The increasing costs of cable packages must have you looking around for free alternatives. Luckily, your life will get easier with the best streaming services offering Live TV and on-demand content for free.
If you are looking for best streaming services, Sling TV and Pluto TV are almost everywhere, and if you’ve been lurking around for a while – you must have heard one question. Is Pluto TV or Sling TV better?
This guide puts an end to the Pluto TV vs Sling TV debate by discussing the channels, device compatibility, DVR functionality, and the availability of simultaneous streams to help you choose between the two services.
Quick Overview: Pluto TV vs Sling TV
Pluto TV
Pluto TV is a 100% free video streaming platform that allows viewers to stream 250+ channels and thousands of on-demand titles. Whether you’re a sci-fi geek or a sports fanatic – Pluto TV offers content from recognisable channels with commercial advertisement breaks. Nonetheless, the programming and modern interface make Pluto TV worth a try.
Sling TV
Sling TV is an American television streaming service that comes free and in reasonably-priced packages. Sling Free is an ad-supported version of Sling offering limited content from a few channels, including Barstool Sports, ABC News Live, Bon Appetit, and The Walking Dead Universe, with specific on-demand titles as well. Of course, you’ll have to sit through the ads.
Now that we have established the crux of this article, we’ll take up a few main differences to put the Pluto TV vs Sling TV Free debate to rest.
Few Main Differences Between Pluto TV and Sling TV
The biggest difference you must have observed between Pluto TV and Sling TV is the pricing. Where Sling TV has monthly subscription plans, Pluto TV is an absolutely free service with no such options. To make things easier for you, we’re only going to compare Sling Free and Pluto TV.
Before beginning with the differences, you should know one common feature between Pluto TV and Sling TV. No registrations or credit card details are required to watch the content on either of these platforms.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the differences between Pluto TV and Sling TV.
What Are The Most In-Demand Channels Of Pluto TV And Sling TV?
Overall, Pluto TV and Sling TV possess a great collection of diverse channels. By heading to the official website or app, you can get the latest sports updates, comedy, mystery thrillers, drama, news, and reality TV. Having highly-demanded and recognisable channels, Pluto TV and Sling Free give each other tough competition.
Pluto TV Channels
Out of the 250+ channels, these are some of the popular Pluto TV channels:
- Stories by AMC
- Star Trek
- Classic Doctor Who
- CSI Channel
- CBS News Channel
Pluto TV is a better fit if you want to keep the kids entertained. It offers programming from every child’s favourite channel, Nickelodeon, along with several other channels. You can also check out our detailed guide on the Pluto TV channels and choose for yourself!
Sling TV Channels
With over 120 Live ad-supported TV channels and 40,000+ on-demand movies and shows, the Sling Free experience is unlike any other streaming service experience.
Here are some of the popular channels on Sling TV (Free):
- AMC
- Discovery
- IFC
- Showtime
- ABC News
For more details, check out our detailed guide on Sling TV channels!
Supported Devices
Other than the channel lineup, the number of supported devices is probably next on the checklist. If you just landed in the cord-cutting game, then it might be slightly hard to adjust without your cable box. However, the comprehensive list of compatible devices will help you out.
For some Smart TVs, it’s as simple as downloading the Sling TV or Pluto TV app to start streaming. But if it’s not possible with your television model, then make a one-time investment and buy a streaming device. Purchasing a streaming device lets you watch programs from major apps by just plugging it into the television’s HDMI port.
Both Pluto TV and Sling TV are compatible with a range of devices that are readily available in the market today. Below, we have enlisted the devices supported by each streaming service separately so you can choose between Pluto TV and Sling TV.
Pluto TV Supported Devices
Pluto TV is compatible with multiple media-streaming devices such as:
- iPhone
- Android
- LG Smart TV
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Samsung Smart TV
- Chromecast
- Roku devices
- Play Station
- TV Plus
Quick tip: Pluto TV has an app for Android and iOS platforms that lets you stream without having to sign up!
Sling TV Supported Devices
Here are some of the Sling TV-supported devices:
- iOS devices
- Android devices
- Roku
- Fire TV
- Samsung TV
- LG TV
- Chromecast
- Vizio
- TiVo Stream 4K
- Apple TV
Important: Go through the detailed list of compatible devices to check your device’s compatibility.
DVR Functionality
The cloud DVR functionality lets you record what you watch and when you want to watch it. In this regard, Sling TV takes the trophy home by offering 50 hours of free storage.
Cloud-based Sling DVR enables you to record unlimited movies and shows at the same time, fast-forward through commercial breaks and save your time.
If you run out of the DVR Free hours, consider upgrading to DVR Plus at just £4.07/mo (5 USD/mo).
Simultaneous Streams
Since both Pluto TV and Sling Free are free-of-cost live TV services, you can expect to watch simultaneously on as many devices as you want.
In other news, you can opt to create an account on Pluto TV to resume watching your programs on any device. You’ll just have to sign in on any other device and hit play on the title you were watching.
What Are Some Alternatives?
When comparing Pluto TV and Sling TV, check out these alternative streaming services:
- YouTube TV UK: YouTube TV is a subscription-based streaming platform that broadcasts live TV from major channels and cable networks.
- Hulu + Live TV: Hulu + Live TV offers live and on-demand TV from 75+ channels ranging from sports to entertainment.
- fuboTV: fuboTV is a sports-focused live TV with an impressive lineup of channels.
- Peacock TV: Peacock TV is home to hundreds of iconic TV series, movies, live news, and sports events.
- Crackle: Crackle is a free online streaming platform with thousands of exciting titles. Currently, it doesn’t offer a live TV streaming option.
You’ll be disappointed to know that YouTube TV, Hulu, fuboTV and Crackle are not available in the UK due to strict licensing policies. Such major platforms have advanced location-detection bots, and you can only trick them by using a premium VPN like ExpressVPN.
FAQs: Pluto TV vs. Sling TV
What is the downside of Pluto TV as compared to Sling TV?
Does Sling TV and Pluto TV both support DVR cloud technology?
Are Pluto TV and Sling TV both fully free?
Final Verdict
The final take is that you’ll not get disappointed as long as you keep your expectations low. Of course – free is free, and streamers aren’t big fans of sitting through commercial breaks every 10 minutes. Be it Pluto TV or Sling TV (Free); you have to tolerate the ads as they’re offering programs for free.
If you’re looking for a cable alternative that doesn’t impact your family entertainment time – then Sling TV is worth it. Keep in mind that you’ll occasionally be nudged to become a paying subscriber.
As far as Pluto TV is concerned, it won’t be wise to rely on it as a complete cable alternative. Having said that, we hope you’re no longer stuck between the Pluto TV vs Sling TV battle and have found a perfect fit for yourself.