Live TV services run the gamut from free to expensive, with Fubo TV at the upper end of the market. It's not cheap, but it might be the right cord-cutting choice if you want a lot of channels and if you like to watch sports.
But its latest change, which sees Fubo TV moving from monthly to quarterly plans for new members, is bad news.
Starting price: $79.99 per month
Supported devices: Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Vizio and Samsung Smart TVs, web browsers, iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, Chromecast, Xbox
Cloud DVR: Unlimited
Simultaneous streams: 10
FuboTV launched in 2015 with a focus on soccer, but it has evolved since then into one of the best cable TV alternatives — and we've also called it one of the best streaming services. The entry-level Pro Plan costs $80 and comes with over 189 channels, including the major broadcast and cable networks, and supports 4K streaming for select content (some of its competitors do not).
FuboTV's interface is slick and well-designed and comes with 250 hours of Cloud DVR. Ultimately, this FuboTV review concludes that it's right for you if you're willing to spend an extra few bucks a month to build a more complete channel guide.
And while the channels aren't here yet, FuboTV gained the Bally Sports networks — a huge boost for those trying to cut the cord but keep regional sports networks (RSNs). Except those networks are coming with a new fee that you won't be able to opt out of if your area gets RSNs.
FuboTV review: Pricing
Unfortunately, new Fubo members will be getting quarterly memberships, not monthly ones.
FuboTV offers a free, seven-day trial of its default Pro plan, which costs $79.99 a month for over 189 channels, unlimited of Cloud DVR storage and 10 simultaneous streams.
The Elite plan costs $89.99 and adds over 50 more channels. And it's got 4K, meaning you can watch the Super Bowl in 4K.
Both plans come with six profiles per account, so friends and family members can customize their preferences.
Then, there's the Premier Quarterly $99.99 per month plan, that has 265 channels.
Take a look at our FuboTV promo codes page for the latest offers and discounts.
If your region has one regional sports network available, you'll be spending an extra $11 per month in a new Regional Sports Fee. Customers with two or more RSNs will pay $14 more per month.
On top of one of the plans, Fubo users can pay for add-ons, like Showtime and Starz. There are also over a dozen add-on bundles and premium channels, which we outline below.
Fubo's recent price increases put it slightly above its main live TV rivals, YouTube TV ($73 per month for 100-plus channels) and Hulu with Live TV ($75.99 per month for 75-plus channels). Both of those services stream local networks in most areas, as does Fubo.
Other streaming services are cheaper, but their prices are also going up. Take for example Sling ($40 per month for 30-plus channels) and Philo TV ($28 for 70-plus channels), though neither of which has a lineup that's as extensive.
FuboTV review: Availability and platforms
FuboTV is available on most of the best streaming devices:
- Web browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)
- Most iPhones and iPads (iOS 10 and later)
- Most Android phones and tablets (OS 5.0 and later)
- Apple TV (4th gen and later)
- Roku (model 3600X and later)
- Samsung Smart TVs
- Fire TV (all models)
- Vizio Smartcast TVs
- All Chromecast devices
- Xbox consoles
The only typical streaming device missing is PlayStation 4 (which has Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV).
FuboTV review: Interface
Fubo's interface is slick and well-designed. The black, gray and white color palette is more attractive than YouTube's stark, utilitarian look, though not quite as pleasing as Philo's interface.
The menu is divided into a handful of tabs (which differ slightly between platforms). On the web, those tabs are Home, Sports, Shows, Movies, Guide and Recordings. On mobile, the Shows and Movies sections are combined into Entertainment, while Recordings is labeled My Fubo.
The Home tab is broken down into sections, like Live TV, 4K on Demand, Live Sports, Popular Shows and Popular Movies. The Sports tab shows all the games that are airing that day or on future days. The Shows and Movies tab highlights popular titles and content on demand.
The Guide tab features the typical cable-like grid with a vertical list of networks and horizontal times. The networks are not alphabetized, so you may need to hunt for your preferred channels. But you can also favorite channels, so they always live at the top of the Guide.
The Recordings tab houses all the shows and movies you have recorded as well as a marker for how much Cloud DVR storage you've used.
FuboTV's search functionality is very fast, with results populating as you type, but it isn't as extensive as YouTube TV (which pulls in related video content from regular YouTube) or even Philo (which includes episodes as well as shows in results).
The show profile pages are fairly typical. They display upcoming episodes and give the option to record the series. (And you can choose to record all episodes or just new episodes.) And the playback window features the usual controls.
FuboTV review: Content and channels
Fubo's channel lineup is huge. The largest among the higher-priced streaming services, FuboTV includes almost all of the local networks as well as top cable brands. In summer 2020, they added Disney-owned channels like ABC and ESPN, but took away Turned-owned channels like TNT and TBS. Recently, the service also lost some Discovery channels like HGTV and Food Network. Fubo is also lacking the A&E networks.
Recently, Fubo got a ton of regional sports networks, freeing them from DirecTV Stream exclusivity.
Fubo does offer the Viacom-owned networks, like MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. For their full channel lineup, check here.
The add-ons include two premium channels and several packages geared toward different interests, primarily niche sports. The service recently added MLB Network + MLB StrikeZone and the NHL Network.
Here's a look at the add-on packages you can get from Fubo:
- Showtime ($10.99)
- AMC Premiere ($4.99)
- $10.99 for Sports Plus (NFL Red Zone, NBA TV, Tennis Channel, GolTV)
- $11.99 for Fubo Cycling
- $5.99 for International Sports Plus (Zona Futbol, Fox Soccer Plus)
- $4.99 for Adventure Plus (Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, Outside TV)
- $7.99 for Latino Plus
- $7.99 for Rai Italia
- $14.99 for Portuguese Plus
- $4.99 for Entretenimiento Plus
- $5.99 for Fubo Extra (Cooking Channel, Game Show Network, Logo, TeenNick)
Fubo also lacks original programming, which two of its competitors — YouTube TV and Hulu With Live TV — have. Those services are similarly priced yet offer original shows (and in Hulu's case, award-winning titles like The Handmaid's Tale). Not to say Fubo should get in the originals game — honestly, there's too much stuff out there anyway — but it does make that high cost a bit less justifiable.
FuboTV review: DVR
One of the main knocks against Fubo used to be the low amount of Cloud DVR storage. But a recent package overhaul gave all plans unlimited DVR storage. But consider that YouTube TV and Philo both give unlimited storage.
Fubo's Recordings tab has a handy tracker to gauge how much DVR space you are using.
FuboTV review: Video quality
FuboTV supports up to 1080p, depending on the channel and program. Most of the content I watched was only available up to 720p.
Fubo also offers limited events in 4K (currently more than 130 of them) and only on devices that can stream 4K content such as the Apple TV 4K, Chromecast Ultra, FireTV Stick 4K, Roku Premiere and Android mobile phones with HDR10 displays.
The 4K content is not available to be recorded. None of the other live TV services stream in 4K. Philo offers 720p streaming and 1080p on-demand content, while the other companies don't say.
FuboTV review: Verdict
Fubo is a decent option for cord cutters looking to get rid of cable television. And while it used to be one of the most expensive streaming services in the market, competitors have all been rising in price. None of the three streamers is the complete package; they all lack something, be it certain channels or enough DVR storage. Basketball fans will raise an eyebrow at the lack of TNT in Fubo, for example.
As this FuboTV review explains, it offers a ton of channels and storage with its Family plan and flexibility with add-ons. If you're looking for something cheaper, then go with Sling or Philo — just know that you won't have access to many networks. But if your preferred channels are only in Fubo's lineup, it may be the best cable replacement service for you.
Its quarterly-only plans for new members, though, are a problem.
