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Entertainment · head to head

DirecTV Stream vs VLC

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
VLC logo

VLC

Entertainment

The free and open source media player

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only VLC has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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.; VLC vLC is completely free open source software with no paid tier, ads, or vendor support contract
  • They diverge on capability: DirecTV Stream covers Tiered channel plans, VLC covers Media playback.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where DirecTV Stream and VLC differ
AttributeDirecTV StreamVLC
Starting price$89.99/monthFree
Pricing modelPer household per month, tiered plansfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVsWindows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
FoundedUnknown1998

Identical on both: 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
  • Local broadcast affiliates
  • ESPN Unlimited
  • Regional sports networks
  • Cloud DVR
  • Multiple simultaneous streams

Only in VLC

  • Media playback
  • Codec support
  • Streaming
  • Conversion
  • Plugins
  • Network streaming
  • DVD playback
  • Open source

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 VLC
  • A household wanting the widest premium and sports channel selection among mainstream streaming bundlesnot VLC
  • A sports fan who wants regional sports networks priced into the plan rather than as a separate add-onnot VLC
  • A family replacing full cable service that specifically does not want to trim down to a smaller entertainment-only bundlenot VLC

VLC

  • Media playbacknot DirecTV Stream
  • Video conversionnot 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.

VLC

  • VLC is completely free open source software with no paid tier, ads, or vendor support contract

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

VLC

Free
  • FreeFree
    • All codecs
    • No ads
    • Open source

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 local broadcast affiliates.
DirecTV Stream review

Choose VLC if

  • You need media playback.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want codec support.
VLC review

Questions people ask

Is DirecTV Stream or VLC better?
Neither clearly leads. DirecTV Stream starts at $89.99/month and VLC at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DirecTV Stream or VLC?
VLC has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $89.99/month for DirecTV Stream and Free for VLC.
Does DirecTV Stream or VLC run on more platforms?
DirecTV Stream runs on Web, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVs. VLC runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use VLC for free?
Yes. VLC has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DirecTV Stream starts at $89.99/month.
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 VLC is typically brought in for.
What can DirecTV Stream do that VLC cannot?
DirecTV Stream covers Tiered channel plans, Local broadcast affiliates, ESPN Unlimited, Regional sports networks. VLC covers Media playback, Codec support, Streaming, Conversion.

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.

VLC: Is VLC media player free to use?

Yes. VLC is completely free and open source software with no subscription or licensing fees.

Source
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.

VLC: Can VLC be used commercially?

Yes. VLC explicitly states there is no spyware, no ads, and no user tracking. As open-source software under permissive licenses, commercial use is permitted within each license's specific terms.

Source
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.

VLC: Does VLC include all features across all platforms without additional purchase?

Yes. All playback features, codecs, cross-platform compatibility, and customization options are included with no additional purchases required for full functionality on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Source
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