YouTube TV is the fuller, pricier option: 100+ channels with local stations in most areas and unlimited DVR for $82.99 a month. Sling is cheaper and more modular, from $19.99 to $60.99 a month, but its local channels are only in select markets and its free DVR holds 50 hours.
These two get compared all the time because they sit at opposite ends of live TV streaming. YouTube TV tries to replace cable in one go. Sling lets you build something smaller and cheaper, then add to it. Every figure below comes from the two services' own sign-up and plan pages, checked in October 2026.
YouTube TV and Sling side by side
| YouTube TV | Sling | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (as of Oct 2026) | Sports Plan $64.99 a month; main plan $82.99 a month | Essentials or Select $19.99 a month |
| Biggest plan | Main plan, 100+ channels | Orange & Blue, 50+ channels, $60.99 a month |
| Local ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC | Included, based on your ZIP code | Sling says some locals, including ABC, FOX and NBC, are only in select markets |
| DVR | Unlimited space, recordings kept 9 months | 50 hours free, unlimited for $5 a month extra |
| Accounts and streams | 6 household accounts, 3 streams at once | Sling says the number of devices varies by service |
| Free trial | Yes, YouTube TV offers a $0 start | No free trial; free channels through Sling Freestream instead |
| Contracts | No annual contract | No long-term contract |
Sling plans and prices
Sling splits its plans into basic and full. Here's what its home page lists, as of Oct 2026:
| Sling plan | Sling's description | Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials | ESPN and more | 10+ | $19.99 a month |
| Select | FOX News and more | 10+ | $19.99 a month |
| Essentials & Select | Sports and news for less | 20+ | $34.99 a month |
| Orange | Best for sports and family | 30+ | $45.99 a month |
| Blue | Best for news and entertainment | 40+ | $45.99 a month |
| Orange & Blue | Big selection | 50+ | $60.99 a month |
The catch is in the split. Sling's own sports schedule shows it: Monday Night Football on ESPN points you to Essentials, while NFL on FOX and NASCAR on NBC point you to Select, and Premier League games on USA point you to Blue. That's why so many sports fans end up paying for a combo plan.
YouTube TV plans and prices
YouTube TV has moved towards genre plans too, but they start much higher. The sign-up page lists the main plan at $82.99 a month (new users pay $59.99 for their first 2 months), Sports + News at $71.99 a month (new users pay $49.99 for 5 months) and the Sports Plan at $64.99 a month. Both intro offers end on 16 November 2026. There's more on how those figures change over time in the YouTube TV cost guide.
What you get for the extra is breadth. Every YouTube TV plan includes unlimited DVR, multiview, family sharing and the same stream limits, according to its help centre, and YouTube TV says it has no hidden fees for boxes, DVR, broadcast or cancellation.
To see every network behind the YouTube TV side of this comparison, read the full YouTube TV lineup.
Where each one comes out ahead
Pick YouTube TV if you want your local channels without an antenna, you record a lot, or several people in the house watch separately. Unlimited DVR and six personal accounts make a real difference for families.
Pick Sling if your budget is tight and you watch a narrow set of channels. A sports fan who only needs ESPN can start on Essentials at $19.99 a month, and anyone curious can try Sling Freestream, which Sling says has 600+ free live channels and needs no account.
Sling doesn't offer a free trial, which I explain in my page on why Sling has no free trial. YouTube TV does let new users start for $0, so you can test it first.
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The hidden costs to check
- Sling's DVR. 50 hours fills up fast if you record sport. Budget the extra $5 a month for unlimited DVR if you record weekly.
- Sling's locals. If ABC, FOX or NBC aren't offered in your market, you'll need an antenna for them.
- YouTube TV's intro price. The $59.99 and $49.99 rates are for a set number of months, then the full price applies.
- Add-ons on both. RedZone, premium movie channels and Spanish packs cost extra on each service.
My verdict
For a household that wants cable without the cable box, YouTube TV is the easier, more complete choice, even though it costs more. Sling wins for one or two people who watch a short list of channels and don't mind an antenna for locals. If you're unsure, start with YouTube TV's $0 trial and note which channels you watched; if it's only a handful, Sling will probably cover you for less.
Sports fans weighing the two services can check the ESPN detail for YouTube TV in whether YouTube TV has ESPN.
For the rest of the series, see the YouTube Help: 30 Guides to Channels, Subscribers, Monetisation, Thumbnails and Fixes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sling cheaper than YouTube TV?
Yes. Sling plans start at $19.99 a month and top out at $60.99 a month for Orange & Blue, while YouTube TV's main plan is $82.99 a month and its Sports Plan is $64.99 a month, as of Oct 2026.
Does Sling have local channels like YouTube TV?
Only in some areas. Sling says some local channels, including ABC, FOX and NBC, are only available in select markets. YouTube TV includes locals based on your ZIP code.
Which has better DVR, YouTube TV or Sling?
YouTube TV. It includes unlimited DVR space and keeps recordings for 9 months. Sling includes 50 hours free and charges $5 a month for unlimited DVR.
Does Sling have a free trial like YouTube TV?
No. Sling says there's no free trial, but anyone can watch free channels on Sling Freestream. YouTube TV lets eligible new users start for $0.
