The cable vs streaming cost comparison calculates exactly how much you'd pay for your current cable bundle vs building a streaming stack with the services you actually want. Enter your cable bill and select which streaming services you'd keep to see your exact monthly savings.
Your Current Cable
TV portion only (not internet)
Select Your Streaming Services
Cable TV
per month
Streaming Bundle
per month
How to Cut the Cord Without Missing Content
The average cable TV bill is over $100/month, while a curated streaming stack typically runs $30-70/month for most households. The savings add up to $400-900/year — or $2,000-4,500 over five years.
The live TV problem
The main reason people keep cable is live sports and local news. YouTube TV at $72/month includes all major networks and sports channels. If you watch sports primarily on ESPN or regional sports networks, check if your specific RSN is available on your preferred platform — this is the most common "cord cutting gotcha."
Rotate subscriptions to save more
You don't need all streaming services simultaneously. Subscribe to Netflix while you're watching its content, then swap to Peacock for a month, then Apple TV+. You pay $15-18/month for one service at a time instead of $60-80 for all at once. The cable vs streaming cost comparison assumes you pay for all selected services every month — rotating would reduce that cost significantly.
FAQ
Is this calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required.
How much do people typically save by cutting cable?
Average cable TV bills run $80-150/month. A full streaming bundle (Netflix + Hulu + Disney+) plus internet runs $40-80/month. Typical savings are $40-100/month, or $480-1,200/year. The exact savings depend on your cable package and which streaming services you subscribe to.
What streaming services do I need to replace cable?
It depends on what you watch. For general entertainment: Netflix or Hulu. For live TV/sports: YouTube TV, Hulu Live, or DirecTV Stream ($40-80/month). For news: most major news networks have free apps. For kids: Disney+. You can rotate subscriptions — subscribe to one for a month, binge what you want, then switch.
Do I need faster internet to stream?
For one HD stream, you need at least 5 Mbps. For 4K, 25 Mbps. For multiple simultaneous streams in a household, 50-100 Mbps is recommended. Most cable internet packages are sufficient. If you're bundled with internet through your cable provider, your internet bill may increase when you cancel cable TV.
What about local channels and live sports?
Local channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS) are available free over-the-air with an antenna ($25-60 one-time cost). For live sports, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, FuboTV, or DirecTV Stream include major sports networks for $40-80/month. These are the main reason people keep cable — if you don't watch live sports, antenna + streaming is nearly always cheaper.