Hulu
Disney-owned US streaming service with next-day TV episodes, originals, and an optional live TV plan.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
Is Hulu free?
No, it's a paid product
1 alternative with a free optionSwitch from Hulu to
All 4
Prime VideoCompareAmazon Prime plan: $14.99/month or $139/year
TubiFree
YouTube TVCompareMain plan: $82.99/month, 100+ channels
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 4
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 1
About Hulu
Hulu is a US streaming service owned by The Walt Disney Company. It is known for next-day streaming of current network TV episodes, FX series, originals such as The Handmaid's Tale and The Bear, and a large licensed film library. Plans come with ads or ad-free, and premium add-ons like HBO Max and STARZ can be added. Hulu + Live TV adds 95+ live channels with local news and sports and also includes Disney+ and ESPN. Disney increasingly sells Hulu inside bundles with Disney+ and ESPN, and bundle subscribers can watch Hulu content within the Disney+ app. Hulu itself is only available in the US; elsewhere much of its content appears on Disney+ instead. It runs on the web, phones, smart TVs, streaming sticks and game consoles.
Best for: US viewers who want current-season TV the day after airing, with an option for live channels.
Pros and cons
What works
- Next-day episodes of many network and FX shows
- Cheap ad-supported plan and Disney+ and ESPN bundles
- Hulu + Live TV can replace a cable package
Why people leave
- US only; not available in other countries
- Ad-free plan still shows ads on some titles
- Hulu + Live TV is expensive compared with on-demand plans
Hulu vs Prime Video, Tubi and YouTube TV
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Hulu | Prime Video | Tubi | YouTube TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Paid | Free | Paid |
| Verified price | — | $14.99/month or $139/year | — | $82.99/month, 100+ channels |
| Free plan | No | No | Free app | No |
| Open source | No | No | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Web, Android, iOS | Web, Android, iOS |
Full Hulu vs Prime Video comparisonFull Hulu vs YouTube TV comparison
Top Hulu alternatives
See all 4- 1Prime Video72.5
Included with Amazon Prime, with add-on channels in one app.
- 2Tubi70.9
Free with ads, for older films and TV without a subscription.
- 3YouTube TV61.8
A fuller live TV replacement than Hulu + Live TV, with unlimited DVR.
- 4
Netflix57.2Larger originals catalogue and available worldwide, not just in the US.
Why people left Hulu
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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Hulu: common questions
What is Hulu?
Hulu: Disney-owned US streaming service with next-day TV episodes, originals, and an optional live TV plan. Best for US viewers who want current-season TV the day after airing, with an option for live channels. Available for Web, Android, iOS, Windows and macOS.
Is Hulu free?
No, Hulu is a paid product.
Is Hulu open source?
No, Hulu is not open source.
What platforms does Hulu run on?
Hulu is available for Web, Android, iOS, Windows and macOS.
What are the best alternatives to Hulu?
The highest-ranked Hulu alternatives right now are Prime Video, Tubi and YouTube TV. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Hulu vs Prime Video: what's the difference?
Both Hulu and Prime Video are paid products. Both run on Web, Android, iOS, Windows and macOS.