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Media & Entertainment · head to head

Hulu vs Netflix

Hulu logo

Hulu

Media & Entertainment

Stream TV and movies live and online

From
$7.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Netflix logo

Netflix

Entertainment

Watch TV shows and movies anytime, anywhere

From
$6.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Hulu the App Store listing states Hulu offers three plans, Hulu with Ads, Hulu No Ads, and Hulu plus Live TV, and caps simultaneous streaming at two screens at once while allowing up to six profiles per account, without stating any plan price in the visible description.; Netflix the entry plan caps video at 720p and allows one simultaneous stream and one download device
  • They diverge on capability: Hulu covers On-demand streaming, Netflix covers Video streaming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hulu and Netflix actually diverge.

Attributes where Hulu and Netflix differ
AttributeHuluNetflix
Starting price$7.99/month$6.99/month
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Streaming-devices
CategoryMedia & EntertainmentEntertainment
Founded20071997

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Hulu

  • On-demand streaming
  • Live TV
  • Cloud DVR
  • Downloads
  • Current episodes
  • Profile PINs
  • Smart-tv support
  • Gaming-consoles support

Only in Netflix

  • Video streaming
  • Offline downloads
  • Multiple profiles
  • Personalized recommendations
  • Original content
  • Multi-device support
  • Auto-play next episode
  • Streaming devices

Both cover

  • Smart TVs
  • Gaming consoles
  • Mobile devices
  • Parental controls
  • Account security
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Hulu

  • TV streamingnot Netflix
  • Live TVnot Netflix
  • Next-day episodesnot Netflix
  • Sportsnot Netflix

Netflix

  • Streaming films and series on demand across TVs, phones and browsersnot Hulu
  • Downloading titles for offline viewing on a limited number of devicesnot Hulu
  • Playing Netflix mobile games included with a subscriptionnot Hulu

Where each one falls short

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

Hulu

  • The App Store listing states Hulu offers three plans, Hulu with Ads, Hulu No Ads, and Hulu plus Live TV, and caps simultaneous streaming at two screens at once while allowing up to six profiles per account, without stating any plan price in the visible description.
  • The App Store listing states premium network add-ons such as MAX, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, and STARZ are each available only for an additional monthly fee on top of a Hulu plan.

Netflix

  • The entry plan caps video at 720p and allows one simultaneous stream and one download device
  • 1080p and two simultaneous streams require the Standard plan
  • 4K Ultra HD, HDR and spatial audio are restricted to the Premium plan, which allows 4 streams and 6 download devices
  • Netflix states an account is for people who live together in a single household, so viewers outside the home need a paid extra member slot
  • Plan prices and availability differ by country and change when Netflix is bought through a partner package or add-on

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Netflix

$6.99/month
  • Standard with ads$6.99/month
    • All but a few movies and TV shows
    • Unlimited ad-free series and movies
    • Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
  • Standard$15.49/month
    • All Netflix movies and TV shows
    • Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
    • Watch in HD
  • Premium$22.99/month
    • All Netflix movies and TV shows
    • Watch on 4 supported devices at a time
    • Watch in Ultra HD

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Netflix if

  • You need video streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Streaming-devices.
  • You also want offline downloads.
Netflix review

Questions people ask

Is Hulu or Netflix better?
Neither clearly leads. Hulu starts at $7.99/month and Netflix at $6.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hulu or Netflix?
Hulu starts at $7.99/month and Netflix at $6.99/month.
Does Hulu or Netflix run on more platforms?
Hulu runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. Netflix runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Streaming-devices.
What is Hulu best used for?
Hulu is most often used for tv streaming, live tv, next-day episodes, sports. Of those, tv streaming and live tv are not what Netflix is typically brought in for.
What can Hulu do that Netflix cannot?
Hulu covers On-demand streaming, Live TV, Cloud DVR, Downloads. Netflix covers Video streaming, Offline downloads, Multiple profiles, Personalized recommendations. Both handle Smart TVs, Gaming consoles, Mobile devices, Parental controls.
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