The Best Streaming Services for Watching Live TV Online in 2025

So, you're ready to ditch cable and embrace the future of streaming? Live TV streaming services are a fantastic alternative, offering you the chance to watch your favorite TV shows, movies, and live sports without the hassle of long-term contracts. The best part? You can stream from the comfort of your home or on the go using your mobile phone or tablet. Plus, these services are often more budget-friendly, with no hidden fees or extra hardware costs to worry about.

But with so many options available, choosing the right one can be daunting. Don’t worry—we’ve done the legwork and identified the best live TV streaming services for you to explore in 2025.

DirecTV Stream

Best Cable Alternative

Limited-Time Offer

DirecTV Stream (Choice)

0Includes $10 off for 24 months offer.

$79.99 at DirecTV

DirecTV Stream stands out as one of the best cable alternatives, offering unparalleled flexibility to tailor your TV viewing experience. With three Signature Packages—Entertainment, Choice, and Ultimate—each with a curated selection of channels, you can choose the one that best fits your preferences. The Entertainment package boasts over 90 channels focused on family-friendly entertainment. The Choice package adds 35 additional channels, including specialty and regional sports channels. For those who want it all, the Ultimate package offers over 160 channels, covering everything from movies to sports to news.

For viewers with specific interests, DirecTV Stream also offers new Genre Packs—affordable collections focused on live sports, entertainment, or news, perfect for those who know exactly what they want to watch.

With your subscription, you'll enjoy unlimited DVR storage, simultaneous recording, and streaming on an unlimited number of devices within your home. Plus, you can catch up on shows up to 72 hours after they've aired—even if you forgot to record them!

Hulu + Live TV

Best Streaming Bundle With TV

Disney Bundle Included

Hulu + Live TV

0Includes Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads).

$82.99 at Hulu

Hulu + Live TV seamlessly blends the popular Hulu streaming service with a robust live TV package, featuring over 95 channels. This makes it an excellent choice for fans of Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, and more, as it includes the Disney Bundle in its monthly cost, which would otherwise set you back $16.99 per month. This means you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu (with ads), Disney+ (with ads), and ESPN+ (with ads).

With Hulu + Live TV, you also get unlimited DVR space to record your favorite movies and shows. The service supports streaming on two devices simultaneously, with the option to upgrade to unlimited screens so the whole family can watch without interruptions. Plus, there's a three-day free trial of Hulu + Live TV, allowing you to test the service before committing to a monthly subscription.

Fubo

Best For Sports Variety

$30 Off First Month

Fubo (Pro)

0Save $30 off first month after free trial period.

$84.99 save 35% $54.99 at Fubo

Fubo is a live TV subscription service with a strong focus on sports, offering over 200 channels and unlimited Cloud DVR storage to record your favorite content. Known for its extensive catalog, Fubo comes with a higher price tag but is worth it for sports enthusiasts. Most Fubo plans allow streaming on up to 10 devices simultaneously, and you can watch on up to three devices while on the go.

For sports lovers, Fubo is the ultimate choice, providing access to over 55,000 live events each year, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA college sports, NASCAR, international soccer, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, and more. With over 35 regional sports networks included in the base plan, you'll always have a game to catch. New subscribers can take advantage of a seven-day free trial to test the service.

Sling Freestream

Best For Free TV

Watch and Earn Prizes

Sling Freestream

0Over 600 channels and more than 40,000 on-demand movies and TV shows.

See it at Sling

If you're looking for something to watch without a specific preference, Sling Freestream is an excellent option. It features over 600 channels with more than 40,000 on-demand movies and TV shows—completely free of charge. While you won't find the latest releases, you'll enjoy a vast selection of reruns and older content, ensuring you'll find something interesting to watch.

Creating a free Sling TV account offers 10 hours of complimentary DVR recordings, allowing you to pause, fast-forward, and rewind content. Plus, you can earn rewards and even have a chance to win prizes just by watching TV or movies through Sling Freestream. If you decide you want more, you can easily upgrade with various add-ons from the Sling TV plans within your profile.

Among the myriad of free streaming services, Sling Freestream stands out as our top pick.

Live TV Streaming FAQs

Can You Watch Live TV For Free?

Yes, you can watch certain TV shows and channels for free, though don't expect major networks. One of the easiest ways to catch live TV is by using a TV antenna to pick up local channels and a few extras. Alternatively, free streaming sites or apps like Sling Freestream, the Roku Channel, and Tubi offer viable options.

Which Live TV Streaming Services Have Free Trials?

Each of the live TV streaming services highlighted above offers a free trial. Hulu + Live TV provides a three-day trial, DirecTV Stream offers five days, and Fubo is the most generous with a seven-day trial.

Should You Get Cable Instead?

After years of cutting the cord and moving to streaming, many are reconsidering cable due to the proliferation of streaming services, content removal, and price increases. Basic cable can be found for around $50–$100 per month, but these are often promotional rates that increase after a year or two.

Streaming services offer the advantage of month-to-month billing, allowing you to cancel or resubscribe with ease. If the complexity and rising costs of multiple streaming services become overwhelming, cable might be a more straightforward option to consider again.