If you’re someone thinking about recording shows,movies, or sports, you might be consideringDVR. Yes, it’s a relic of the past, but surprise, surprise – it’s still hanging around. It’s just been rebranded as “cloud-based unlimited DVR” by many of today’slive TV streaming services.
Let’s look at what the top streaming platforms are offering and why their unlimited DVR features might actually matter.
Roku finally got the live TV upgrade it needed
Roku is adding a new personalized row of free live TV channels recommendations to the Roku Channel Live TV guide.
Auto recording and skip the ads
What makes Sling stand out is its “Auto Record” feature. It automatically records your favorite sports, TV shows, or movies, so you don’t have to remember to set it up. Miss a recording? No problem – Sling’s got you covered. Plus, you get the added bonus of ad-skipping, which means you can fast-forward through commercials when watching your recorded content.
Here are some Sling TV unlimited DVR features:
Sling TV is a live streaming service that offers a variety of channels, including sports, movies, and on-demand content, starting at $45.99 per month.
I tried both YouTube TV and Sling TV to see which one is actually worth it
If you’re on the fence about subscribing to either YouTube TV or Pluto TV, here are some of the major differences.
2DirecTV Stream
Multi-device flexibility
DirecTV Stream is a streaming service that gives you access to live TV and on-demand content. Its unlimited DVR feature stands out for its flexibility, letting you record shows from the guide, browsing carousel, or even on your mobile device. You can manage your recordings across multiple devices, and the service allows you to store recordings for up to nine months. Plus, you can record multiple shows at once, and if you’re watching live sports, recordings can be extended in case games run longer than scheduled.
Here are five key features of DIRECTV STREAM’s Cloud DVR:
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream is a subscription-based service that offers live TV and on-demand content, with plans starting at $74.99 per month.
Do you care about live TV when it comes to streaming services?
When internet-based streaming services first hit the scene in the late 2000s, they were heralded as being a sort of ‘anti-cable.’ The newfound flexibility in watching content on demand was a revelation for many – it undercut the need to suffer through extensive ad breaks, and it eliminated the age-old problem of having hundreds of channels to sift through, each with their own uninteresting or inopportune show broadcasts.
Over the next several years, movie and TV fans ‘cut the cord’ so to speak, waving goodbye to cable boxes, satellite dishes, broadcast fees, and guide-based user interfaces. Netflix introduced video-on-demand content in 2007, and in a rather short period of time, streaming became a force to be reckoned with. These days, just about every major network and intellectual property (IP) owner has launched a bespoke streamer: Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Paramount +, and Amazon Prime Video, to name just a few.
Of course, traditional cable or satellite-based TV remains a ubiquito
3YouTube TV
Start a program from the beginning, even if you record late
YouTube TV offers live TV from over100 broadcast, cable, and regional sports networks, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to keep up with everything. One of the best perks of YouTube TV is its unlimited DVR, allowing you to record as many shows, movies, and sports events as you want without worrying about storage limits. Once recorded, all current and future airings will be automatically added to your library, and you can even start watching a program from the beginning, no matter when you added it.
You get unlimited DVR with YouTube TV’s $83 per month plan, which also includes access to national and local networks, on-demand movies, shows, and more. However, Google does note that some sporting events may occasionally be unavailable.
Some of the YouTube TV unlimited DVR features include:
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a streaming service that offers live TV from over 100 networks, including sports and on-demand content, for $82.99 per month.
This might be the best YouTube TV replacement I’ve found
Hulu + Live TV has a lot going for it.
4Hulu with Live TV
Organized and easy-to-use
Hulu with Live TV offers live TV, on-demand content, and access to both Disney+ and ESPN+. Its unlimited DVR feature is one of the easiest to use, with all your recordings neatly organized in the “My Stuff” section. This makes it super simple to browse and manage your shows. you may record as much live TV as you want, from news and sports to movies, and your recordings are kept for up to nine months and grouped by airdate so that the most recent ones are always easy to find.
Hulu with Live TVcosts between $82 and $96 per month, depending on your plan and whether you opt for ads.
Some of the Hulu with Live TV unlimited DVR features include:
Hulu With Live TV
Hulu with Live TV is a streaming service that offers live TV, on-demand content, and access to Disney+ and ESPN+ for $81.99 to $95.99 per month, depending on the plan and ad preferences
I don’t know why this Live TV + streaming bundle is being kept a secret
Hulu + Live TV has a great bundle that might sway you.
Unlimited storage for one year
Philo is a budget-friendly streaming service that gives you access to live TV, movies, and on-demand shows. One of its standout features is its unlimited DVR, which lets you store recordings for up to one year – longer than most other services, which typically offer only nine months. This makes Philo a great option for people who like to hold onto shows or movies for a while before watching. Plus, there’s no cap on how many programs you may record, so you can capture all the content you want – live or upcoming.
Philo’s unlimited DVR is included with its $28-per-month Philo Core plan. With the Free plan, you get a 30-day DVR on select titles.
Some of Philo’s unlimited DVR features include:
Philo is a streaming service that offers live TV, movies, and on-demand shows for $28 per month.
The best live TV streaming services for ditching cable
I found the top six live TV streaming services available and broke down their features and costs, so you can choose one and finally ditch cable.
No extra cost and great for sports fans
FuboTV is a streaming service that gives you access to live TV and on-demand content, including sports, news, and movies.One of the best featuresis its unlimited DVR storage at no extra cost. you may record as much content as you want, and your recordings are available for up to nine months, just like some of the others I’ve mentioned thus far.
Plus, you can skip commercials, making it easy to fast-forward through ads. With access on multiple devices, FuboTV is a top pick for sports fans, allowing you to record and watch games whenever and wherever you want. Plans range from $33 to $110 per month, and all of them include DVR.
Some FuboTV’s unlimited DVR features include:
224 channels
FuboTV is a streaming service that offers live TV, sports, news, and on-demand content, with plans ranging from $32.99 to $109.99 per month.
If you switched to Fubo because it was cheaper than YouTube TV, I’ve got bad news
Fubo’s major advantage is being wiped out.
Q: Why is unlimited DVR still useful in 2025?
Unlimited DVR is still super useful in 2025 because it gives you the flexibility to record as much content as you want and watch it whenever you like. Whether it’s live sports, TV shows, or movies, you won’t miss a thing. Plus, the ability to store content for months without running out of space makes it a must for anyone who prefers to watch on their own time instead of tied to a set schedule.
Q: Should you subscribe to a streamer just for DVR in 2025?
Whether unlimited DVR is a “must-have” really depends on how much you value the freedom to record and watch content when it fits your schedule. If you watch a lot of live TV or want to capture every moment of a show or game, DVR can be a game-changer. But if you prefer watching things as they air, it might not be as important.
Q: How long can you store content with unlimited DVR?
Most services with unlimited DVR let you store content for up to nine months or longer, giving you plenty of time to catch up on recordings. For example, Philo Core offers up to a full year of unlimited DVR storage.
Q: Can you record multiple shows at the same time?
Yes, many services with unlimited DVR, like DirecTV Stream, let you record multiple shows at once – perfect for when your favorite shows overlap.
Q: Do you have to pay extra for unlimited DVR?
It depends. Some services include unlimited DVR in their basic plan, while others, like Sling TV, charge a small extra fee to upgrade to unlimited DVR.
Q: Can you skip ads on DVR recordings?
Yes. Many services that offer unlimited DVR, such as Sling TV and FuboTV, allow you to skip ads during your recorded content.
