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Entertainment · head to head

Hulu vs Pluto TV

Hulu logo

Hulu

Entertainment

Stream TV and movies live and online

From
$7.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pluto TV logo

Pluto TV

Entertainment

Stream movies, TV shows and clips for free

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Pluto TV has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Hulu pricing page redirects to Disney+ bundle site rather than standalone Hulu pricing, preventing direct pricing lookup; Pluto TV pluto TV is entirely ad-supported free streaming with no paid tier, available in a stated list of regions including the US, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Germany/Switzerland/Austria, UK, Spain, France, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Denmark (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2024)
  • They diverge on capability: Hulu covers On-demand streaming, Pluto TV covers Streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hulu and Pluto TV actually diverge.

Attributes where Hulu and Pluto TV differ
AttributeHuluPluto TV
Starting price$7.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv
Founded20072013

Identical on both: 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 Hulu

  • On-demand streaming
  • Live TV
  • Cloud DVR
  • Downloads
  • Current episodes
  • Gaming consoles
  • Mobile devices
  • Profile PINs

Only in Pluto TV

  • Streaming
  • Live TV channels
  • Movies
  • TV shows
  • Recommendations
  • Streaming devices
  • Account management
  • Roku support

Both cover

  • Smart TVs
  • Parental controls
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Smart-tv support

What people use each for

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

Hulu

  • TV streamingnot Pluto TV
  • Live TV
  • Next-day episodesnot Pluto TV
  • Sportsnot Pluto TV

Pluto TV

  • Free streamingnot Hulu
  • Live TV
  • On-demand contentnot Hulu

Both are used for live tv, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

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

Pluto TV

  • Pluto TV is entirely ad-supported free streaming with no paid tier, available in a stated list of regions including the US, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Germany/Switzerland/Austria, UK, Spain, France, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Denmark (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2024)

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

Pluto TV

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full content
    • Live channels
    • Ad-supported

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 Pluto TV if

  • You need streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want live tv channels.
Pluto TV review

Questions people ask

Is Hulu or Pluto TV better?
Neither clearly leads. Hulu starts at $7.99/month and Pluto TV at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hulu or Pluto TV?
Pluto TV has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $7.99/month for Hulu and Free for Pluto TV.
Does Hulu or Pluto TV run on more platforms?
Hulu runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. Pluto TV runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
Can I use Pluto TV for free?
Yes. Pluto TV has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Hulu starts at $7.99/month.
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 next-day episodes are not what Pluto TV is typically brought in for.
What can Hulu do that Pluto TV cannot?
Hulu covers On-demand streaming, Live TV, Cloud DVR, Downloads. Pluto TV covers Streaming, Live TV channels, Movies, TV shows. Both handle Smart TVs, Parental controls, Web support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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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