Netflix vs Hulu
Updated onCompare Netflix and Hulu side-by-side. See how they stack up on features, pricing, and target market.
Netflix
Netflix is a global subscription streaming service and production company that offers films, TV series, and mobile games, including a large catalog of Netflix Originals.
Starts at $7.99 / per account / month
vs
Hulu
Hulu is a U.S. subscription streaming service offering on-demand TV shows, movies, Hulu Originals, and live-TV bundles.
Starts at $9.99 / month
Has a free trial
Which should you choose?
Netflix
Choose Netflix if you want a globally available on‑demand service with a very large slate of originals, strong 4K HDR support, and don’t need live TV or next‑day US network episodes.
Hulu
Choose Hulu if you mainly watch current US TV (ABC, Fox, FX), want the option of live TV and sports plus discounted Disney+ and ESPN+ bundles, and rarely need streaming access outside the United States.
Typical cost comparison
Scenario: Single US household choosing the cheapest standalone ad-supported on-demand plan.
Netflix
$7.99 per month
Hulu
$9.99 per month
Netflix saves you $2 per month in this scenario.
Key differences
| Category | Netflix | Hulu | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & Bundles | Netflix’s ad-supported plan is a bit cheaper month to month, but Hulu can be better value if you want Disney+ and ESPN+ included through discounted bundle offers. | ||
| Content & Originals | Netflix offers a larger global catalog and more exclusive originals across many genres and countries, while Hulu emphasizes US network catch‑up TV plus a smaller but strong originals slate. | ||
| Geographic Availability | Netflix is available in over 190 countries, whereas Hulu subscriptions are officially limited to US households (with a separate Japan service), making Hulu much harder to use when traveling. | ||
| Live TV & Sports | Hulu can bundle a 95+ channel Hulu + Live TV service with cloud DVR, Disney+ and ESPN+, while Netflix remains strictly on‑demand with no live channels or sports. | ||
| Video Quality & Streams | Both work on most major devices, but Netflix Premium offers a larger 4K HDR library and up to four simultaneous streams, while Hulu’s 4K catalog is smaller and Live TV is limited to HD and two streams by default. |
Feature comparison
| Feature | Netflix | Hulu | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad-free on-demand plan | Netflix Standard and Premium and Hulu (No Ads) provide mostly ad-free viewing, though a few Hulu titles still include ads due to rights. | ||
| Ad-supported plan | Netflix has a Standard with ads tier, and Hulu offers Hulu (With Ads) and ad-supported Hulu + Live TV options. | ||
| Profiles and kids/parental controls | Both support multiple profiles, kids spaces, and parental controls for family use. | ||
| Global availability | Netflix operates in 190+ countries; Hulu is officially limited to US subscribers (plus a separate Japan service). | ||
| Mobile games included | Netflix includes a catalog of mobile games within its subscription at no extra cost; Hulu does not offer games. | ||
| Offline downloads on cheapest tier | Netflix’s ad-supported plan allows downloads on two devices, whereas Hulu only lets you download on the No Ads plan. | ||
| 4K / Ultra HD streaming | Netflix Premium supports extensive 4K HDR streaming, while Hulu offers 4K only on select on‑demand titles and supported devices, not on Live TV. | ||
| Disney+ / ESPN+ bundle options | Hulu sells multiple discounted bundles that include Disney+ and ESPN+, while Netflix is generally sold standalone in the US. | ||
| Live TV channels | Hulu + Live TV includes 95+ live channels with cloud DVR; Netflix does not offer linear TV channels or live sports. | ||
| Next-day US network TV episodes | Hulu remains a key home for next‑day episodes from major US networks like ABC and Fox, whereas Netflix focuses on full seasons and library licensing. |
Review Consensus
Netflix
"Overall, reviewers see Netflix as a polished, content-rich global streamer with excellent originals and 4K support, but note rising prices and no live TV as key drawbacks. "
Based on 5,700,000 reviews
- ● Very high reliability and ease of use on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
- ● Huge catalog of series, movies, and Netflix Originals across many genres.
- ● Profiles and offline downloads work well for families and travel.
- ● No free trial and repeated price hikes disappoint some subscribers.
- ● Certain titles or features require upgrading to pricier tiers.
- ● Some users report bugs or playback issues after app updates.
Data as of 1/24/2026
Based on 15,000,000 reviews
- ● Massive content library available on a wide range of Android phones, TVs, and streaming devices.
- ● Recommendation system surfaces relevant shows and movies for most users.
- ● Offline viewing and multi-device support make it convenient for commuters and families.
- ● Lower rating reflects complaints about app stability, casting issues, and UI glitches on some Android devices.
- ● Mobile data usage can be high at default quality settings.
- ● Some users dislike content removals and region-based catalog differences.
Data as of 1/24/2026
- ● Praised for broad device support, polished interface, and a constant flow of original TV and films.
- ● Editors highlight one of the largest 4K libraries among on‑demand platforms.
- ● Strong personalization and global availability keep it a top overall streaming pick.
- ● Premium and ad-free tiers are considered expensive versus some rivals.
- ● Ad-supported plan omits part of the catalog compared with higher tiers.
- ● Lack of live TV means some viewers also need a separate service for sports and channels.
Data as of 1/24/2026
Hulu
"Consensus is that Hulu offers excellent value for US-centric TV, bundles, and Live TV, but heavy ads, a sometimes clunky interface, price hikes, and US-only availability are recurring concerns. "
Based on 1,400,000 reviews
- ● Well-liked mix of current-season TV, classics, and Hulu Originals on Apple devices.
- ● Users appreciate the option to choose between With Ads, No Ads, and Live TV tiers.
- ● Profiles and recommendations make it easy for households to share one account.
- ● Frequent ad breaks on the With Ads plan frustrate some viewers.
- ● Reports of occasional app freezes or playback errors on certain devices.
- ● Some complain that the interface and navigation feel cluttered compared with competitors.
Data as of 1/24/2026
Based on 1,520,000 reviews
- ● Strong Android support with access to on‑demand shows, movies, and Hulu Originals.
- ● Live TV and sports through Hulu + Live TV are valued by cord-cutters.
- ● Users like the ability to add premium channels like Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, and Starz.
- ● Common complaints include buffering, sign‑in friction, and casting issues on some devices.
- ● Ad load and repetition on cheaper plans are seen as excessive by some users.
- ● Two-stream limit can be restrictive for larger households without add-ons.
Data as of 1/24/2026
- ● Frequently highlighted as strong value, especially when bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+.
- ● Praised for deep catalog of current network shows plus respected originals like The Bear and Only Murders in the Building.
- ● Live TV option with unlimited DVR makes it a credible cable replacement for many users.
- ● Ad-free tier and Live TV bundles are described as increasingly pricey.
- ● Reviewers criticize the Live TV interface as confusing and note limited 4K and only two default streams.
- ● US-only availability limits usefulness for international travel or households split across countries.
Data as of 1/24/2026
Stay Ahead
Don't just find competitors. Track them.
Auto-discover new competitors as they emerge. Get alerts when they change pricing, features, ads, or messaging.
Competitor Monitoring
For founders who'd rather build than manually track competitors.
Starts at
$39 /month
Start with a 14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Stop checking competitor websites manually. Get alerts when something important happens.
Auto Competitor Discovery
New competitors detected automatically as they emerge. Never get blindsided.
Website Tracking
Pricing, features, messaging, and page changes monitored daily
News & Social Monitoring
News mentions, X posts, Reddit posts, and competitor announcements
SEO & Ads Intelligence
Keyword rankings, backlinks, and ad creatives (Google + Meta)
AI Signal Detection
Filters out noise, surfaces only what matters
Email & Slack Alerts
Daily digests delivered where your team already works