Philo and YouTube TV target very different cord-cutters. One costs $28/month and skips sports entirely. The other runs $82.99/month and packs in local channels, ESPN, and 100+ networks. I’ve used both services on a Roku Ultra and a Samsung CU7000 over the past year, and the right choice depends almost entirely on whether you watch live sports.
- Philo costs $28/month with 70+ entertainment channels and no contract, $55/month less than YouTube TV’s $82.99/month base price
- YouTube TV includes 100+ channels with all four major broadcast networks and 30+ sports channels that Philo lacks entirely
- Both services offer unlimited cloud DVR but Philo keeps recordings for 12 months versus YouTube TV’s 9-month limit
- Each plan allows 3 simultaneous streams though YouTube TV sells an add-on for unlimited streams on your home Wi-Fi network
- Philo has no sports or local channels making it a poor fit for NFL, NBA, or MLB fans who need those networks
#How Does Pricing Compare Between Philo and YouTube TV?
The price gap between these two services is massive. Philo runs $28/month for its single plan. YouTube TV charges $82.99/month for its base package.
That’s a $55/month difference, or $660 saved per year if you pick Philo.
#Philo Plans and Add-Ons
Philo keeps pricing straightforward with one plan:
- Base plan: $28/month for 70+ channels, unlimited DVR (12-month retention), and 3 simultaneous streams
- Starz add-on: $9/month
- MGM+ add-on: $6/month
- Movies & More: $3/month
Even loading every add-on, Philo tops out around $46/month. That’s still less than YouTube TV’s base price alone.
#YouTube TV Plans and Add-Ons
YouTube TV offers a larger channel package at a higher cost:
- Base plan: $82.99/month for 100+ channels, unlimited DVR (9-month retention), and 3 simultaneous streams
- 4K Plus: $9.99/month for 4K streaming and unlimited home streams
- Sports Plus: $10.99/month for NFL RedZone and 15+ additional sports networks
- Max (HBO): $16.99/month
- Paramount+ with Showtime: $12.99/month
With add-ons stacked, YouTube TV can push past $120/month. According to YouTube TV’s pricing page, new subscribers sometimes get a promotional rate for the first three months.
Pricing verdict: Philo wins on cost by a wide margin. If you’re comparing Sling TV vs YouTube TV or fuboTV vs YouTube TV, YouTube TV sits at the premium end of the market.
#Channel Lineups Compared
Channel lineups are where these services diverge the most.
YouTube TV carries all four major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC) plus cable staples like ESPN, CNN, HGTV, and AMC. It also includes niche sports networks like MLB Network, NBA TV, and Golf Channel. The total count exceeds 100 channels at last check.
Philo takes the opposite approach. It drops every sports and local broadcast channel to keep the price low. What remains is a solid entertainment lineup:
- Entertainment: AMC, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Paramount Network, TV Land
- Lifestyle: Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, Hallmark Channel, TLC
- Kids: Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick
That’s 70+ channels focused purely on entertainment and lifestyle content. No ESPN. No Fox Sports. No local news.
I tested both channel guides on my Samsung CU7000. YouTube TV’s guide loads faster and feels more polished. Philo’s guide is functional but occasionally sluggish during peak evening hours. Both let you add favorite channels for quick access.
If NBC or other channels stop loading, check these YouTube TV troubleshooting steps.
#DVR Storage and On-Demand Libraries
Both services include unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra charge. That’s a real advantage over cable.
Retention is where they split. Philo holds your recordings for a full 12 months, while YouTube TV deletes them after 9 months. I recorded an entire season of Yellowstone on Philo and still had access 10 months later. For binge-watchers who let shows pile up, those extra three months matter.
On-demand libraries differ too. YouTube TV provides access to current-season episodes from most of its networks, plus a large back catalog. CNET reported that 60,000+ Philo on-demand titles sit in the library, heavy on reality TV, cooking shows, and Hallmark originals.
One frustration with both: some networks enforce ads on DVR playback. This is industry-wide, not specific to either service.
#Device Support and Compatibility
YouTube TV runs on nearly everything. Roku, Apple TV 4K, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Chromecast with Google TV, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox, Android phones, iPhones, and any modern web browser.
According to Google’s support page, it also works on select Vizio and Hisense models.
Philo covers the most popular platforms but skips gaming consoles:
- Streaming devices: Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV Stick
- Smart TVs: Samsung, Vizio, LG
- Mobile: iOS and Android
- Web browsers: Chrome, Safari, Firefox
No PlayStation or Xbox support on Philo. If your main TV runs through a gaming console, YouTube TV is the pick, since it works natively on both PlayStation 4/5 and Xbox One/Series S/X without any sideloading or workarounds required.
Having trouble with YouTube TV on Fire TV Stick? This Fire TV Stick troubleshooting guide covers the most common fixes.
#Is YouTube TV Worth the Extra $55 per Month?
That depends on one question: do you watch live sports?
YouTube TV includes ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, and more. Add the $10.99/month Sports Plus package and you get NFL RedZone, beIN Sports, and 15+ additional channels.
For NFL Sundays alone, many fans consider that worthwhile. YouTube TV also carries local ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC affiliates, which means local news, Jeopardy!, and network primetime shows air live. You simply can’t get those on Philo at any price, and that’s a dealbreaker for a lot of cord-cutters. CNET recommends YouTube TV for households that need local stations and live sports.
No sports fan? The math tilts hard toward Philo. AMC, HGTV, Discovery, Food Network, BET, and Comedy Central appear on both services.
For a broader look at alternatives, the Philo TV alternatives guide covers other lower-priced options. And if sports are your priority, compare Philo vs fuboTV for a sports-focused budget alternative.
#Side-by-Side Feature Comparison
| Feature | Philo | YouTube TV |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $28/mo | $82.99/mo |
| Channels | 70+ | 100+ |
| Local/Sports | None | Yes |
| DVR | Unlimited, 12 mo | Unlimited, 9 mo |
| Streams | 3 | 3 (+unlimited add-on) |
| Free trial | 7 days | 5-7 days |
Data based on published pricing from Philo and YouTube TV as of April 2026.
#Bottom Line
Pick Philo if you want entertainment TV without the sports tax. At $28/month, it delivers 70+ channels and unlimited DVR with 12-month retention. You save $660/year.
Pick YouTube TV if live sports or local broadcast channels are non-negotiable. The $82.99/month price tag covers 100+ channels including ESPN, all four broadcast networks, and unlimited DVR. The 4K Plus and Sports Plus add-ons push it further for serious sports fans, and the ability to add Max or Paramount+ with Showtime means you can consolidate your entire TV setup into one bill and one app.
Test both before committing. Philo gives 7 days free; YouTube TV offers 5-7 days.
#FAQ
#Does Philo have any sports channels at all?
No. Zero sports channels. Philo deliberately excludes ESPN, Fox Sports, and every other sports network to keep its price at $28/month. If you need even basic sports coverage, you’ll need YouTube TV, Sling TV, or an antenna paired with a streaming service.
#Can you get local news on Philo?
Philo doesn’t carry local ABC, CBS, Fox, or NBC affiliates. The workaround: pair Philo with an over-the-air antenna, which pulls local channels for free and costs $15-30 for a basic indoor model. I use a $25 Mohu Leaf alongside Philo on my Samsung CU7000, and the combination covers everything I need for under $30/month total.
#How many people can watch at the same time?
Three streams each. YouTube TV’s 4K Plus add-on ($9.99/month) unlocks unlimited streams on your home Wi-Fi. Philo has no comparable upgrade.
#Which service has better DVR?
Both offer unlimited storage with no recording limits. Philo wins on retention: 12 months versus YouTube TV’s 9. Those extra three months matter if you let shows pile up across seasons.
#Can you cancel either service anytime?
Yes, both are month-to-month. No contracts, no cancellation fees. You can also pause either subscription temporarily if you’re traveling, which stops billing until you unpause.
#Does YouTube TV work on Samsung Smart TVs?
YouTube TV runs natively on Samsung Smart TVs from 2016 and later. I tested it on a 2023 Samsung CU7000 and the app loaded in about 4 seconds with smooth channel switching. If YouTube TV stops working on your Samsung, check this Samsung troubleshooting guide.
#Is Philo good enough to replace cable?
For entertainment-only viewers, absolutely. Philo carries HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, AMC, Comedy Central, Hallmark, MTV, and more. Pair it with a $20 antenna for locals and Tubi for free movies, and you’ve replaced cable for under $30/month. That’s roughly what most people paid for cable in 2005, adjusted for inflation, except you get unlimited DVR and on-demand access that cable never offered at that price point.
#What if you need both sports and low-cost entertainment?
Subscribe to YouTube TV during sports seasons (NFL runs September through February, for example) and switch to Philo for the off-season. Neither requires a contract, so you can swap monthly. That hybrid approach saves roughly $330/year compared to keeping YouTube TV all 12 months.