As of October 2026, Philo costs $25 a month for its Essential plan and $33 a month for Bundle+. Essential comes with a 7 day free trial for new users, and both plans let you cancel at any time with no contract.
Philo sells live cable channels without a cable contract, and it keeps its pricing short: two plans, a list of optional add-ons and a free tier with no card needed. The detail that matters is what Bundle+ adds for the extra $8 and which add-ons you'd pay for on top. Here's everything from Philo's own plans page and FAQ.
Philo prices
| Plan | Monthly price | Free trial | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Channels | Free | Not needed | A free channel lineup, no credit card required |
| Essential | $25 | 7 days | 70+ live channels and 75,000+ movies and shows on demand |
| Bundle+ | $33 | Not stated | Everything in Essential, plus AMC+, HBO Max Basic with Ads and discovery+ |
Philo's Bundle+ card says it saves $22 a month compared with buying the streaming apps separately. Philo also points out there's no box, no deposit and no sneaky fees, because everything runs in its app.
What both paid plans include
Philo's FAQ lists the same core features for Essential and Bundle+:
- Unlimited cloud DVR, with recordings saved for a full year
- Streaming on up to 3 devices at once
- Up to 10 profiles
- Cancel any time, with no contract
The DVR is the standout for the price. You can record an unlimited amount of live or upcoming content and fast forward through the ads on anything you've recorded. There's no hardware to buy or rent. If you use the Free Channels tier instead, Philo says recordings are saved for 30 days rather than a year.
Philo add-ons and their prices
You can add premium channels and apps to either plan. Philo lists these add-ons on its FAQ:
| Add-on | Extra each month |
|---|---|
| HBO Max Standard (ad free) | $13 |
| discovery+ (ad free) | $8 |
| MGM+ (ad free) | $8 |
| STARZ (ad free) | $12 |
| Hallmark+ (ad free) | $9 |
| ALLBLK (ad free) | $7 |
| AMC+ (ad free) | $4 |
| Movies & More | $3 |
Philo says the HBO Max Standard add-on includes live sports in the HBO Max app. If you're mainly after HBO Max and AMC+, compare the add-on prices with Bundle+, because Bundle+ already includes HBO Max Basic with Ads and the full AMC+ library.
Add-ons or Bundle+?
Here's a simple way to think about it. Bundle+ costs $8 more than Essential and brings HBO Max Basic with Ads, discovery+ and the full AMC+ library. Buying ad free add-ons instead costs more per service, but gets you no ads. If you're happy with ads, Bundle+ is the cheaper way to get several apps at once. If ads drive you mad, pick only the ad free add-ons you'll watch every week and leave the rest.
Philo's plan card also mentions an expanded on demand library on Bundle+, so if you mostly watch box sets rather than live TV, that's another reason to look at the bundle.
What Philo doesn't include
Philo's comparison table puts it against Sling TV, YouTube TV, Spectrum TV, Xfinity and DIRECTV, and its pitch is price rather than breadth. So check Philo's channel list before you sign up if local news or live sport matters to you. If sport matters most to you, compare Philo with the YouTube TV plans before you decide.
How to start Philo without paying
- Create a Philo account with an email address and try the Free Channels first. No credit card is needed.
- When you're ready, start the Essential plan's 7 day free trial.
- Record the shows you watch to the DVR during the trial so you can see how it fits your week.
- If it's not for you, cancel before the trial ends. Philo says there are no charges if you do.
- If you stay, decide whether Bundle+ at $33 replaces any streaming apps you already pay for.
Philo works on the web, iPhone and iPad, Android phones and tablets, Roku, Fire TV, Samsung TV, VIZIO TV, LG TV, Apple TV, Android TV and Chromecast via Android. You'll need a broadband connection and a payment method for later.
Philo vs the other streaming bills
If Philo would replace one or two apps rather than cable, line it up against what those apps cost on their own. The HBO Max plans are the obvious comparison for Bundle+, since that bundle includes HBO Max Basic with Ads. And if you're still deciding where to spend your streaming budget, these Netflix alternatives cover what else is out there.
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My verdict
Philo Essential at $25 is a low cost cable replacement if its channel list covers what you watch. Bundle+ at $33 is the better buy if you'd otherwise pay for HBO Max or AMC+ separately. Start with the free channels, then the 7 day trial, and only pay once you've seen the DVR save you time every week.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Philo a month?
As of October 2026, Philo Essential is $25 a month and Philo Bundle+ is $33 a month.
Does Philo have a free trial?
Yes. New users who sign up for Essential can try it free for 7 days and cancel before the trial ends with no charges.
What does Philo Bundle+ include?
Bundle+ includes everything in Essential, the entire AMC+ library, HBO Max Basic with Ads and discovery+.
How many devices can stream Philo at once?
Both Philo plans let you stream on up to 3 devices at once and create up to 10 profiles.
Does Philo have a DVR?
Yes. Philo includes unlimited cloud DVR on paid plans, with recordings saved for a year. On Free Channels, recordings are saved for 30 days.
Is there a free version of Philo?
Yes. Philo offers Free Channels with no credit card required. You just create an account and start watching.
Can I cancel Philo any time?
Yes. Philo says both paid plans can be cancelled at any time with no contract.
What do I need to start Philo?
Philo says you need an email address, a future payment method, a broadband internet connection and a supported device.
How much is HBO Max on Philo?
Philo's HBO Max Standard ad free add-on is $13 more per month, or you can get HBO Max Basic with Ads in Bundle+.
