Both DirecTV and DirecTV stream offer unrestricted access to live television and on-demand services. However, they do have one notable difference. DirecTV is a satellite connection, and DirecTV Stream is a live TV streaming service that runs via an internet connection.

Although the difference is minor on paper, it can greatly affect the viewing experience depending on where you reside. Both services come with their pros and cons. So, if you reside in a neighborhood where you have got the choice of multiple ISPs, go for the DirecTV stream box as it is quite a reliable choice, and along with that, a top and affordable internet connectivity option like Optimum. On the other hand, if you don’t want to rely on an internet connection for your entertainment, the DirecTV satellite is a great alternative.

If you want to know how they compare side-by-side, look no further. Here we will go through both the services and see which one has more to offer.

DirecTV Satellite

DirecTV is a satellite connection service and does not require an internet network to run; therefore, it’s available in every nook and cranny of the country. So, even if your connection is down, DirecTV will still run as it works through a satellite dish. But you will need a professional to install it.

DirecTV doesn’t contain any integrated applications like Netflix and YouTube. However, it does cover NFL Sunday tickets and other major sports plans. Plus, you get limited-time free access to apps like HBO Max and more, and the Genie HD DVR stores up to 200 hours’ worth of recordings. A couple of drawbacks are the lack of a voice remote and you need to sign a 2-year agreement of Microsoft company.

The different packages of DirecTV are as follows:

Entertainment DirecTV: Great for sports fans and has 160+ channels at $64.99/mo. for the first year.

Choice DirecTV: Perfect for the whole family, and it has 200+ channels at $69.99/mo. for the first year.

Ultimate DirecTV: Optimum for movie fanatics and has 270+ channels at $89.99/mo. for the first year.

Premier DirecTV: Contains everything and has 340+ channels at $139.99/mo. for the first year.

Mas Latino DirecTV: Offers 120+ basic English and Spanish channels at $59.99/mo. for the first year.

Optimo Mas DirecTV: It has 205+ channels at $69.99/mo. for the first year.

Mas Ultra DirecTV: It has 240+ channels at $74.99/mo. for the first year.

Lo Maximo DirecTV: It offers 350+ channels at $134.99/mo. for the first year.

DirecTV Stream

DirecTV stream works like any other streaming device, which is through the internet and a TV box. It does not require any professional technician for installation, you just have to plug it in and watch. But, it will be affected if your internet connection is down or facing issues.

As compared to DirecTV, DirecTV Stream does have Netflix and Pandora-type integrated apps. But you will have to pay for their individual services. Another advantage it has over satellite is the addition of a voice remote control. Moreover, it features cloud storage with a capacity of 20 hours, which you can upgrade to unlimited at only $10 a month plus tax. Last but not the least, you don’t need to sign any annual contracts.

DirecTV Stream offers the following packages:

Entertainment DirecTV Stream: Live access to TV, 75+ channels and on-demand titles, cloud DVR storage of 500 hours, and over 5000 apps at $69.99 a month/mo. for the first year.

Choice DirecTV Stream: Live access to TV, 105+ channels and 50,000 on-demand titles, cloud DVR storage of 20 hours, and more than 5000 apps at $89.99 a month/mo. for the first year.

Ultimate DirecTV Stream: Live access to TV, 140+ channels and 50,000 on-demand titles, cloud DVR storage of 20 hours, and over 5000 apps at $104.99 per month/mo. for the first year..

Premier DirecTV Stream: Live access to TV, 150+ channels and 50,000 on-demand titles, cloud DVR storage of 20 hours, and more than 5000 apps at $149.99 per month/mo. for the first year..

With each package, you can get unlimited cloud DVR storage for $10 a month plus tax and fix error.

Best Internet For TV Streaming

DirecTV Stream doesn’t come with its own internet; you would require a high-speed internet connection to watch your favorite titles and live television. And with so many advancements in technology, there is an internet service in almost every area. However, that makes the choice of an ISP even harder. Still, any connection of 8 – 10 Mbps or higher is good for streaming TV, but you may need higher for multiple watch times and downloading shows. So, we have rounded up the two best options for you, AT&T and Optimum internet services. Take a look at what they have to offer and enjoy the best streaming experience.

AT&T: Best Choice

AT&T has been a top contender in the internet services line-up for a long time. Today, AT&T Internet delivers fast internet in more than 20 states and steady download speeds of up to 100 Mbps. To top it all, the ultimate fiber connection from AT&T offers up to 5 Gbps of symmetrical internet speeds. It is the best choice for DirecTV stream and has the following packages:

AT&T Fiber: High symmetrical speeds of up to 5 Gbps with simple and straightforward pricing starting at $55 a month plus taxes.

AT&T Fast internet: Strong connection and consistent speeds with reasonable pricing starting at $55 a month for one year plus taxes.

AT&T Wireless: A perfect plan for the whole house that includes AT&T 5G with AT&T ActiveArmor security, starting at $35 a month per line for four lines.

Optimum: Second Best

Optimum internet services deliver high-speed internet connection through a robust network. They assure reliability and consistent speeds with several packages to fit everyone’s needs. Moreover, the best thing about Optimum is that it has unlimited data, making it an ideal choice for the whole home. The different packages that Optimum has to offer are as follows:

Optimum 100: Get 100 Mbps in download speed, and 5 Mbps in upload speed at $30 a month for 24 months.

Optimum 300: Get 300 Mbps in download speed, and 20 Mbps in upload speed at $40 a month for 24 months.

Optimum 500: Get 500 Mbps in download speed, and 20 Mbps in upload speed at $60 a month for 24 months.

Optimum 1 Gig: Get 1 Gbps download speed, and 35 Mbps upload speed at $80 a month for 24 months.

For more information on pricing and taxes, click here to learn more and subscribe.

Final Takeaway

All in all, DirecTV is a great choice for watching movies, shows, and live television. You get tons of options, plus storage to keep your favorite shows with you all the time. Now the choice between stream or satellite is for you to make, as both are future-proof. DirecTV stream is a better option with high-speed internet services, but DirecTV satellite offers better promo prices.

So, make a choice and get the most reliable internet connection to stream shows, movies, and TV all in one place with ease.

Danielle Steel