Apple TV has made a significant mark in the world of streaming, offering both an intuitive user interface and the flexibility of content streaming.

However, Apple TV may not be the best fit for everyone, especially those who are looking for a wider variety of services, live TV options, or simply something that fits better with their budget.

Luckily, there are several streaming services that provide similar, if not better, alternatives. In this article, we will explore five popular alternatives to Apple TV, each offering unique features that might suit your needs.

Our 5 Best Apple TV Alternatives in 2025:

If you’re considering an alternative to Apple TV, these are some of the most competitive options that offer comparable, if not superior, features and content offerings. Here’s a rundown of our top 5 choices:

• Sling TV
• DirecTV Stream
• Hulu + Live TV
• Disney+
• Prime Video

These services provide a variety of content ranging from live TV to on-demand movies and shows. Let’s take a deeper look at each one, exploring their features, pricing, and what makes them unique.

A Closer Look at Our 5 Best Alternatives to Apple TV – Reviews:

1. Sling TV

What Makes Sling TV a Good Alternative to Apple TV?

Sling TV is one of the most well-known alternatives to traditional cable, and it’s also an excellent choice for those looking to cut the cord. Unlike Apple TV, which is primarily a device that aggregates content from multiple streaming services, Sling TV is a streaming service that focuses on delivering live TV over the internet.

Key Features:

• Live TV Streaming: Sling TV offers a variety of live TV channels, including news, sports, and entertainment, which Apple TV doesn’t natively provide unless you subscribe to specific streaming services.
• Affordable Packages: Sling TV is known for offering flexible, budget-friendly packages. The basic plans, Sling Orange and Sling Blue, start at $40 per month, giving you access to different channels. You can choose the package based on your content preferences and budget.
• Customizable Add-ons: One of the standout features of Sling TV is its add-on bundles. You can add extra channels for sports, premium content, kids’ programming, and more, allowing you to tailor your experience to your needs.
• Multiple Device Support: Sling TV works on many devices, including smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming devices like Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV. This gives it the same level of flexibility as Apple TV, but without the device dependency.

Pros:

• Affordable pricing makes it an excellent option for those who don’t want to commit to expensive cable or satellite subscriptions.
• Offers a solid selection of live TV channels.
• Customizable plans allow you to add only the channels you want.

Cons:

• The number of channels available depends on the plan you choose. You may need to pay extra for premium channels.
• Sling TV lacks certain high-demand channels available on other platforms, especially regional sports networks and major cable channels.

Who is it for?

Sling TV is ideal for those who want live TV on a budget and prefer the flexibility of picking and choosing their channels. It works great for cord-cutters who want a traditional TV experience without paying for an expensive cable package.

2. DirecTV Stream

What Makes DirecTV Stream a Good Alternative to Apple TV?

DirecTV Stream (formerly AT&T TV) is a live TV streaming service that offers a comprehensive range of channels, sports, and on-demand content, making it a strong alternative to Apple TV. Unlike Apple TV, which is a platform for accessing content from other services, DirecTV Stream provides its own content library along with live broadcasts of popular TV channels.

Key Features:

• Full Cable Replacement: DirecTV Stream provides access to a full range of live TV channels, including sports, news, and entertainment. It offers packages that mirror traditional cable TV services, giving subscribers access to the most popular networks like ESPN, CNN, HGTV, and more.
• Multiple Packages: DirecTV Stream offers a variety of packages starting at $69.99 per month. These packages include different sets of channels, allowing you to choose a plan based on your viewing habits.
• Cloud DVR: One of the standout features of DirecTV Stream is its cloud DVR. It offers a decent amount of storage for recording live TV shows, movies, and sports events. You can also watch your recorded content on any compatible device.
• Device Compatibility: DirecTV Stream works on a variety of devices, including Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and smart TVs. This ensures a smooth experience regardless of the device you’re using.

Pros:

• Comprehensive selection of live TV channels, including sports and premium networks.
• Strong DVR features for recording and streaming your favorite shows.
• Works on multiple devices, including Apple TV.

Cons:

• The service is on the more expensive side compared to other streaming options.
• The user interface is sometimes criticized for being clunky and not as user-friendly as other platforms.

Who is it for?

DirecTV Stream is perfect for those who want a complete cable TV replacement with a large selection of live TV channels and sports content. It’s ideal for households that watch a lot of live television and want a service that’s easy to navigate on different devices.

3. Hulu + Live TV

What Makes Hulu + Live TV a Good Alternative to Apple TV?

Hulu + Live TV is another excellent option for those who want a combination of live TV and an extensive on-demand content library. Unlike Apple TV, which aggregates content from other streaming services, Hulu offers its own extensive catalog of movies, TV shows, and live TV channels.

Key Features:

• On-demand Streaming and Live TV: Hulu + Live TV combines the best of both worlds, offering both a massive on-demand streaming library and access to live TV channels. This is a major advantage over Apple TV, which is limited to streaming from other platforms.
• Original Content: Hulu is known for its impressive library of original content, such as “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Only Murders in the Building.” It also gives you access to content from networks like ABC, NBC, Fox, and more.
• Cloud DVR: Hulu’s cloud DVR feature allows you to record live shows and watch them later. The service offers up to 50 hours of storage with the standard plan, which can be upgraded for more storage.
• Multiple Device Compatibility: Hulu + Live TV is available on a variety of devices, including Apple TV, Roku, and smart TVs, offering flexibility for users who want to stream on their preferred devices.

Pros:

• Offers a large on-demand library combined with live TV channels.
• Great for fans of Hulu’s original content and network shows.
• Cloud DVR feature allows recording and playback.

Cons:

• Higher price point compared to other streaming services.
• The interface can be slightly cluttered, especially for those who are new to the service.

Who is it for?

Hulu + Live TV is ideal for those who want a robust streaming platform that includes both live TV and on-demand content. It’s especially good for people who enjoy original programming and want a service that offers live TV as well.

4. Disney+

What Makes Disney+ a Good Alternative to Apple TV?

Disney+ is a popular streaming service offering exclusive content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. While Apple TV serves as a platform to access content from various services, Disney+ stands on its own with a vast library of family-friendly entertainment and blockbuster franchises.

Key Features:

• Family-Friendly Content: Disney+ has a huge selection of content suitable for all ages, from animated classics to Marvel superhero films and Star Wars series. It’s a perfect choice for families or anyone who loves these major franchises.
• Exclusive Originals: Disney+ is home to exclusive content such as “The Mandalorian” (Star Wars), the Marvel Cinematic Universe series, and Pixar films. These offerings are not available on other platforms, including Apple TV.
• Affordable Pricing: Disney+ is relatively affordable compared to other streaming services, with a subscription costing just $7.99 per month. If you already subscribe to Hulu or ESPN+, you can bundle all three services at a discounted price.
• Multiple Device Support: Disney+ is available on Apple TV, smart TVs, tablets, and mobile devices, allowing you to access content from virtually any device.

Pros:

• Extensive library of family-friendly and franchise-based content.
• Affordable pricing, with additional savings when bundled with other services.
• Works across multiple devices, including Apple TV.

Cons:

• Limited live TV content; mostly on-demand programming.
• Doesn’t have a broad range of genres like other streaming platforms, focusing mainly on Disney and related content.

Who is it for?

Disney+ is perfect for families, children, and fans of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar. If you’re an Apple TV user and want exclusive access to these franchises, Disney+ is the streaming service for you.

5. Prime Video

What Makes Prime Video a Good Alternative to Apple TV?

Prime Video, provided by Amazon, is one of the most popular on-demand streaming platforms, offering a vast selection of movies, TV shows, and original content. It’s a worthy alternative to Apple TV, especially for those who want flexibility and value for money.

Key Features:

• Massive Content Library: Prime Video has a vast library of movies, TV shows, and documentaries, covering a wide range of genres, including action, drama, and comedy. It also offers a number of exclusive Amazon Originals, like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Jack Ryan.”
• Affordable Pricing: If you’re already an Amazon Prime member, you can access Prime Video as part of your membership. For non-Prime members, it’s available for $8.99 per month.
• Device Compatibility: Prime Video works on Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and mobile devices, giving you the freedom to stream wherever you want.
• Additional Channels: Prime Video allows you to subscribe to additional channels like HBO Max, Showtime, and Starz, offering even more content without needing separate subscriptions.

Pros:

• Large, diverse library of movies, TV shows, and Amazon Originals.
• Available to Amazon Prime members at no extra cost.
• Flexible streaming options with the ability to add extra channels.

Cons:

• Lacks live TV channels, which can be a dealbreaker for some.
• The interface can be cluttered with options, making it harder to navigate.

Who is it for?

Prime Video is an excellent choice for those who want access to a broad range of on-demand content and don’t mind paying for a subscription to Amazon Prime. It’s also great for those who like to watch shows across multiple devices.

Apple TV Alternatives: Find the Best Service for You

Each of the alternatives listed above offers something unique that may be a better fit for your needs compared to Apple TV. From budget-friendly options like Sling TV to full-service alternatives like DirecTV Stream, there’s a service that can meet almost any type of viewing preference.

If you prefer live TV and sports, services like Sling TV or Hulu + Live TV are great options. If you’re more focused on on-demand content and exclusive series, Disney+ and Prime Video might suit your needs better.

Ultimately, the right service depends on what you prioritize most in a streaming platform—whether it’s affordability, content variety, or live television. By understanding your viewing habits, you’ll be better equipped to choose the ideal streaming service that aligns with your preferences.