Philo vs Sling TV
In-depth comparison of Philo and Sling TV across pricing, channels, 4K, device support, and editorial scores.
Last updated May 5, 2026 · By IPTVForum Editorial Team
Philo
The cheapest legitimate live TV service in the U.S. — if you can live without sports and locals.
Sling TV
The cheapest legal live TV in the US, with flexible Orange and Blue tiers from $40/month.
Editorial Verdict
Our pick: Philo
Our pick is Philo — scores are level at 8.5/10, but it edges ahead by leading in 4 of 6 head-to-head categories.
Philo vs Sling TV head-to-head
Our pick is Philo — scores are level at 8.5/10, but it edges ahead by leading in 4 of 6 head-to-head categories. Philo carries 20 more live channels.
| Metric | Philo | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest monthly | $28.00 | $46.00 |
| Live channels | 70+ | 50+ |
| VOD titles | 60,000+ | 0+ |
| Free trial | 168h | No |
| Max resolution | FHD | FHD |
| Max connections | 3 | 4 |
| Refund policy | No | No |
Quick verdict — Philo vs Sling TV
In a head-to-head test of Philo vs Sling TV across pricing, channel volume, 4K output, free trial availability, refund policy, and editor scoring, Philo comes out ahead with a 8.5/10 editor score versus 8.5/10, while leading in 4 of 6 categories. Pricing differs by $18.00/month — roughly $216.00 over a 12-month subscription. Philo carries the larger channel catalog at 70+ live streams, a 20-channel lead. On price alone, Philo is the more affordable option, but per-feature value depends on whether you actually use the included extras.
Key differences at a glance
- Philo undercuts the other by $18.00/month — about $216.00 cheaper over a year
- Philo includes a 168-hour free trial; Sling TV does not
- Philo ships a 60K-title larger on-demand library
- Positioning split: Philo sits in the budget tier, Sling TV in the mid tier
- Catch-up windows differ — Philo: 720h, Sling TV: 168h
Side-by-side site preview
Real homepage captures from our two-week 2026 review.
All plans compared
Philo 1 plan · Sling TV 2 plans — sorted by length.
| Plan | Total | / month |
|---|---|---|
| StandardBest | $28.00 | $28.00 |
✓ 168-hour free trial available
| Plan | Total | / month |
|---|---|---|
| Orange OR Blue | $46.00 | $46.00 |
| Orange + BlueBest | $61.00 | $61.00 |
Who should pick which?
Pick Philo if you cord-cutters who only watch lifestyle and reality tv, or budget-conscious households under $30/month. Its strongest area in our scorecard is pricing at 9.8/10, and at $28.00/month on the longest plan it comes in cheaper than Sling TV. The 168-hour free trial means you can validate channel availability on your own hardware before committing.
Pick Sling TV if you budget-conscious cord-cutters under $50/month, or single-viewer households watching specific cable channels. Its top-rated category is pricing at 9.5/10, and at $46.00/month it asks a small premium over Philo. There is no free trial; budget for a 1-month plan as your test.
What both services share
Common ground worth noting before you decide.
Features
- 7-day EPG
- catch-up TV
- multi-screen support
- anti-freeze technology
Devices
Amazon Firestick, Roku, Apple TV, Smart TV, iOS, Android +1 more
Payments
Credit Card, PayPal
Philo vs Sling TV — Side-by-side
| Specification | Philo | Sling TV | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editor Score | 8.5 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 | Tie |
| Live Channels | 70+ | 50+ | Philo |
| VOD Library | 60,000+ | 0+ | Philo |
| From / month | $28.00 | $46.00 | Philo |
| Free trial | 168h | — | Philo |
| 4K available | No | No | Tie |
| Tier | budget | mid | Tie |
| Refund policy | — | — | Tie |
| Catch-up TV | 720h | 168h | Tie |
| PPV events | — | — | Tie |
6-Category Score Breakdown