Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Live TV Streaming Services

ABEMA vs DIRECTV STREAM

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score ABEMA #1 in Live TV Streaming Services 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit ABEMA
DIRECTV STREAM #5 in Live TV Streaming Services 6.6/10 5-day trial ✓ 1 of 1 features Visit DIRECTV STREAM

ABEMA leads on 1 check, DIRECTV STREAM on 2, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreABEMA · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly ABEMA
  • Most featuresDIRECTV STREAM · 1 of 1

ABEMA scores higher on our rubric for live tv streaming services: 9.3 against 6.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

ABEMA offers free plan; DIRECTV STREAM doesn't. DIRECTV STREAM leads on included channels: 90 versus 25. DIRECTV STREAM offers local channels; ABEMA doesn't.

ABEMA is the better fit for free live TV with Japanese entertainment. DIRECTV STREAM is the better fit for live TV viewers who want broad channels and DVR.

  • ABEMA fits best

    Free live TV with Japanese entertainment

  • DIRECTV STREAM fits best

    Live TV viewers who want broad channels and DVR

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature ABEMA 9.3/10 Visit ↗ DIRECTV STREAM 6.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 6.6
Ranking #1 in Live TV Streaming Services #5 in Live TV Streaming Services
Best for Free live TV with Japanese entertainment Live TV viewers who want broad channels and DVR
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features ABEMA 0/1 · DIRECTV STREAM 1/1
Local channels — ✓ (best)
Specs
Included channels 25 90 (best)
DVR storage Not published Unlimited cloud DVR recording; retention period not verified
Simultaneous streams Not published 3
Sports focus General General
Supported platforms Web browsers (Windows, macOS); Android; iPhone/iPad; supported televisions and streaming devices Smart TVs and connected streaming devices, iOS and Android phones/tablets, web browsers
Our review
Pros
  • Free access to about 25 or more live internet channels
  • On-demand programming spans news, sports, anime, drama and music
  • Premium supports offline downloads and exclusive content
  • ENTERTAINMENT includes 90+ channels and unlimited cloud DVR recording
  • CHOICE adds specialty sports and regional sports networks
  • Up to three concurrent streams are available away from home
Cons
  • It does not provide terrestrial, BS or CS broadcast channels
  • Catch-up viewing applies only to eligible programs
  • Paid-tier pricing is shown in Japanese yen
  • Local channel availability varies by market and package
  • Away-from-home viewing is limited to three concurrent streams
  • The five-day trial requires a card
Our verdict

ABEMA is a Japanese internet streaming service for viewers seeking live channels and on-demand programming across news, sports, anime, dramas, movies, variety and music. Its free viewing model suits people who want Japanese entertainment…

Read the review →

DIRECTV STREAM delivers live television over an internet connection, without requiring a satellite dish. Its channel packages and smaller themed Genre Packs give viewers options ranging from kids programming to broad entertainment and…

Read the review →
  1. ABEMALive TV Streaming Services 9.3Free plan
  2. DIRECTV STREAMLive TV Streaming Services 6.65-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ABEMA — where it wins

    • Free access to about 25 or more live internet channels
    • On-demand programming spans news, sports, anime, drama and music
    • Premium supports offline downloads and exclusive content

    Where it doesn't

    • It does not provide terrestrial, BS or CS broadcast channels
    • Catch-up viewing applies only to eligible programs
    • Paid-tier pricing is shown in Japanese yen

  • DIRECTV STREAM — where it wins

    • ENTERTAINMENT includes 90+ channels and unlimited cloud DVR recording
    • CHOICE adds specialty sports and regional sports networks
    • Up to three concurrent streams are available away from home

    Where it doesn't

    • Local channel availability varies by market and package
    • Away-from-home viewing is limited to three concurrent streams
    • The five-day trial requires a card

More comparisons

All live TV streaming services comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on live TV streaming services

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update