YouTube TV vs fuboTV (2023): Which Service is Better?
When it comes to cord cutting, you want to find a way to save some money while still enjoying your favorite sports. This comparison of two major streaming services should help you determine which service is right for you!
The real trick to having a satisfying streaming experience is to find the streaming service that offers the channels and features you want, at a price that’s easy on your budget. No matter what you’re looking for, there is a streaming service to suit most needs. Personally, I’ve found comparing the services I am interested in, really helps to narrow the field. Today, we’re going to pit two top services against one another so you can learn more about both.
When it comes to sports, YouTube TV vs fuboTV should be an interesting comparison. YouTube TV offers a high number of sports channels and fuboTV started out as a sports streaming service. Which service is the best? There’s only one way to find out, so let’s get to it!
What is YouTube TV?
YouTube TV is a live streaming cable alternative brought to you by the folks at YouTube. The service offers more than 80 channels for $65 a month. Package features include a cloud-DVR with unlimited access, an on-demand library, and access to the full slate of YouTube Original content. You won’t ever be forced into a contract and there are no hidden fees. As you might expect from YouTube TV, you can stream live TV on most streaming devices.
Sports fans should appreciate that YouTube TV offers access to local channels in most areas. This means that all the games that air on local TV, should be available to you on YouTube TV. You can learn more about what’s available in our YouTube TV review.
YouTube TV offers a free 7-day trial!
What is fuboTV?
fuboTV is a live streaming service that offers access to over 200 channels of local and nationwide content. The service got its start offering mainly harder to find sports content but has since become one of the most popular live streaming destinations for sports fans and lovers of TV, in general. fuboTV offers multiple packages starting from $75 per month. You can also get a wide variety of add-on channels and packages to personalize your lineup.
fuboTV is available on most streaming devices. You can watch on Roku, mobile devices, Apple TV, Chromecast, and more. There are three packages to choose from. Your package will come with an on-demand library and access to your own cloud-DVR. You can learn more about this great service in our fuboTV review.
fuboTV offers new subscribers the first 7-days free!
Pricing Options: YouTube TV vs fuboTV
YouTube TV starts new users off with a free 7-day trial. After that first week, your package will cost you $65 per month for the base package. Add-ons are available for an additional fee. Other than tax, the price you see is the one you’ll pay. YouTube TV is a contract-free service, so when you want to cancel, you can do so at the click of a button.
fuboTV offers three packages. The Pro Plan is available for $75 per month. This plan includes over 120 channels! New users will start things off with a free 7-day trial! There are also several channel add-ons available. You can cancel fuboTV at any time.
Winner: Tie (YouTube TV is a few dollars cheaper, but they are both priced similarly for some of the larger streaming packages out there.)
Channel Selection: YouTube TV vs fuboTV
Obviously, a service that offers the right number of sports channels is going to be important, but you might be interested in other channels, too. In this section we will go over what general channels are available with both YouTube TV and fuboTV. You won’t see any major sports networks in this section, but that’s just because we are saving them for the next section.
YouTube TV and fuboTV are priced at a similar monthly fee. YouTube TV boasts 80+ channels, while fuboTV offers over 120 channels in the Pro pack and even more channels in the two other plans they offer. Of course, having more channels doesn’t always mean the lineup is better. With that in mind, let’s look at the channel highlights for both services:
YouTube TV’s channel lineup offers:
AMC, BBC America, BET, Bravo, CMT, CNN, Comedy Central, Court TV, Discovery, Disney, FOX News, FX, HGTV, ID, Local Channels (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC), MSNBC, Nickelodeon, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, TBS, TCM, TNT, truTV, USA, and more!
Now let’s see what fuboTV has to offer:
Local channels (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC), AMC, Animal Planet, Bravo, Comedy Central, Discovery, Disney, Food Network, Freeform, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, National Geographic, Nickelodeon, OWN, Oxygen, Sundance TV, TLC, and more!
Both streaming services are missing a few networks that might be missed by subscribers. YouTube TV is without A&E, Destination America, History Channel, and Lifetime. fuboTV is missing networks like CNN, TBS, TNT, and some regional sports networks.
Winner: Tie (Both networks are missing a few things, but they offer dozens of popular channels and local channels in most areas).
Sports Coverage: YouTube TV vs fuboTV
When it comes to sports streaming, there is a lot to love about YouTube TV and fuboTV. Both services offer sports-friendly base packages with even more options through add-ons.
The YouTube TV sports lineup includes: ABC, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, Golf, MLB Game of the Week, MLB Network, MotorTrend, NBA TV, NBC, NBC Sports Network regional channels, NFL Network, Olympic Channel, SEC Network, SNY, and more.
All in all, you’ll receive more than 20 sports channels with YouTube TV. If you are looking for more, you can sign up for NBA League Pass for $40 a month. Another option is the Sports Plus bundle, which adds FOX College Sports, FOX Soccer Plus, Gol TV, MAVTV, NFL RedZone, Stadium, and TVG for just $11 per month.
The fuboTV sports lineup includes: Local channels, 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, SEC Network, Stadium, Tennis Channel, and more.
Depending on the package, you’ll easily have access to over 25+ sports channels in your plan. fuboTV offers around six add-on packages that are all about sports. You can add these to any package, starting as low as $5 per month.
Winner: Tie (Both services offer the top sports networks and local channels in most areas.)
Package Features: YouTube TV vs fuboTV
Now that you know what YouTube TV and fuboTV offer in terms of price and channel selection, it’s time to look at the included features that both service offers. If you’re wondering how many devices you can stream on or whether a service offers a cloud-DVR, this is the section for you.
YouTube TV offers several great features with every account. You’ll have access to YouTube Original content, an on-demand library, and a cloud-DVR with unlimited space. You can stream on three devices simultaneously. YouTube TV offers up to six separate accounts per plan. You’ll also have access to many TV Everywhere apps.
fuboTV also includes the popular features included with most services. The included cloud-DVR comes with 1,000 hours of cloud storage. You can stream on ten devices at once or pay more to get unlimited streaming. All accounts also receive access to an on-demand library and TV Everywhere apps.
Winner: Tie (The main features of YouTube TV and fuboTV are so similar it’s hard for one service to edge the other out.)
Pros & Cons: YouTube TV
Are you hoping for a breakdown of the best (and worst) of YouTube TV? If so, these pros and cons should help.
Pros:
- Local channels in most areas
- 20+ sports networks
- Most major networks are included
- Priced fairly based on similar services
- Unlimited Cloud-DVR
- Available on most popular streaming devices
- Enjoy exclusive YouTube Originals content
- YouTube TV comes with a free 7-day trial
Cons:
- You won’t be able to watch some popular networks including Boomerang, History, A&E, and Lifetime.
- Regional sports content is lacking
Pros & Cons: fuboTV
YouTube TV offers some impressive points with only a few potential negatives. Now let’s see what fuboTV has to offer.
Pros:
- Multiple package options at various price points
- Over 25+ sports channels plus optional add-ons
- Cloud-DVR with 1,000 hours of storage
- Stream on 10 devices at once
- Large on-demand library
- Most popular sports channels are included
- Local channels in most areas
Cons:
- Some top networks are missing (CNN, TBS, TNT, Bally Sports)
- Simultaneous streaming is only possible through your home location
Winner: Tie (Both services offer equally compelling reasons to subscribe to them.)
Conclusion: What’s Better? YouTube TV or fuboTV?
Honestly, both of these services are great. fuboTV offers more plans and some additional flexibility, but YouTube TV has a solid lineup and a reliable reputation. In the end, whichever service offers the sports lineup you want is the one worth checking out. Both services offer free trial offers that last for a week, so you can test them out, and cancel before the end of the trial, if you’re not satisfied.
