The 7 Best TV Streaming Apps of 2021

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Streaming on computer and phone — Lifewire / DEsing by Amelia Manley

When you cut the cord and free yourself from the limitations of a monthly cable subscription, it's all too easy to find yourself adrift in an unfamiliar sea of on-demand online content. Streaming sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video offer a ton of great television shows and movies that you can watch at any time, but where do you go to stream live television?

Each of these streaming services allow you to watch live TV right in your internet browser, and many of them also work with phones, video game consoles, and other devices. Some are better if you like sports, some offer a dizzying array of channels, and others offer great options for budget-minded cord cutters.

YouTube TV

What We Like

Unlimited recording and storage on YouTubeTV's own Cloud DVR.
Lots of networks included in the plan.
Easy to watch on tablets via a browser or the YouTube TV mobile app. TV requires a streaming device or smart TV.

What We Don't Like

Some "holes" in programming, no HBO or Discovery Channel.
Can't fast-forward through the commercials on some of the recorded content in the Cloud DVR.

Cost and Channels
About $64.99/mo for 85+ channels.

Add-ons
Showtime, Fox Soccer Plus, and STARZ.

How many shows can you watch at once?
Three.

Where does it work?
Android, iOS, Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox One, compatible smart TVs, PC (via web browser).

Includes access to YouTube Originals
YouTube TV offers all the major networks and dozens of additional cable channels, so it's pretty much right in the middle of the road in terms of cost and coverage.

One of the big things that YouTube TV has going for it is unlimited digital video recorder (DVR) cloud storage, which means you can record as many shows as you want, and access them from any device, without any extra charges.

YouTube TV also includes access to shows like Cobra Kai that are normally only available to YouTube Premium subscribers.

AT&T TV Now

What We Like

Easy to sign up.
Available with an internet connection and a smart device.
No set top box needed.
No hidden costs

What We Don't Like

Few local channels.
Internet connection must be high-speed for streaming.
Not as large a channel selection as with cable or satellite TV.

Cost and Channels

Ranges from $69.99/mo for 65+ channels to $139.99/mo for 140+ channels.

Add-ons
HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, and STARZ.

How many shows can you watch at once?
Two.

Where does it work?
Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Android, iOS, compatible smart TVs, PC (via web browser).

More live streaming television channels than any other service
If you want a direct replacement for your high-end cable or satellite television subscription, then AT&T TV Now is probably the only streaming service that's going to even come close to satisfying you.

Existing AT&T customers are also sometimes eligible for certain bonuses.

fuboTV

What We Like

Generous selection of live sports and on-demand programming.
Robust DVR functionality.
Covers college, national, and international sports.

What We Don't Like

No original content.
Doesn't work with VPNs.

Cost and Channels
About $64.99/mo for 100+ channels.

Add-ons
Additional DVR storage, family share plan, Showtime, international sports package, sports package, adventure package, Portuguese language package, Spanish language package, cycling package.

How many shows can you watch at once?
Three (additional streams available for an extra charge).

Where does it work?
Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, Android TV, PC (via web browser).

Streaming television for sports fans
While fuboTV offers a decent selection of live television channels, the real selling point of the service is sports. Most other services offer some sports channels, but fuboTV has some, like GOL TV, that you can't find elsewhere.

If watching live sports on the internet is your primary goal, then fuboTV is probably going to knock it out of the park. It's also a great choice if you want to watch either Spanish or Portuguese language sports channels. That said, it doesn't work with VPNs, which might be a knock against it if you're hoping to utilize one.

Sling TV

What We Like

Good selection of national networks.
Plans are customizable.
Low-entry fee.
Offers 50-hour Cloud DVR (or 200 for an extra fee).

What We Don't Like

Little (or no) local programming.
Weak search feature.
Lacks interactive programming guide.
No offline playback.

Cost and Channels
About $35/mo for 30+ channels (Orange plan) and about $30/mo for 50+ channels (Blue plan).

Add-ons
Cloud DVR, sports package, comedy package, kids package, news package, lifestyle package, HBO, Cinemax, Starz, Showtime, Epix, packages for Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, French, and many other languages, NBA League Pass, etc.

How many shows can you watch at once?
One (Sling Orange) and three (Sling Blue).

Where does it work?
Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Android TV, iOS, Android, Xbox One, compatible smart TVs, PC (via web browser).

Best streaming service for a budget, but also has a ton of sports options
Sling TV offers a whole lot of options, so it's a good choice for anyone who's really looking to tailor their experience.

The budget-priced Orange plan is one of the less expensive options out there.

Sling is also a good choice for anyone who wants access to both sports and general entertainment channels. The optional sports package adds NHL network, NBA TV and ESPNU, and another optional add-on brings NBA League Pass to the table.

Hulu With Live TV

What We Like

Comes with Hulu's entire library of on-demand and original content.
Compatible with many platforms and smart devices.
50-hour cloud DVR.
1-month free trial.

What We Don't Like

Difficult-to-use interface.
Offers fewer channels than its competitors.
Extra charges for "no commercials," extended cloud DVR, and unlimited screens.

Cost and Channels

About $64.99/mo for 65+ channels.

Add-ons
Enhanced DVR, additional concurrent streams, premium channels (HBO, Cinemax, Showtime).

How many shows can you watch at once?

Two (additional streams available for a monthly charge).

Where does it work?
Android, iOS, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, Xbox 360, compatible smart TVs, PC (via web browser).

Brings live television streaming to a site you probably already use
Hulu is one of the oldest and most trusted names in the streaming world, but the basic service doesn't include live television. Hulu With Live TV is an additional subscription, above and beyond the regular subscription, that adds access to live television channels.

If you're already a long-time Hulu subscriber, then this is a great way to seamlessly add a live television option to a service you already use regularly.

Philo

What We Like

Inexpensive live television streaming service.
Three simultaneous streams.
No restrictions on ad-skipping.

What We Don't Like

A poor choice for sports fans.
Doesn't carry ABC, CBS, NBC, or FOX programming.
No way to filter the catalog by genres.

Cost and Channels
About $20/mo for 60+ channels.

Add-ons
Epix and STARZ.

How many shows can you watch at once?
Three

Where does it work?
iOS, Android, Roku, Chrome, PC (via web browser).

Cheapest live television streaming service, but not great for sports
Philo is the most affordable multi-channel streaming service that offers live television, but it also has the fewest options and the sparsest lineup. Its plan doesn't include either ESPN or Fox Sports, for instance.

If you're looking for a cheap way to watch live television online, and Philo has the channels you're looking for, then it's a great choice.

Paramount+

What We Like

Original and classic content from CBS, BET, MTV, and more.
Breaking news and live sports.
New Paramount films debut on the service.
Service plans 50 new original series in the next two years.

What We Don't Like

Price increased from what its previous incarnation, CBS All Access, charged.
Ad-supported version won't include live local CBS stations.

Cost and Channels
The Essential Plan costs $4.99 per month with commercials; the Premium Plan is $9.99/month. Includes four channels (CBS, CBSN, CBS Sports HQ, and ET Live).

Add-ons
Showtime; a commercial-free option for $9.99 lets you download content for offline watching.

How many shows can you watch at once?
Three.

Where does it work?
Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, LG, Samsung, Vizio, Xfinity, computer with Chrome or Firefox web browsers.

The best way to watch exclusive CBS shows like Star Trek: Discovery
Unlike the other options for watching live television online, Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access) doesn't provide a ton of different channels. Its live TV options center around CBS and CBSN along with CBS Sports HQ and ET Live.

The main draw for Paramount+ is that it provides access to a number of exclusive, online-only CBS shows. For instance, the only way to watch Star Trek: Discovery is to sign up for Paramount+.

Paramount+ is an expansion of its previous incarnation, CBS All Access. In addition to its CBS content, Paramount+ adds exclusive streaming content from Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, and the Smithsonian Channel. There are also hundreds of Paramount movies and a ton of live sports, original content, and reboots.

If you're a fan of a lot of CBS shows and streaming new Paramount movie releases sounds fun, the inexpensive price tag makes Paramount+ a great deal.

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The 7 Best TV Streaming Apps of 2021

Stream live television with these great apps and services

YouTube TV

AT&T TV Now

fuboTV

Sling TV

Hulu With Live TV

Philo

Paramount+