Beyond their glaring $57 price gap, Philo and DirecTV have other differences that are worth discussing. We talk about the more notable ones below.
Advantages of Philo over DirecTV Cable: unbeatable price, flexibility, and free trial
Philo is so cheap, you could add up to five extra channel packs and it will still be more affordable than DirecTV Cable. Affordability is the number one draw of a budget live TV service like Philo, but it has other things going for it, too, like flexibility and trial options. Unlike DirecTV, which charges you a $20 termination fee if you cancel before their 2-year contract ends, Philo lets you cancel anytime with no extra fees. And if you're still on the fence about it, it offers a 7-day free trial that lets you test all of its features, including its 70+ channels, unlimited DVR storage, and simultaneous streams.
Advantages of DirecTV Cable over Philo: more premium channels, live sports, and local coverage
Now, with DirecTV's hefty price tag comes a lot of channels, many of which aren't available on Philo no matter how many channel packs you purchase. Unlike Philo, DirecTV airs local networks like ABC and FOX, sports channels like ESPN and FS1, and for an extra fee, it lets you add premium channels like Showtime and Starz. For a lot of people, DirecTV is more valuable for those reasons alone, but it also helps that DirecTV comes with a handy TV box that makes viewing and customizing feel like a breeze.
If you're on a budget, Philo is a worthwhile cable alternative, as long as you don't mind losing some key channels on the lineup. But if you can afford it, DirecTV is as comprehensive as it gets, though you do have to watch out for surcharges once the 2-year price lock is over.