1080p HD, for live TV and sports. However, you can get up to 4K on supported devices, depending on your subscription tier. The Elite and Deluxe plans include support for 4K streaming.
Like most IPTV services, Fubo demands fast internet speeds, and you won’t have any buffering if this requirement is met. However, some users have reported buffering, particularly during high-traffic events such as boxing matches.
Regarding the user interface and navigation, Fubo feels overwhelming for the casual user. It places a strong focus on sports events, game scores, standings, and similar information. If you’re looking for your local TV to watch your favorite talk show, these can be distracting. However, the interface appeals to sports fanatics.
Fubo supports multi-view, which comes in handy when following two separate programs or live events.
YouTube TV is designed with casual TV watchers in mind, which gives it an edge in overall user experience. Streaming quality is 1080p HD, which is the standard for most cord-cutters. For a 4K UHD experience, you will need to pay an extra fee for the 4K Plus addon.
The streams are stable and buffer-free, even in slow internet speeds. This is another area where YouTube TV outperforms Fubo. As for the user interface, the YouTube TV app is less cluttered compared to Fubo, which makes performance smooth and seamless.
Finding content is also easy because the main menu is straightforward and intuitive. Content is organized into Live TV, Sports, DVR, and On-Demand Shows. You can switch between these categories with ease, making navigation a no-brainer. The search function is also quick and responsive.
Recommendations on YouTube TV are tailored to your watch history, thanks to the integrated Google ecosystem.
Like Fubo, YouTube TV supports multiview, letting you watch up to four channels simultaneously on one screen.
Device Support
Both Fubo and YouTube TV support multiple streaming devices, catering to the diverse range of users seeking a cable alternative. These devices include smart TVs, computers, streaming sticks and boxes, gaming consoles, and smart handheld devices.
Here’s a summary of the devices supported by each service.
Fubo
- Amazon Fire TV
- Android
- LG
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast
- Roku
- iOS
- Xumo Stream box
- Samsung smart TV
- XBox
- VIZIO
- Hisense
YouTube TV
- Amazon Fire TV
- Samsung smart TV
- LG
- VIZIO
- Android
- iOS
- Apple TV
- Googe Chromecast
- Google TV
- PS4/PS5
- XBox
- Roku
- Hisense
Customer Support
Reliable customer support is the bare minimum, especially with a service as complex as an online streaming platform. What do you do when streams aren’t working? Can you reach a representative to check the status of your subscription?
Fubo offers various communication and customer support channels, including live chat, email, and phone. Users have mixed reactions towards Fubo’s customer service, with some hailing their live chat responses and others dragging them for taking too long to respond.
Fubo’s self-help Help Center features resources such as FAQs, articles, and troubleshooting guides.
On the other hand, YouTube TV offers live chat, email, and phone as communication channels to reach customer representatives. However, you need to go through several prompts on their contact page to be offered these contact options and escalate the issue with a human representative.
Some users have expressed concerns over this, terming it troublesome when instant chat support can be accessed through human live chat interactions or chatbots.
YouTube TV’s Help Center contains FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and updated solutions to common issues.
Overall, YouTube TV outperforms Fubo in terms of reliable customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no better choice between Fubo and YouTube TV because they cater to unique audiences. However, YouTube has more subscribers, probably due to its balanced live TV experience that caters to everyone in the household. Fubo is popular with sports enthusiasts, thanks to its vast library of sports channels, including RSNs.
YouTube TV carries channels from two major media networks that aren't on Fubo. These are Turner Network channels like TNT, TBS, and TrueTV, and Warner Bros Discovery-affiliated channels like HGTV, Food Network, Discovery Channel, and TLC.
Yes, Fubo offers 4K streaming to users with supported devices. However, 4K is exclusive to Elite and Deluxe subscribers. You can get 4K streaming as a Pro subscriber too, by purchasing the 4K Plus addon. Note that not all content supports 4K streaming.
Final Verdict
The Fubo vs. YouTube battle is a common concern for cord-cutters because these two services share many similarities in their offerings. The choice boils down to your preferences, budget, and viewing habits. For instance, if you’re looking for a service that leans more on live sports coverage, Fubo is ideal.
On the other hand, if you’re a casual TV viewer looking for general entertainment, the vast selection of channels on YouTube TV will work for you.
While we can’t choose one over the other, Fubo is best suited for sports fans looking to watch a wide range of live sporting events and some TV. Whether it’s boxing, international soccer, or regional sports events, Fubo does well in this sector.
YouTube TV is an excellent option for users looking for a comprehensive TV experience that the entire family can enjoy. The kids get their kids’ shows while adults get their political and news updates, reality TV, music, movies, TV shows, and mainstream sports coverage.
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