DirecTV Stream vs Tubi
In-depth comparison of DirecTV Stream and Tubi across pricing, channels, 4K, device support, and editorial scores.
Last updated May 5, 2026 · By IPTVForum Editorial Team
DirecTV Stream
The most expensive US live TV streamer, and the only one that truly replaces cable for sports households
Tubi
The largest free streaming library on the market: 50,000+ titles and 200+ live channels, zero signup.
Editorial Verdict
Our pick: DirecTV Stream
Our pick is DirecTV Stream — it scores 8.5/10 versus 8.0/10, a 0.5-point edge, and leads in 2 of 6 categories.
DirecTV Stream vs Tubi head-to-head
Our pick is DirecTV Stream — it scores 8.5/10 versus 8.0/10, a 0.5-point edge, and leads in 2 of 6 categories. Tubi carries 50 more live channels.
| Metric | DirecTV Stream | Tubi |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest monthly | $86.99 | $0.00 |
| Live channels | 150+ | 200+ |
| VOD titles | 70,000+ | 50,000+ |
| Free trial | 120h | 0h |
| Max resolution | 4K | 4K |
| Max connections | 20 | 1 |
| Refund policy | No | No |
Quick verdict — DirecTV Stream vs Tubi
In a head-to-head test of DirecTV Stream vs Tubi across pricing, channel volume, 4K output, free trial availability, refund policy, and editor scoring, DirecTV Stream comes out ahead with a 8.5/10 editor score versus 8.0/10, a 0.5-point edge, while leading in 2 of 6 categories. Pricing differs by $86.99/month — roughly $1,043.88 over a 12-month subscription. Tubi carries the larger channel catalog at 200+ live streams, a 50-channel lead. On price alone, Tubi is the more affordable option, but per-feature value depends on whether you actually use the included extras.
Key differences at a glance
- Tubi undercuts the other by $86.99/month — about $1,043.88 cheaper over a year
- DirecTV Stream ships a 20K-title larger on-demand library
- Positioning split: DirecTV Stream sits in the premium tier, Tubi in the free tier
Side-by-side site preview
Real homepage captures from our two-week 2026 review.
All plans compared
DirecTV Stream 4 plans · Tubi 1 plan — sorted by length.
| Plan | Total | / month |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment | $86.99 | $86.99 |
| ChoiceBest | $108.99 | $108.99 |
| Ultimate | $132.99 | $132.99 |
| Premier | $164.99 | $164.99 |
✓ 120-hour free trial available
| Plan | Total | / month |
|---|---|---|
| FreeBest | $0.00 | $0.00 |
✓ 0-hour free trial available
Who should pick which?
Pick DirecTV Stream if you regional sports fans in underserved rsn markets, or large households needing 5+ simultaneous streams. Its strongest area in our scorecard is quality at 9.5/10, and at $86.99/month on the longest plan it carries a small premium over Tubi. The 120-hour free trial means you can validate channel availability on your own hardware before committing.
Pick Tubi if you cord-cutters supplementing a paid streaming stack, or classic film and cult cinema fans. Its top-rated category is pricing at 10.0/10, and at $0.00/month it lands below DirecTV Stream on monthly cost. Their 0-hour trial is the safer first step.
What both services share
Common ground worth noting before you decide.
Features
- 7-day EPG
- anti-freeze technology
- VOD library
- 4K streaming
- free trial
Devices
Amazon Firestick, Roku, Apple TV, Smart TV, iOS, Android
DirecTV Stream vs Tubi — Side-by-side
| Specification | DirecTV Stream | Tubi | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editor Score | 8.5 / 10 | 8.0 / 10 | DirecTV Stream |
| Live Channels | 150+ | 200+ | Tubi |
| VOD Library | 70,000+ | 50,000+ | DirecTV Stream |
| From / month | $86.99 | $0.00 | Tubi |
| Free trial | 120h | 0h | Tie |
| 4K available | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Tier | premium | free | Tie |
| Refund policy | — | — | Tie |
| Catch-up TV | 720h | — | Tie |
| PPV events | Included | — | Tie |
6-Category Score Breakdown