As streaming continues to replace traditional cable TV, services like Philo and Sling TV have become popular choices for cord-cutters.

Both platforms offer affordable ways to access live TV, but they differ in features, pricing, and content offerings, making it essential to understand how each one fits your viewing needs.

Philo is known for its simplicity and budget-friendly pricing. Focused primarily on entertainment, lifestyle, and general-interest channels, it’s ideal for viewers who want a straightforward, no-frills TV experience.

Philo doesn’t include sports or many live news channels, but its unlimited cloud DVR storage and extensive channel lineup make it a great choice for families and casual viewers.

On the other hand, Sling TV offers a more flexible and customizable streaming experience. With multiple plans and add-ons, Sling TV caters to a wide range of viewers, from sports fans to news junkies.

It’s a better option for those who need live sports, news, or a more traditional cable experience, but the higher cost and complexity might make it less appealing to those looking for a simpler solution.

In this guide, we’ll compare Philo and Sling TV in detail, helping you decide which service is right for you.

Philo

Philo is a live TV streaming service that focuses on providing affordable entertainment. Launched in 2017, Philo offers a basic, no-frills package that’s ideal for viewers who are primarily interested in entertainment, movies, and lifestyle channels.

What sets Philo apart is its affordability and simplicity. The service doesn’t focus on sports or local news, making it an excellent choice for casual viewers or families that enjoy non-sports content.

Philo’s one plan covers a broad selection of over 70 channels, including popular networks like AMC, Discovery, HGTV, and Food Network.

They also provide a cloud DVR service with unlimited storage, allowing users to record shows without worrying about space.

Sling TV

Sling TV, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive cable TV alternative. It has been around since 2015 and offers more flexibility than Philo.

Sling provides two main packages—Sling Orange and Sling Blue—that allow users to customize their viewing experience. Sling offers a wider range of live TV options, including sports, news, entertainment, and lifestyle channels.

Additionally, Sling allows users to add on extra channels or features, such as expanded DVR storage, giving them more control over their subscription.

The flexibility that Sling TV offers makes it a popular choice for people who want to replicate their cable experience but without the hefty price tag.

However, that flexibility comes at a cost—Sling is more expensive than Philo, and its plans can become quite complicated with various add-ons and upgrades.

Features Comparison

When comparing Philo and Sling TV, the real difference lies in what they prioritise: Philo delivers a simple, entertainment‑focused package with unlimited DVR, while Sling TV offers greater flexibility — more channel variety, sports and news coverage, and customizable add‑ons, at the cost of complexity.

1. Channel Lineup

Philo

Philo’s channel lineup is focused on entertainment, lifestyle, and family-friendly content. With more than 70 channels, Philo covers a broad range of genres like movies, documentaries, reality TV, and home improvement.

The service offers a wide selection of channels like AMC, A&E, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, and History Channel.

However, Philo does not include sports channels like ESPN or major news outlets such as CNN or Fox News.

This makes it a better choice for people who are more interested in scripted TV shows, movies, and general entertainment rather than live sports or news coverage.

Philo’s offering is quite simple—there’s only one plan. This simplifies the decision-making process but also limits customization for those who might want to mix and match their channel options.

If you want additional content like premium channels, Philo offers add-ons such as Starz, MGM+, and Epix for an extra fee.

Sling TV

Sling TV offers far more flexibility when it comes to its channel lineup. Users can choose from two main plans: Sling Orange and Sling Blue, or combine both to access an even broader range of channels.

Sling Orange includes 30+ channels, most notably focused on sports, kids, and entertainment, such as ESPN, Disney Channel, and HGTV.

Sling Blue, on the other hand, offers 40+ channels that focus more on news, lifestyle, and general entertainment—channels like FOX, NBC, and CNN.

For sports lovers, Sling Orange is the better option as it includes ESPN, ESPN2, and other sports-related channels.

However, for a broader range of channels, you might prefer Sling Blue. Sling also offers the option to combine both plans—Sling Orange + Blue, which gives you access to the full lineup of channels, including both sports and general entertainment.

The combined package costs more than the individual plans, but it’s still cheaper than many traditional cable bundles.

Moreover, Sling TV offers a variety of add-ons to further customize your subscription. These include sports add-ons (such as Sling Sports Extra) for additional channels like NFL RedZone, NBA TV, and more.

There are also news add-ons for channels like BBC World News and CNN International, as well as entertainment add-ons for channels like Showtime and Starz.

2. Streaming and Device Support

Philo

Philo offers solid streaming performance with support for a wide range of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Chromecast, and more.

You can stream Philo on two devices simultaneously with its standard plan. While this is more than sufficient for most families, if you have a large household that frequently streams TV on multiple devices, you may find this limitation a bit restrictive.

Philo’s cloud DVR feature is one of its standout offerings. It includes unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra cost.

You can record as many shows as you want and keep them for as long as you need without running into storage limitations. This is an excellent feature for viewers who tend to binge-watch or miss shows frequently.

Sling TV

Sling TV offers more flexibility when it comes to device support. You can stream Sling TV on a variety of devices, including smart TVs, streaming boxes (Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV), smartphones, tablets, and web browsers.

Sling TV supports up to 4 simultaneous streams if you opt for the combined Orange + Blue plan, with up to 3 streams available on the Blue plan and 1 stream available on the Orange plan.

While Philo provides unlimited cloud DVR, Sling TV’s base package includes 50 hours of cloud DVR storage.

If you want more storage, you can upgrade to Sling TV’s Unlimited DVR feature, which costs an additional fee.

Although this upgrade is useful for heavy DVR users, it can increase the overall cost of Sling TV.

3. Extra Features

Philo

Philo keeps things simple with its single plan. Apart from the unlimited cloud DVR, the primary extra feature Philo offers is the ability to add premium channels like Starz or MGM+.

These add-ons are available for a fee, but the process is straightforward. Philo’s lack of live sports, news, and local channels may be a dealbreaker for some, but for viewers who prefer a no-frills TV experience focused on entertainment, it’s an appealing option.

Sling TV

Sling TV provides a much more customizable experience. In addition to its two base plans (Orange and Blue), Sling offers a wide variety of add-ons.

These include extra channels (such as Sling Sports Extra), international programming, and premium networks like Showtime, Starz, and HBO Max. Sling also offers an option to upgrade its DVR service for unlimited storage.

While the base plan offers 50 hours of DVR, adding the Unlimited DVR plan lets you record as much content as you want.

This level of customization is ideal for people who want to pick and choose exactly what channels and features they want without paying for extras they don’t need.

Pricing Comparison

When it comes to cost, the difference between Philo and Sling TV is clear and straightforward.

Philo delivers a fixed‑rate, no‑frills plan that’s unusually cheap for live TV. Sling TV, by contrast, offers multiple plans — trading simplicity for flexibility, with prices that quickly rise as you add channels, DVR or extras.

Philo Pricing

Philo keeps things simple when it comes to pricing. The service offers one basic plan at a cost of US $28/month.

This plan gives you access to more than 70 channels, unlimited cloud DVR, and no extra fees for streaming on multiple devices.

While there are add-ons like premium channels available (e.g., Starz, MGM+), the core service is very affordable compared to other live TV streaming services.

Sling TV Pricing

Sling TV’s pricing is more complex because it offers multiple plans with various add-ons. The cost for Sling Orange starts at US $45.99/month and includes 30+ channels, mostly focused on sports and kids programming.

The Sling Blue plan, priced at US $45.99/month, includes 40+ channels and focuses more on news and entertainment.

If you opt for both Sling Orange + Blue, the combined cost is US $60.99/month, offering the most comprehensive channel lineup.

Additionally, Sling TV offers add-ons for more specialized content (sports, news, movies), which can increase the overall cost.

The DVR upgrade for Unlimited DVR is also an additional cost. While Sling TV’s base price is higher than Philo’s, it offers far more flexibility and customization.

In Summary:

• Philo offers a single plan at US $28/month, making it a cheaper and simpler option.

• Sling TV offers Sling Orange and Sling Blue plans for US $45.99/month each, with the combined Orange + Blue plan costing US $60.99/month.

Customer Support Comparison

Customer support experiences vary quite a bit between Philo and Sling TV. Many users report frustration with long wait times or unresolved issues on both services.

Some praise occasional quick fixes, but overall support reliability seems inconsistent. In short: customer support remains a weak spot for both providers.

Philo Customer Support

Philo offers customer support via email and live chat. While the service is generally easy to use, Philo’s customer support has received some criticism for its response times and effectiveness.

Users have reported long wait times when trying to get assistance, and there are mixed reviews about the helpfulness of their support staff.

However, Philo’s simple service means that most users won’t need to contact customer support often, as the service doesn’t involve complex account management or technical issues.

Sling TV Customer Support

Sling TV provides more comprehensive customer support than Philo, with options such as live chat, phone support, and an extensive help center on their website.

Customers can find a wide range of guides and troubleshooting articles, and Sling TV offers dedicated support for billing and account management.

However, while Sling’s customer service is generally regarded as better than Philo’s, some users have reported frustrations with long wait times, particularly during peak hours.

Additionally, the complexity of Sling’s plans and features can lead to more frequent customer service interactions.

Philo Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Very affordable at US $28/month.
• Over 70 channels focused on entertainment, movies, and lifestyle.
• Unlimited cloud DVR storage.
• Simple, easy-to-use interface.

Cons:

• Lacks live sports, news, and local channels.
• Limited customization with only one base plan.
• Customer support has mixed reviews.

Sling TV Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexible plans (Orange, Blue, and Combo) with a broad channel selection.
• Includes live sports, news, and entertainment.
• Offers extensive customization with add-ons for sports, movies, and more.
• Up to 4 simultaneous streams with the Combo plan.

Cons:

• Higher cost compared to Philo.
• Complex plan structure with many add-ons.
• Limited DVR storage in the base plan, requires additional upgrades for unlimited storage.

Conclusion

Choosing between Philo and Sling TV depends on what you’re looking for in a streaming service.

If you’re primarily interested in entertainment and lifestyle content, Philo is a fantastic option due to its affordability and straightforward approach. It’s perfect for families, casual viewers, or anyone who doesn’t need live sports or news.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more comprehensive service that offers live TV, sports, news, and a higher degree of customization, Sling TV is the way to go.

While it’s more expensive and comes with a more complicated setup, it offers flexibility and a wide range of options to suit a variety of tastes.

Ultimately, it comes down to your viewing preferences and how much you’re willing to pay for the features that matter most to you.

FAQs

Is Philo cheaper than Sling TV?

Yes, Philo is significantly cheaper, starting at just US $28/month compared to Sling TV’s starting price of US $45.99/month.

Does Sling TV offer sports channels?

Yes, Sling TV offers sports channels, especially in the Orange plan, which includes ESPN and other sports networks.

Can I record shows on Philo?

Yes, Philo includes unlimited cloud DVR storage, so you can record as many shows as you like.

Does Sling TV have a DVR feature?

Yes, Sling TV offers a base 50-hour cloud DVR with the option to upgrade to Unlimited DVR for additional storage.

Which service is better for someone who only wants entertainment?

Philo is better for entertainment-focused viewers who don’t need sports or news, as it’s cheaper and simpler.