fuboTV vs Sling TV (2023): Which Service is Better?
Cut the cord to save money while still watching your favorite sports online without cable!
You already know what streaming services are. You’ve probably even used an on-demand service like Hulu or Netflix. Many people even have a mix of a cable plan and on-demand services to supplement their entertainment needs. However, those people could be saving a significant amount of money by leaving cable behind and picking up a live streaming service.
These alternatives to cable offer similar packages at a lower price. Signing up is easy and with no contracts, you can cancel if a service isn’t to your liking. All you need to do is pick the service that suits you best. The problem is that with so many services it can be hard to find that one. That’s where we come in. We’re going to compare fuboTV vs Sling TV, so at the end of this guide you’ll know all the key points about each service to determine if either is right for you.
fuboTV and Sling TV are both established, reliable live streaming services. They offer a variety of popular channels and plenty of sports coverage. Which service is the one that should stream in your home? Let’s find out!
What is fuboTV?
fuboTV is a sports-centric live streaming service. You’ll receive a mix of sports and general entertainment. You even get local channels in most areas. There are multiple packages to choose from. The initial package offers 100+ channels for $75 per month. If you want more channels there are larger packages or you can add channel bundles to increase your channel count.
Every plan comes with an on-demand library and your own cloud-based DVR. You can watch most of the networks in your plan on TV Everywhere apps, too. When it comes to streaming, fuboTV is compatible with mobile devices, computers, Roku, Chromecast, and other devices. Visit our fuboTV review to learn more.
fuboTV offers a 7-day free trial!
What is Sling TV?
Sling TV was the first major service that offered live streaming. Today, it’s still the cheapest service on the market that offers a full channel lineup with sports! Sling TV offers three packages to pick from, starting at $40 a month. That’s half the price of some of the bigger services, but it also means less channels. Sling TV also offers a variety of channel bundles, for those that like the base packages but want a little more. This gives you a chance to personalize your package without overspending.
ESPN, FX, USA, TNT, Disney, AMC, and many other channels are available in the basic packages. One thing that’s largely missing though is local channels. FOX and NBC are available in limited areas, but otherwise you won’t find local coverage on Sling TV. Each package includes standard features like a cloud-DVR and on-demand content. You can stream Sling TV on most devices including Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, computers, mobile devices, and more. Our Sling TV review has more details.
Pricing Options: fuboTV vs Sling TV
fuboTV gives you the choice of three streaming plans starting with 120+ channels for $75 per month. Your plan will start with a free 7-day trial! Your package will include many of the top sports networks and additional channels can be added for a fee. All packages include a cloud-DVR, on-demand library, TV Everywhere apps, and more. Your package is contract-free and can be cancelled anytime.
Sling TV also gives you the choice of three plans. Here you’ll start with more than 30 channels for $40 a month. Larger packages are available, or you can add single or channel bundles to have more to watch. All plans include an on-demand library and a cloud-DVR. Base packages include many popular channels including AMC, ESPN, TBS, TNT, and USA. Local channels are limited, and spotty, at best.
Winner: Tie (Sling TV is cheaper, but fuboTV offers four times the number of channels for less than twice the price.)
Channel Selection: fuboTV vs Sling TV
In order to pay full attention to channel selection, this section has been split into two parts. This section includes all general entertainment channel information. The next section is completely dedicated to sports. This gives you an easy way to find the channels you’re looking for and shows you the best that both channels have to offer.
fuboTV and Sling TV vary dramatically in size, but they are comparable because they both offer a lot of the same top networks. You might find that the channels you want most are available on Sling TV, so there’s no need to pay more. This section should help you figure that out.
fuboTV offers the following local and nationwide networks:
ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC (local channels are available in most areas), AMC, Comedy Central, Discovery, Disney, Food Network, Freeform, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, National Geographic, Nickelodeon, OWN, Sundance TV, TLC, and many others!
Sling TV’s lineup starts with 30+ channels like:
AMC, BBC America, Bravo, Comedy Central, Disney, Food Network, Freeform, FX, HGTV, ID, Lifetime, Syfy, TBS, TNT, truTV, USA, and more!
*Sling TV’s channel lineup is based on the plan you pick at signup, but every channel mentioned is available in one of Sling TV’s base packages.
After seeing so many networks mentioned, you’re probably wondering which channels aren’t included in these packages. fuboTV does not include networks like CNN, TBS, or TNT. Sling TV does have access to these channels, but ABC and CBS aren’t included at all and the coverage for NBC and FOX are limited.
Winner: Tie (Both services have something missing. In the end, that could be what helps you determine which service wins out for you.)
Sports Coverage: fuboTV vs Sling TV
fuboTV and Sling TV are both good choices for sports fans that want to replace cable. You’ll find that both services offer a variety of sports networks. For many sports fans, the winner of this section will have the channels they need to watch the sports they want. So, let’s see what channels are available!
The fuboTV sports lineup includes: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC (local channels are available in most parts of the country), ACC Network, beIN Sports, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1/FS2, Golf, MLB Network, MotorTrend, NFL Network, NHL Network, Olympic Channel, Pac-12 Network, SECN, and more.
fuboTV offers three plans, so the number of sports channels you receive will depend on the package. More than 25+ sports channels are available in the top package. There are also multiple sports add-ons that you can use to upgrade your plan. Additional sports bundles start at $5/month.
Sling TV’s Sports Lineup includes: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 (airs games broadcast on ABC), FOX and NBC (in just a few markets), FS1, MotorTrend, NFL Network, Stadium, and more!
Two sports bundles are available to be added to the Sling TV plan that you choose. The bundle that you choose will be based on the package you pick in the beginning. Some of the channels available in the bundle include ACCN Extra, ESPNU, ESPNews, FS2, Longhorn Network, MLB Network Strike Zone, NBA TV, NFL RedZone, NHL Network, Pac-12 Network, SECN & SECN+, Tennis, and more.
Winner: fuboTV (Most of the major sports networks are included with both services, but fuboTV offers solid local network coverage and Sling TV doesn’t.)
Package Features: fuboTV vs Sling TV
We’ve looked at the price and the channel selection, but streaming services also offer added package features that sometimes set them apart. Now it’s time to discover the features offered by fuboTV and Sling TV beyond live TV.
fuboTV comes with many of the standard package features you’ll find elsewhere. There’s an on-demand library with thousands of hours of content, a cloud-DVR with 1,000 hours of storage space, and TV Everywhere apps are compatible with your package. You can even stream on ten devices at once.
Sling TV offers many of the same features that fuboTV offers. There’s a cloud-based DVR but it only comes with 50-hours of space. You also get an on-demand library, and you can use TV Everywhere apps. Simultaneous streaming depends on your package, but between 1 and 4 streams will be available at the same time.
Winner: fuboTV (fuboTV and Sling TV share most of the same package features, but fuboTV offers more of them.)
Pros & Cons: fuboTV
fuboTV is a great service, but it’s not going to be for everyone. If you’re not sure about fuboTV yet, here are some pros and cons that you can consider before signing up.
Pros:
- Multiple packages from $75/month
- Over 25 sports networks plus more available as add-ons
- Cloud-DVR storage of 1,000 hours
- Simultaneous streaming on 10 devices
- Local channels in most areas
- fuboTV offers a 7-day trial
Cons:
- Bally Sports is not included so regional content is lacking
- Some missing general entertainment channels include TBS and TNT
- Simultaneous streaming only works in your home network
Pros & Cons: Sling TV
If you’re leaning towards Sling TV, here are some pros and cons that you might want to think about before you make the plunge.
Pros:
- 3 plans starting from $40 a month
- The cheapest option if you’re looking for a plan that includes sports
- Cloud-DVR and on-demand library are included
- Add-ons make it possible to get more channels on the cheap
- Available on all common streaming devices
Cons:
- Local channels are highly limited, if available at all.
- Package options can be harder to understand
- Package features are limited compared to other services
Winner: Tie (Both services make the case for signing up. There are more pros than cons. It might just depend on who has the channels you want and what you want to spend.)
Conclusion: What’s Better? fuboTV or Sling TV?
fuboTV and Sling TV are both great streaming services. If you want something with a lot of channels and tons of DVR space, fuboTV would probably be the better choice for you. If you don’t really need local coverage but you want top sports networks for a cheap price, your answer is likely going to be Sling TV. There isn’t a wrong answer, it’s just about the best choice for you. Neither service requires a commitment, so if you sign up and decide to cancel, you can do so without any hassles.
