Best YouTube TV Alternatives (2025) – Better than YouTube TV

In this post, I will discuss the top YouTube TV alternatives to stream live TV channels in sports, news, kids, movies, and other categories. I will go over both the paid and free YouTube TV alternatives. Let’s get started.

Now and then, we hear news about YouTube TV dropping some of the popular channels from the list. Following the practice, YouTube offers a discount to your monthly subscription to compensate for dropped channels. But it’s all irrelevant when your favorite NBC or Disney channels vanished, for which you signed up for YouTube TV in the first place. Here are the best YouTube TV alternatives to check out.

YouTube TV isn’t the only streaming service that allows you to watch live TV channels and sports without cable. Based on your needs and requirements, you can easily find another service provider from the list below.

Before I glance at the YouTube TV alternatives list, let’s take a step back and learn what’s happening with YouTube and why there is a trend to check out YouTube alternatives.

Why Do You Need to Look for YouTube TV Alternatives?

The drama started in September when NBC threatened to pull channels from YouTube TV. Both the parties reached a last-minute deal to keep NBC channels on the platform.

YouTube TV came under fire once again when Disney decided to call it off and removed all channels from the YouTube TV catalog.

The ban lasted a day, and Google restored Disney channels within 24 hours.

As a consumer, you don’t deserve to receive such treatment. After all, you signed up for the service with the promise of 85+ channels. These frequent disputes may leave you with a sour taste as your favorite channel might disappear from YouTube TV overnight as the company couldn’t reach an agreement.

Also, it’s not like YouTube is cheap or charging way less than the competition. Consumers are paying $72.99 per month to cut the cord.

Read: How to install and use the best VPN for FireStick

Read: How to install and use a VPN on other streaming devices

Why did NBC and Disney have disputes with YouTube TV?

Folks, it’s all about money. NBC and Disney feel that YouTube TV should pay more during renewal, while YouTube TV asks them to keep it the same.

NBC and Disney are familiar with Google’s reach and how aggressive Google can be in pushing YouTube TV in the US. They can’t miss reaching and money on millions of YouTube TV subscribers.

On the other hand, YouTube TV can’t afford these channels to disappear from the platform. It would lead to a huge service cancellation trend and hamper the company’s growth.

Imagine a scenario where YouTube TV loses ESPN channels right before a trendy MNF (Monday Night Football) game or NBC pulling up NBC Sports moments before Super Bowl. That would piss millions of YouTube TV subscribers.

As a cord-cutter, you don’t have to be a part of this drama. You can ditch YouTube TV and choose the alternatives from the list below.

Best YouTube TV Alternatives

I will start the list with YouTube TV’s most significant competitor – Hulu.

1. Hulu

Hulu comfortably tops out the best YouTube TV alternatives list. The Disney-owned streaming service has 75+ live TV channels, an ESPN+ addon option, and more.

• Live TV channels: 75+ channels in the highest plan
• Movies and TV shows: Yes, on-demand content via Disney+ addon
• Price: $72.99 per month
• Free trial: Yes, 7 days
• DVR storage: 50 hours, option to upgrade to unlimited DVR storage
• Number of simultaneous streams: 2, unlimited streams for $9.99 per month

Even YouTube TV considers Hulu to be its direct rival. That’s why the company has a direct comparison with Hulu on the homepage.

How to Install Hulu on FireStick

2. fuboTV

fuboTV beats YouTube TV with over 220+ live TV channels support. Like YouTube TV, the service is available on all the platforms you can think of. I’m talking about official app support for Android, iOS, FireStick, Android TV, and Apple TV.

• Live TV channels: 220+ channels based on your area
• Movies and TV shows: Lack of on-demand content
• Price: Starts at $64.99 per month
• Free trial: 7-days
• DVR storage: 250 hours with the Starter plan, 1000 hours with the Pro/Elite plan
• Number of simultaneous streams: 3 with the Starter plan and 10 with the Pro/Elite plan

If, for some reason, you don’t want to pick Hulu as a YouTube TV alternative, you can go with fuboTV as well.

Website: https://www.fubo.tv/welcome

3. Sling TV

If you plan to leave YouTube TV due to the high subscription price, you can switch to Sling TV. Here is what’s on offer.

• Live TV channels: 35 channels in Sling Blue/Sling Orange plan. 51 in the highest plan
• Movies and TV shows: No on-demand content
• Price: Starts at $35 per month
• Free trial: No
• DVR storage: 50 hours
• Number of simultaneous streams: 1 in the Blue/Orange plan and 3 in the Blue & Orange plan

Check out the Sling TV content on offer. If you feel it’s sufficient, save money and sign up for Sling TV at $10 monthly.

How to Install Sling TV on FireStick

4. DIRECTV Stream

AT&T’s DIRECTV stream can be an ideal option for AT&T subscribers. It’s one of the most expensive options from the bunch. Here’s what America’s second-largest carrier is offering.

• Live TV channels: 65+ channels in the Entertainment plan and 140+ channels in the Premier plan
• Movies and TV shows: Yes, via HBO+ addon
• Price: Starts at $69.99 per month
• Free trial: No
• DVR storage: 20 hours
• Number of simultaneous streams: 3

Website: https://www.directv.com/stream/

If you are not a power YouTube TV user, you can also use the streaming services from the list below. They might not offer all the YouTube TV content, but you can easily find what you want with third-party FireStick apps.

Free YouTube TV Alternatives

 Legal Disclaimer: This tutorial is purely educational. FireStickTricks.com doesn’t own, host, operate, resell, or distribute any streaming apps, addons, websites, IPTV or services. The page contains some unverified services, and we are not certain whether they hold legal licenses to distribute the content. FireStickTricks.com does not verify the legality of each app/service in all regions. Do your due diligence if you use any of the unverified apps/services, and stream only content that is available in the public domain. The end-user shall be solely responsible for the media accessed. 

Most YouTube TV channels can stream via third-party apps, Kodi addons, and IPTV services on FireStick. These apps are free or cost a fifth of what official apps charge subscribers.

Before you go ahead and install these apps on FireStick, we need to have a word of caution.

These apps might carry unlicensed content, and they are not easily distinguishable from the rest. You might end up watching unlicensed TV channels on FireStick, leading to future legal troubles.

Instead, you can set up ExpressVPN to hide your IP address and enjoy a private browsing experience. No one can glance over your FireStick, watching history and your location.

Once you set up ExpressVPN on FireStick, you can enjoy third-party free YouTube TV rivals from the web.

Here’s how to install ExpressVPN on FireStick.

Step 1: Subscribe to ExpressVPN HERE. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Meaning, you can use it free for the first 30-days and if you are not satisfied with the performance (which is highly unlikely), you can ask for a full refund.

Step 2: Power ON your Fire TV Stick and go to Find followed by Search option.

Step 3: Now type “Expressvpn” (without quotes) in the search bar and select ExpressVPN when it shows up in the search results.

Step 4: Click Download to install the ExpressVPN app on Fire TV / Stick.

Step 5: Open the app and enter the login credentials that you created while buying the ExpressVPN subscription. Click Sign in.

Step 6: Click the Power icon to connect to a VPN server. That’s all. Your connection is now secure with the fastest and best VPN for FireStick.

You can also read more detailed info on using ExpressVPN with Fire TV / Stick.

Third-Party Apps

Third-party streaming apps play a huge role in the FireStick ecosystem. If you are unhappy with the official FireStick apps, you can easily leave them and use third-party apps from the web.

Don’t get involved with any random app, though. Read over my list of the best third-party apps for Firestick and install a couple of options.

Kodi Addons

Kodi addons require the official Kodi app on FireStick. Download Kodi from my installation guide and review the best Kodi addons for FireStick.

I have installation instructions for every Kodi addon guide. Read them if you are facing issues integrating Kodi addons on FireStick.

IPTV Services

IPTV services offer thousands of TV channels, while YouTube TV is limited to 85+ channels. With an IPTV service, you also get support for PPV events, on-demand movies and TV shows, and lots of other content to enjoy on a big screen.

You only need an IPTV player, such as IPTV Smarters or TiviMate, to set up and use an IPTV provider,

YouTube TV FAQs

What is the best YouTube TV alternative?

You can’t go wrong with Hulu. It’s the best pick from the bunch. If pricing is the issue, go with Sling TV.

How much does YouTube TV cost?

YouTube TV costs $62.99 monthly for the first three months and then $72.99 monthly.

Does YouTube TV have NBC channels?

Yes, YouTube TV carries the NBC family of channels in the library.

Does YouTube TV have ESPN?

YouTube TV has all the ESPN channels to stream sports content.

Wrapping Up

There you have it. If you are unhappy with the current YouTube TV offering, go with either of the official apps from the list above. You can also save some money by using third-party apps or IPTV services.

Related:

• How to Create & Set Up YouTube API Key, ID, & Secret for Kodi
• How to Install Youtube TV on FireStick
• Best Project Free TV Alternatives

Legal Disclaimer - FireStickTricks.com does not verify the legality or security of any add-ons, apps or services mentioned on this site. Also, we do not promote, host or link to copyright-protected streams. We highly discourage piracy and strictly advise our readers to avoid it at all costs. Any mention of free streaming on our site is purely meant for copyright-free content that is available in the Public domain. Read our full disclaimer.