Philo Review: The Ultra-Budget Live TV Streaming Service in 2025
Streaming Smarter says: If you don’t care about sports, news, or live events, Philo may just be the perfect live TV streaming service. For a rock-bottom price, you’ll get 17 of the 40 most-watched TV channels. Subscribers also get free AMC+. If you just want “comfort-food” TV, Philo is a great option.
Value 4/5
It’s almost impossible to beat Philo’s price. AMC+ alone normally costs $6.99, so getting it for free is a nice bonus.
Channels 1/5
Philo is missing the 11 most-watched TV channels and it has no options for news, sports, or live events.
Experience 3/5
Philo’s user experience is pretty standard for live TV providers. The DVR beats most competitors.
$28/mo.
Philo Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
What Does Philo Cost?
Philo costs just $28.
Can You Get a Discount on Philo?
Philo’s price is already so low, you shouldn’t expect further discounts.
Can You Watch Philo for Free?
Yes! Start with a generous 7-day free trial to see if Philo is right for you.
If you don’t want the full Philo lineup, you can also try Philo Free Channels. It’s a package of 100+ channels of news, comedy, reality, and entertainment you can watch. You’ll also be able to record certain shows and save them up to 30 days. If you ever want to upgrade to a paid Philo plan, you can.
Free
What Channels Are Available on Philo?
Philo serves up popular shows with reality and feel-good entertainment like Hallmark Channel, HGTV, History Channel, MeTV, MeTV Toons, Discovery Channel, INSP, TLC, Food Network, Investigation Discovery, Hallmark Mystery, TV Land, and A&E.
Philo includes AMC+ for free, which gives you IFC Films Unlimited, Shudder TV, Sundance Now, and The Walking Dead Channel.
What Local Channels Are on Philo?
Philo doesn’t carry local channels. You could tune in with an antenna, or choose Paramount+ with SHOWTIME to get your local CBS affiliate or Peacock Premium Plus to get your local NBC station.
$12.99/mo.
$13.99/mo.
What Sports Channels Are on Philo?
Don’t expect any sports channels on Philo. The free Philo service includes MSG SportsZone and T2 (the Tennis Channel offshoot that carries ATP and WTA tennis). That’s about it.
Can You Watch Regional Sports Networks with Philo?
Philo doesn’t offer regional sports networks. If you need one, I recommend DIRECTV STREAM instead. Another option is to sign up to team-specific streamers like FanDuel Sports Network. Ultimately, sports fans are better off with a service other than Philo.
$19.99/mo.
Does Philo offer 4K Broadcasts?
Philo doesn’t have 4K. Live TV is available in 720p and on-demand content in 1080p.
Does Philo Require a Contract?
You can subscribe to Philo one month at a time. Cancel anytime at no penalty.
Does Philo Have a DVR?
Yes. The included cloud DVR allows for unlimited recordings. Each recording can be saved up to 12 months.
What Streaming Devices are Compatible with Philo?
- Android TV
- Apple TV
- Android phone or tablet
- Fire tablet
- iPhone or iPad
- Chromecast (with the Android mobile app)
- Fire TV
- LG TV (2018 models or later)
- Roku
- Samsung TV (2018 models or later)
- Vizio TV (2016 models or later)
- Web browsers
How Many Simultaneous Devices Can Stream Philo?
Philo allows 3 simultaneous streams.
What Are All the Channels Available on Philo?
Philo Add-On Packages
Philo Premium Channel Add-Ons
What Is the Best Philo Alternative?
YouTube TV is popular, but other services are often a better choice. I was a longtime user of the service until I tried its competitors. Here are your other live TV streaming options.
Who Should Subscribe to Philo?
If you’re sick of the high cost of live TV, your bargain-hunting journey will likely take you to Philo or Sling TV. Philo is a great choice if you’re the kind of person who just likes to relax with TV. While you won’t get sports, news, or local channels, the Philo lineup has plenty of offer. Family-friendly shows, reality TV, sitcoms, and retro TV are always available. Throw in free AMC+ and Philo becomes even more of a great value.
$28/mo.
