If you're over the hefty cost and setup of cable, the best live TV streaming services offer a solid alternative with tons of popular channels at a lower price. Philo is one of the most affordable services and is our favorite option that's angled toward budget-conscious viewers, costing just $25 a month for over 70 channels.
Cheaper than pretty much all of its direct competitors, Philo stands out with its super low price. It does lack some popular networks in exchange for being so inexpensive, especially when it comes to sports and news, but it's still a great way to get access to live TV without breaking the bank. It's especially helpful if you're looking to stream niche networks for specific programming, including the Paramount Network for "Yellowstone," Comedy Central for "The Daily Show," and the Hallmark Channel for holiday movies. Plus, it now includes ad-supported access to external streaming services.
Below, we've broken down all the ins and outs of Philo, including how much it costs, what channels it includes, and what devices you need to stream it. The service recently launched two paid plans, a shake-up from its years of having one lone subscription tier, and we've outlined what you need to know about the two options.
If you want your streaming service to cost less per month than a single trip for the family to Starbucks, Philo is made with you in mind. It features over 70 channels for just $25 a month, but it is missing popular sports and local networks.
What is Philo?
Philo is a budget-friendly live TV streaming service that grants you access to tons of TV channels through an internet connection without the fuss of a cable box, satellite dish, or long-term contract. Subscribers can catch popular cable shows as they go live or stream over 80,000 on-demand titles.
There are over 70 channels on Philo, and the list includes popular networks like AMC, the Paramount Network, MTV, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, Food Network, HGTV, Nickelodeon, TLC, and VH1. It's a pretty impressive lineup for the money, but some viewers may find its selection lacking compared to more expensive live TV services like Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, Fubo, or YouTube TV.
Most notably, Philo is missing local stations like ABC and NBC, and it doesn't have big cable news or sports networks like CNN and ESPN.
How much does Philo cost?
Philo starts at $25 a month for over 70 channels in its base Philo Essential tier. Plans also include unlimited DVR space for one year (recordings are automatically deleted after 12 months of storage) and support for three simultaneous streams. That's less than half the cost of most competing services, making Philo an incredible bang-for-your-buck option. You can also cancel at any time because Philo doesn't lock you into a contract.
If you're looking for a little extra in the way of entertainment and lifestyle programming, the Philo Bundle+ includes all of the above, plus AMC+ programming and access to ad-supported HBO Max and discovery+. The Bundle+ tier costs $33 a month.
Once you've subscribed to Philo, you can expand the service with add-ons for even more content. Here's what Philo offers in addition to its base services:
- MGM+ for an additional $8 a month
- Hallmark+ (ad-free) for an additional $8 a month
- STARZ for an additional $12 a month
- AMC+ (ad-free) for an additional $4 a month
- ALLBLK for an additional $7 a month
- Movies & More add-on for an additional $3 a month
How to watch Philo
Philo, just like every other streaming service, is available on various platforms. That includes most of the best TVs and best streaming devices, as well as smartphones and web browsers. Unfortunately, it is not compatible with any gaming consoles.
You can explore compatible devices on the Philo website, or check out the list of devices that support Philo below:
- Android TV
- Android smartphones and tablets
- Apple smartphones and tablets
- Apple TV
- Computers
- Fire tablets
- Fire TV
- iOS
- LG TVs
- Roku
- Samsung TVs
- Vizio TVs
Can I watch Philo for free?
Philo offers 130+ free channels outside of its paid Philo plans. While Philo's free channel lineup doesn't include some of the service's most popular premium channels, like the Paramount Network and AMC, it does offer several other options, including BBC News and Outside TV.
Does Philo have a free trial?
Philo offers a seven-day free trial for its Essential tier, although you'll be charged immediately if you sign up for the Bundle+ tier.
How many devices can I watch Philo on?
Philo allows subscribers to stream on up to three devices at a time. Users can create up to 10 profiles under one account.
Can I add local stations to Philo?
Philo does not include streaming access to local channels like ABC, NBC, FOX, or CBS. And it does not offer any add-on packages to unlock access to those stations. However, you can get free access to local networks on your TV if you buy a digital antenna.
If you're someone who wants to stream the cable networks that Philo offers but also wants local channels, we recommend subscribing to Philo and buying a separate indoor antenna. You can find antennas for as little as $20, so this combo is an affordable way to get tons of channels. Check out our guide to the best indoor TV antennas for our top recommendations.
Is Philo worth it?
For only $25 a month, Philo is well worth the money if you're a reality TV, drama, or lifestyle programming fan. Whether you're a sucker for Hallmark movies, AMC dramas, Investigation Discovery series, Food Network cooking competitions, or Lifetime and TLC reality shows, the service has the programming you're looking for — and your kids can catch cartoons on Nickelodeon with the same subscription.
This is an especially great option for cord-cutters who miss having a TV guide and the option to scroll, but don't want to drop $50-100 each month on one of the other live TV streaming services. While there are certainly some gaps, this is a solid service for those who are looking to supplement other streaming services or broadcast tools (like an antenna).
However, if you're searching for a live TV streaming service to get your local news, favorite broadcast shows, and sports, you'll want to look elsewhere. As enticing as its low price is, Philo lacks the networks to truly satisfy viewers with those interests. If that's a dealbreaker, we recommend opting for a competitor like DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV. For a more comprehensive comparison of the services, check out our Sling vs. Philo guide.
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