Pluto TV vs Sling TV
In-depth comparison of Pluto TV and Sling TV across pricing, channels, 4K, device support, and editorial scores.
Last updated May 5, 2026 · By IPTVForum Editorial Team
Pluto TV
The closest thing to free cable — 250+ live channels and 30,000 on-demand titles, zero signup required.
Sling TV
The cheapest legal live TV in the US, with flexible Orange and Blue tiers from $40/month.
Editorial Verdict
Our pick: Sling TV
Our pick is Sling TV — it scores 8.5/10 versus 8.0/10, a 0.5-point edge, and leads in 1 of 6 categories.
Pluto TV vs Sling TV head-to-head
Our pick is Sling TV — it scores 8.5/10 versus 8.0/10, a 0.5-point edge, and leads in 1 of 6 categories. Pluto TV carries 200 more live channels.
| Metric | Pluto TV | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest monthly | $0.00 | $46.00 |
| Live channels | 250+ | 50+ |
| VOD titles | 30,000+ | 0+ |
| Free trial | 0h | No |
| Max resolution | FHD | FHD |
| Max connections | 1 | 4 |
| Refund policy | No | No |
Quick verdict — Pluto TV vs Sling TV
In a head-to-head test of Pluto TV vs Sling TV across pricing, channel volume, 4K output, free trial availability, refund policy, and editor scoring, Sling TV comes out ahead with a 8.5/10 editor score versus 8.0/10, a 0.5-point edge, while leading in 1 of 6 categories. Pricing differs by $46.00/month — roughly $552.00 over a 12-month subscription. Pluto TV carries the larger channel catalog at 250+ live streams, a 200-channel lead. On price alone, Pluto TV is the more affordable option, but per-feature value depends on whether you actually use the included extras.
Key differences at a glance
- Pluto TV undercuts the other by $46.00/month — about $552.00 cheaper over a year
- Pluto TV includes a 0-hour free trial; Sling TV does not
- Pluto TV ships a 30K-title larger on-demand library
- Positioning split: Pluto TV sits in the free tier, Sling TV in the mid tier
Side-by-side site preview
Real homepage captures from our two-week 2026 review.
All plans compared
Pluto TV 1 plan · Sling TV 2 plans — sorted by length.
| Plan | Total | / month |
|---|---|---|
| FreeBest | $0.00 | $0.00 |
✓ 0-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 Pluto TV if you cord-cutters wanting a free supplement to youtube tv or sling, or casual viewers who leave tv on as background entertainment. Its strongest area in our scorecard is pricing at 10.0/10, and at $0.00/month on the longest plan it comes in cheaper than Sling TV. The 0-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 Pluto TV. 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
- anti-freeze technology
Devices
Amazon Firestick, Roku, Apple TV, Smart TV, iOS, Android +1 more
Pluto TV vs Sling TV — Side-by-side
| Specification | Pluto TV | Sling TV | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editor Score | 8.0 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 | Sling TV |
| Live Channels | 250+ | 50+ | Pluto TV |
| VOD Library | 30,000+ | 0+ | Pluto TV |
| From / month | $0.00 | $46.00 | Pluto TV |
| Free trial | 0h | — | Pluto TV |
| 4K available | No | No | Tie |
| Tier | free | mid | Tie |
| Refund policy | — | — | Tie |
| Catch-up TV | — | 168h | Tie |
| PPV events | — | — | Tie |
6-Category Score Breakdown