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Entertainment · head to head

Apple TV+ vs Hulu

Apple TV+ logo

Apple TV+

Entertainment

Original stories from the most creative minds

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Hulu logo

Hulu

Entertainment

Stream TV and movies live and online

From
$7.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apple TV+ has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apple TV+ bundle offering states no free trial, discounted offers, or annual plans available at launch; Hulu pricing page redirects to Disney+ bundle site rather than standalone Hulu pricing, preventing direct pricing lookup
  • They diverge on capability: Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals, Hulu covers On-demand streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple TV+ and Hulu actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple TV+ and Hulu differ
AttributeApple TV+Hulu
Starting priceFree$7.99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsIos, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, WebWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles
Founded20192007

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apple TV+

  • Apple Originals
  • 4K HDR
  • Dolby Atmos
  • Family sharing
  • Apple devices
  • Family sharing controls
  • Parental restrictions
  • Apple ID security

Only in Hulu

  • On-demand streaming
  • Live TV
  • Cloud DVR
  • Current episodes
  • Mobile devices
  • Parental controls
  • Profile PINs
  • Account security

Both cover

  • Downloads
  • Smart TVs
  • Gaming consoles
  • Ios support
  • Smart-tv support
  • Gaming-consoles support
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apple TV+

  • Streaming exclusive TV shows and moviesnot Hulu
  • Sports viewing (Friday Night Baseball, upcoming MLS and Formula 1 content)not Hulu
  • Ad-free entertainmentnot Hulu

Hulu

  • TV streamingnot Apple TV+
  • Live TVnot Apple TV+
  • Next-day episodesnot Apple TV+
  • Sportsnot Apple TV+

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apple TV+

  • Bundle offering states no free trial, discounted offers, or annual plans available at launch
  • Only 3 months free with Apple TV 4K hardware purchase, not a standalone free option

Hulu

  • Pricing page redirects to Disney+ bundle site rather than standalone Hulu pricing, preventing direct pricing lookup
  • No specific Hulu pricing details published on accessible landing pages; pricing information requires interaction with Disney+ ecosystem
  • Bundling with Disney+ through default redirects obscures Hulu standalone plan options and costs

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple TV+

Free
  • Standard$12.99/month
    • 7-day free trial
    • Hundreds of exclusive shows and movies
    • New releases every week
  • Apple TV Plus with Peacock Bundle$14.99/month
    • Apple TV Plus (Premium tier)
    • Peacock Premium or Premium Plus
    • Save over 30% vs individual subscriptions

Hulu

$7.99/month
  • Hulu (With Ads)$7.99/month
    • Full library
    • Ad-supported
  • Hulu (No Ads)$17.99/month
    • Full library
    • Ad-free
    • Downloads
  • Hulu + Live TV$76.99/month
    • Live TV
    • On-demand
    • Cloud DVR

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple TV+ if

  • You need apple originals.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web.
  • You also want 4k hdr.
Apple TV+ review

Choose Hulu if

  • You need on-demand streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
  • You also want live tv.
Hulu review

Questions people ask

Is Apple TV+ or Hulu better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple TV+ starts at Free and Hulu at $7.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple TV+ or Hulu?
Apple TV+ has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple TV+ and $7.99/month for Hulu.
Does Apple TV+ or Hulu run on more platforms?
Apple TV+ runs on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web. Hulu runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
Can I use Apple TV+ for free?
Yes. Apple TV+ has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Hulu starts at $7.99/month.
What is Apple TV+ best used for?
Apple TV+ is most often used for streaming exclusive tv shows and movies, sports viewing (friday night baseball, upcoming mls and formula 1 content), ad-free entertainment. Of those, streaming exclusive tv shows and movies and sports viewing (friday night baseball, upcoming mls and formula 1 content) are not what Hulu is typically brought in for.
What can Apple TV+ do that Hulu cannot?
Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals, 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos, Family sharing. Hulu covers On-demand streaming, Live TV, Cloud DVR, Current episodes. Both handle Downloads, Smart TVs, Gaming consoles, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apple TV+: How much does Apple TV Plus cost?

Apple TV Plus costs $12.99 per month after a 7-day free trial. The bundle with Peacock starts at $14.99 per month for combined access, saving over 30% compared to individual subscriptions.

Source
Hulu: What is Hulu's pricing?

Hulu pricing details are not available on the standard pricing page due to redirect to Disney+ bundle offerings. Specific Hulu standalone plan costs require navigation through Disney+ site or direct contact with support.

Source
Apple TV+: Does Apple TV Plus offer a free trial?

Yes, Apple TV Plus includes a 7-day free trial before the $12.99 monthly subscription begins. The trial does not require a credit card. The bundle with Peacock offers no free trial or discounted introductory offers.

Source
Hulu: Does Hulu offer a free trial?

Free trial availability for Hulu is not disclosed on accessible pricing pages; details require checking Disney+ bundling options or contacting support directly.

Source
Apple TV+: Can I share my Apple TV Plus subscription with family members?

Yes, Apple TV Plus lets you share your subscription with up to five family members for free through Apple's family sharing feature, allowing multiple household members to watch on different devices simultaneously.

Source
Hulu: Can Hulu be purchased separately from Disney+?

Hulu pricing and availability as a standalone product is unclear from published pricing pages; Hulu appears bundled with Disney+ offerings without separate pricing disclosure.

Source
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