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Best TV Streaming Apps for Cable Cutters: Money-Saving Review
With so many people fleeing cable for streaming TV services, we wanted to know which of these services had the best apps. We tested 10 streaming services to find our readers the best value.

Table of contents
Best all-around live TV app
YouTube's cable alternative has tons of channels and features for those who want to ditch cable.
Why we chose YouTube TV:
- The subscription price of $64.99 per month includes tons of content.
- Easily navigable, with sections for family, news, sports, movies, various genres
- Has lots of short-form, on-demand content — it is YouTube, after all. You can watch short videos in spare moments, saving you time.
- Topical sections like “conversations on racial injustice” help viewers keep track of important issues.
- Live TV Guide shows you everything that’s on in real-time so you can find what you want to see.
- Don't have time to watch? Record shows you want to see and save them for later.
- Simple and intuitive viewing experience -- screen flips to landscape with a tap for easier viewing
Best for kids and kids at heart
Why we chose Disney+:
- Great deal for lots of content: $6.99 a month (or $12.99 in a bundle with Hulu and ESPN.)
- Gorgeous app showcases the extensive content library.
- Since Disney owns tons of properties, there are lots of options here: New and classic Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, as well as lots of movies and special options like Hamilton and Taylor Swift’s new studio special.
- While we don’t necessarily recommend watching Avatar on your phone, the video quality is really good.
- Has good some good shorter programming that is probably more consistent with what you would actually use the app for — watching something in a waiting room or line.
- Of course, lots of excellent children’s programming. This app could be a life-saver for parents who need to calm a bored or upset child.
Best free live TV
Are we cheating by adding a totally free live TV app to this list? Maybe. But we just had to test it after hearing all the hype, which it definitely lived up to. It's a great choice for people who want to watch TV occasionally and don't want to pay for it.
Why we chose Pluto TV:
- 100% free live TV. While it does have lots of ads, so do the live options that you pay for, so you really can’t beat the price point here.
- Good video quality, easy to navigate interface.
- Surprisingly has many popular channels, including news channels, options for kids, local news offerings, classic, home improvement, and comedy.
- While the library is not as expansive as a service like Netflix or Hulu, Pluto does have a fairly large collection of on-demand movies and shows.
Best cable alternative
Sling is a great deal for a cable alternative and comes with extensive DVR storage.
Why we chose Sling:
- With subscription prices as low as $30 per month, Sling is a great deal.
- Lots of live and recordable TV channels, including TBS, AMC, Comedy Central. HGTV, The Food Network, CNN, Disney Channel, and many more.
- Extensive selection of sports channels included in basic package, with more available as add-ons.
- On-demand library includes TV shows, movies, and family content.
- Easy to record programs for later and find them in your library. The service includes 50 hours of DVR cloud storage.
Best content options (to go with your free shipping)
Why we chose Amazon Prime Video:
- Free with Prime subscription ($199 per year or $12.99 per month), or $8.99 per month on its own.
- Lots of programming included with Prime — now including some live sports.
- Access to Amazon original programming, including Transparent, The Man in High Castle, and others.
- Great content library for kids will help keep them engaged and occupied.
- In addition to what’s included with Prime, you can find lots of additional programming available to rent or buy that you can watch on the app as well. Find shows and movies that aren't available anywhere else.
- Many premium cable channels are available as add-ons, so you can find all your favorites in one place.
Everything We Recommend
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Our Pick• Cable-free live TV. No cable box required.
• Watch major broadcast and cable networks, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, NFL Network, ESPN, HGTV, TNT and more, including your local sports & news channels.
• Watch on your smartphone, tablet, computer, smart TV, or game console, and on your big screen via Google Chromecast, Roku player & TV, and Apple TV.
• Cloud DVR without DVR storage space limits. Each recording will be stored for 9 months.
• 6 YouTube TV accounts per household. Everyone gets their own login, recommendations and DVR.
• No commitment, no contracts; cancel anytime.
• Start your free-trial today.
Over eighty-five networks are available in YouTube TV:
BROADCAST
ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, and more
SPORTS
CBS Sports Network, NBC Sports RSN (regional), ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Golf Channel, MLB Game of the Week Live on YouTube, MLB Network, NBA TV, NBCSN, NFL Network, Olympic Channel, SEC Network, and more
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
AMC, Animal Planet, BBC America, BET, Bravo,CMT, Comedy Central, Comet, CourtTV, Cozi TV, Decades, Discovery, E!, Food Network, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX, IFC, Investigation Discovery, HGTV, MotorTrend, Nat Geo, Nat Geo Wild, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, Pop, QVC, Smithsonian Channel, SundanceTV, SyFy, TBS, TCM, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, TruTV, TV Land, USA, VH1, WE tv, NewsNation, YouTube Originals, and more
NEWS
ABC News Live, BBC World News, Cheddar, CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, NBCLX and more
KIDS
Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Nickelodeon, PBS Kids, Universal Kids
SPANISH LANGUAGE
Telemundo, Universo
Sports and premium networks like HBO Max, SHOWTIME and STARZ are also available for an additional monthly charge.
Availability:
YouTube TV is available nationwide in the United States.
For more information, please visit our Help Center.
Terms of service: tv.youtube.com/tv/terms
Paid terms of service: tv.youtube.com/tv/paidterms
Privacy policy: tv.youtube.com/tv/privacy
Enjoy cable-free live tv now!CostFreeFreeIn-App PurchasesNoNo -
Runner UpDisney+ is the streaming home of your favorite stories. With unlimited entertainment from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic, you’ll never be bored. Watch the latest releases, Original series and movies, classic films, throwback TV shows, and so much more.
Stream and download Original Series like The Mandalorian, and fan favorites like The Simpsons, Marvel’s The Avengers, and Frozen. There’s always something new to discover.
With Disney+, you get:
• A premium ad-free experience
• Access to new releases, timeless classics and past seasons of your favorite TV shows
• Exclusive new Originals from the creators of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic
• GroupWatch, a way to watch Disney+ together, even when you’re apart
• Unlimited downloads on up to 10 devices
• Over 100 titles in 4K UHD and HDR
• The ability to watch on four screens at once at no extra cost
For help with Disney+, please visit: http://help.disneyplus.com.
For our Subscriber Agreement and other policies please visit: https://disneyplus.com/legal.
Your California Privacy Rights: https://privacy.thewaltdisneycompany.com/en/current-privacy-policy/your-california-privacy-rights/
Do Not Sell My Information: https://privacy.thewaltdisneycompany.com/en/dnsmi/
The content available on Disney+ may vary by region. Some titles shown above may not be available in your country.
Start streaming your favorite movies and TV shows now!CostFreeFreeIn-App Purchases$6.99 - $79.99 per item$6.99 - $80.99 per item -
Also GroovyWelcome to a whole new world of TV.
Watch 250+ channels and 1000s of movies free!
Drop in to hundreds of channels streaming the latest movies, binge-worthy TV shows, breaking news, live sports and more. Always on. And always 100% free!
Watch hit movies like Big Fish, Zodiac, Legally Blonde, The Big Short and more anytime you want with Pluto TV on-demand.
Get up-to-the-minute headlines from major news outlets including: CNN, NBC News, CBSN, and TODAY. You can even access local coverage from CBSN New York and CBSN Los Angeles.
Relive iconic moments and classic games with a 24/7 NFL Channel, and don't miss a minute of the biggest sports action with Fox Sports, MLS, and more. Plus, live sports are at your fingertips from beIN Sports Xtra and Big Sky.
Your favorite shows are playing 24/7 with channels dedicated to Baywatch, Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, Leverage, Cold Case Files and more. Catch up on wild reality with MTV’s The Hills, The Challenge, VH1 Love + Hip Hop and all the latest and greatest unscripted shows.
Can’t get enough true crime? Solve the case with retro classics like Unsolved Mysteries and Forensic Files, and witness the action from inside the courtroom on Court TV.
The best part? You’ll never have to pay for Pluto TV. No credit cards. No bills. No contracts. No signup. Just open the app, drop in, and watch for free.
Pluto TV is free TV.
* Privacy Policy and Your California Privacy Rights: https://corporate.pluto.tv/privacy-policy
* Do Not Sell My Personal Information: https://viacomprivacy.com
* Terms of Use: http://corporate.pluto.tv/terms-of-useCostFreeFreeIn-App PurchasesNoNoSLING is a streaming service with the best of live TV, both free and paid, streamed to you on any device. And with 200+ channels, SLING has something for everyone. It’s the live TV you love for half the cost of cable. Plus, watch over 85,000 movies & shows on demand.
Programming Available From SLING TV:
With free channels like ABC News Live and premium cable networks such as CNN, FOX News and MSNBC, Sling keeps you informed while you stay safe inside. Entertainment networks like, Bravo!, LIfetime and HGTV mean SLING TV has something for everyone.
NEWS | Stay up-to-date and informed with plenty of news channels like CNN, FOX News, CNBC, MSNBC and Bloomberg.
ENTERTAINMENT | Stay in & SLING in with entertainment for the whole family. Sign up and get Bravo, Freeform, A&E, Investigation Discovery, TBS and TNT.
LIFESTYLE | With SLING TV, you can get your DIY fix with HGTV and satisfy your cravings for new recipes on Food Network. Plus, we have plenty of other lifestyle channels like TLC, Hallmark and Discovery.
KIDS’ SHOWS | Keep the kids happy and the Saturday morning cartoon tradition rolling with Disney and Cartoon Network.
SPORTS | Catch the latest news, analysis and feature films of your favorite sports on ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and a whole lot more.
INTERNATIONAL | SLING TV is one of the best international streaming services in the U.S., offering programs in 22 languages including Spanish, Hindi & Arabic.
So what’s the hold up? Download the app today and start SLINGing.
Please note: This app features Nielsen’s proprietary measurement software that will allow you to contribute to market research, like Nielsen’s TV Ratings. Please see www.nielsen.com/digitalprivacy for more information.CostFreeFreeIn-App PurchasesNoNoWatch movies, TV, and sports, including Amazon Originals like The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan as well as recommendations just for you.
App features:
• Download videos to watch offline.
• Follow your favorite actors and directors to receive notifications for videos featuring them as they become available on Prime Video (US only).
• Rent or buy new-release movies and popular TV shows (availability varies by market).
• Cast from your phone or tablet to the big screen with Chromecast and Fire TV.
• Multi-user profiles allow creating personalized entertainment experiences.
• Go behind the scenes of movies and TV shows with exclusive X-Ray access, powered by IMDb (availability varies by market).
• 100+ channels like HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, CBS All Access, Cinemax, and more are available for Prime members to add—no extra apps to download and no cable required (availability varies by market).CostFreeFreeIn-App Purchases$0.99 - $100.00 per item$8.99 per item
The 411 from our Appventurer
How we tested?
After researching and downloading the most popular streaming TV apps, I got to work on the difficult task before me: watching television. This testing period involved less of a specific procedure than some other app categories and more just trying out all the features to see if it offered a comfortable and enjoyable viewing experience.
The apps fell into two broad categories: on-demand and live (with some offering both). For the on-demand apps, I looked at the size and diversity of their content libraries and checked out the video quality, how easy it was to watch in landscape mode, and how user-friendly the browsing experience was. For live TV, I noted how many channels were available, how they were displayed for browsing, how easy it was to “change channels,” how the video quality was, and if the service offered recording, how well that worked.
Because I was interested specifically in the app, rather than the associated service, some favorites did not make the list. I was looking for user-friendly apps with great video quality, and I also thought about what kind of content people might want to access on mobile devices: live sports and news, stuff for kids, shorter form content, and video that is not that visually complicated or demanding of your attention.
Netflix, for example, does not have a great app, and their original programming tends to be worth looking at and paying attention to — which is why you should watch it on your television. But let’s be honest: you already subscribe to Netflix, which means the app is free. And if you want to download it so you can watch Stranger Things on a plane, go for it. The apps I selected offer the best app experience, and if you are looking for a new streaming app with an excellent associated app, these are all worth considering. At the end of the day, however, the best value for a TV streaming app is whatever you already subscribe to.
Why get the app?
All of the apps we tested are associated with a service that can be watched on a smart TV or computer, and for most people, that will be the primary way they use the service. As popular as watching mobile video is on platforms like YouTube (or ultra-short form platforms like TikTok,) full-length TV shows are more comfortable to watch on a larger screen, especially things like Game of Thrones, which offer expansive visual universes that really lose something on a cell phone screen.
But that doesn’t mean these apps have nothing to offer. Most shows aren’t visually elaborate fantasy worlds, and talk shows, news programs, stand-up comedy, simple cartoons for kids, and your favorite reality shows or classic sit-coms are all good candidates for mobile viewing. Watching these kinds of shows on your phone can make waiting in line or sitting in a waiting room painless. Sports fans and news junkies, in particular, may appreciate these apps for their ability to keep you connected to ongoing events on the field or in the world.
More About YouTube TV: Our Pick
More than any other service, YouTube is what got us watching videos on our phones every minute of the day, so perhaps it’s no surprise that the YouTube TV app was the most user-friendly and watchable of the apps I tested. But I actually was surprised. When popular free services introduce a paid version. I’m generally skeptical.
But YouTube TV really isn’t a paid version of YouTube; it’s a comparably priced or cheaper version of cable with TiVo. At $64.99 per month, the subscription is likely to seem reasonable if you currently pay for cable and ridiculously expensive if (like me) you just pay for streaming services, which generally come in under $10 a month. But if you subscribe to the service (and after using the free trial, I’m now thinking of it), you should definitely download the app. And if you’re considering ditching cable for one of the new live TV alternatives and want one with a good associated app, YouTube TV might be the choice for you.
When you open the app, a series of videos (without audio) of what is currently playing on TV occupy the top of the screen. If you see something you want to watch, you can tap and then turn your phone to watch in landscape mode. If nothing appeals, you can scroll down to find on-demand shows, including sports and news. The home screen also features special collections, which currently include programming about racial injustice, and some YouTube originals, including a series of videos about books. The site has news clips, as well as full-length news broadcasts, a more digestible format for mobile.
You can also browse the live TV guide, which includes almost 90 channels. Watch now, or set the app to record for later. Trivia nerd that I am, I asked the app to record Jeopardy everyday. I didn’t have to watch it on my phone (the app syncs up with YouTube TV on smart TV devices), but the game show is actually perfect for mobile viewing. And other shows would be too: talk and news shows, home improvement, and cooking shows, and that episode of Friends you’ve seen a thousand times. Most major network and cable news channels are available, as are HGTV, The Food Network, and TBS, so you can get all that fare from YouTube TV. Or just find something you want to see and record it for later, right from your phone.
Out of all the apps I tested, YouTube TV was the most conducive to mobile browsing. It takes into consideration the way people actually use their phones, as opposed to simply making a mobile version of their TV offering. For those considering cutting the cord and looking for an alternative with a great app, YouTube TV is an excellent choice both at home and on the go.
Snags but not drags:
For many people, YouTube TV's $64.99 monthly price tag may be a sticking point. Although the service has a lot to offer, folks on a budget or those that don't watch a lot of TV may want to stick to the cheaper on-demand streaming services.
YouTube TV also has many add-on packages of premium cable channels and extra sports channels. While it's nice to have these options, they can add up quickly, bringing your monthly bill to $100 or more. If this is in your budget and entertainment is important to you, YouTube TV is likely to meet your needs and provide an excellent user experience. For others, the price tag might just be too steep.
Also, while the ability to record live TV provides a sort of DIY on-demand experience, I wished that YouTube TV had a more extensive permanent on-demand collection. However, the app provides tons of content and a great user experience. Even with a few small drawbacks, it was my number one pick.
More About Disney+: Runner Up
At first glance, Disney seems like a terrible fit for a phone app. From Marvel to Star Wars to Pixar, the company's properties are visually stunning affairs designed for the big screen. It seems like they would suffer a little even viewed on TV, much less on a tiny rectangle. And I am not suggesting that you watch Avatar on your cell phone. But the Disney Plus app looks great, and the content library includes many good options for on-the-go viewing, especially for kids.
At $6.99 a month (or $12.99 in a bundle with Hulu and ESPN -- for a savings of $5.83 per month), Disney Plus is a great deal for the amount of content it offers. And that includes lots of premium video that works just fine on the small(est) screen. For instance, the new Taylor Swift studio special, which was released as a Disney Plus exclusive, doesn’t rely on visual effects, and as a quarantine version of a concert film, doesn’t have a narrative, so you can watch it in bits and pieces. Other pocket-friendly content includes all the episodes of The Simpsons, a roundtable discussion with the cast of Hamilton, and a Disney Holiday Singalong. And much more.
If you have kids, the app could be a lifesaver. With full-length classic and contemporary Disney movies, the new Muppets series as well as all the movies, and a Disney Junior series, passing this app to a bored and fussy child could help you all get through a long car ride or frustrating wait. And with content like family singalong videos, Disney Plus offers ways for the whole family to bond.
I know I said you shouldn’t watch Avatar on your phone. And I stand by that. But the video quality here is excellent. While the experience of these blockbusters would certainly be diminished on a phone, they look as good as they possibly could. All in all, the Disney Plus app offers hours of high-quality video entertainment for the whole family.
More About Pluto TV: Also Groovy
Pluto is not as good as the other live TV apps I tested. You can’t record shows, the on-demand library is small, and it has tons of ads. But those other apps range from $5.99 a month to $65 a month, and Pluto is free. That’s a savings of up to $65 -- by far the best deal on our list for budgeters. Pluto is free, and it works just fine.
Of course, if you’re really looking for a cable alternative, are a frequent TV watcher either on your phone or at home, it would be worth it to pay the monthly subscription fees for one of the other services. But if you just want something to watch occasionally, for those times when the DMV wait is way longer than expected, or your child’s sports practice is running long, Pluto is more than adequate.
Pluto has an impressive 250 channels, divided into categories including kids, Latino, local, live sports, comedy, reality, news and opinion, and more. You’ll find many of your favorite channels among these offerings. Your kids can enjoy many different Nickelodeon channels while you kick back with classic sitcoms or MTV. The interface is easy to browse, and selecting a show to watch is a breeze. You can scroll through all the channels or select a category to limit your search. When you see something you like, just tap and then flip your phone to switch to a landscape view.
The app also has an on-demand library, which appears to rotate content. Current offerings include the entire library of James Bond films, lots of sit-coms and drama series, and Christmas movies and specials. While the library is smaller than Netflix, Hulu, or Prime, it’s substantial, and, I cannot say this often enough, it is free. If you have minimal TV needs and simply want to occasionally watch live TV or select something to watch from a smallish library, Pluto is what you’re looking for.
More About SLING: Also Groovy
It’s been a long time since I’ve watched cable. I subscribe to lots of on-demand services, and that gives me pretty much all of the movies and TV shows I want. But whenever I’m in a hotel room, I love to channel surf and watch whatever happens to be on TV. Sling gave me this experience, right in the comfort of my living room. Because Sling is really just cable, and for a base price of only $30 per month, you really can’t beat the value.
While Sling has lots of available packages, the basic package includes 30 channels, including AMC, TBS, Comedy Central, HGTV, and several ESPN channels. The service also comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR so you can record all your favorites to watch later. Since Sling includes many movie channels, I’ve spent some time browsing their offerings on the app, setting them to record, and then watching later on my TV.
For app users, the live sports may be Sling’s best feature. Having access to your favorite games anywhere is a major perk, and if you have to miss a game, just hit record. The basic package has many sports channels, and you can add-on additional packages to follow your favorite teams, regions, and sports.
The app is straightforward and easy to use. Scroll the guide to see what’s on and what’s coming up, then tap to record, watch live, or start over from the beginning. The video quality is crisp and clear, and it’s easy to navigate between live TV, your recorded library, and the service’s on-demand offerings.
More About Amazon Prime Video: Also Groovy
I do not know how to fully assess the value of Amazon Prime. At $119 per year (a little less than $10/month, although if you pay monthly instead of annually, the cost is $12.99/month). It’s comparable to Netflix or Hulu for a similar content library and not as much original programming. But if you order lots of packages and depend on Prime’s free, 2-day shipping, you may make the subscription cost back in a year, which means you get 1,981 shows, 18,405 movies, and, as of recently, live sports for free.
If you’re one of the 112 million people who already subscribe to Prime, you’ve already made that calculation (or just succumbed to Amazon’s dominance and pay the yearly fee without really thinking about it. Just me?) You can also subscribe to Prime Video alone, but at $8.99 per month, the cost is quite similar, so subscribing to the whole service will be a better value for most people.
There’s lots of mobile-friendly content on here, especially for kids. While Amazon’s original series for adults are slimmer pickings than Netflix or Hulu, they have tons of original programming for kids, including animated fare like Clifford the Big Red Dog that would make for good mobile viewing. They have popular shows from other networks as well, including Daniel the Tiger (which my friends with young children say is essential viewing) and Dora the Explorer. One nice thing about the Prime Video app is that you can download content, so if you want to access your content but don’t have internet access, you can do so.
As someone who misses those Blockbuster days, I appreciate Amazon’s a la carte options. When I can’t find something on Prime or on one of the too-many other streaming services I subscribe to, it’s usually available to buy or rent from Amazon. Is it a little bit absurd to pay an additional $3.99 for the movie you actually want to see because it’s not available on any of the services you pay ~$10 a month for? Yes. But it’s also nice to have the option. Amazon Prime also has lots of premium channels that are available as add ons. These can add up, but they do allow you to create a custom on-demand premium package. As with the rest of the apps, many of these will be better for big screen viewing, but there are plenty of mobile-friendly options.
Other Apps Considered
Obviously, Netflix is one of the most popular streaming services. And if you’re already a subscriber and want to watch The Queen’s Gambit or Stranger Things on your phone, then this is the app for you. But it’s not that user-friendly compared to our top picks, and the video quality is not great.
As with Netflix, Hulu has a great content library and some strong original programming, as well as TV shows available on-demand the day after they air live. It also has lots of premium add-ons and even a live TV option. But the app is clunky, so I'd recommend watching The Handmaid's Tale and other Hulu content on your TV or computer.
A great a la carte option for those who don’t want to pay a subscription fee. Vudu has a large content library, particularly for movies, and you can rent or buy whatever you want. (There are some free options, too.)In fact, given that there's no subscription fee, there's no reason not to have the app in case you want something that's not available on another service.
The AT&T TV app is basically just cable on your phone. The app is a good add-on if you are already using AT&T for your TV. Clean, easy to navigate, good video quality, and lots of programming options. It’s very expensive, however, if you don't already use the service.
Fubo has tons of live sports, as well as a solid selection of TV shows and movies. It has live TV that you can record for later. And the app is clean and easy to use. You can't really go wrong here -- but it is comparable to Sling, and we liked that one a little better.
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About the Appventurer
Caroline Rothnie
WriterHard as I try to keep a minimalist phone, I can't stop downloading more apps. In addition to my can't-live-without apps for organization, music and podcasts, fitness, and meditation, I'm constantly trying out new ones. So I love apps, but it's a complicated relationship -- some of my favorites are for keeping me off my phone/internet.
In second grade, I attempted to do a book report on a story I had written myself, so you could say I've always thought of myself as a writer. These days, I write a wide variety of web content with a focus on mental health and productivity. I also write personal essays. I live in Kansas with my husband and two dogs.
Introduction
The success of TikTok shows people love to watch videos on their phones. But the failure of mobile-video service Quibi may suggest we don't want to pay for it. Still, many TV streaming services offer apps for subscribers who want to catch up with content on-the-go, so we tested 10 of these apps in search of the best value. In the end, YouTube TV ($64.99/mo) offered the best app experience for live TV, while Disney+ ($6.99/mo) had the best on-demand service. Here's how we chose: