At first glance DISH Network and DIRECTV look a lot alike - they both have hundreds of channels and will give you a free satellite TV system when subscribe to their service. But on closer inspection you'll find some major differences.

Here's a side-by-side comparison that illustrates those differences so you can make an informed decision about which satellite TV provider is the best one for you.

DISH Network has five program packages. Prices start at $19.99 for their 40-channel package and go up to $74.99 for their 350-channel "Everything" package. Their programming includes everything under the sun - drama, comedy, variety, sports, movies, news, weather, games, and even a channel devoted to babies.

They have 350 channels including 31 movie channels, 25 HD channels, 52 music channels, 60 Sirius radio channels, 24 international channels, and 75 pay-per-view movies a month. Local channels are $5 per month.

DIRECTV offers three programming packages with prices starting at $41.99 for their 155-channel package, on up to $96.99 for their 250-channel package. Their programming also has everything you can think of including drama, comedy, variety, movies, sports, news, weather, and games.

They have 250 channels including 31 movie channels, 8 HD channels, 67 XM satellite radio channels, 14 international channels, and 60 pay-per-view movies per month. Local channels are $3 per month.

When you subscribe to their satellite TV service DISH Network will give you a free satellite TV system that includes a satellite dish, a four-room receiver system, and remote controls. Installation is free and the installer will show you how to operate all the components and answer your questions.

You can upgrade to a DVR (digital video recorder) receiver or an HD (high definition) receiver for free. The DVR receiver allows you to digitally record 100 hours of your favorite shows and to pause and replay live TV. The HD receiver gives you access to high definition broadcasts for superior picture quality. Their combination DVR/HD receiver is $199.

DIRECTV will also give you a free satellite dish and a four-room receiver system, however you'll need to pay $19.95 for shipping and handling. Installation of the system is free and your installer will show you how to operate it.

You can upgrade to a DVR receiver or an HD receiver free after a $99 mail-in rebate. The receiver will record 100 hours of programming and can pause and replay live TV shows. The HD receiver gives you access to HD programming. A combination DVR/HD receiver is $499 after a $100 rebate.

When it comes to getting the biggest bang for your buck DISH Network is the clear winner. They offer the most channels for the money, the most movies, the most pay-per-view channels, and the most music channels. DIRECTV does, however, offer the NFL Sunday Ticket package where DISH Network does not.

Both providers offer fairly similar free equipment, but DISH Network has the best deal on optional equipment at $199 for their DVR/HD receiver as opposed to DIRECTV's DVR/HD receiver at $499.