Compare DIRECTV to DISH

DIRECTV and DISH always top the list when choosing a reliable satellite TV provider. Though there are various providers in the market, these two always take the lead when it comes to technology, pricing, channels, and features. While DIRECTV remains the choice of college sports fun, thanks to ESPN College Extra, DISH offers friendly prices and DVR in business with a Hopper.

So, before choosing one satellite dish company over another, consider which is best for sports, entertainment, and movie needs. Also, take a look into the equipment and pricing. See how they present their own comparisons. Then, take a look into what we came up with in our own research.

Let's compare these two satellite TV providers to see if any of the two comes out on top.

Satellite TV Provider Comparison
– DIRECTV vs DISH

As a little intro, lets comment a bit onto the satellite TV service, and actually TV service in general. Lately, we witness an erosion of subscribers of TV services like satellite and cable. Many of these runaways belong to the "cut the cord" trend. While this expression may literally mean to cut some cord, it mostly refers to canceling your existing TV service, and switching to something like Streaming TV service. Due to such actions, both DIRECTV and DISH lost a number of their subscribers over the last years. Still, there are many reasons why would one opt for a satellite or cable TV service over the streaming one.

So, as we here focus on comparing satellite TV providers, we now start with the comparison.

For easier navigation through this comparison, we have created links for each comparison section:

Packages and Prices – Spanish Packages – Equipment and Fees – Comparison Table

Packages and Prices

Before making a purchasing decision, it's essential to compare prices and packages of your favorite satellite programming. DIRECTV and DISH have a neck-and-neck pricing competition, but things may change when comparing DIRECTV's two-year contract to DISH's three-year price lock (DISH also requires a two-year contract).

Also, when looking at their pricing, DISH has a considerable advantage as it's cheaper in the long run and has clear pricing too. Conversely, DIRECTV in the past hiked their prices after the two-year contract ended. But this changed recently. Once your contract is up, the price reverts to the monthly contract, making it better than hiking costs after 24 months. Some DIRECTV prices seem lower than of DISH, but there are fees and taxes that change that. More about that in the fees section.

Interestingly, both DIRECTV and DISH have a package with Disney Channel, HGTV, ESPN, and Food Network. For the sports fan, DIRECTV is now the only service provider outside Verizon Fios TV that gives access to ESPN College Extra.

Finally, both providers offer English and Spanish packages, plus other international add-ons. We'll go over all of them, step by step.

First, let's look at the English packages and prices of these top comparable satellite TV services.

DIRECTV English Packages with Prices

DIRECTV has four packages, with the names of each package that somewhat indicate what each includes. Generally, various channels are available between the basic Entertainment and the top Premier package. Further, DIRECTV offers two ways of subscribing to their service, Via Satellite and Via Internet. On this page, since we are comparing the two satellite TV service providers, we focus onto the satellite option. But we'll get to the Via Internet option as well. The differences between the two options are:

• How the programing is delivered to your home – via your internet connection or via a satellite dish.
• The number of included channels with each package. The satellite option has considerably more channels.
• While programming packages carry the same names, the pricing is different.

Here is how DIRECTV via satellite tier packages look like:

• ENTERTAINMENT – $89.99 per month for 175+ channels.
   Includes essentials like AMC, CNN, Disney Channel, ESPN & ESPN2, Nickelodeon & more.
• CHOICE™ – $94.99 per month for 215+ channels.
  Includes specialty sports: ACC Network, Big Ten Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, SEC Network & more.
• ULTIMATE – $124.99 per month for 280+ channels.
  Includes more sports & movies: CBS Sports Network, Discovery Family, FX Movie Channel, NHL Network, STARZ Encore & more.
• PREMIER – $169.99 per month for 350+ channels.
  Includes the top-rated premium networks: Max, SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, and Cinemax®

Entertainment gives all basic channels; Choice contains many sports channels; Ultimate is the best for movies, while Premier is the definitive option for TV and film lovers with over 350 great channels.

Here is the table view of DIRECTV plans:

DISH English Packages with Prices

DISH has four high-tier packages, each priced as listed below. Here is what their satellite TV service looks like:

• America's Top 120 – $91.99 monthly for 190 channels
  All-time favorites, including ESPN, Newsmax, CMT, Disney Channel, E!
• America's Top 120 Plus – $106.99 monthly for 190+ channels
  All of America's Top 120 and more, including SEC Network, Big Ten Network and Pac-12 Network.
• America's Top 200 – $111.99 monthly for 240+ channels
  All of America's Top 120 and more, including NFL Network, NBA TV, NHL Network and the Golf Channel
  Additional top channels like Hallmark, Disney Channel, A&E and Sundance
• America's Top 250 – $121.99 monthly for 290+ channels
  All of America's Top 200 and 17 movie channels including Turner Classic Movies, STARZ Encore channels, The Movie Channel and many more, plus additional top channels like Smithsonian, Bloomberg, Nicktoons, and Great American Country

America's Top 120 includes all the basic and local channels; the Plus package adds your favorite sports channels. The Top 200 best-value package gives access to everything from the previous options plus sports and entertainment. Finally, the Top 250 provides everything from sports, entertainment and movies. All the packages include a 3-year price guarantee, free installation, up to 2,000 recording hours, and a signal reliability guarantee.

As we did with DIRECTV above, here is the table view of DISH plans:

Premium Channels

DIRECTV Premier Package offers premium channels such as Cinemax, Max, SHOWTIME, and STARZ. The lower package tiers include these channels but for only three months. If you decide to keep them, it will be through a premium channels add-on option to your new or existing package plan. For the Max package that comes with the Premium plan, you can access it through the Max app or  with your DIRECTV login credentials. Compatible device or browser required, as well as high-speed internet.

Here are the details about three months of free premium channels, from the DIRECTV website:

• Max, Cinemax, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and MGM+ are included for 3 months and auto-renew thereafter at then prevailing rates (currently $16.99/month for Max, $10.99/month each for Cinemax, SHOWTIME and STARZ and $6.99/month for MGM+), unless you call to change or cancel.
• Movies Extra Pack: Eight Premium movie channels, plus the best in documentaries, music performances, and short films. The price is $4.99/month. The pack includes Crime+Investigation, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HDNet Movies, MTV Live, ShortsTV, Smithsonian Channel, and Sony Movies.

For DISH, you can access premium channels such as Max and Cinemax for a monthly fee. You can upgrade the package of your choice by using add-ons that have numerous specific premium channels. Here is the current list of premium channels on DISH, with prices:

• Max®: Watch six channels of buzzworthy shows and movies and On Demand – plus enjoy a new way to stream blockbuster movies, epic originals and addictive series with the Max app. This add-on includes six HD channels (HBO East, HBO West, HBO 2, HBO Signature, HBO Family, and HBO Latino), plus HBO On Demand, and access to the Max streaming app. It costs $16 per month.
• Cinemax: The shows and movies you want to watch. With three channels of classic and blockbuster movies, Cinemax offers you entertainment that will keep you on the edge of your seat with action-packed series, plus thrilling movies. Watch Live or catch up On Demand – all included with your Cinemax subscription. It includes three channels (Cinemax, 5StarMax, MoreMax). The cost is $10 per month.
• DISH Movie Pack: With DISH Movie Pack™ you'll get 9 movie channels including HDNET MOVIES, Sony Movies, and Hallmark Movies and Mysteries – plus access to thousands of movies, TV shows, and kids’ titles On Demand on your TV, laptop, or mobile device. This add-on is free for 3 months with qualifying packages. After the 3-month period, the price is $10 per month.
• MGM+: Provides hit blockbuster movies for one low price, original series like FROM, Godfather of Harlem, and Billy the Kid. Watch anytime and anywhere with MGM+ On Demand, the MGM+ App, and DISH Anywhere. The pack comes with four channels (MGM+ Drive-In, MGM+, MGM+ Hits, and MGM+ Marquee). The cost for this premium add-on is $7 per month.
• SHOWTIME®: This add-on brings you acclaimed original series, hard-hitting boxing, and award-winning movies. Watch anytime and anywhere with SHOWTIME On Demand®, SHOWTIME Anytime®, and DISH Anywhere. The pack comes with ten channels (SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME - West, SHOWTIME 2, SHOxBET, SHOWTIME Extreme, SHOWTIME Showcase, SHOWTIME Family Zone, The Movie Channel, The Movie Channel Xtra, and Flix). This premium pack is is free for 3 months with qualifying packages. After the 3-month period, the price is $10 per month.
• STARZ®: The premium add-on delivers the hit movies you can't find anywhere else plus original series like Ash vs. Evil Dead, Outlander and Power. Watch anytime with STARZ On Demand®, the STARZ App and DISH Anywhere. Includes eight channels (STARZ ENCORE, STARZ, STARZ - West, STARZ Edge, STARZ Cinema, STARZ Comedy, STARZ In Black, and STARZ Kids and Family). The cost is $10 per month.
• STARZ ENCORE MOVIES℠: STARZ ENCORE® brings you all your favorite movies and moments, uncut and commercial free. Plus, watch anytime, anywhere with STARZ ENCORE On Demand, the STARZ app, and DISH Anywhere. It comes with eight channels (STARZ ENCORE - West, STARZ ENCORE Westerns, STARZ ENCORE Action, STARZ ENCORE Suspense, STARZ ENCORE Black, STARZ ENCORE Classic, STARZ ENCORE Family, and STARZ ENCORE Espanol). STARZ ENCORE MOVIES℠ costs $6 per month.
• STARS AND STRIPES PACK: The Stars & Stripes Pack showcases the best of America, featuring nonstop westerns, classic shows, and new original series about history, science, American heroes, and more. It includes seven channels (Destination America, American Heroes Channel, The Cowboy Channel, Crime and Investigation, Reelz, Smithsonian Channel, and getTV). It costs $10 per month.

As you can see, there is rather an extensive premium channel line-up offered by both DIRECTV and DISH. Now let's see how these premium add-ons look when compared in a table view:

Spanish or Latino Packages

Latino or Spanish package in TV services always refers to the same thing – packages that feature channels in Spanish language. Both DIRECTV and DISH offer such packages, and we will now lay out some details about them. This is aimed to help in comparing the two for those that are searching for programming in Spanish language.

DIRECTV Spanish Packages – DIRECTV en Español

DIRECTV refers to its Spanish TV packages as "DIRECTV en Español" which serve people looking for programming in Spanish language. It offers four packages, starting from $59.99 per month. As with the English packages, the Spanish ones come with the 24 months price guarantee. They all require 24 month agreement, AutoPay, and Paperless Bill. The advertised prices do not include taxes and fees.

For details about DIRECTV Spanish packages, take a look into this table:

The above is not all about Spanish programming with DIRECTV. It is also possible to order an English package with a Spanish add-on. The DIRECTV en Español add-ons are as follows:

• DIRECTV® DEPORTES – 5 Spanish-language channels featuring international sports—soccer, boxing, baseball, basketball, and more. The cost of this Spanish add-on is $4.99 per month plus tax.
• MÉXICO PLUS – 20+ Spanish-language channels. The hottest shows from Mexico, including Music Choice channels. The price for this Spanish add-on is $7.99 per month plus tax.
• AMÉRICAS PLUS – 25+ Spanish-language channels. The hottest shows from Puerto Rico, Central America, Venezuela, Argentina, and more. It costs $7.99 per month plus tax.
• EN ESPAÑOL – 60+ Spanish-language channels in one money-saving package. Everything included in DEPORTES, MÉXICO PLUS, AMÉRICAS PLUS and more. This add-on costs $14.99 per month plus tax.

As you can see, DIRECTV has a plenty of Spanish language programming options. You can either go with one of the four en Español packages, or you get an English one with the Spanish add-on. For sports lovers, it is worth to mention that DIRECTV offers ESPN Deportes, FOX Deportes, TyC Sports, GolTV & TUDN.

DISH Spanish Packages – DISH Latino

When it comes to TV packages in Spanish, DISH is right there, offering its DishLATINO plans. There are four different packages, priced from $64.99 per month for the lowest Clasico plan. As with the English packs, all the DishLATINO packages come with 3-Year TV Price Guarantee. Free installation is included as well, a value of $199. All DISH offers require credit qualification, 2-year commitment and eAutoPay.

Let's now take a look into a table view of DISH Spanish packages:

You may notice we did not list Spanish and English channels separately as with DIRECTV table view. The reason is that DISH does not explicitly show that like the other provider. There should not be anything bad about it, as this is probably due to the fact that TV programming in the United States usually vary depending on your address. Therefore, it is very hard to show a specific number of channels for any given package.

DISH also has Spanish (Latino) add-ons. Therefore, you can opt for an English base package, and then add one of the seven add-ons in Spanish. They are as follows:

• Cine y Entretenimiento – This Spanish add-on includes 7 channels. They are Hola TV, A3Series, Cinema Dinamita, Nuestra Vision, Star HD, A3 Cine, and Tarima. The price for this add-on is $5 per month.
• Colombian Pack – The add-on includes 2 channels, Caracol TV Internacional and Nuestra Tele. The cost is $2 per month.
• Latino Bonus Pack – The largest Spanish add-on at DISH. It includes more than 36 channels in Spanish including ESPN Deportes, CNN En Español, History En Español, Telemundo, Discovery En Español, TV Española and many more. It costs $10 per month.
• México y Mas – An add-on tailored for Mexican audience. It includes 7 channels: Canal Once, CBTV Michoacan, Mexicanal, Milenio TV, Multimedios, Teleritmo, and Video Rola. It is priced at $5 per month.
• Playboy TV en Español – This edition of Playboy TV airs programming in Spanish, with films made in Latin America. The monthly cost is $9.
• República Dominicana – The favorite channels from the Dominican Republic. The add-on includes 5 channels for $5 per month. They are Dominican View, SuperCanal Caribe, Telemicro, Teleuniverso, and TV Quisqueya.
• Sudamérica y Mas – This could be called a South American Mix add-on. It includes favorite channels from Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador, including the Superliga Argentina. There are 8 channels in total, and they are: Canal Sur, Ecuavisa, El Trece, NTN24, RCN Novelas, Telefe, Todo Noticias, and TYC Sports. The price of this add-on is $5 per month.

For its Spanish add-ons, DISH states, "Get Más Latino Entertainment. Whether you’re looking for variety, sports, cinema, or adult programming, our Latino extras offer the perfect accent to your core package."

There you go. With both satellite TV providers, there are many options for Spanish TV programming. Once you go through all of the offers, it is hard to go wrong. Plus, you can always change what you have. If a Latino add-on turns not to be the right one, you can switch to another.

To conclude about Spanish TV programming, or so called Latino or en Español options, it is really about your specific needs if that is a deal breaker when selecting between DIRECTV or DISH. For us, both providers offer more than a good choice for channels in Spanish.

Equipment and Fees

Now, this is an interesting department that you should take into consideration. Both DIRECTV and DISH feature their apps that allow you to watch live TV, shows, sports, and on-demand movies. But here, we focus on the equipment used for the satellite service. In addition, DIRECTV has the Gemini receiver if you want to go the Via Internet route. This exclusive device features the convenience of allowing voice remote operation through Google's technology. With Gemini, you can also access the Google Play Store and its over 7,000 streaming apps to get a personalized TV experience.

Now we'll dive into the world of DIRECTV and DISH receivers. If you don't want to read through all of that, you can jump down to two comparison tables showing and comparing the main features of basic and best DISH and DIRECTV receivers.

DIRECTV Receivers – DVR and Non-DVR

As a new DIRECTV customer, you'll receive a free professional installation for your satellite dish – a value of $199. Those using the internet option can easily install it in the comfort of their homes, as the satellite dish is not required, but the Gemini box only.

If going the satellite route (not Via Internet), then you need a regular DVR. In this regard, DIRECTV offers its Genie HD DVR free of charge on all packages. There is a catch though, an ARS fee priced at $15 per month. ARS stands for Advanced Receiver Service, which is a fee for HD DVR features that are disabled without paying for the fee. As per the description from the DIRECTV's fee schedule, ARS is this:

• Fee for access to advanced features on your DIRECTV devices. Among those features are:
  HD, DVR, Whole Home Services, ongoing feature and software upgrades, and dedicated customer service support. The fee also allows customers with a Gemini device to perform advanced searches with Google Assistant to find and tune to their preferred programming including third-party apps where available. Additionally, Gemini features instant-on to quickly go back to where you last tuned in, as well as easy access to your third-party apps.
  Depending on package and date of acquisition, your package pricing may have Advanced Receiver Service fee(s) included. Refer to your invoice for details.

The ARS fee is listed in the fee schedule as up to $25 per month. But, as mentioned above, the fee at the moment of the creation of this page was shown as $15 per month. What exactly determines the price, we don't know at this time. The fee can't be removed from the account.

With the Genie HD DVR, you get the following:

• Connect up to 8 TVs in your home;
• Record up to 5 shows at once;
• Watch live or recorded shows on up to 4 TVs at the same time (one can be 4K stream);
• Up to 200 storage hours of HD recordings (1 TB);
• Picture-in-Picture feature that allows you to watch two channels at once. It can be a smaller in a bigger picture, or half screen each;
• Advanced sports options including Sports Mix channels, ScoreGuide, and more;
• Start watching a show in one room and continue in another;
• Pause, record, and delete TV shows from any room;
• HD resolutions up to 1080p, the same format as Blu-ray™;
• Pause and rewind live HDTV for up to 90 minutes;
• Control what you watch—back up, slow down, or use instant replay;
• Fast-forward in 30-second intervals and get a high-speed look at the show you’ve recorded;
• Watch thousands of shows and movies On Demand when connected to the Internet;
• Get access to hundreds of the latest movie releases, many available nearly a month before Netflix.

DIRECTV also offers Genie 2™, a newer generation of its DVR receivers. This box is described as a wireless hub with a built in DVR. Therefore, no wires around anymore.

With the DIRECTV Genie 2 DVR, you get even more than with its older brother:

• Connect up to 8 TVs in your home;
• Record up to 7 shows at once;
• Watch up to 7 different programs at a time in your home (two of which can be 4K streams);
• Up to 450 storage hours of HD recordings (2 TB);
• Less drilling and wiring around your home. Easier and faster installation is available because the connection from the Genie 2 to Wireless Genie Minis is via Wi-Fi network! Hard-wired installation is only required for 4K televisions;
• All the other features of its Genie predecessor.

Now we come to Genie Mini, as already mentioned above. Genie Mini and Wireless Genie Mini clients connect TVs to the main Genie HD DVR in the home. A Mini provides access to programming, recorded content, and TV apps. Here are some of the features:

• Watch live or recorded programs in four rooms at once;
• Start watching a movie or show in one room and finish watching in another;
• Comes with a remote so you can record, pause, play, and rewind live TV in any room;
• Watch and schedule Genie HD DVR recordings and fast-forward commercials;
• Connect the Mini to the internet and access On Demand programming and TV apps;
• Access to TV apps on DIRECTV like Pandora and ScoreGuide. These apps are part of the HD Guide and easy to find in the menu;
• Set up and manage the parental controls for each TV in your home.

In short, Genie Mini inherits all of the features of your main Genie in the home.

There is also Genie Mini, but we'll stop here. For all the information about each kind of DIRECTV receivers, visit our DIRECTV Equipment page.

The newest addition to the list of DIRECTV receivers is the Gemini device. To learn more about it, check our DIRECTV Gemini Air page.

DISH Receivers – DVR and Non-DVR

With DISH, the equipment options and fees may be confusing. When ordering the service, DISH shows a monthly fee for its DVR. The one that comes at the lowest price is Hopper Duo, charged at $5 per month. However, when you start the ordering process, Hopper 2 DVR is in your cart, priced at $10 per month. This is for the scenario of having one TV only. Now, to better explain how it works with DISH equipment pricing, here is the small print from their website:

• Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. Hopper, Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more. Fees apply for additional TVs: Hopper $15/mo., Joey $7/mo., Super Joey $10/mo.

You see how it says "Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers?"

Well, this can be both YES and NO. From the package pricing standpoint, it looks like it is included. This is because of the eAutoPay which is mandatory for all offers, and shown as $5 monthly discount. So, at the end of the day, if you for example go with the America's Top 200 package, priced at $111.99 per month, you'll see the total price of $111.99 in your cart. They deduct the eAutoPay Savings $5x36Mo, and then add the $5 fee for the DVR. From our standpoint that's ok, it should not be of a concern as the final price is what is advertised at the first place.

Going further, if adding more than one TV, things change. Each additional TV requires a DVR that costs $10 per month, Hopper 2 or Hooper 3. Then, you have to get an additional device for every extra TV. That is where boxes called Joey kick in. They are priced at $7 per month each. DISH describes Joey box as, "The standard Joey Connects other TVs in the home with your Hopper to create a whole-home entertainment experience without having a full DVR in every room."
In addition to the standard one, there are two more types of Joey, priced at the same monthly amount:

• 4K Joey – 4K Hoppers and Joeys support 4K or Ultra High Definition video on 4K TVs with a resolution of at least 3840 x 2160 pixels.
• Wireless Joey – Connect without wires. No pre-wiring or additional coax cabling needed. Uses the latest 802.11 AC private Wi-Fi network for greater reliability.

Now we come to the equipment fees that are charged one time, during the checkout. The one time charges are:

• Hopper 3 DVR – Selecting four TVs or more triggers the switch from Hopper 2 to Hopper 3. This adds one time payment of $50.
• Wireless Joey – If opting for a Wireless Joey, there is one time charge called Joey Leased Receiver Fee, priced at $25. Each of these devices is charged separately.

No such one time charges apply to Hopper 2 or wired Joey devices.

Now we come to Hopper Plus™ by DISH. Introduced in September 2022, and described as entertainment "All Content in One Place" system, Hopper Plus works with your Hopper DVR to simplify the TV experience giving you access to Live TV + 10,000+ popular apps like Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube all in one place. This device was announced as a part of the new 4K group, Hopper Plus, Joey 4 and Wireless Joey 4. The launch was described as these three devices seamlessly integrated with the award-winning Hopper whole-home DVR system. The Hopper Plus and the Joey 4 devices are powered by a BCM 72160 Quad-core processor running at 2.6GHz. The devices contain 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM memory and 16GB of eMMC flash memory while supporting SD, HD and 4K HDR viewing. This next-generation product is compatible with HDMI 2.1 and USB 2.0 and is equipped with Bluetooth capabilities.

The selection of Hopper Plus during the checkout process adds one time payment of $25.

For all the information about each type of DISH receivers, visit our DISH Equipment page.

With DISH, you can watch your favorite shows, sports, and on-demand movies through the DISH Anywhere app. This app is accessible freely, allowing customers to access their TV packages anywhere. As DISH has the satellite option only, you have a chance to upgrade to access additional features at an extra fee. After the upgrade, some of the extra features you will enjoy are easier connections to smart devices, access to Google Play apps, and additional storage space. Also, DISH's app lets you download and watch your shows offline through compatible devices.

Here are the table views of receiver and service fees for DISH and DIRECTV:

Simultaneous Recordings

Now, this is a feature that makes these two satellite services distinct. Here is where DISH's $5 comes in. With it's Hopper 3, DISH offers a maximum of 16 simultaneous and 500 hours of HD recordings, while DIRECTV with its Genie 2 offers 7 recordings simultaneously, with 450 hours of HD storage. Now, to be realistic, recording capabilities of both providers are more than enough for most households, but to maximize DVR use, DISH comes ahead. Both DVRs can get their capacity expanded by external hard drives; therefore no inconveniences.

DVR Storage & Recording Capacity

Aside from simultaneous recordings, the storage capacity of their DVRs differs. Keep in mind that Hopper is the leading DVR in the industry. Meaning its capabilities are outstanding. Regarding DVR storage capabilities, Hopper's hard drive space is double the Genies'. In this technological battle, for now, Hopper leads. But with the introduction of its Gemini device, DIRECTV Via Internet comes with unlimited Cloud DVR space (recordings expire after 9 months). Therefore, a swing in how the TV service is delivered also brings in new ways of how features are implemented.

Looking into the best DVRs of the two providers, the recording capacity of DISH's DVR Hopper 3 is 500 hours of HD video to its 2 TB hard drive, while DIRECTV's Genie 2 can store 450 hours of HD video, onto its 2 TB hard drive as well. Why Hopper 3 can save 50 more hours of HD programming while they both have the same hard drive capacity, we don't know. Whichever you choose, each storage capacity can meet your needs. The number of HD hours capacity they offer is huge.

For the simplicity, and for a realistic comparison, here we compare the basic DVR receivers that come included with DISH and DIRECTV services. Those would be Hopper Duo for DISH, and Genie for DIRECTV. Right after, we'll compare the better versions of their DVRs.

DISH and DIRECTV Receivers Comparison – Hopper Duo vs Genie

Receiver Feature	DISH Hopper Duo	DIRECTV Genie
Storage Capacity	500 GB	1 TB
Recording Hours	HD: 125 hrs; SD: 500 hrs	HD: 200 hrs; SD: 800 hrs
Simultaneous Recording	Records 2 shows at once	Records 5 shows at once
Simultaneous Viewing	Watch 2 shows at once	Watch 5 shows at once
Expansion Capacity	Connect up to 2 TVs	Connect up to 8 TVs
Picture-in-Picture	Yes	Yes
4K Resolution	No, but can do it with the 4K Joey	Yes
Service Fee	$5/month	Extra, $15/month
THE WINNER

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The data shown in this table was current at the time of creating this page. This can change at any time.

The result of the above comparison is that DIRECTV, with its Genie, wins over DISH's Hopper Duo. This was a comparison of DVRs that come included with their respective packages.

Now, let's compare the higher models of their DVRs, DISH Hopper 3, and DIRECTV Genie 2:

DISH and DIRECTV Receivers Comparison – Hopper 3 vs Genie 2

Receiver Feature	DISH Hopper 3	DIRECTV Genie 2
Storage Capacity	2 TB	2 TB
Recording Hours HD	500 hrs	450 hrs
Simultaneous Recording	Records 16 shows at once	Records 7 shows at once
Simultaneous Viewing	Watch 16 shows at once	Watch 5 shows at once
Expansion Capacity	Connect up to 2 TVs	Connect up to 8 TVs
Picture-in-Picture	Yes	Yes
4K Resolution	Yes	Yes
Service Fee	$10/month	$15/month
One Time DVR Fee	$50	$99 bridge fee (for Wi-Fi setup)
THE WINNER

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The data shown in this table was current at the time of creating this page. This can change at any time.

In this second DVR equipment comparison, best DISH vs best DIRECTV DVRs, DISH comes out as a winner with its Hopper 3 DVR.

DISH and DIRECTV Fees

When it comes to taxes and fees, DISH seems to be up to its claim about no hidden fees. Not that DIRECTV hides something, their taxes and fees are listed with their packages, but it takes some time and steps to get it all together. This gets more clear as you go through the check out process.

So, here is what kind of fees you can expect from both of these providers:

Please note that there are more fees in the schedules of these two providers, but they are too specific and outside of the scope of this review. We tried to list all of the fees that do or may show up in your cart during the checkout order process.

Customer Experience

Customer experience is also of concern as you plan to stay with your provider for years. Both DIRECTV and DISH need their satellite dish to receive the signal. If you want a clear image, you shouldn't attempt to install this dish on your own.

Both DIRECTV and DISH have trained professionals to handle the installation. Besides, non of the providers charges an installation fee. But, DIRECTV users should expect to pay a $19.95 activation fee on the first bill, so be sure to have that in mind when subscribing to the service.

Mobile Apps

DIRECTV and DISH mobile apps are pretty similar in ratings and features. Both mobile apps even have a remote control function. With this feature, you can use your mobile phone to switch channels and control the DVR. You can also use both apps to stream live TV and schedule recordings of your favorite shows.

How DIRECTV and DISH Compare In Their Own Comparisons?

By visiting DIRECTV and DISH websites respectively, you will come across the comparison made by those providers themselves. There is nothing strange about that they compare their service against one other provider only. Both if these are the main two players in the satellite TV service in the United States. Therefore, DIRECTV considers DISH as their biggest competitor, and vice versa.

NOTE: We took the freedom to compare the claims of both providers with what is publicly available on their websites. If we found confronting info, we marked it in red color, bold letters or numbers.

Here is what DIRECTV lists in comparing itself to DISH:

A Short Comparison Created by DIRECTV

	DIRECTV	DISH
More live sports in 4K HDR		x
More On Demand entertainment included		x
HD DVR Device included in package price		x
More hours of HD DVR storage included with Genie as compared to Dish Hopper Duo		x

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This comparison table can be found at this page: https://www.directv.com/compare/directv-vs-dish/

• The claim that HD DVR Device is NOT included in package price for DISH – as it is noted on DISH's website, "Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers," – therefore you get the DVR included into the advertised price. On the other side, after selecting the DISH package, Hopper Duo is shown with the price of $5. So, from that standpoint, it is not free, and therefore DIRECTV's claim comes as correct one. We just wanted to make it clear, as it can be confusing.

There is one more page at DIRECTV's website comparing the two, showing the following:

• The claim that DISH provides three English packages – At the DISH's website, we can see four English packages.
• The claim that DISH provides one Spanish package only – This is simple to check. Just by visiting DISH's website, and looking into the packages, after selecting the DishLATINO tab, one can clearly see four packages.

Now we come to what DISH does when it compares its services to DIRECTV. Here is the table:

A Short Comparison Created by DISH

Features	DISH	DIRECTV
3-Year TV Price Guarantee – no more surprise price hikes
Transparent TV pricing with no hidden fees
Skip commercials instantly – watch more of what you want
Signal Reliability Money-Back Guarantee
Record up to 16 shows at once, with up to 2,000 hours of DVR space

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The comparison table is from this page: https://www.dish.com/, titled "Comparing DISH America's Top 120 Package to DirecTV Choice Package Jan. 22, 2023."

DISH too has more than one comparison page used to compare their services to other TV service providers. Here is that second one where DISH compares its services to those of DIRECTV:

A More Comprehensive Comparison Created by DISH

Features	DISH	DIRECTV
3-Year TV Price Guarantee – no more surprise price hikes
Transparent TV pricing with no hidden fees
Every professional football game available this fall on live and streaming TV
Signal Reliability Money-Back Guarantee
Skip commercials & automatically record ABC, CBS, NBC & FOX
Streaming Apps built-in to the guide: Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube
Watch 4 shows at once on one screen
Track scores and stats from multiple leagues no matter what game you’re watching
Watch 100% of your live TV channels anywhere
Record up to 16 shows at once, with up to 2,000 hours of DVR space
Whole Home Entertainment – watch recordings in any room
Free voice Remote with Universal Search and remote finder
Stream live through TV app on 5 devices for 1 subscription
Over 80,000 OnDemand shows and movies
Bluetooth Audio

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The comparison table is from this page: https://www.dish.com/compare/, titled "Best Cable Provider"

So, we leave it to your own judgement when about those providers' comparisons. We added comments where we felt they were needed.

Our DIRECTV vs DISH Comparison

Now, after having a chance to see how these two providers compare themselves to each other when they do it, here is what we put together. We simply visited their websites, and checked all the offers and small prints. Then we built a few comparison tables showing what we considered as important when selecting satellite TV service provider.

So, let's start with the first comparison table, listing features of the both services.

DIRECTV vs DISH – Features

* Skipping commercials with DIRECTV is not fully automated. There is a tweak option that allows you to jump intervals of 30 seconds.

DIRECTV vs DISH – Conclusion

DIRECTV and DISH are both excellent options. They offer various packages with a top-of-the-line selection of channels, free installation options, and a clear and distinct pricing and structure for their contracts. When it comes down to it, their differences are very minimal. DISH may offer the best DVR technology in the business, but it comes at an extra cost. While with DIRECTV, you can access a few additional exclusive channels and free DVR capabilities from the get-go. Plus, DIRECTV is available as an "Over The Internet" option – no satellite dish needed – learn more about DIRECTV Streaming service. Finally, if you belong to a Latino audience group, searching for channels in Spanish, you can't go further than DISH or DIRECTV. Both providers have an excellent offer with many Spanish packages and add-ons on the table.

Ultimately, everything will come down to pricing and features, but that's a buying decision you must make on your own based on this comparison. Whichever option you choose, it will certainly meet your budget and expectations.

DIRECTV Satellite TV Service ––– DISH Satellite TV Service