Philo Review 2026: Is This the Cheapest Live TV Streaming Service Worth It?

Philo earns an Expert Score of 3.9/5.0 from BestGuide, making it a strong budget pick for cord-cutters who prioritize entertainment over sports and local news. Founded in 2017, Philo offers more than 70 channels for a flat $25 per month, a price that undercuts nearly every competitor. In this Philo review, we evaluate the service across five criteria using hundreds of expert opinions and user experiences. Compare Philo with other top-rated TV services to see how it stacks up against the market.

How Philo Works

Sign up online: Go to Philo’s website and choose a plan. There are no contracts – you pay month-to-month. The basic plan costs $25 per month (as of June 2026) and includes unlimited DVR storage. A 7-day free trial is available for new subscribers.

Channel lineup: You get access to channels like AMC, Comedy Central, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, History, MTV, TLC, and more. Philo does not carry any local broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) or regional sports networks, which keeps the price low.

Streaming experience: Philo works on most devices including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, Android, and web browsers. You can watch on up to three devices simultaneously. The unlimited DVR allows you to record shows and keep them for up to 30 days after you stop watching them.

Who Philo Is Best For

Philo is ideal for viewers who want a cheap live TV streaming service focused on entertainment, lifestyle, and news channels, and who do not need local channels or live sports. If you primarily watch shows on AMC, HGTV, or Food Network, Philo’s $25 price tag is hard to beat.

Philo is not ideal for sports fans or households that rely on over-the-air local channels for news and sports. It also lacks channels like ESPN, Fox Sports, and NBC Sports. For those viewers, services like Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV with local channels are better options.

Philo Standout Features

Lowest base price in the market: At $25 per month, Philo is the cheapest live TV streaming service among major providers. Sling Orange is $40, YouTube TV is $73, and Hulu + Live TV is $77. Philo saves you at least $15 per month compared to the next cheapest option.

Unlimited DVR: Unlike some competitors that cap storage, Philo offers unlimited DVR at no extra cost. Recorded shows expire after 30 days if you haven’t watched them, but you can keep recordings indefinitely by extending the expiration each time you play them.

No contracts, no hidden fees: Philo’s pricing is transparent. The $25 monthly fee is all you pay – there are no broadcast fees, regional sports fees, or equipment charges. This simplicity contributes to its high Transparency score of 90% from BestGuide.

Philo Pros and Cons

Is Philo Legit?

Philo is a legitimate, licensed streaming service based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2017. It has carriage agreements with major networks like A+E Networks, Discovery, and ViacomCBS (now Paramount). Philo is not a scam – it’s a fully legal OTT service.

The company has a Trustpilot rating of 3.9 out of 5.0 from more than 4,000 reviews as of June 2026. The Better Business Bureau has not accredited Philo, but complaint data from the BBB and FCC is minimal. Most negative reviews center on the lack of sports and local channels rather than service reliability.

Philo BestGuide Rating

Philo earns an Expert Score of 3.9 out of 5.0 from BestGuide’s expert panel. This score is derived from five universal Service Evaluation criteria: Reputation (80%), Services (70%), Transparency (90%), Customer Satisfaction (75%), and Scalability (75%).

Philo’s strongest area is Transparency (90%) – its pricing is published online with no surprises. Its weakest area is Services (70%) – the channel selection is limited compared to competitors that include locals and sports. The overall score places Philo slightly below the average Expert Score of 4.1 for the TV Services vertical, reflecting its narrower focus.

Philo Cost: What You Should Expect to Pay

Philo has a single plan: $25 per month. There are no tiers or add-ons. This price has not changed since 2018. Compared to the live TV streaming industry average of $65 per month, Philo is the cheapest option available. The only cost beyond the monthly fee is applicable sales tax in some states, which is disclosed at checkout.

Final Verdict: Philo Review

Philo earns an Expert Score of 3.9/5.0 from BestGuide, making it a top choice for budget-conscious viewers who want a cheap live TV streaming service without sports or local channels. Its $25 monthly price and unlimited DVR are standout features, and its transparent pricing earns high marks. However, the lack of local networks and live sports means it cannot serve as a complete cord-cutting solution for many households. If you need ESPN or ABC, Philo reviews often recommend looking at other services. See our full Buyers Guide for the best TV services before making your decision.

Frequently Asked Questions About Philo

What do experts say about Philo?
BestGuide experts score Philo 3.9/5.0, praising its low price and transparency but noting the absence of sports and local channels.

Is Philo worth it in 2026?
Yes, if you watch entertainment channels only. At $25/month, it’s the cheapest live TV streaming service, but sports fans and local news viewers will need a different service.

How does Philo compare to other live TV streaming services?
Philo is about 60% cheaper than the industry average of $65/month, but it lacks local channels and sports that services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV offer.

Does Philo have ABC, NBC, or CBS?
No. Philo does not carry any local broadcast networks. You need an antenna or a different service for those.

Can I watch sports on Philo?
No. Philo does not include ESPN, Fox Sports, NFL Network, or any regional sports networks. It is not the best live TV streaming service for sports.

Does Philo offer a free trial?
Yes, a 7-day free trial is available for new subscribers.

What is the best live TV streaming service with local channels?
For local channels, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are top options, but they cost $73 and $77 per month respectively. Philo is not suitable for that use case.