Switching to a cable TV streaming app is a simple means to save cash whereas persevering with to look at your favourite exhibits and films. Nevertheless, some streaming apps might be virtually as costly as your present cable plan.
Fortunately, Philo is an reasonably priced strategy to watch cable channels for less than $25 monthly. Whereas different providers could cost as a lot as $73 a month for an entry-level package deal, Philo makes chopping the wire cost-effective. I additionally like that you could watch comparable exhibits at a fraction of the fee.
This evaluation may also help you determine if the service is best for you.
Abstract
Philo streams greater than 60 cable channels and affords limitless cloud DVR for $20 monthly. You gained’t be capable to stream sports activities or native channels.
Execs
- $20 month-to-month price
- Limitless DVR
- Stream on three screens
Cons
- No sports activities or locals
- DVR solely final 30 days
- No parental controls
What’s Philo?
Philo affords over 70 channels for $25 a month, making it one of many least expensive cable streaming apps accessible.
The service additionally affords:
- Limitless DVR with one yr of storage
- Watching on as much as three units at a time
- Creating as much as 10 consumer profiles
It’s necessary to notice that you simply gained’t get cable information, sports activities channels or native stations with this service. Not having these channels is perhaps an inconvenience in case you’re a sports activities fan or don’t have a TV antenna.
That mentioned, Philo is a superb means to save cash in case you don’t watch sports activities or native programming.
I discover my information via different on-line platforms and like having the ability to watch my favourite exhibits and films via this platform with decreased commercials, too. I can quickly subscribe to different providers to look at my favourite sports activities groups and nonetheless spend lower than a year-round cable subscription.
Who’s Philo For?
Should you watch way of life and leisure channels, Philo could possibly be a superb answer for you. It’s a fantastic possibility for family-friendly channels, and its limitless cloud DVR is useful for folks with busy schedules.
This platform will also be glorious in case you don’t need to pay further for sports activities programming. Sports activities packages are one of many principal causes that different cable TV alternate options are considerably costlier.
For viewers who need to watch sports activities or native stations, Philo won’t be the suitable cable various.
I like this streaming service as my household can watch new programming like the most recent Hallmark Christmas film, reruns of fashionable sitcoms, and timeless films on demand. Having over 50 free channels can also be handy to keep away from downloading extra streaming apps for further content material.
How A lot Does Philo Value?
Philo affords a seven-day free trial after which prices $25 monthly.
The streaming service solely affords one month-to-month plan that features 70+ channels and limitless DVR. This plan is called a “skinny bundle” because it solely affords among the hottest cable channels.
You’ll be able to add a couple of premium film channels for an additional month-to-month payment.
With Philo, you don’t must signal a contract. As an alternative, you pay month-to-month. There aren’t any cancellation charges to pause or cease your subscription. I like this flexibility as I have a tendency to look at TV within the winter months however am outdoors nearly all of summer time as an alternative to have enjoyable at night time.
You’ll be able to pay on your month-to-month membership with a bank card, debit card, or PayPal account.
Add-Ons
Not like different cable alternate options, Philo doesn’t provide many add-ons.
There are solely three accessible channel add-ons, together with:
- Films & Extra ($3/month)
- MGM+ ($6/month)
- Starz ($10/month)
No further upgrades can be found. For instance, you’ll be able to’t pay extra for the power to stream on extra units without delay or ad-free streaming.
How Does Philo Work?
Philo requires an web connection and an internet-connected gadget like a wise TV, laptop computer or smartphone. Different streaming apps have the identical primary necessities.
You’ll be able to watch channels reside with normal commercials. It’s additionally potential to entry an on-demand library for a lot of channels and report reside programming with the cloud DVR.
I like on the lookout for movies on demand (VOD) because the industrial breaks are one minute. As compared, reside broadcasts and DVR replays have approximate three-minute industrial stretches. The present or film web page highlights VOD choices with restricted commercials.
It’s also possible to stream free TV apps via Philo to fulfill your content material wants. This comfort additionally prevents having a number of viewer accounts to recollect passwords for or set up on new units.
Supported Units
Philo works on many units, making it simple to look at your favourite exhibits from almost wherever.
It’s potential to look at Philo on these units:
- Roku: All present units
- Amazon Fireplace TV: All present units
- Apple TV: OS 15.0 or later
- Android TV: 5.0 or larger
- Chromecast: 2nd era or later utilizing the Philo Android cell app
- Samsung TV: 2017 fashions or later
- PC: Any supported internet browser
- Mac: Any supported internet browser
- Android cell units: OS 5.0 or larger
- iOS cell units: OS 15.0 or larger
- Amazon Fireplace pill: OS 5.0 or larger
You’ll be able to watch Philo on virtually any TV or cell gadget that connects to the web. This implies you’ll be able to watch at dwelling, throughout your commute or whereas touring.
Advisable Web Speeds
As much as three units can stream on Philo concurrently. If every gadget is on the identical web connection, your web velocity influences the video playback high quality and buffering frequency.
You could get the next video decision with these bandwidth speeds:
- 13+ Mbps: Stream HD video on a number of units on the identical community
- 7 Mbps: Stream one HD video (a number of units could buffer or have SD)
- 3 Mbps: Stream SD video on all units however could expertise buffering
- Beneath 3 Mbps: Decreased video high quality that will buffer or load slowly
These really useful web speeds are much like different streaming apps.
The video high quality is 720p for reside content material and 1080p for on-demand content material. Different streaming apps have comparable video high quality.
It’s value testing the playback high quality for Philo earlier than canceling your TV service to keep away from potential cancellation and reconnection charges.
I discover the playback high quality to be aggressive with different streaming providers. Since my web connection velocity is slower attributable to residing in a rural space, I can join as much as two units without delay with out buffering or SD playback.
What Channels Does Philo Have?
You’ll be able to stream over 70 way of life, leisure and information channels to simply watch reside TV.
Among the finest channels embrace:
- A&E
- AMC
- Comedy Central
- DIY Community
- Nice American Household (together with Nice American Religion & Dwelling)
- Hallmark Channel (together with Hallmark Drama and Hallmark Films & Mysteries)
- HGTV
- Historical past
- Nickelodeon
- Oprah Winfrey Community (OWN)
- Paramount Community
- Science Channel
- TLC
- Journey Channel
- UPtv
Subscribers can watch reside programming from the 70+ cable channels for exhibits and films.
Whereas family-friendly programming is obtainable, the service at the moment doesn’t provide parental controls. As a mother or father of younger youngsters, I want the app would provide this characteristic to assist block out among the programming that’s solely applicable for adults.
The reside broadcasts use the Jap time zone content material schedule. It’s potential to report reside exhibits to look at as much as 12 months later due to the DVR characteristic. To me, the on-demand library is spectacular in case you get pleasure from watching older exhibits and films. These perks make it simple to battle inflation at dwelling.
Free Channels
Subscribers also can combine over 20 free channels into their Philo membership.
The next choices are at the moment accessible:
- Cheddar Information
- Rooster Soup For The Soul
- Cinevault
- Crackle
- Ebony TV
- Gusto TV
- Nashville Channel
- Outdoors
- RetroCrush
- The Bob Ross Channel
- USA Immediately
- Vevo
These channels can be found instantly from the supplier and seem routinely within the channel information. For instance, Crackle streams free exhibits and films in case you’re prepared to look at commercials.
Premium Channel Add-Ons
There are three premium channel add-ons accessible that will please film followers. The MGM+, Films & Extra, and Starz platforms every provide authentic exhibits and films unavailable on different cable channels.
It’s additionally potential to purchase these add-ons outdoors of Philo for a similar worth. That mentioned, you could have to obtain a standalone app to look at the channels with out this streaming service.
All add-on packages embrace a seven-day free trial however cost a special month-to-month payment.
Films & Extra
Films & Extra is probably the most reasonably priced add-on. It prices $3 monthly after the seven-day trial.
Premium channels embrace HDNet Films, REELZ, Sony Films, FMC, Films!, and Fandor.
MGM+
The MGM+ add-on affords a free seven-day trial. After the trial ends, it prices $6 monthly.
With this add-on, you’ll be able to watch MGM+, MGM+ Marquee and MGM+ Hits.
Starz
The Starz add-on prices $10 monthly after the free trial. As its larger price ticket implies, its extra more likely to characteristic new releases and the most well-liked films.
This add-on contains Starz, Starz Encore and Starz Children & Household.
Excluded Channels
Earlier than signing up for Philo, it’s necessary to ensure your favourite channels aren’t excluded from the lineup.
Some fashionable cable channels are lacking from Philo embrace:
- CNN
- Disney
- ESPN
- Fox Information
- Fox Sports activities Community
- Native channels (i.e., ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and PBS)
- MSNBC
- SyFy
As an alternative of watching the information in your native affiliate, CNN or Fox Information, there are some alternate options. Three choices embrace Accuweather, BBC America, and Cheddar Information.
If channels like Disney and ESPN are necessary to your loved ones, contemplate Sling TV. The Sling Orange package deal prices $40 month-to-month and contains the Disney, ESPN, and CNN channels.
Key Options
Listed here are among the finest Philo options that include every subscription.
Information
The interactive channel information is straightforward to make use of as you’ll be able to scroll although the listings in alphabetical order. You’ll be able to seek for content material by tapping class bubbles, equivalent to motion, crime & drama, household, and music.
For full customization, you’ll be able to sort within the identify of your favourite present or film into the search bar. The search outcomes show latest and upcoming listings together with comparable content material.
TV In all places
It’s potential to stream Philo from virtually any TV, pc or cell gadget. The service is obtainable in all 50 US states together with the territories and commonwealths in case you use the Philo app.
Nevertheless, you could choose the comfort of the TV In all places app. It companions with most cable networks and streaming apps to reside stream channels in your subscription plan.
TV In all places might be handy in case you subscribe to a number of reside TV providers as you solely want to put in one app as an alternative of an app for every service. You’ll be able to swap accounts between Philo and different platforms.
One draw back of the TV In all places app is that not each channel is obtainable for every gadget. You’ll need to make use of the Philo app to look at the 60+ channels on any gadget.
DVR Capabilities
The service affords limitless cloud DVR for any present or film on the streaming schedule. Recordings self-delete after 12 months and also you gained’t encounter storage limits.
Since not each program affords on-demand playback, the DVR characteristic can make sure you don’t miss your favourite present or film.
Different streaming platforms restrict space for storing to a selected variety of hours. It could be potential to pay further for limitless DVR storage with the rivals, however Philo doesn’t provide this selection.
You could contemplate recording reside content material to quick ahead via commercials or once you don’t have time to sit down down and watch the reside broadcast.
I respect that Philo continues recording new airings of exhibits you DVR, so that you don’t miss one other episode. You’ll be able to cease recording new episodes simply to keep away from cluttering up your saved content material library.
On-Demand Library
Along with the cloud DVR, Philo affords over 60,000 exhibits and films accessible on demand. Most of this content material comes instantly from the cable channels.
You’ll be able to watch new and basic productions. It could even be potential to quick ahead via commercials for many on-demand content material.
You will notice a VOD tag when previously-aired films and episodes can be found for streaming. I additionally like visiting the “Prime Playable” and curated sections such because the “Bingeable Collection” and “Newly Added Films” to search out extra issues to look at.
72-Hour Rewind
Many exhibits can be found to look at once more inside 72 hours of airing. These choices might be completely different from the on-demand library and handy in case you overlook to schedule a DVR recording.
Cell App Distant
The Philo cell app for Android and iOS units streams all channels. It may additionally double as a distant management when streaming from a TV.
Positives and Negatives
Listed here are some the explanation why you could or could not select to make use of Philo.
Execs
- Over 70 channels
- On-demand exhibits and films
- Limitless cloud DVR
- Low month-to-month price
- Stream on three screens without delay
Cons
- Just one plan possibility
- No sports activities or native channels
- Requires quick web connection to forestall buffering
- No parental controls
- Lacks 4K UHD video high quality
Regularly Requested Questions
Wish to know extra about how Philo works? Listed here are a number of generally requested questions.
Clients can contact Philo by on-line chat or calling a customer support quantity to troubleshoot issues. There may be additionally a primary on-line data library.
Sure, it’s potential to stream on as much as three units on the similar time. Customers also can report reside exhibits and films with the DVR characteristic to look at later.
Sure. T-Cell subscribers also can save $10 month-to-month for the primary 12 months of utilizing Philo. Certified clients can go to the T-Cell promotions part to activate this provide.
The streaming platfom retired its referral program in 2022 that permit present customers and their referred buddies get pleasure from a reduction. It’s also possible to search for offers in money again apps like Rakuten to rise up to $12.50 again after your first month.
Sure. Because you pay for Philo month-to-month and there’s no contract, it’s simple to cancel.
To cancel a Philo subscription, go to the account administration web page, then faucet the “Cancel my account” button to finish the cancellation course of.
Canceling the subscription will cease the auto-renew characteristic and gained’t invoice your cost card on the following due date.
The cancellation course of is comparable for the premium add-ons.
Philo shares your viewing historical past and geographic information to offer customized adverts. It’s potential to decide out of gross sales, sharing, and focused promoting in your profile settings with one button faucet.
Options to Philo
Philo is among the least expensive streaming apps, however its comparatively restricted channel lineup could provide you with a purpose to contemplate one other service.
Sling TV
Sling TV is probably the most reasonably priced Philo various with two packages that price $40 monthly or $55 to bundle each. Every package deal has completely different channel lineups, however each provide 50 hours of cloud DVR.
Beneath are the premier channels from every Sling package deal:
- Blue package deal: FX, FS1, NFL Community and choose Fox and NBC native channels
- Orange package deal: Disney, ESPN and Freeform
Hulu
Hulu affords an on-demand plan for $7.99 monthly. This allows you to watch most exhibits and films at some point after airing. It additionally provides you entry to the Hulu Originals library.
Paying $75.99 month-to-month for the Hulu + Dwell TV plan gives real-time entry to native and cable channels. The on-demand library can also be normal. Further packages present entry to Disney+ and ESPN+ with or with out adverts.
Whereas the reside TV plan prices extra, you get native and sports activities channels. You may additionally be capable to stream Hulu at no cost.
FuboTV
Sports activities followers can discover the perfect content material with fuboTV to look at US and worldwide sports activities. Many native channels can be found as nicely.
The entry-level Starter plan begins at $74.99 monthly and contains:
- 182 channels
- 4K video high quality
- Watching on 10 screens without delay
- As much as 1,000 hours of cloud DVR
YouTube TV
YouTube TV prices $72.99 monthly and affords greater than 100 channels, together with native channels.
The service additionally affords limitless cloud DVR and on-demand content material. This streaming plan generally is a higher choice to get sports activities and native programming. As an example, that is the unique supplier of NFL Sunday Ticket.
Is Philo Price It?
Philo generally is a easy means to save cash whereas watching your favourite channels. Having the ability to stream on a number of screens and the limitless DVR storage are additionally good perks. I just like the big range of family-friendly programming plus among the finest exhibits and films and a low worth.
Nevertheless, different platforms could possibly be higher if you wish to watch sports activities or native channels. Make sure to establish the channels you want earlier than selecting a streaming service and chopping the wire.