Let’s find out which of these two television providers is the best match for your needs. With no contract requirement, a two-year price guarantee, this is a pretty sweet bundle. With many cable packages, the price you first see isn’t the bottom line, so it’s essential that you dig a bit deeper under the surface to find the true price. However, Xfinity TV isn’t as cheap as it seems up front. Once we explore the service’s additional fees, you’ll see that Xfinity TV also comes out much higher than first expected. The short answer is that both services are around the same prices once all fees are included, but Xfinity TV does give you a few more channels for your money. Even on the less expensive end, DIRECTV STREAM charges a healthy amount of cash for only 75+ channels, making it a poor choice for anyone looking to get the best bang for their buck. Additionally, for Xfinity TV’s Popular and Ultimate plans, a 1-year contract is required. If you try to cancel your contract early, you’ll find yourself hit with early termination fees (more below). Xfinity TV’s Popular and Ultimate plans are the prices mentioned above, only if you opt for the company’s yearly contract. Attempting to leave the contract early could result in pricey early termination fees of $10 per remaining month on your plan. On the other hand, DIRECTV STREAM is quite transparent with little to no hidden fees. Additionally, you don’t need to purchase a TV box from DIRECTV STREAM if you already have a media streaming box. DIRECTV STREAM can stream directly via Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Android, iOS, and select Samsung televisions. If you wish to purchase a TV box from DIRECTV STREAM, you can either purchase it upfront for $120 or over 24 months at 0% APR for $5 per month. When you choose to bundle multiple services, DIRECTV STREAM and Xfinity offer deals that bring down your monthly cost. As you’ll likely want an internet connection for your home, bundling DIRECTV STREAM or Xfinity TV is a smart way to keep everything in one place. DIRECTV STREAM and Xfinity both offer a plethora of bundles available, so we’ve highlighted some of the favorites that we think would be beneficial to you. AT&T’s internet speeds are perfect for homes that love streaming online content from services such as Netflix or HBO Max. It’s also an excellent choice for families with video gamers in the house. Additionally, while Xfinity might make a good choice for some households, those requiring faster internet plans may want to look elsewhere. While Xfinity’s internet speeds are decent, AT&T with DIRECTV STREAM offers speedier selections perfect for homes with dozens of gadgets. Before purchasing your selected package, make sure that any specific channels you love are included. Not every package with either provider offers the same content. Here are a few popular channels and their availability on each service. Both DIRECTV STREAM and Xfinity TV offer premium channels at similar prices, with a slight edge being given to DIRECTV STREAM. However, we don’t think the prices are different enough to influence your purchasing decision. We’d also like to note that select DIRECTV STREAM packages, such as Choice and Ultimate, include three free months of HBO Max. Xfinity TV does offer a more extensive selection of sports channels, but that doesn’t mean DIRECTV STREAM is left in a spot of shame as it still provides a healthy offering. We recommend picking the network with the sports channels that you intend to watch, rather than which network simply offers more.
ESPN, ESPN2 FS1 Stadium NBC Sports Network PAC-12 Network Tennis Channel Golf Channel
Xfinity’s Ultimate TV package
CBS Sports Network ESPNews ESPNU FS2 MLB Network NBA TV NFL Network NHL Network Olympic Channel Outdoor Channel SEC Network Sportsman Channel TUDN Zona Futbol
ESPN HD ESPN2 HD FS1 NBC Sports Network
DIRECTV STREAM Choice package
Big Ten Network HD ESPNews HD ESPNU HD MLB Network HD NBA TV Tennis Channel HD TVG
DIRECTV STREAM Ultimate and Premier packages
CBS Sports Network FS2 Golf Channel NHL Network Olympic Channel Sportsman Channel
There is no doubt that out of the two providers, DIRECTV STREAM offers the best DVR solution. With Xfinity TV, you’ll find yourself paying around $15 a month for a limited DVR (hours). However, for only $10 a month, DIRECTV STREAM gives you access to a cloud DVR with unlimited recording time. Xfinity TV is likely the best option for those seeking a more traditional television service, even after its hidden fees. When placed head to head, Xfinity TV simply offers more channels than DIRECTV STREAM. However, you’ll want to be careful with Xfinity TV. As you add on more packages and features, the service can quickly become more expensive than its competition. We also love that DIRECTV STREAM can operate on the streaming devices you already have at home, eliminating the need for a dedicated cable box.
Pricing and contracts: DIRECTV STREAM doesn’t require any contracts, and its pricing is more upfront than Xfinity without hidden fees. However, many customers will still benefit from Xfinity’s pricing structure as it will typically include more channels in the end. We also don’t mind Xfinity’s contract too much as it only lasts a single year and does give you a sizable discount of $20-30 a month. Channels: When it comes to the most popular channels, both services are likely to have them. However, Xfinity TV does offer more channels, in the end, so be sure to check both services for any more niche channels you might be interested in. Sports channels: For sports fans, Xfinity TV comes through in the end with the most sports options, but DIRECTV STREAM still offers a healthy selection. DVR: Out of the gate, DIRECTV STREAM provides you with 20-hours of free recording time, and it only costs $10 to upgrade to unlimited recording time. However, Xfinity TV is more stingy, and you’ll find yourself paying $15 a month for 600 hours of storage time.
