Streaming services have become incredibly popular in recent years, with services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and many more offering thousands of movies and TV shows available on-demand.
Two popular options are Philo and Netflix – but which one is better for your needs? Let’s take a look at the pros, cons, features, and pricing of Philo and Netflix to see how they compare.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Philo | Netflix |
| Price | $25/month | $9.99 – $19.99 per month |
| Ads | No ads | No ads |
| Live TV | Yes, 70+ channels | No |
| DVR | Unlimited storage, up to 9 months | No DVR |
| On-Demand Movies/Shows | 20,000+, less new movies or originals | Thousands of movies & shows, many Netflix originals |
| Simultaneous Streams | 3 streams | 1 – 4 streams |
| Profile Support | 6 profiles | Up to 5 profiles |
| Offline Downloads | No | Yes |
| Streaming Quality | 720p | Up to 4K |
| Device Support | Roku, Fire TV, Android, iOS, Web | Extremely broad device support |
| Account Sharing | 1 home location | Limited account sharing |
As you can see, Philo shines for live TV viewing while Netflix is better for on-demand video. Netflix also supports more devices, streams, and better quality. But Philo provides greater DVR flexibility
Overview of Philo
Philo is a relatively new streaming service that launched in 2017. It focuses on providing live TV and on-demand content at a budget price point.
Pros of Philo:
- Inexpensive – Starts at just $25 per month
- No sports or local channels to keep costs down
- Includes many popular cable channels like AMC, HGTV, Discovery, Nickelodeon, Paramount, and more
- Unlimited DVR storage to record live TV
- Up to 3 simultaneous streams allowed
Cons of Philo:
- No live sports or local channels
- Limited on-demand movie/TV show options compared to Netflix
- Fewer high-profile original shows or movies
- No offline viewing option
- Limited to US-only service
Philo is best for those wanting a budget live TV and DVR service, with popular cable channels for entertainment, lifestyle and discovery content. But it lacks sports, local news, and robust on-demand catalogs.
Also Read: Comparison Between AMC And Cinemark USA
Overview of Netflix
Netflix is the veteran streaming service that has been around since 1997. It focuses primarily on providing on-demand movies and TV shows that can be watched anytime, anywhere.
Pros of Netflix:
- Massive on-demand library with thousands of popular shows and movies
- Original programming like Stranger Things, Squid Game, The Crown, Bridgerton and many more
- Allows downloading content for offline viewing
- Available in over 190 countries worldwide
- Multiple plan options tailored to different needs
- Unlimited number of device streams depending on plan
Cons of Netflix:
- No option for live TV
- Original programming varies in quality
- No DVR capability
- Standard plan only allows 1 simultaneous stream
- Price hikes over the years
- Loses third-party content as other services pull content
Netflix is ideal for those wanting the largest on-demand library spanning movies, shows, documentaries, comedy specials and more. But it lacks live TV, sports channels, and advanced DVR functionality.
Channel and Content Comparison of Philo And Netflix
Philo offers a lineup of 70+ live channels encompassing:
- Entertainment – AMC, Discovery, Paramount, Nickelodeon, TV Land, Comedy Central
- Lifestyle – HGTV, Food Network, Lifetime, TLC
- Discovery – History, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Science
- News – BBC World News, Cheddar
Netflix doesn’t provide live TV, but instead has on-demand movies and shows across:
- Netflix Originals – Stranger Things, Squid Game, Ozark, The Crown, etc.
- Movies – action, comedy, drama, horror, international, and many decades represented
- Classic TV Shows – The Office, Parks and Recreation, Seinfeld, Breaking Bad
- Kids & Family – both originals and shows from Disney, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks
- Reality Shows – Queer Eye, The Circle, Love is Blind
- Documentaries – true crime, nature, history, science, biographical
Netflix has a much larger on-demand catalogue spanning all genres, interests and ages. Philo’s strength is the live cable TV lineup at a low cost.
Also Read: Differences Between Peacock And Discovery Plus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Philo is better than Netflix if you want to watch live TV and utilize a cloud DVR service. Philo also costs much less at $25 per month. But Netflix has far more on-demand content, original programming, and broader device support. So Netflix is better for on-demand and original programming.
The biggest downsides of Philo are no live sports coverage, limited local channel availability, smaller on-demand catalog compared to Netflix, no offline viewing option, and it’s limited to US subscribers only.
Pros: inexpensive, 70+ live TV channels, unlimited DVR storage, good channel lineup for entertainment/lifestyle/discovery.
Cons: no sports or local channels, smaller on-demand selection, no originals, max 3 streams, no offline viewing, US-only service.
In summary, Philo and Netflix both have their strengths making them ideal for different viewers and use cases. Philo excels at live TV and DVR features at a very affordable price point. Netflix remains king for the breadth of on-demand movies, shows, and addictive originals. But combining both services offers a powerful cord cutting streaming experience at a reasonable cost!
Read More: Comparison Between Paramount+ Vs. Starz
Final Thoughts
Deciding between Philo and Netflix depends largely on your viewing preferences and budget.
Philo is ideal for those wanting live TV with DVR, popular cable channels, but don’t care as much about sports and local news. The budget price can allow subscribing to Philo plus another streaming service.
Netflix is better for on-demand movie and TV watching across the widest range of genres. It’s a must-have for original programing and unlimited streams. But the standard plan lacks DVR, live TV or 4K streaming.
Many cord-cutters opt to get both Philo and Netflix to enjoy live TV plus the deep Netflix on-demand library. That combination runs just $34.99 a month. For the biggest bang for your buck across live, DVR and on-demand, getting Philo and Netflix together is a winning streaming duo!