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Fubo increased its prices: Which streaming service is the most affordable now?

By Jess Barnes  |  Last updated Jan 29, 2025 9:42 AM ET
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Fubo recently shared with subscribers that the prices of their English-language plans were increasing. That increase included the new Essential plan, which is now Fubo's base plan. 

With the updated pricing, Fubo plans now start at $84.99 per month, making it one of the more expensive live TV streaming options on the market. 

On the Fubo support page, the company shared the following message about why prices increased: "We only make changes when necessary. Rising costs from our programming partners mean we must pass along a portion of these increases. However, we’re committed to keeping Fubo competitive while ensuring you have access to the channels, features, and live events you enjoy."

What is the Fubo Essential plan?

Fubo began offering the new Essential plan in December at a $79.99 price point. That price has now increased by $5. The Essential plan has the same channel lineup as the Pro plan except that it does not include Regional Sports Networks (RSNs.) Those who want RSNs will need to choose the Pro plan or higher, which come with a regional sports fee of up to $16 per month, depending on how many RSNs are available in the subscriber's area. 

The Pro plan is now priced at $84.99 per month, plus a regional sports fee. The Elite plan is now priced at $94.99 per month, plus a regional sports fee. While the service isn't promoting any other plans, several are still listed on the Fubo support page with new pricing.

Which live TV streaming services are cheaper than Fubo?

After the price hike, making Fubo's base plan $84.99 per month, the service still comes in just under DIRECTV STREAM's starting price of $86.99 per month. There are several more affordable options to pick from, if you're thinking about switching to a new service. 

Hulu + Live TV starts at $82.99

Hulu + Live TV starts at $82.99 when you bundle it with Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, and in addition to the on-demand libraries of all three services, you'll get 95+ live TV channels. The big difference between Fubo and Hulu + Live TV is that Hulu is missing most RSNs. 

YouTube TV starts at $82.99

Like Hulu, YouTube TV is also missing most RSNs in its channel lineup, so it might not be the best option if you need those channels. But, if you don't need them or can get them elsewhere, YouTube TV's 100+ channel lineup has a lot to offer sports fans and anyone who wants access to cable channels. You'll also get a discount on Sunday Ticket if you want more access to NFL games next season. 

Sling TV starts at $45.99

If you're looking for pared-down service, rather than Fubo's 200+ channel lineup, Sling might be an option for you. The service has a limited channel lineup that only includes local channels (ABC, Fox and NBC) in limited locations and encourages subscribers to use an antenna to get locals for free. You can add to your channel lineup with add-on packages, but those can bump up your monthly cost quickly.

Philo starts at $28

And if a very pared-down service is what you're looking for, Philo is another option to look at. Philo has over 70 channels in its lineup, but you'll find more entertainment channels and not much for sports fans. This is a good option if you're using an antenna for local channels and another service for your local RSN if you need it, like the FanDuel Sports Network app.

Jess is a writer, editor, and Cleveland sports fan. She previously worked for TV Guide and Cord Cutters News where she covered all things streaming and sports.