Netflix vs. Hulu

Netflix is the original streaming king, but can it keep Hulu from stealing the crown?

Jump to: Packages and Pricing | Shows and Movies | Devices | Resolution | Simultaneous Streaming | Pros and Cons | FAQ

The Bottom Line

Netflix offers top-tier original shows and movies and a frequently updated library, making it perfect for viewers who like on-demand entertainment and lots of it. But it has no live TV and the revolving door of popular shows might prove frustrating for some.

Hulu shines in the TV department, with rapidly updated episodes and a live TV option. It’s affordably priced and also offers its own stellar original programs. The downside is frequent commercials that can sour the experience, and you have to pay to get rid of them.

Packages and Pricing

Free Trials

Hulu offers a 30-day free trial so you can take it for a test drive before committing. Netflix used to offer a 30-day trial, but now no longer offers a free trial for any length of time.

• Netflix No free trial offered
• Hulu offers a one-month free trial on its ad free plan, and a one-week free trial on the Hulu + Live TV service.

The best part about streaming providers is that contracts just aren’t much of a thing. Even when you do subscribe, you can always change your mind. You have to commit just one month at a time.

Netflix offers three service tiers. All three get you access to the full Netflix library. The differences are in watching with ads and how many devices you can use simultaneously.

You can stream on just two devices with both Standard plans. However, the Standard plan isn’t ad supported and you can add on additional members to stream for an extra cost.

The Standard tiers both have streaming in Full HD resolution while Premium brings the resolution up to Ultra HD and the simultaneous devices up to four, so it could be good for large families who want a sweet picture.

The basic Hulu plan gets you the on-demand streaming library for just $7.99, which is a great price. There’s a catch though: you’ll get commercials. If you’re not a fan of commercials, you can remove them for an additional $10.00 per month with Hulu (No Ads). Spoiler alert: it’s totally worth it.

Hulu + Live TV is also a sweet deal since it now come with both Disney+ (with ads) and ESPN+ (with ads). And if you don’t like commercial breaks every few minutes, upgrade to the plan with no ads.

You should also know that, unlike Netflix, all Hulu plans stream in HD (1080p), so you can take full advantage of your TV’s high resolution with a smooth picture. Many Hulu Originals can be watched in 4K Ultra HD.

TV Shows and Movies

Original Series

Netflix and Hulu doubled down on original programming, and both services crank out hits like nobody’s business. No matter what type of shows you’re into, you shouldn’t have any problem finding some great originals to watch with both providers.

Netflix Originals

Netflix pours millions of dollars into creating Netflix Originals, and it’s resulted in some of the most popular shows in the business:

• Bridgerton
• Stranger Things
• The Haunting of Hill House
• Black Mirror
• Orange Is the New Black
• Making a Murderer

Hulu Originals

Although not as prolific as Netflix, Hulu also has several majorly successful originals:

• The Great
• The Handmaid’s Tale
• Only Murders in the Building
• Difficult People
• Harlots
• Future Man

On-Demand Shows and Movies

Netflix and Hulu both started out with just on-demand content, and it’s still the majority of what’s available on each service—even with the rise of live streaming TV. But there are some key differences between how each provider curates its library.

Netflix

Netflix started with movies (remember getting the DVDs in the mail?), but it’s since shifted its focus to TV, acquiring popular series like Arrested Development and creating original phenomenons like Stranger Things. It’s become so common that “streaming” is practically synonymous with “Netflixing”. Unlike Hulu, Netflix releases entire seasons of a show at once rather than trickling them out episode by episode over the course of several months. For binge-watchers, this is great. But for those of us that like watching the newest stuff? Not so much.

Hulu

Hulu’s on-demand streaming library is often more current than the Netflix library. Many shows are available to stream just a day or two after they air—you’ll have to wait longer than that on Netflix. Hulu also keeps shows around longer than Netflix (remember what we said about it being a revolving door?).

Another major difference between Hulu and Netflix is that Hulu shows commercials during on-demand shows. Even if you upgrade your plan to get rid of commercials, they’ll still show on some programs because of streaming rights.

Live Channels on Netflix vs. Hulu

Netflix doesn’t offer live TV and hasn’t announced any plans to do so. Meanwhile, Hulu does have a live streaming service called Hulu + Live TV. The service costs $44.99 per month and includes all the regular Hulu on-demand programs as well.

The base Hulu + Live TV service includes 60+ channels, and there are a handful of add-ons that can increase this to about 70 total channels. Here are some of the options:

• Entertainment add-on with channels like DIY Network and Science
• Español add-on with Spanish-language channels
• Premium channel add-ons like HBO and Paramount+ with Showtime

Hulu + Live TV also has the best local channel selection of any live streaming provider. It’s free to try for a week, so it’s worth taking it for a spin even if you’re not ready to cut the cord quite yet.

Compatible Devices

*Hulu is only available on select models of Android TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Apple TV, and LG TV. Live TV is not supported on PlayStation 3 and 4. 

Netflix is available on basically any device you want to watch it on, whether it’s a PC, smart TV, or even your PlayStation. This makes it one of the most versatile streaming options available.

Because they all have different interfaces, streaming devices have a big impact on the experience. We like Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV best.

Apple TV has a large catalog of apps and gives you access to the iTunes Store for music and movie purchases. Amazon Fire TV works seamlessly with Alexa for voice control, and you can grab the Fire TV Stick for a device that’s easy to take to a friend’s house or on vacation. It also works well with Amazon Prime Video (not much of a surprise there).

 Cloud DVR

You don’t need a DVR for on-demand shows on Netflix. You can just download episodes for long flights, road trips, or any other time you don’t have a good Wi-Fi connection—no DVR required. Select Netflix TV shows and movies are available to download to iPhones, iPads, Android devices, and PCs running Windows 10. Hulu reportedly has plans to launch a similar feature, but it hasn’t been released yet.

Hulu + Live TV is a different story—they offer a cloud DVR for this service. It records live TV programs to watch later and your subscription comes with an Unlimited amount of storage.

Resolution/Quality

Although Netflix offers some 4K entertainment, you have to choose the Premium plan to get it. Before you choose Premium for the 4K support, make sure your favorite shows are actually available at that resolution—not all programming is supported. Hulu offers HD streaming on all its plans, and while it’s only 1080p, that’s plenty for most users.

Recommended Internet Speed

Netflix recommends the following internet speeds for best results:

• Standard Definition (SD): 3 Mbps per user
• High Definition (HD): 5 Mbps per user
• 4K Resolution: 25 Mbps per user

And here are Hulu’s internet speed recommendations:

• Hulu: 3 Mbps per user
• Hulu + Live TV: 8 Mbps per user

Simultaneous Streams

Netflix lets you stream on up to four devices at once, depending on the plan you choose:

• Standard (with ads): 2 device
• Standard: 2 devices
• Premium: 4 devices

Hulu lets you stream on two devices at once with the base plans, and this can be upgraded to unlimited devices on your home network with a $14.99 add-on. But even with that add-on, you’ll be limited to three simultaneous streams on devices outside your home.

Pros and Cons of Netflix vs. Hulu

Have your Netflix and Hulu too.

Each of these services is so close to streaming perfection—but not quite. What’s a binge-watcher to do? Well, if you’re like us, you’ll end up with both. Since the on-demand prices are so reasonable, there’s no reason you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Which provider is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.

FAQ about Netflix and Hulu

Are there any shows on Hulu that aren’t on Netflix?

Yes. Netflix tends to cycle through programs frequently, so there are several popular shows that you’ll find only on Hulu:

• Seinfeld
• South Park
• Rick and Morty
• It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

And of course, you can only get Hulu Originals on Hulu.

Does Hulu have movies?

Hulu does have movies! Most people know it as a TV service, but Hulu offers some serious cinematic classics:

• Aquaman
• Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
• Magic Mike
• The Shawshank Redemption
• Ghost World

Check out its current movie library to get the full list of what’s available.

Does Netflix have live TV?

Netflix doesn’t have live TV, and we’re not aware if it has any plans to offer live TV in the future. If you want live TV, go with Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Philo, or Sling TV. They’ll hook you up.

Curious about other streaming services? Check out our streaming guides.