If you want to entirely replace cable, you need a live TV video streaming service. Usually, that isn't a budget-friendly option, as live TV subscriptions approach $100 per month. However, Frndly TV offers live streaming at a fraction of the typical cost. The catch? You must settle for subpar video quality and far fewer channels than Editors' Choice winners Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. Frndly TV is a decent service if you're looking for familiar, family-friendly content, but our more-expensive top picks are much better entertainment options.

Plans and Prices

Frndly TV’s cheapest plan is $6.99 per month after a seven-day free trial. For comparison, YouTube TV costs more than 10 times as much money at $82.99 per month—and other live TV rivals hover around the same price. Frndly TV's price is astronomically low, cheaper than Netflix's or Peacock's $7.99-per-month, ad-supported tier for on-demand streaming.

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Granted, that low-cost plan comes with limitations. You're locked to standard definition playback with one simultaneous stream and no DVR. If you want HD videos, generous DVR functionality, and simultaneous viewing features, subscribe to the $9.99-per-month Premium tier. Philo is the only live TV service I've tested that comes close to that price, and it's still three times as much money ($28 per month).

You can also purchase a handful of premium add-on channels, similar to Prime Video. They include Hallmark+, History Vault, and Lifetime Movie Club. Many channels cost $5.99, basically the price of Frndly TV's entry-level subscription. Frndly TV is available on the web, mobile devices (Android and iOS), and media streaming devices (Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku).

The Channel Library

Frndly TV's low price makes sense when you comb its content library. It has more than 50 channels, half of what you'll find on Hulu and YouTube TV. Like Philo, Frndly TV also lacks the major news and sports channels that give traditional live TV streaming its appeal.

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Instead, Frndly TV's lineup mainly consists of daytime filler, reruns, and made-for-TV movies. It's mostly wholesome, low-impact viewing. The notable channels include A&E, Bounce, Court TV, Game Show Network, Lifetime, History Channel, MeTV, Vice, and The Weather Channel.

The meager offerings remind me of free streaming services that cobble together whatever forgotten content they can snatch up at a bargain. If anything, Tubi, our Editors' Choice pick for free on-demand streaming, has more exciting material. Frndly TV isn't a cable replacement unless you only care about those niches.

Streaming Frndly TV

Frndly TV's homepage spotlights live shows and themed playlists. The navigation bar lets you search for on-demand movies and shows and see the live TV schedule. The listings are similarly straightforward, letting you read a description of what you're watching and see other available episodes or recommended live channels. 

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Since this is live TV, you can't fast-forward content unless you’ve recorded it or it's available on-demand. Still, the video player lets you adjust playback speed, rewind by 10 seconds, and watch two programs using the picture-in-picture mode. More disappointing is that video quality, even in the premium tier, maxes out at 720p. The base is just 480p—not even HD! It's a shame that Frndly TV can't hit 1080p, the streaming video standard.

In addition, the basic plan lets you stream to just one device; the premium plan supports four simultaneous screens. 

DVR Features and Accessibility

Despite its budget trappings, Frndly has modern live TV features. Most surprisingly, the premium plan offers unlimited DVR and holds recordings for up to nine months, on par with Hulu and YouTube TV. Recordings are saved in the My Stuff section. The Look Back feature lets you watch any program aired in the past 72 hours, so you won't miss a favorite movie or show.

(Credit: Frndly TV/PCMag)

Frndly TV also has accessibility features. You can turn on subtitles for each video or make closed captions the default setting. Some programming supports audio descriptions, an appreciated accessibility feature we rarely encounter, even in major streaming video services.

Unfortunately, Frndly TV lacks parental controls. Most channels are family-friendly affairs, including a channel just for cartoons. Listings display an age rating, but you can't filter out content or create separate profiles. 

Frndly TV and VPNs

A VPN lets you enjoy the internet beyond your nation's borders, and enhances your online security. However, spoofing your location prevents many VPNs from working with video streaming services. 

I tested Frndly TV using a Windows PC connected to Proton VPN's US-based servers. The streaming was noticeably slower, but I could still access content. However, I couldn't stream anything when connected to overseas servers. International live TV streaming is an exceptionally complex topic regarding legal rights, so it makes sense that Frndly VPN doesn't let you use a VPN to sidestep that issue.