DirecTV and Dish Network have fought for satellite supremacy for many years. Compare DirecTV and Dish Network can help you make an informed decision regarding your satellite provider or compare it to local non-satellite providers.
General conclusions
DirecTV
- More channels.
- The DirecTV app streams content to other devices.
- Price increase after 12 months.
Dish
- More receiver options (and more powerful).
- Cheaper overall.
- Dish Anywhere makes the service portable.
- Lock in the price for two years.
Both DirecTV and Dish Network they have hundreds of channels and options premiums available. Each of them also has a variety of plans to ensure you get what you want without paying for what you don’t.
However, when you look at them side by side, you will see some differences. Dish it’s generally cheaper per channel, and locks in the monthly cost for the full two-year contract. DirecTV raise your prices after the first year.
When it comes to hardware, Dish also has more and better options. Its high-end DVR has double the storage and functionality of DirecTV’s, and the company offers additional devices to expand functionality.
Commitment or contract with the client: Dish fixes the price and saves on initial costs
DirecTV
- 24 month contracts.
- Requires self-pay and paperless.
- $20 activation fee.
- Early cancellation fees.
Dish
- 24 month service contract.
- Credit-based activation fee.
- Early termination fees.
- Free installation.

To get the best deals on both DirecTV as in Dish Network, you must commit to a service contract, probably 24 months. You may have to pay for activation, although Dish offers free installation.
If you cancel your contract with either company before it expires, you could be subject to penalties and cancellation fees. Read the fine print before giving out credit card information or signing the contract.
Cost of programming packages: DirecTV has more channels; Dish has more value
DirecTV
- Plans between 50 and 125 dollars per month.
- From 155 to 330+ channels.
Dish
- Plans between 60 and 90$ per month.
- 190 to 290+ channels.
Both providers offer similar packages, from basic family programming to all-inclusive packages that include subscriptions to premium movie channels. On average, DirecTV’s daily prices are lower per month than the same type of Dish Network package.
The reason DirecTV has lower prices is that they tend to offer fewer channels or services on average compared to Dish. But it also has plans with more programming than Dish and higher monthly prices.
Dish guarantees your monthly price for two years. DirecTV’s site says the price will go up after the first year. Based on price per channel and monthly cost, Dish is the best long-term value.
DirecTV usually offers several months of free programming to new clients and incorporates the high definition service and the expansion of the channel offer in the basic programming packages: b
DirecTV
- Genie HD DVR records five shows at once.
- 1TB capacity.
Dish
- Hopper DVR records up to 16 shows at a time.
- Secondary receivers to expand functionality.
- SD receivers also available.
- 2TB capacity.
New DirecTV subscribers must pay a receiver lease or upgrade fee when signing up for service. You will not buy your receiver; you will rent it and return it to DirecTV when you are finished with the service.
Dish Network is known for its equipment rentals, but the company also sells receivers, although they tend to be expensive. However, you will not have to pay the monthly rental fee for each receiver you have.
Regarding the hardware, DirecTV uses the Genie HD DVR, which has one ability 1 terabyte and can record up to five channels. dish has more options, including the Hopper 3, which can record up to 16 programs simultaneously and has twice the capacity of the genie.
Dish also offers other options, including definition receivers standard and HD boxes without DVR capability. It also expands functionality with secondary receivers that extend viewing capabilities to other rooms.
Portability and mobile reception: Both have options
DirecTV
- Use the DirecTV app.
Dish
- Use the Dish Anywhere app.
Both DirecTV and Dish offer applications thatthat allow you to see the programming in streaming on other devices, including your laptop, phone, or tablet.
These apps work similar to Netflix or Hulu and allow you to watch live TV, movies on demand, and stream content you’ve recorded on your DVR. Both providers also offer mobile apps that allow you to view their programming on the go.
final verdict
for value, hardware and versatility, Dish wins. Both providers also offer mobile apps that allow you to view their programming on the go.
Minus a few vendor-specific channels, the channel lines of these two providers They are almost the same. This is a business question. If one provider has a certain channel, then the other will offer it, too, to compete on equal terms. Therefore, the difference key is package level to which you have to subscribe in order to watch your favorite channels.
The strongest plan DirecTV contains more channels than Dish. But on average, Dish’s deals are cheaper, especially in the long run. Dish fixes your price during the two years of duration, while DirecTV raises your monthly fee after the first year.