If you’re thinking of replacing cable with SofaIPTV, the question that matters is simple: how much will you actually save in a year? This article does the maths for solo viewers, couples and families, using our published prices and example cable bills, and shows you how to work out your own number in two minutes. For the wider comparison of contracts, channels and picture quality, see our full guide to IPTV vs cable TV.
What a year of SofaIPTV costs
Every plan includes all channels and the on-demand library. The only differences are how many screens can watch at once and how long the plan lasts. On a 12-month plan:
- 1 screen: $69 for the year (about $5.75 a month).
- 2 screens: $115 for the year (about $9.58 a month).
- 3 screens: $162 for the year (about $13.50 a month).
There are no setup fees, no box rental and no automatic renewal. Shorter 3- and 6-month plans are available too; they cost a little more per month, as our guide to choosing an IPTV plan explains.
What a year of cable costs
Cable bills vary a lot by provider, region and package, so use your own bill if you can. As examples, here is what a year costs at three common monthly totals, including box rental and fees:
- $80 a month: $960 a year.
- $100 a month: $1,200 a year.
- $120 a month: $1,440 a year.
Yearly savings for a solo viewer (1 screen)
Compared with SofaIPTV at $69 a year:
- Cable at $80 a month: save about $891 a year.
- Cable at $100 a month: save about $1,131 a year.
- Cable at $120 a month: save about $1,371 a year.
Yearly savings for a couple (2 screens)
Compared with SofaIPTV at $115 a year:
- Cable at $80 a month: save about $845 a year.
- Cable at $100 a month: save about $1,085 a year.
- Cable at $120 a month: save about $1,325 a year.
Yearly savings for a family (3 screens)
Compared with SofaIPTV at $162 a year:
- Cable at $80 a month: save about $798 a year.
- Cable at $100 a month: save about $1,038 a year.
- Cable at $120 a month: save about $1,278 a year.
Families with several TVs often save the most, because cable usually charges for every extra box while one multi-screen plan covers the devices you already own.
Work out your own savings in two minutes
- Take one month’s cable bill and add up every TV line: package, add-ons, box and DVR rental, extra-room fees, sports fees and taxes.
- Multiply by 12 to get your yearly cable cost.
- Count the screens your household watches at the same time on a busy evening (1, 2 or 3).
- Subtract the matching 12-month SofaIPTV price above.
- Subtract any one-off costs, such as a streaming stick for an older TV.
Costs to include on the IPTV side
To keep the comparison honest, remember the few costs that can come with switching:
- A streaming stick for TVs that can’t run the player apps (a one-off purchase). Our Firestick installation guide covers the most popular option.
- An optional paid player app on some devices.
- Enough broadband: about 10 Mbps per Full HD screen. If you need a faster internet plan, include the difference.
- Any early termination fee on your current cable contract, if you leave before it ends.
When the savings are smaller
If your cable is bundled cheaply with your internet, you only use one basic package, or you would need to upgrade your broadband to stream, the gap is smaller. Run the numbers with your real bill before switching, and time the move for when your cable contract ends.
Test before you cancel cable
Savings only count if the service works in your home. Before cancelling, start a 24-hour free trial of SofaIPTV, watch your must-have channels on a busy evening and check your internet copes. Our free test checklist shows what to look for.
Summary
With a typical cable bill of $80 to $120 a month, a solo viewer switching to a 12-month SofaIPTV plan saves roughly $891 to $1,371 a year, and a three-screen family roughly $798 to $1,278. Your own figure depends on your bill, so use the two-minute calculation above, then compare plans on our pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I save by switching from cable to SofaIPTV?
It depends on your cable bill and number of screens. At $100 a month for cable, a single-screen 12-month SofaIPTV plan saves about $1,131 a year, and a three-screen plan about $1,038.
Are there extra fees with SofaIPTV?
No setup fees, no box rental and no automatic renewal. The plan price covers the whole period. You may need a streaming stick for an older TV, which is a one-off purchase.
Is the 12-month plan the cheapest option?
It has the lowest monthly price. If you have not tested the service yet, start with the free trial or a shorter plan, then move to 12 months.
Should I cancel cable before or after trying IPTV?
After. Test your must-have channels at peak time first, and check your cable contract’s end date to avoid early termination fees.
