Softwr

Entertainment · head to head

DirecTV Stream vs fuboTV

DirecTV Stream logo

DirecTV Stream

Entertainment

Cable-replacement live TV streaming with local channels, RSNs and the widest premium channel tiers

From
$89.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
fuboTV logo

fuboTV

Entertainment

Sports-first live TV streaming bundle with regional sports networks and a cloud DVR

From
$73.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DirecTV Stream it is priced at or above fuboTV across comparable tiers, and its entry tier alone costs close to three times what Philo charges for households that do not need sports.; fuboTV regional sports networks are priced as an add-on beyond the base plan, so the real monthly cost for a fan following a local team is meaningfully higher than the advertised entry price.
  • They diverge on capability: DirecTV Stream covers Tiered channel plans, fuboTV covers Sports-only skinny package.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DirecTV Stream and fuboTV actually diverge.

Attributes where DirecTV Stream and fuboTV differ
AttributeDirecTV StreamfuboTV
Starting price$89.99/month$73.99/month

Identical on both: pricing model (Per household per month, tiered plans), free tier (No), platforms (Web, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVs), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in DirecTV Stream

  • Tiered channel plans
  • ESPN Unlimited

Only in fuboTV

  • Sports-only skinny package
  • 4K and multiview

Both cover

  • Local broadcast affiliates
  • Regional sports networks
  • Cloud DVR
  • Multiple simultaneous streams

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

DirecTV Stream

  • A former DirecTV satellite customer moving to streaming without wanting to change channel habitsnot fuboTV
  • A household wanting the widest premium and sports channel selection among mainstream streaming bundlesnot fuboTV
  • A sports fan who wants regional sports networks priced into the plan rather than as a separate add-onnot fuboTV
  • A family replacing full cable service that specifically does not want to trim down to a smaller entertainment-only bundlenot fuboTV

fuboTV

  • A household that wants cable-equivalent sports coverage, including regional sports networks, without a cable contractnot DirecTV Stream
  • A soccer fan wanting the broad international match coverage fuboTV built its identity onnot DirecTV Stream
  • A family replacing cable that specifically needs local ABC, Fox, CBS and NBC affiliates plus general entertainment channelsnot DirecTV Stream
  • A cord-cutter who wants a sports-only skinny package rather than the full entertainment bundlenot DirecTV Stream

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

DirecTV Stream

  • It is priced at or above fuboTV across comparable tiers, and its entry tier alone costs close to three times what Philo charges for households that do not need sports.
  • Regional sports network and local channel availability still vary by zip code, so the exact channels and price a household gets cannot be confirmed until they enter their address.
  • Reaching the widest channel and premium movie selection requires the Ultimate tier, which pushes the monthly cost well past $120.
  • Historically frequent price increases across DirecTV streaming and satellite products mean the signup price is not a reliable guide to cost a year later.
  • The interface and channel guide have drawn more mixed reviews than some competitors, with slower app updates on certain streaming device platforms.

fuboTV

  • Regional sports networks are priced as an add-on beyond the base plan, so the real monthly cost for a fan following a local team is meaningfully higher than the advertised entry price.
  • It is the most expensive of the mainstream live TV bundles at the entry tier, and Philo costs a fraction of the price for anyone who does not need sports.
  • Cloud DVR storage has limits on the base plan, and keeping recordings longer or expanding storage costs extra.
  • Channel lineups and RSN availability vary significantly by zip code, so the exact price and channel list a household gets is not fully knowable until they check their specific address.
  • Price increases have been frequent historically, so the entry price at signup is not a reliable guide to what a subscriber pays a year or two later.

Pricing, plan by plan

DirecTV Stream

$89.99/month
  • Entertainment$89.99/month
    • 90+ channels
    • Local affiliates in most markets
    • ESPN Unlimited included
  • Choice$94.99/month
    • 125+ channels
    • Adds regional sports networks and specialty sports channels
  • Ultimate$124.99/month
    • 160+ channels
    • Additional sports and movie channels

fuboTV

$73.99/month
  • Pro$73.99/month
    • 150+ channels
    • Local ABC, Fox, CBS, NBC in most markets
    • Cloud DVR included
  • Elite$83.99/month
    • More channels than Pro
    • Additional sports and entertainment networks
  • Deluxe$103.99/month
    • Widest channel count
    • Premium networks included

Which should you pick?

Choose DirecTV Stream if

  • You need tiered channel plans.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVs.
  • You also want espn unlimited.
DirecTV Stream review

Choose fuboTV if

  • You need sports-only skinny package.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVs.
  • You also want 4k and multiview.
fuboTV review

Questions people ask

Is DirecTV Stream or fuboTV better?
Neither clearly leads. DirecTV Stream starts at $89.99/month and fuboTV at $73.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DirecTV Stream or fuboTV?
DirecTV Stream starts at $89.99/month and fuboTV at $73.99/month.
Does DirecTV Stream or fuboTV run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVs, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is DirecTV Stream best used for?
DirecTV Stream is most often used for a former directv satellite customer moving to streaming without wanting to change channel habits, a household wanting the widest premium and sports channel selection among mainstream streaming bundles, a sports fan who wants regional sports networks priced into the plan rather than as a separate add-on, a family replacing full cable service that specifically does not want to trim down to a smaller entertainment-only bundle. Of those, a former directv satellite customer moving to streaming without wanting to change channel habits and a household wanting the widest premium and sports channel selection among mainstream streaming bundles are not what fuboTV is typically brought in for.
What can DirecTV Stream do that fuboTV cannot?
DirecTV Stream covers Tiered channel plans, ESPN Unlimited. fuboTV covers Sports-only skinny package, 4K and multiview. Both handle Local broadcast affiliates, Regional sports networks, Cloud DVR, Multiple simultaneous streams.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

DirecTV Stream: Is DirecTV Stream the same as satellite DirecTV?

No, it delivers the same brand and much of the same channel lineup over the internet instead of a satellite dish.

fuboTV: Does fuboTV include local channels?

Yes, ABC, Fox, CBS and NBC affiliates are included in most supported markets, though coverage varies by zip code.

DirecTV Stream: Does the entry tier include local channels and sports?

Yes, the Entertainment tier includes local affiliates in most markets and ESPN Unlimited, unlike Philo which excludes both entirely.

fuboTV: Are regional sports networks included in the base price?

No, RSNs are a separate add-on priced by market, typically a few dollars to around $17 more per month.

DirecTV Stream: Are regional sports networks included or an add-on?

They are included starting at the Choice tier and priced into that plan, rather than sold separately the way fuboTV prices its RSNs.

fuboTV: Is there a cheaper sports-only option?

Yes, fuboTV sells a lower-cost sports-focused skinny package alongside its full entertainment bundle.

Share

Related pages

More on DirecTV Stream

More on fuboTV

Keep looking

Other head to heads