The Best Live TV Streaming Services With Free Trials in 2025

Hulu + Live TV offers the best of multiple worlds, combining a robust live TV package with more than 95 channels and the Disney Bundle, which includes full access to Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+, all for one monthly price. That means you can enjoy the very best of Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, and more as part of your subscription. On top of that, you get unlimited DVR space so you can record your favorite shows and movies and watch them whenever you want. By default, you can stream on two supported devices at once, or upgrade to unlimited screens so the whole family can watch without interruptions.

Plus, Hulu + Live TV offers a three-day free trial, giving you a chance to test the service before committing to a subscription.

DirecTV Stream (5-Day Free Trial)

If you're looking to cut the cord with minimal interruption, DirecTV Stream is one of the best cable alternatives. Its new Genre Packs let you build a custom channel lineup based on your specific tastes and give you more control over what you pay for. If you prefer a broader selection, DirecTV Stream also offers three Signature Packages, each with an increasing number of channels to suit your needs. If you're looking for it all, the Ultimate pack includes more than 160 channels, covering live sports, news, and more.

DirecTV Stream includes unlimited DVR storage, simultaneous recording, and streaming on as many devices as you want within your home. Even better, you can watch your favorite shows up to 72 hours after they air—even if you forgot to record them—so you'll never miss a moment.

DirecTV Stream currently offers a five-day free trial, giving you a chance to try the service before committing.

YouTube TV (Trial Length Varies)

YouTube TV is the live TV companion to standard YouTube, offering over 100 channels that cover everything from major live sports to family-friendly entertainment. It’s a great option for families, as a single subscription can be shared with up to five additional users, each with their own personalized recommendations and unlimited DVR storage. You can stream on up to three devices at once, or pay a little extra to enable streaming on unlimited devices.

If you're an NFL fan, YouTube TV is a must as it’s the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket. With this upgrade, you'll gain access to every NFL game throughout the season and can watch up to four games at once with multiview. The platform also offers unique features for live sports, including real-time scores and stats on your TV, a “key plays” view to quickly catch up on the biggest moments, and even fantasy sports integration to help you track your players and teams.

YouTube TV does offer a free trial, but the length varies depending on your Google account. Trial periods currently range from 2 to 21 days, so your mileage may vary.

Fubo (7-Day Free Trial)

Fubo is an excellent choice for live sports fans, offering access to over 55,000 live events each year, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA college sports, NASCAR, international soccer, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, and more. Its base plan includes over 200 channels, with more than 35 regional sports networks, so there’s almost always a game on.

Because Fubo includes such a wide range of channels and sports coverage in its base plan, it does come with a higher price tag than many other live TV streaming services. Most plans support streaming on up to 10 devices at home, and up to three devices while on the go.

There's a seven-day free trial of Fubo available for new subscribers that lets you test out the service for yourself.

Philo (7-Day Free Trial)

Philo may not be a household name, but it’s one of the best-kept secrets in TV streaming. Similar to Sling TV, it’s a budget-friendly live TV service that covers most of your entertainment needs at a reasonable monthly price. For under $30 a month, Philo offers more than 70 channels, including AMC, Comedy Central, MTV, Paramount Network, and more. If you’re not interested in live sports or news, there’s a good chance Philo has you covered.

In addition to live TV, a Philo subscription includes access to over 75,000 on-demand movies and shows, so there's always something to watch. You also get unlimited DVR storage, although recordings expire after 12 months.

Philo currently offers a generous 7-day free trial, so you can give the service a test run before subscribing.

Are There Ways to Watch Free Live TV Without a Subscription?

Although you won't be able to get access to the same number of channels or live events, there are actually a few different ways to watch live TV without a subscription service. There are a number of free TV streaming services out there that you can easily access online. Some options, like Sling Freestream, don't even require a login to access free channels.

Alternatively, the easiest way to gain access to live channels is via a TV antenna. You can get free local channels out of the air as long as you have the right equipment to access it. A good HDTV antenna can be a pretty cheap investment and is one of the best ways to watch at least some live sports without a subscription.

Matthew Adler has written for IGN since 2019 covering all things gaming, tech, tabletop games, and more. You can follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.