The Best Live TV Streaming Services With Free Trial

The Spool Staff
July 27th, 2024

The praises of live TV streaming services don’t need to be further sung. By now, we all know that compared to clunky, commitment-heavy cable, live TV is cheaper and much easier to manage. But just in case you’re still on the fence about jumping over to the other side, or if you’re just unhappy with your current provider and want to try out something new, then for you, we’ve gathered the best live TV streaming services you can try for free.

The free trials are generally available for seven days, after which you’ll be charged the normal price unless you cancel on time. But you should still check each service’s website to make sure you’re not missing out on any extended-trial deals and seasonal discounts (trust us, there’s always a deal to be found). You can read all about them and click the link to find out more in the list below.

DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream is a streaming service that offers everything from live TV, local channels, on-demand films, sports packages, and even premium cable networks like HBO and Starz for an additional fee. Its plans, which start at $70/month, are on the pricier side of live TV, but that’s because it offers unlimited DVR and streams on top of at least 75 channels, depending on the plan you pick.

How much does DirecTV Stream cost?

$79.99/month

Does DirecTV Stream have a Free Trial?

5 days

Which channels are on DirecTV Stream?

A&E, ABC, AMC, Animal Planet, AXS TV, Baby First TV, BBC America, BET, Bloomberg Television, Boomerang, Bounce, Bravo, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, Cartoon Network, CBS, CMT, CNBC, CNN, CNN en Espanol, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Freeform, FX, FXX, Galavision, Gem Shopping Network, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HGTV, History, HLN, HSN, Investigation Discovery, ION, Lifetime, MeTV, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV2, NBC, NFL Network, One America News, Ovation, Oxygen, Paramount Network, PBS, QVC, QVC2, ReelzChannel, REVOLT, RFD-TV, RSNs, Starz, Sundance TV, SYFY, TBS, TCM, TeenNick, Telemundo, The CW, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, TV Land, Univision, Univision East, USA, VH1, Vice, WE tv

Philo

Fubo, the sports-oriented cord-cutting service, offers a 7 day trial during which you can cancel and not be charged a subscription price. Fubo's line-up varies depending on the package but it notably includes Bein Sports, Fox Sports, ABC, NBC, TNT, and ESPN. The image quality is reliable and the interface is straightforward, whether you are on desktop or a streaming stick like Roku. Fubo is a service sculpted for sports fans.

How much does Philo cost?

$28/month

Does Philo have a Free Trial?

7 days

Which channels are on Philo?

A&E, AccuWeather Network, AMC, American Heroes Channel, Animal Planet, aspireTV, AXS TV, BBC America, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, Catchy Comedy, Cheddar News, Cleo TV, CMT, Comedy Central, Cooking Channel, Crackle, Crime-Investigation, Deck the Hallmark, Destination America, Discovery Channel, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, FETV, Food Network, FYI, Game Show Network, GetTV, Great American Family, Great American Living, Gusto TV, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Heroes & Icons, HGTV, History, IFC, INSP, Investigation Discovery, KIN, Law & Crime, Lifetime, LMN, Logo, Magnolia Network, MeTV, MotorTrend, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV Live, MTV2, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Oprah Winfrey Network, Paramount Network, PlayersTV, pocket.watch, Pop TV, RetroCrush, REVOLT, Revry, Ryan and Friends, Science Channel, Smithsonian Channel, Start TV, Story Television, Sundance TV, Tastemade, TeenNick, TLC, Travel Channel, TV Land, TV One, UPtv, Vevo 80s, Vevo 90s, Vevo Country, Vevo Hip-Hop, Vevo Holiday, Vevo Pop, VH1, Vice, WE tv

Hulu with Live TV

Combining the best of streaming and cable, Hulu with Live TV pairs Hulu’s original programming like Only Murders in the Building, imports like Normal People, and licensed ABC shows like Modern Family with live TV channels like CNN, CBS, and TCM to give you an all-in-one TV package. The plans start at $77/month (with ads), but for an additional fee, you can upgrade to a bundle that removes commercials and throws in Disney+ and ESPN+ to the mix.

How much does Hulu with Live TV cost?

$76.99/month

Does Hulu with Live TV have a Free Trial?

3 days

Which channels are on Hulu with Live TV?

A&E, ABC, ABC Localish, ABC News Live, ACC Network, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, BET, Big Ten Network, Bloomberg Television, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, CBSN, Cheddar News, CMT, CNBC, CNN, CNN International, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Cozi TV, Dabl, Discovery Channel, Discovery en Español, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN College Extra, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business, Fox Deportes, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX, FYI, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HGTV, History, HLN, Investigation Discovery, Justice Central TV, Lifetime, LMN, Localish, Military History Channel, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, NASA, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBC, NBC News Now, NBCLX, NewsNation, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, Pop, QVC, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, Start TV, SYFY, TBS, TCM, Telemundo, The CW, The Grio, The Weather Channel, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, TV Land, Universal Kids, USA, VH1, Vice

Fubo

Designed for the ultimate sports fan, Fubo is an on-demand and live TV service that streams games from multiple leagues including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and the Premier League. You can get up to 215 live channels on your lineup, which includes coverage on RSNs and local stations, though you might have to pay extra if you want premium entertainment channels like Starz and Showtime.

How much does Fubo cost?

$79.99/month

Does Fubo have a Free Trial?

7 days

Which channels are on Fubo?

A&E, ABC, ABC News Live, ACC Network, AccuWeather, Animal Planet, Bein Sports, Bein Sports 4, Bein sports 5, Bein Sports 6, Bein Sports 7, Bein Sports 8, beIN Sports en Español, Big Ten Network, Bounce, Bravo, CBS, CBS Sports Network, CBSN, Cheddar, CMT, CNBC, Comedy Central, Comet, Court TV, Cozi TV, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, Estrella TV, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Freeform, fubo Sports Network, FX, FXX, FYI, Galavision, GetTV, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HGTV, History, IFC, INSP, Investigation Discovery, ION, Ion Mystery, Local Now, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, National Geographic, NBC, NBCLX, NBCSN, Newsmax, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Olympic Channel, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, Pop, RSNs, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, SYFY, Tastemade, TBD, Telemundo, The CW, The Weather Channel, TLC, Travel Channel, TUDN, TUDNxtra1, TUDNxtra10, TUDNxtra11, TUDNxtra2, TUDNxtra3, TUDNxtra4, TUDNxtra5, TUDNxtra6, TUDNxtra7, TUDNxtra8, TUDNxtra9, TV Land, TVG, Unimas, Universal Kids, Universo, Univision, USA, VH1, Vice, WE tv, WGN America

YouTube TV

The most popular cord-cutting streaming service, with ESPN, ABC, CBS, and more includes a generous 7 day trial. Youtube TV doesn't usually charge until the trial period ends, which means you can get it, and if you choose to cancel within 7 days, you don't get charged. If you do get charged during the trial period for whatever reason, Youtube will issue a refund. This means you try get the base package, the Spanish package, or the NFL Sunday Ticket and cancel at anytime for free.

How much does YouTube TV cost?

$72.99/month

Does YouTube TV have a Free Trial?

7 days

Which channels are on YouTube TV?

ABC, ABC News, ACCN, Adult Swim, AMC, Animal Planet, BBC America, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, Big Ten Network, Bounce, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CBS, CBS local channels, CBS Sports Network, Cheddar, Cheddar News, CMT, CNBC, CNBC World, CNN, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Comet, Court TV, Cozi TV, Dabl, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Docurama, Dove Channel, E!, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Food Network, FOX, Fox Business, Fox News, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Weather, Freeform, FX, FXM, FXX, Galavision, Game Show Network, Get TV, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HGTV, HLN, HSN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, ION, Justice Central TV, LAFC Channel, Law & Crime, Live Now, Local Now, Localish, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV2, My TV, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBA TV, NBC, NBC local channels, NBC News Now, NBC Universo, NBCLX, NBCSN, NECN, NewsNation, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Orlando City Channel, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, PBS, PBS Kids, PBS local channels, PC Mag, Pop, QVC, Recipe.TV, Scripps News, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, SNY, Start TV, Sundance TV, SYFY, Tastemade, TBS, TCM, Teen Nick, TeleHit, Telemundo, The CW, The Great Courses, The Weather Channel, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, Tru TV, TV Land, TYT, Unimas, Unimas local channels, Universal Kids, Univision, Univision local channels, USA, VH1, WE tv

Spectrum TV Choice

Exclusive to Spectrum Internet customers, Spectrum TV Choice is a live TV plan that lets you build your channel lineup of choice. For an extra $30/month, you get to pick 15 channels ranging from Showtime and Max to ESPN and the NFL Network to CNN and Nickelodeon. For an extra fee, you also get to add local channels on top of that. This plan, perfect for those who prefer to customize, also has DVR and multiple streams.

How much does Spectrum TV Choice cost?

$30/month

Does Spectrum TV Choice have a Free Trial?

7 days

Paramount+

Paramount+ is an on-demand streaming service packed with original series like the Star Trek reboots, Billions, Yellowstone, and Fraiser, blockbusters like Top Gun and Transformers, and live sports from CBS. The ad-supported plan costs $6/month, while the ad-free plan costs $12/month. The latter includes offline downloads, your local CBS station, and the entirety of Showtime, which is home to fan favorites like Yellowjackets and The Curse.

How much does Paramount+ cost?

$5.99/month

Does Paramount+ have a Free Trial?

7 days

Which channels are on Paramount+?

CBS, CBS local channels, CBS Sports HQ, CBSN, ET Live

Fubo Latino

Fubo Latino is one of the more reasonably priced Spanish plans in live TV right now. At just $33/month, you get more than 60 Spanish-language channels and all the features a Fubo plan typically has like unlimited DVR, three simultaneous streams, and a seven-day free trial. The channel lineup includes popular channels like Univision and Galavisión, and of course, sports channels like ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, and TyC Sports.

How much does Fubo Latino cost?

$32.99/month

Does Fubo Latino have a Free Trial?

7 days

Which channels are on Fubo Latino?

América TeVé, Bein Sports, beIN Sports en Español, beIN SPORTS XTRA en Español, Canela Cinema, Canela Clásicos, Canela Deportes, Canela Telenovelas, Canela.TV, CATV, Cine Estrella TV, Cine Sony, Cine y Series, Cinelatino, ESPN Deportes, Estrella Games, Estrella News, Estrella TV, Euronews Español, Filmex, Filmex Clásico, Filmex Documentales, Fox Deportes, Fubo Latino Network, Fubo Radio 7, Galavisión, GolTV Spanish, MN Canal, MTV Tres, Nat Geo Mundo, NTN24, Nuestra Tele Internacional, Pasiones, RCN Más, RCN XTRA, Tastemade en Español, Telefe, Televisión Dominicana, Telexitos, TeVeo, The Weather Channel en Español, Todo Cine, Todo Novelas más Pasiones, TUDN, TUDNxtra 1–11, TyC Sports, Única TV, UniMás, Univision, VR+, WAPA America, WAPA+, Zona Fútbol, Zona Investigación

Fubo Elite

If you're a sports fan looking to cover all your bases, Fubo Elite has more than 256 channels and 130 live events that cover sports of all kinds, from basketball to cricket to golf. Channels include ESPN, CBS Sports Network, FS1 and FS2, beIN Sports, NFL Network, all the BIG Networks, and more. Depending on where you live, you should also have all the major local networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. Even though Fubo Elite is a notch above the basic tier, with unlimited DVR and simultaneous screens, it still notably does not have Turner channels like CNN, TNT, and TBS.

How much does Fubo Elite cost?

$89.99/month

Does Fubo Elite have a Free Trial?

7 days

Which channels are on Fubo Elite?

A&E, ABC, ABC News Live, ACC Network, AccuWeather, Bein Sports, Bein Sports 4, Bein sports 5, Bein Sports 6, Bein Sports 7, Bein Sports 8, beIN Sports en Español, Big Ten Network, Bravo, CBS, CBS local channels, CBS Sports Network, CBSN, Cheddar, CMT, CNBC, Comedy Central, Comet, Cozi TV, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Estrella TV, FOX, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Freeform, fubo Sports Network, FX, FXX, FYI, Galavision, GetTV, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Family, Hallmark Mystery, History, IFC, Ion Mystery, Local Now, MASN, MSNBC, MTV, National Geographic, NBC, NBC local channels, NBCLX, NBCSN, Newsmax, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Olympic Channel, Oxygen, Paramount Network, Pop, RSNs, SEC Network, Smithsonian Channel, SYFY, Tastemade, Telemundo, Telemundo local channels, The CW, The Weather Channel, Travel Channel, TUDN, TUDNxtra1, TUDNxtra10, TUDNxtra11, TUDNxtra2, TUDNxtra3, TUDNxtra4, TUDNxtra5, TUDNxtra6, TUDNxtra7, TUDNxtra8, TUDNxtra9, TV Land, TVG, Unimas, Unimas local channels, Universal Kids, Universo, Univision, Univision local channels, USA, VH1, Vice, WE tv, WGN America, Willow TV, YES Network

Frndly TV

True to its name, Frndly TV is an on-demand and live TV streaming service that’s friendly both on the wallet and for viewers of all ages. At just $7/month, it offers more than 40 live channels, including The History Channel, Hallmark, and The Weather Channel, plus DVR and lookback features and multiple profile options. It’s ideal for those looking for a wholesome, family-friendly streaming experience.

How much does Frndly TV cost?

$6.99/month

Does Frndly TV have a Free Trial?

7 days

Which channels are on Frndly TV?

A&E, AccuWeather, BabyFirst, BYUtv, Circle, Court TV, Crime-Investigation, Curiosity Channel, DECADES, Dove Channel, Dove Family Movies, Dove Kids, FETV, FMC, FYI, Game Show Network, GetTV, Great American Family, Great American Living, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Heartland TV, Heroes & Icons, History, INSP, ION, Ion Mystery, Justice Central TV, Laff, Lifetime, LMN, Local Now, MeTV, Military History Channel, Outdoor Channel, Pixel, QVC, Recipe.TV, Sportsman Channel, Start TV, Story Television, The Weather Channel, UPtv, Vice, World Fishing Network

DirecTVStream Optimo Más

DirecTVStream's Spanish-language plan boasts a hundred channels, including major networks like Univision and Telemundo in select markets, and plenty of Hispanicized favorites like Nat Geo Mundo, CNN es Español, and Hogar de HGTV. At $80/month, Optimo Más is a lot pricer than other Spanish plans like Fubo Latino, which goes for about $35/month, but it generally has more channels (in Spanish and English alike) and offers great features like three simultaneous streams and unlimited DVR. Unlike with DirecTV cable, you can easily cancel your subscription with the contract-less Optimo Más if you're not satisfied.

How much does DirecTVStream Optimo Más cost?

$79.99/month

Does DirecTVStream Optimo Más have a Free Trial?

5 days

Which channels are on DirecTVStream Optimo Más?

¡HOLA! TV, A&E, AccuWeather, AMC, Animal Planet, Antena 3, Atres Cine, ATRES SERIES, AXS TV, BabyFirst, BabyTV, Bandamax, Boomerang, Bravo, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, Canal 22 Internacional, Caracol TV, Cartoon Network, Centroamérica TV, Cine Estelar, Cine Mexicano, Cine Nostalgia, Cine Sony, Cinelatino, CNN, CNN En Español, CNNi, De Película, De Película Clásico, Discovery, Discovery en Español, Discovery Familia, Disney Channel, Disney XD, E!, Ecuador TV, Ecuavisa Internacional, Enlace, ESPN Deportes, Estrella News, Estrella TV, Food Network, FOROtv, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports 1, Freeform, FX, FXX, Galavisión, GolTV, Great American Family, History, History en Español, HITN TV, HLN, Hogar de HGTV, HSN, Jewelry TV, Lifetime, Meganoticias, MegaTV, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, Multimedios, Nat Geo Mundo, National Geographic, Nickelodeon, NTN24, Nuestra Tele, Nuestra Vision, ONCE MEXICO, Paramount TV, Pasiones, PBS Kids, Perú Mágico, QVC, QVC2, Scientology Network, Shop LC, SUR Perú, TBS, TeenNick, TeleCentro, Telefe, Telemundo, TNT, Tr3s, TUDN, TV Chile, TVE, TyC Sports, UniMás, Universo, Univision, UPtv, USA Network, VePlus, VH1, Vice, VideoRola, ViendoMovies, Vme, WAPA América 414, Weather Channel, ZooMoo

DirecTV Stream Ultimate

DirecTV Stream Ultimate is the second-biggest package offered by DirecTV Stream. With it, you get up to 160 channels (up 40 channels from the previous tier) across entertainment, sports, and news. That’s almost any channel you can think of—from TBS and USA; to ESPN and CBS Sports; to CNN and BBC News; and so much more. You get it all, plus tens of thousands of on-demand titles for the price of $109.99/month (saving you roughly $40/month from the plan before it), so if the budget allows, it's worth trying the Ultimate plan yourself.

How much does DirecTV Stream Ultimate cost?

$109.99/month

Does DirecTV Stream Ultimate have a Free Trial?

5 days

Which channels are on DirecTV Stream Ultimate?

A&E, ACC Network, AccuWeather, AMC, American Heroes, American Heroes Channel, Animal Planet, Aspire, AXS TV, BabyFirst, BBC America, BBC News, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, Big Ten Network, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Television, Boomerang, Bounce, Bravo, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, Cartoon Network, CBS Sports Network, Cheddar News, Cleo TV, CMT, CNBC, CNBC World, CNN, CNN en Espanol, CNN International, Comedy Central, Comedy TV, Cooking Channel, Cozi TV, daystar, Destination America, Directv 4K, Directv 4K Live 1, Directv 4K Live 2, Discovery Channel, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, E!, Earthx TV, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, FanDuel TV, FM, FMC, Food Network, Fox Business, Fox News, FOX SOUL, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Weather, Freeform, Fuse, FX, FX Movie Channel, FXX, FYI, Great American Family, Grit, Hallmark Channel, HBO, Heroes & Icons, HGTV, History, HLN, Hogar de HGTV, HSN, IFC, Investigation Discovery, ION, Jewelry TV, Justice Central, Lifetime, LMN, Logo, Magnolia Network, MeTV, MLB Network, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV2, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBA TV, Newsmax, Newsmax TV, NewsNation, NFL Network, NHL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Origin Sports, Ovation, OWN, Oxygen, Paramount Network, PBS Kids, Pop, PowerNation, Pursuit, QVC, QVC2, QVC3, ReelzChannel, REVOLT, RFD-TV, Science Channel, Scientology Network, SEC Network, Shop LC, ShortsTV, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, SportsGrid, Sportsman Channel, Starz, Starz Encore, Starz Encore Action, Starz Encore Black, Starz Encore Classic, Starz Encore Family, Starz Encore Suspense, Starz Encore Westerns, Sundance TV, SYFY, Tastemade, TBS, TCM, TeenNick, Tennis Channel, The Design Network, The Grio, TLC, Tru TV, TUDN, TV Land, TV One, TVG, Unimas, Universal Kids, Universo, Univision, UPtv, USA, VH1, Vice, WE tv