Hulu vs Netflix
Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
Hulu
Disney-owned US streaming service with next-day TV episodes, originals, and an optional live TV plan.
Netflix
Subscription streaming service for movies, TV series, documentaries and mobile games.
The short answer
Hulu is a US-only Disney streaming service known for next-day network and FX episodes, Disney+ and ESPN bundles, and an optional live TV plan. Netflix is available worldwide and is built around its own original series and films, with games included. Pick Hulu for current-season US TV and live channels; pick Netflix for originals and global availability.
Hulu or Netflix: our take
The biggest difference is what you watch. Hulu's appeal is current TV: next-day streaming of many network and FX shows, originals such as The Handmaid's Tale and The Bear, and a large licensed film library. Netflix centres on its own originals, including series, films, documentaries and stand-up, alongside a rotating licensed catalogue that differs by country and loses titles regularly. Netflix membership also includes games for phones and TVs, and both offer apps across TVs, streaming sticks, consoles and phones.
Availability matters too. Hulu is only available in the United States; elsewhere much of its content appears on Disney+. Netflix runs in most countries. Hulu is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is increasingly sold in bundles with Disney+ and ESPN, and Hulu + Live TV adds 95+ live channels with local news and sports, making it a possible cable replacement, though it costs much more than the on-demand plans. Netflix has no live TV package.
On pricing, Hulu offers ad-supported and ad-free plans plus premium add-ons like HBO Max and STARZ, though its ad-free plan still shows ads on some titles. Netflix starts at $8.99 a month (Standard with ads), with the Standard plan at $19.99 a month and Premium at $26.99 a month for 4K Ultra HD + HDR. Billing is monthly only, and sharing is limited to one household; extra members cost $7.99 a month with ads, $9.99 without.
US viewers who follow network and FX shows week to week, want live sports and news, or already pay for Disney+ will get more from Hulu. Anyone outside the US, or anyone mainly interested in original series and films, will be better served by Netflix. Plenty of US households keep both.
Which should you pick?
Choose Hulu if…
- US viewers who want current-season TV the day after airing, with an option for live channels
- You need macOS, which Netflix doesn't list
- Next-day episodes of many network and FX shows
- Cheap ad-supported plan and Disney+ and ESPN bundles
Choose Netflix if…
- Households that want a big library of original series and films on nearly every screen
- Large catalogue of original series and films
- Apps on almost every TV, console and phone
About each app
What is 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.
What is Netflix?
Netflix is the largest subscription streaming service, offering a rotating library of licensed films and TV plus a large slate of its own original series, films, documentaries and stand-up. Plans differ by video quality and the number of screens you can watch on at once, from a phone-only plan in some countries up to Premium with 4K HDR and spatial audio; several countries also have a cheaper plan with ads. Membership includes a catalogue of games for phones and TVs. You can download titles for offline viewing on supported devices. Billing is monthly only, there are no annual plans, and sharing is limited to one household, with paid extra members for people outside it. It runs in browsers and has apps for smart TVs, streaming sticks, consoles, iOS, Android and Windows. The catalogue varies by country and titles leave regularly.
Side by side
| Attribute | Hulu | Netflix |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Paid |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS | Web, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Best for | US viewers who want current-season TV the day after airing, with an option for live channels | Households that want a big library of original series and films on nearly every screen |
| Status | Active | Active |
Hulu vs Netflix pricing
Hulu: paid
We couldn't verify Hulu's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
Netflix: paid
- Starting price: $8.99 a month (Standard with ads) source
- Standard plan: $19.99 a month source
- Premium plan: $26.99 a month source
Platforms
| Platform | Hulu | Netflix |
|---|---|---|
| Web | ||
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android |
Hulu facts
5 of 5 verified- Owner
- The Walt Disney Company
- Checked Nov 8, 2026press.hulu.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “2019 The Walt Disney Company assumes full operational control of Hulu.”
- Live TV
- 95+ live channels with Hulu + Live TV
- Checked Nov 8, 2026press.hulu.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “With Hulu + Live TV, subscribers receive a unique combination of 95+ live”
- Founded
- 2007 (launched 2008)
- Checked Nov 8, 2026press.hulu.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “2007 Hulu is founded”
- Bundles
- With Disney+ and ESPN
- Checked Nov 8, 2026press.hulu.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Hulu is available as a standalone streaming service or as part of bundle offerings with different combinations of Disney+ and ESPN”
- Availability
- United States
- Checked Nov 8, 2026press.hulu.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “About Hulu Hulu is a leading premium on-demand and live streaming service in the U.S. that offers an expansive slate of entertainment from every major U.S.”
Netflix facts
8 of 8 verified- Billing
- Monthly only
- Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “We do not offer annual, multi-month, or lifetime membership plans.”
- Top quality
- 4K Ultra HD + HDR (Premium)
- Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Watch in 4K (Ultra HD) + HDR”
- Account sharing
- One household
- Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “You cannot share your Netflix account outside of your household”
- Starting price
- $8.99 a month (Standard with ads)
- Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Standard with ads : $8.99 / month”
- Standard plan
- $19.99 a month
- Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Standard : $19.99 / month”
- Premium plan
- $26.99 a month
- Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Premium : $26.99 / month”
- Extra member
- $7.99 a month with ads, $9.99 without
- Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “extra member for $7.99 / month with ads or $9.99”
- Games
- Included
- Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and games”
Pros and cons of Hulu
- 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
- 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
Pros and cons of Netflix
- Large catalogue of original series and films
- Apps on almost every TV, console and phone
- Offline downloads and mobile games included
- Account sharing restricted to one household
- 4K and more simultaneous screens require the top plan
- Library differs by country and titles rotate out
Other apps to consider
StremioInstead of Netflix
One app that pulls together the streaming services and add-ons you already use.
PlexInstead of Netflix
Offers free ad-supported films and TV, and can stream a personal media library you own.
YouTubeInstead of Netflix
Free with ads, with films to rent or buy and a huge library of creator shows.
Hulu vs Netflix: common questions
Is Hulu better than Netflix?
Hulu is a US-only Disney streaming service known for next-day network and FX episodes, Disney+ and ESPN bundles, and an optional live TV plan. Netflix is available worldwide and is built around its own original series and films, with games included. Pick Hulu for current-season US TV and live channels; pick Netflix for originals and global availability.
Is Hulu free?
No. Hulu is paid, though it may offer a trial.
Is Netflix free?
No. Netflix is paid, though it may offer a trial.
Is Hulu or Netflix open source?
Neither is open source.
Which platforms do Hulu and Netflix support?
Hulu: Web, Android, iOS, Windows and macOS. Netflix: Web, Windows, iOS and Android.