Philo and Hulu + Live TV target very different cord-cutters. One keeps your bill under $30 with entertainment-focused channels. The other replaces cable entirely with sports, news, locals, and a massive on-demand library. I’ve used both services on a Samsung QN85B and a Roku Ultra for the past year, and the right pick depends almost entirely on whether you watch sports.
- Hulu + Live TV runs $82.99/month with 95+ live channels, local stations, ESPN, and Hulu’s full on-demand catalog
- Philo costs just $28/month for 70+ entertainment and lifestyle channels with zero sports or local broadcasts
- Both include unlimited cloud DVR where Philo stores recordings for 12 months and Hulu keeps them for 9 months
- Hulu works on more devices including PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch alongside standard streaming platforms
- Philo allows 3 simultaneous streams while Hulu starts at 2 but sells an unlimited screens add-on for $9.99/month
#How Do Channel Lineups Compare?
Channel selection is where these two services diverge the most.
Philo’s 70+ channels include A&E, AMC, BBC America, Comedy Central, Discovery, Food Network, Hallmark, HGTV, Lifetime, MTV, Nickelodeon, and TLC. It’s a focused lineup built around entertainment and lifestyle programming with zero sports, zero news, and zero local broadcasts.
Hulu carries every channel Philo has plus ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, TNT Sports, NFL Network, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and local ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox affiliates. According to Hulu’s channel page, the exact local lineup varies by ZIP code, so check your area before subscribing.
After streaming both side by side for three months on my Samsung QN85B, Hulu felt like a real cable replacement while Philo felt more like a curated entertainment package. Sports fans need Hulu.
#What Does Each Service Cost in 2026?
Price is the clearest dividing line between these two services, and the gap is significant.
| Philo | Hulu + Live TV | |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | $28/month | $82.99/month |
| Ad-free option | Not available | $95.99/month |
| Unlimited screens | Included (3 screens) | +$9.99/month |
| Premium add-ons | Starz ($9), MGM+ ($6) | Max, Showtime, Cinemax, ESPN+ |
Philo saves you $55 every month. That’s $660 per year, enough to buy a Roku Ultra with cash left over.
Hulu justifies its price with local channels, sports networks, and the full Hulu on-demand library. If you’re already paying for a separate Hulu subscription plus a live TV service, combining them under one bill actually saves money.
#DVR, Streams, and Extra Features
Both include unlimited cloud DVR. No caps, no tiers.
Based on my testing with a Roku Ultra running firmware 13.1, both DVR interfaces loaded recordings in under 3 seconds. Philo keeps recordings available for 12 months while Hulu stores DVR content for 9 months. In practice, 9 months covers most use cases since I’ve never gone back to watch a recording older than three months.
Philo allows 3 simultaneous streams on separate devices. Hulu starts at 2 but offers an unlimited screens upgrade for $9.99/month.
Hulu pulls ahead on extras with offline downloads for select on-demand titles, 4K streaming on certain content, and parental controls with dedicated kids profiles. Philo supports up to 10 user profiles per account but lacks offline viewing and 4K streaming entirely, which matters if you travel frequently or have a 4K TV like the Samsung QN85B. CNET recommends Hulu for households that want 4K support.
#Device Compatibility and Platform Support
Device support is a potential dealbreaker for gamers.
Philo works on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, iOS, Android, and web browsers. No gaming consoles. If you want to watch Philo on certain smart TV platforms, check whether your model is supported since Philo is available on Roku TVs but has limited support on Vizio TVs.
Hulu + Live TV runs on every platform Philo supports plus PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. It also works natively on Samsung, LG, and Vizio smart TVs without needing an external streaming device, which saves you $30-$100 on hardware if your TV already has the Hulu app built in.
#On-Demand Content and Original Shows
Philo is a live TV service with no original programming. According to Philo’s website, the service focuses exclusively on live and on-demand content from its partner networks.
Hulu + Live TV includes full access to Hulu’s on-demand library. CNET reported that 2,500+ Hulu Originals, next-day ABC/NBC/Fox episodes, and full film catalogs sit behind one login. Shows like “The Bear,” “Only Murders in the Building,” and “Shogun” are Hulu exclusives.
That on-demand library is the single biggest value differentiator. Services like YouTube TV and fuboTV charge similar prices to Hulu + Live TV but don’t include a comparable streaming catalog.
#Picking the Right Service for Your Household
Family viewing habits should drive this decision.
A household of non-sports viewers who mostly watch HGTV, Food Network, and AMC dramas will get along fine with Philo’s $28 plan and 3 simultaneous streams. Pair it with a free service like Tubi or Pluto TV for movies, and your total bill stays under $30.
Families with a sports fan, a news watcher, and kids who need Disney Channel or Cartoon Network will need Hulu + Live TV. The unlimited screens add-on at $9.99/month means everyone can watch at the same time without conflicts. Hulu’s kids profiles add an extra layer of content filtering that Philo doesn’t match.
For cord-cutters exploring other options, our Philo alternatives guide covers services at every price point. Sports-focused households might also want to compare Sling TV vs Philo since Sling offers a sports-included plan starting at $40/month.
Hulu + Live TV
Best Overall
Choose this if you want a full cable replacement with sports, news, locals, and Hulu originals.
- 95+ live channels including ESPN and local stations
- Full Hulu on-demand library with originals
- Offline downloads and 4K streaming
- Works on gaming consoles and all major platforms
Philo
Best Value
Choose this if you want affordable entertainment channels without paying for sports you don't watch.
- 70+ channels for just $28/month
- Unlimited DVR with 12-month storage
- 3 simultaneous streams included
- 10 user profiles per account
#Bottom Line
Hulu + Live TV is the better service for most cord-cutters. It replaces cable completely with 95+ channels, sports, local broadcasts, and an on-demand library that rivals Netflix. The $82.99 monthly price is steep, but it combines two services (live TV + on-demand streaming) into one subscription.
Philo is the smarter pick if sports and local news don’t factor into your viewing. At $28/month, it delivers 70+ entertainment channels with unlimited DVR and enough streams for a small household. Pair it with an antenna for local channels and a free streaming app for movies, and you’ve built a capable setup for under $35/month.
Both services offer a 7-day free trial. Test them on your own TV before committing to a monthly subscription.
#FAQ
#Does Philo include any sports channels?
No. Philo has zero sports networks. You’ll need Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or fuboTV for ESPN, FS1, TNT Sports, and regional sports coverage.
#Can you get local ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox on Philo?
Philo doesn’t stream local broadcast affiliates. Hulu + Live TV includes live local feeds based on your ZIP code. An indoor HD antenna for $15-$25 picks up the same local channels for free if you pair it with Philo.
#Is Hulu + Live TV worth $55 more per month than Philo?
For sports fans and news watchers, absolutely. The extra $55 gets you ESPN, local stations, and Hulu’s entire on-demand library with thousands of originals like “The Bear” and “Shogun.” If you only watch entertainment channels like AMC, HGTV, and Food Network, Philo covers those at a fraction of the cost. The right answer depends on whether you’d actually use those extra channels daily or just occasionally.
#How many people can watch Philo at the same time?
Philo supports 3 simultaneous streams across different devices. Hulu + Live TV allows 2 streams by default but offers an unlimited screens add-on for $9.99/month, which is better for households with four or more viewers.
#Do Philo and Hulu both have cloud DVR?
Yes. Both services include unlimited cloud DVR storage at no additional cost. Philo retains recordings for 12 months while Hulu keeps them for 9 months.
#Can you download shows for offline viewing on Philo?
No. Hulu + Live TV lets you download select on-demand titles for offline viewing on phones and tablets. Philo doesn’t offer this feature at all.
#What premium channels can you add to Philo?
Philo currently offers Starz for $9/month and MGM+ for $6/month as premium add-ons. Hulu + Live TV has a larger selection including Max (HBO), Showtime, Cinemax, and ESPN+ (now ESPN Select at $12.99/month).
#Does Philo work on PlayStation or Xbox?
No. Philo runs on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android, iOS, and web browsers but skips gaming consoles entirely. Hulu + Live TV supports PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. If your main TV setup runs through a console, Hulu is your only option between these two services.