Choosing the perfect live TV streaming service can be difficult, as each platform offers unique features to compete in the market. Whether you love live sports, following weekly series, or a bit of everything, there's likely a service tailored for you. However, with so many choices, it's hard to pick the right one. To help you decide, we’ve compiled the best live TV streaming services offering free trials in 2025, so you can try them before subscribing.
Hulu + Live TV (3-Day Free Trial)
3-Day Free Trial
Hulu + Live TV (Free Trial)
Includes Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) | See it at Hulu
Hulu + Live TV combines a strong live TV lineup with over 95 channels and the Disney Bundle, which includes Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+—all for one monthly fee. You’ll get all the best from Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, and more as part of your subscription. Plus, enjoy unlimited DVR storage so you can record your favorite shows and movies and watch them anytime. Stream on two devices simultaneously by default, or upgrade for unlimited screens so everyone in the family can watch without conflict.
Hulu + Live TV offers a three-day free trial, giving you an opportunity to preview the service before making a commitment.
DirecTV Stream (5-Day Free Trial)
5-Day Free Trial
DirecTV Stream
See it at DirecTV
If you want to cut the cord with minimal disruption, DirecTV Stream is an excellent cable replacement. Its Genre Packs let you create a custom channel selection based on your interests and give you more control over pricing. For more variety, DirecTV Stream also offers three Signature Packages, each with progressively more channels to match your viewing preferences. The Ultimate plan delivers over 160 channels, covering live sports, news, and more.
DirecTV Stream includes unlimited DVR storage, simultaneous recordings, and streaming on unlimited devices at home. Better yet, you can watch shows up to 72 hours after they air—even if you didn't record them—so you never miss your favorites.
DirecTV Stream currently provides a five-day free trial so you can experience the service before subscribing.
YouTube TV (Trial Length Varies)
Free Trial Available
YouTube TV
See it at YouTube
YouTube TV is the live TV extension of standard YouTube, featuring over 100 channels that include major live sports and family entertainment. It’s ideal for families, as one subscription supports up to five additional users, each with personalized profiles and unlimited DVR. You can stream on three devices at the same time, or pay extra for unlimited simultaneous streams.
For NFL fans, YouTube TV is essential as it exclusively hosts NFL Sunday Ticket. With this add-on, you can watch every NFL game all season and view up to four games at once with multiview. The platform also offers innovative sports features like real-time scores, a "key plays" recap to highlight big moments, and fantasy sports integration to monitor your players and teams.
YouTube TV does have a free trial, but the duration depends on your Google account. Trial periods currently range from 2 to 21 days, so your experience may differ.
Fubo (7-Day Free Trial)
7-Day Free Trial
Fubo
See it at Fubo
Fubo is a top choice for live sports enthusiasts, providing access to over 55,000 live events per year, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA sports, NASCAR, international soccer, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, and more. The base plan includes over 200 channels and more than 35 regional sports networks, so there’s almost always a game available.
Because Fubo covers a broad selection of channels and sports in its base plan, it’s priced higher than many competitors. Most plans allow streaming on up to 10 devices at home and up to three on the go.
New subscribers can take advantage of a seven-day free trial to explore Fubo's features firsthand.
Philo (7-Day Free Trial)
7-Day Free Trial
Philo
See it at Philo
Philo may not be widely known, but it's a hidden gem in the live TV streaming world. Like Sling TV, it’s an affordable option that covers most entertainment needs. For under $30 a month, Philo offers more than 70 channels, including AMC, Comedy Central, MTV, Paramount Network, and others. If you don't need live sports or news, Philo likely has everything you want.
In addition to live TV, Philo gives you access to over 75,000 on-demand movies and shows, so you’ll never run out of content. You also get unlimited DVR, though recordings are stored for up to 12 months.
Philo currently offers a generous 7-day free trial so you can evaluate the service before signing up.
Are There Ways to Watch Free Live TV Without a Subscription?
While you won't get the same number of channels or live events, you can still watch live TV without a subscription. Several free streaming services are available online. Some, like Sling Freestream, don’t even require a login to access free channels.
Another simple option is using a TV antenna. With the right equipment, you can receive free local channels over the air. A good HDTV antenna is an affordable investment and one of the best ways to watch some live sports without a subscription.
