Xfinity Stream vs DIRECTV Stream: Cable App or Real Streaming
By The Spool Editors · Published September 17, 2026 · Updated October 7, 2026
These look like the same kind of product and they are not. DIRECTV Stream is a live TV service anyone can buy. Xfinity's streaming tiers are something you add to a Comcast internet account. That difference decides whether this is a choice you actually have, so it is worth settling first.
At a Glance
| Xfinity Stream | DIRECTV | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $30/mo | $59.99/mo |
| Requires home internet from them | ✓ | ✗ |
| Available nationwide | In Xfinity areas | ✓ |
| Channel count | 125+ | 90+ to 185+ |
| Local channels | ✓ | ✓ |
| Regional sports | Where carried | Widest coverage |
| Netflix and Peacock bundled | ✓ | ✗ |
| Unlimited DVR | Add-on | ✓ |
| Streams at once | Varies | 20 at home |
| Free trial | ✗ | 5 days |
Which One Is Right for You
The Plans That Actually Compete
Xfinity sells streaming as bundles attached to an internet account. DIRECTV sells four standalone tiers plus genre packs. Here is what each side offers.
Xfinity Stream
DIRECTV
Price Breakdown & Hike History
Xfinity NOW StreamSaver is $30 a month for live channels plus Apple TV, Netflix with ads and Peacock Premium, and the app-only StreamSaver bundle is $18 with no live TV at all. Both need Xfinity Internet. DIRECTV starts at $59.99 for Entertainment and runs to $164.99 for Premier, with a regional sports fee of up to $19.99 on Choice and above.
Xfinity Stream: Xfinity keeps repackaging its streaming tiers around bundled apps rather than cutting the price of live TV.
DIRECTV: DIRECTV is raising its genre packs on June 25, 2026, with MyEntertainment going from $35 to $43 a month.
Channel Lineups Head-to-Head
Xfinity NOW StreamSaver carries 125 or more live channels with your locals and the regional networks Comcast holds. DIRECTV scales from a 90-plus channel Entertainment tier to 185 or more on Premier, with locals in almost every market and the deepest regional sports coverage in streaming.
Your Local Channels & Your Team's RSN
This is where the decision usually gets made. Both services carry local stations in most markets, but coverage and regional sports vary city by city and team by team.
- Check exactly which service carries your city's ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox with our local channels guide.
- See whether your team's games are on a regional sports network, and who carries it, in our sports streaming guides.
The Features That Decide It
| Feature | Xfinity Stream | DIRECTV |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $30.00/mo | $59.99/mo |
| Free trial | No | 5 days |
| Cloud DVR | Cloud DVR add-on | Unlimited Cloud DVR |
| Simultaneous streams | Varies by plan | 20 at home, 3 on the go |
| Accounts / profiles | Xfinity account | Multiple profiles |
| 4K | Limited | Limited 4K via Sports Pack add-on |
| Regional sports (RSNs) | Included where Xfinity carries them | Extra fee (up to $19.99) on Choice, Ultimate, Premier |
| Local channels | Your local stations included | Included where available |
Add-Ons & Hidden Costs
Xfinity Stream add-ons: Cloud DVR, Premium channels, and Sports packages. On Xfinity the extras that matter are the cloud DVR and premium channels, both billed on top.
DIRECTV add-ons: Max, Paramount+, STARZ, AMC+, Discovery+, Hallmark+, Peacock, NBA League Pass, DirecTV Sports Pack, and International packs. On DIRECTV the number that changes your bill is the regional sports fee, up to $19.99 on Choice and above, plus genre packs such as MySports.
How to Try Each One Free
DIRECTV runs a 5-day free trial fairly consistently, which is enough to test the lineup and the app before committing. Xfinity does not offer a trial on its streaming tiers because they attach to an existing internet account, though they are month to month.
The Cheapest Way to Get What You Want
If Xfinity is your internet provider, NOW StreamSaver at $30 with three streaming services included is the cheapest live TV on this page by a wide margin. If it is not, DIRECTV Entertainment at $59.99 is the cheapest way in, and you can skip the regional sports fee entirely by staying below the Choice tier.
What Changed Recently
- June 25, 2026: DIRECTV raised its genre packs, with MyEntertainment going from $35 to $43 a month.
- 2026: Xfinity repackaged its streaming tiers around bundled apps, with NOW StreamSaver at $30 including Apple TV, Netflix with ads and Peacock Premium.
- 2025: DIRECTV launched the MySports genre pack after the Venu joint venture collapsed.
Xfinity Stream vs DIRECTV FAQ
- Can I get Xfinity Stream without Xfinity internet?
- No. Xfinity's streaming tiers, including NOW StreamSaver, require an Xfinity Internet subscription. DIRECTV Stream has no such requirement and works with any broadband.
- Which is cheaper?
- Xfinity NOW StreamSaver at $30 a month, which also bundles Apple TV, Netflix with ads and Peacock Premium. DIRECTV starts at $59.99, but it is available to anyone.
- Which has better regional sports?
- DIRECTV, by a clear margin. It carries more regional sports networks than any other live TV streaming service, though the fee for them can add up to $19.99 on Choice and above.
- Do either require a contract?
- No. Both are month to month. DIRECTV also runs a 5-day free trial, while Xfinity does not offer one on its streaming tiers.
Xfinity Stream vs DIRECTV: The Verdict
If you have Xfinity internet, NOW StreamSaver at $30 for 125 channels plus Netflix, Peacock and Apple TV is genuinely hard to beat on price, and nothing in streaming matches it dollar for dollar. If you do not have Xfinity internet, you cannot buy it, and the comparison ends there. DIRECTV Stream is the one that works anywhere, with four tiers from $59.99 to $164.99, the widest regional sports coverage of any streaming service, unlimited DVR and 20 simultaneous streams at home. Check your address first. This is a comparison where availability, not features, usually makes the decision for you.
Last updated: October 7, 2026