Live TV streaming services like Philo and Hulu + Live TV aim to replicate the cable experience virtually. As a tech analyst comparing the two, Philo initially stands out with lower pricing at $25 per month to Hulu‘s $70.
But there are some major differences in channels, features and quality to consider. I‘ll break these down in detail across 8 categories below, along with supporting data and expert insights.
The goal? Help readers determine which option truly offers the better overall value after weighing their unique needs.
How Philo and Hulu Live TV Compare on Price
First, let‘s quantify just how differently these two services are priced.
Monthly Cost
| Service | Base Price | Add-ons/Upgrades | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philo | $25 | $0 | $25 |
| Hulu Live TV | $70 | $0 | $70 |
Annual Cost
| Service | Annual Price | Add-ons/Upgrades | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philo | $300 | $0 | $300 |
| Hulu Live TV | $840 | $0 | $840 |
Hulu Live TV costs 2.8x more than Philo for the entry-level packages when comparing annual costs. Of course with Hulu you‘re getting full access to the Hulu streaming library and Disney+/ESPN bundles too – which carry over $230 in added annual value.
Still from a pure live TV standpoint, Philo provides significant cost savings. Whether that actually translates into "better" value however depends on the channels and features each offers.
How The Channel Lineups Compare
Philo markets itself as a more budget-friendly option with fewer channels than Hulu Live TV (60+ vs 85+). But it‘s worth comparing what you actually get in key categories.
Entertainment
Philo carries AMC, Comedy Central, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, while Hulu counters with Bravo, E!, FX, Syfy, TBS, TNT. For general entertainment, Hulu wins.
News
Hulu has the major cable news networks – CNN, Fox News, MSNBC. Philo lacks equivalent options.
Sports
While Philo has Viacom channels like MTV, Nickelodeon with some sports, Hulu carries ESPN, FS1, NBCSN and regional sports networks. Another win for Hulu.
Lifestyle
Hulu carries an extensive suite of lifestyle programming including HGTV, TLC, Food Network and more. Philo only offers a couple major options.
In terms of breadth and depth for news, sports and lifestyle channels, Hulu Live TV has the advantage. But Philo subscribers still get solid entertainment coverage at a reduced price.
Comparing Streaming Quality
When it comes to delivering the best picture, Hulu Live TV is far superior based on supporting:
- 1080p resolution live streams
- A library of 4K on demand movies/shows
Philo maxes out at 720p across the board. For viewers that just invested in a new 4K UHD TV, Hulu will take better advantage delivering sharper, more vivid images in supported content.
To stream at these higher video qualities however, your home internet speeds do need to keep up:
- 720p: Minimum 3-5 Mbps
- 1080p: 8-10 Mbps
- 4K: 25 Mbps
With Hulu‘s higher resolution capabilities, make sure to have the recommended broadband speeds to enjoy the full experience.
Analyzing The All-Important DVR Functionality
For time-shifting your shows, both Philo and Hulu Live TV make recording simple with unlimited cloud DVR storage included. But there is one crucial difference:
DVR Time Allowance
| Service | Recording Expiration | Hours Recorded |
|---|---|---|
| Philo | 1 Year | Unlimited |
| Hulu Live TV | 9 Months | Unlimited |
Philo stores an unlimited amount of recordings for up to 1-year before they are deleted. Hulu maxes out at only 9 months – barely enough for a full TV season.
For anyone that watches a favorite show here and there or returns to binge multiple episodes later, Philo‘s year-long retention provides much more convenience.
Hulu does offer the ability to extend expiration with their Enhanced DVR add-on:
- 200 hours recordings for 9 months: $9.99/month
So while possible on Hulu, you have to pay extra after 200 hours. Philo places no restrictions or fees regardless of how much you record.
Feature and Device Support Comparison
Both streaming TV services allow you to watch across a wide range of media players, smart TVs, tablets and phones. But side-by-side, Philo goes above and beyond:
Key Feature Support
| Feature | Philo | Hulu Live TV |
|---|---|---|
| Profiles Per Account | 6 | 6 |
| Simultaneous Streams | 3 | 2 |
| TV Everywhere Apps | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Chromecast Built-in | Yes | No |
Platform and Device Support
| Device | Philo | Hulu Live TV |
|---|---|---|
| iOS Phone/Tablet | Yes | Yes |
| Android Phone/Tablet | Yes | Yes |
| Amazon Fire Tablet | Yes | Yes |
| Chromecast | Yes | Yes |
| Roku | Yes | Yes |
| Apple TV | Yes | Yes |
| Android TV | Yes | Yes |
| Xbox One | Yes | Yes |
| PS4 | Yes | No |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Mac | Yes | Yes |
| Web Browser | Yes | Yes |
Philo goes beyond just the basics with broader smart TV operating system support, more concurrent streams, and integrated Chromecast functionality.
For those looking for the most compatible experience across their devices, Philo is ahead here.
Evaluating Customer Satisfaction
Comparing Philo and Hulu Live TV customer sentiment on crucial performance metrics also sheds light on relative satisfaction rates:
| Factor | Philo Rating | Hulu Live TV Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Interface/Ease of Use | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Streaming Quality/Reliability | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Overall Value | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Content Selection | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| DVR Reliability | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Key Takeaways:
-
Philo customers highlight ease of use, value, DVR reliability as strengths
-
Hulu praised for streaming quality/reliability and a good channel selection
-
Philo seen as a better value while Hulu has better technical performance
With mostly even individual category ratings but Philo taking value and DVR experience – two of the highest weighted factors in my methodology – I‘d give Philo a slight edge here. But both achieve respectable satisfaction marks across the board.
The Verdict: Philo Delivers Better Overall Value Despite Lacking Some Features
When all the data is compiled and analyzed, Philo beats out the more expensive Hulu Live TV as the streaming TV service offering superior overall value.
The biggest factor remains the significant $540 annual savings with Philo‘s base package costing hundreds less than Hulu. Plus Philo provides other value-adds like:
- A generous 14-day risk-free trial period
- Unlimited 1-year DVR storage
- Ad-free on-demand library
Yes, Hulu Live TV certainly offers more channels, viewing features, and upgraded streaming quality potential with support up to 4K.
But for budget-focused cord cutters prioritizing simplicity, reliability and cost above all – Philo has the edge. The streamer makes enjoying 60+ entertainment, lifestyle and discovery channels extremely affordable without complexity.
Meanwhile Hulu + Live TV better suits viewers wanting a beefier traditional cable replacement package loaded with news, sports and enhanced DVR tools. You get what you pay for in terms of quality and breadth of content.
At the end of the day, identifying your must-have channels, ideal budget, and any feature deal-breakers makes choosing straightforward. Use the comprehensive data and analysis in this guide to make the smartest selection meeting your live streaming TV needs.
