Sky Stream vs Sky Glass: which TV service is right for you?

SKY offers some of the best streaming options on the market, but do you go for its top-spec TV or its streaming box?

We’ve compared both devices in this Sky Glass vs Sky Stream head-to-head explainer, helping you choose between the two.

1

Shop all Sky TV deals

The way we tune into television is rapidly evolving, and one of the most inventive brands out there is Sky.

In the last few years alone, we’ve seen the release of two streaming products, the Sky Stream and Sky Glass, making the hugely popular provider more accessible than ever to telly-watchers.

Sky Glass and Sky Stream both work over Wi-Fi, meaning customers get access to Sky’s huge library of entertainment packages without the hassle of a satellite dish or complicated wiring.

So the question is – which is the best option for you?

In this article, we take a look at both streaming devices to help you choose which will work best for you.

We’ve delved into everything from cost and installation to what channels you’ll get, and if you’ll be able to record your favourite shows.

You can get a detailed verdict on these devices in our Sky Stream review and our Sky Glass review.

Sky Glass and Sky Stream: Differences at a glance

Both of Sky’s streaming devices work over Wi-Fi, but they are in different leagues when it comes to specs.

The major differences between the two are:

• Sky Glass is an actual TV with a 4K Ultra HD display, Dolby Atmos soundbar and Sky all built-in.
• Sky Stream is a plug-in device that gives you access to the same Sky entertainment without a new TV.

While the Glass TV is an impressive piece of kit, it’s not ideal if you already have a TV you love, in which case Sky Stream will get you access to Sky over Wi-Fi in a compact plug-in box.

Sky Glass vs Sky Stream: Price

Sky Glass and Sky Stream do vary in price slightly when you initially purchase the sets, and as with all Sky packages, you can customise your experience with added extras at extra cost.

With Sky Glass, you are also getting a TV set, which starts from £14 per month over a 48-month contract, then you’ll pay £15 per month for the Sky Entertainment & Netflix package, with £20 upfront.

Sky Glass Air, which is the provider’s affordable alternative to Sky Glass, is also available and starts from just £6 over a 48-month contract.

With this service, Sky customers will then pay £15 per month for the Sky Essential TV package, plus £20 upfront.

Sky Stream is different, and right now it starts from just £15 per month for a 24-month contract.

If you don’t want to be tied into a contract, you can opt for the 31-day rolling contract from £18 per month – perfect for those looking to watch one particular show, and with the flexibility to cancel any time.

You can also improve the quality on Stream with an optional add-on of UHD and Dolby Atmos on a 31-day rolling contract.

Sky Glass vs Sky Stream: Installation and setup

The best part of both devices is how easy they are to install and set up, which is the major driving force behind their development.

Sky’s traditional set-up, still in use on the Sky Q model, required a dish and a professional to come and install the device, usually along with lots of wiring that’s hard to get to grips with.

With Sky Glass and Stream, that’s all gone; all you need is a secure internet connection, and you’re good to go.

Sky Stream uses a Stream puck – a small device that connects to your television via the internet, while Sky Glass has the required technology built into the TV, so there’s no need for a puck.

Sky Stream is the easiest of the two – it can be posted to your door, and once you’ve plugged the Stream puck into your TV and followed the onscreen instructions, you’re done.

Sky Glass is a little more involved, as you’ll need to put the TV together after unboxing.

But it’s straightforward, taking under 30 minutes unless you want it wall-mounted, which may call for a handyman – but again, follow the onscreen instructions and you’re golden.

Sky Stream vs Sky Glass: Can you record?

To cut to the chase, you won’t be able to record on either device – there are other similar options, but they are admittedly not as convenient.

Sky Glass and Sky Stream are both streaming devices, so, unlike Sky’s satellite products, there is no traditional recording function as content can’t be downloaded.

Instead, both offer a ‘Playlist’ feature, which essentially works like a catch-up service, saving content to the cloud until you are ready to watch it.

You can find more about recording in our ‘Can you record on Sky Glass?’ explainer, where we give you a rundown of what you can and can’t do.

This is one of the major disadvantages of Sky Glass and Stream, as content expires, and not all content is available to be saved.

This is especially of concern to sports fans, as many of the live events can’t be saved due to licensing agreements.

Sky Stream vs Sky Glass: Content and channels

As both devices deliver Sky TV over the internet, they generally offer the same streaming content and channels, which are plentiful.

As standard, you’ll get 100 channels that aren’t on Freeview, over 500 boxsets, 30,000 shows, and the Netflix add-on (with a huge library of content in itself).

You can also add other streaming apps like Disney+ and Amazon Prime, which again provide access to thousands of shows and films.

And what makes Sky so popular is its customisable packages, with add-ons such as Sky Sports and Sky Cinema, which you can include for an additional fee.

What are the disadvantages of Sky Glass?

According to several Sky Glass customers, one of the few disadvantages of the service is that it requires a reliable broadband connection (minimum 25Mbps) to stream successfully.

Therefore, if your home internet doesn’t meet the above requirement, some customers claim it may lead to issues like buffering or lower picture quality.

Other disadvantages noted by Sky Glass customers on the Sky Community forum include:

• Fewer channels compared to Sky Q & Sky+HD
• No recordings – everything is streamed on demand
• Extras such as 4K/Atmos and Netflix without ads are all paid for extras
• Issues when no longer subscribing to Sky’s TV packages

What is the downside of Sky Stream?

As with many streaming services, Sky Stream customers appear to have mixed reviews and opinions.

Some Sky Community users have noted downsides such as experiencing delays during live broadcasts and a lack of recording capabilities, while other customers claim they’ve not experienced any issues.

Additionally, opinions vary regarding broadband requirements and speeds.

Similarly to Sky Glass, to use Sky Stream, you will need a broadband internet connection with a minimum speed of 25Mbps.

If your broadband speed is below the required speed mentioned above, Sky Community users claim you may experience ”problems with puck pixelating” and ”disconnected speech”.

What channels are missing from Sky Stream?

While Sky Stream includes popular Freeview and Sky channels, it does lack select channels.

TV channels not currently available on Sky Stream include:

• Entertainment & Music – London Live & NTD
• Sports – Premier 1, Premier 2 & Racing TV
• Movies – TalkingPictures
• International – Aastha, Ahlebait TV, Akaal Channel, TV One & more
• News – Al Jazeera, TVC News, Arirang TV, Channels 24 & more
• Religion – DAYSTAR, Faith UK, LoveWorld, Revelation & more
• Shopping – Best Direct, Gems TV, JewelleryMaker, High Street TV 1 & more

Adult channels are not available on Sky Glass or Sky Stream.

For a full list of channels that are not included with Sky Stream, check out Sky’s help page.

Sky Glass or Sky Stream: Which to choose 

Overall, there’s no clear winner between Sky Glass and Sky Stream – both are excellent devices that offer great entertainment packages.

Ultimately, the better product will come down to your needs and expectations. Here’s a quick comparison of the two:

Choose the Sky Glass if:

• You want a top-notch TV
• You want 4K viewing and Dolby Atmos built-in
• You don’t rely on recording

Choose the Sky Stream if:

• You already have a decent smart television
• You want the option for a rolling contract
• You don’t rely on recording
• You want something to simply plug in and enjoy

We have also put Sky Stream up against Sky’s original offering in our Sky Q vs Sky Stream head-to-head – check it out to find out if a Sky Q box is better for you.

We’ve got more on Sky’s all-in-one television in our ‘Can you record on Sky Glass? explainer.

If you’re in the market for a streaming TV, check out Amazon’s budget alternative, the Fire TV, a direct rival to the Sky Glass.