Hulu vs Prime Video
Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
Hulu
Disney-owned US streaming service with next-day TV episodes, originals, and an optional live TV plan.
Prime Video
Amazon's streaming service with original series, films, live sports and rentals.
The short answer
Hulu suits US viewers who want current network and FX shows the day after they air, with an option for live channels and Disney+ and ESPN bundles. Prime Video suits Amazon Prime members who want films, series and sports included with their membership, plus rentals. The biggest difference is that Hulu is a US-only TV-focused service, while Prime Video is widely available and usually comes with Prime.
Hulu or Prime Video: our take
Hulu, owned by The Walt Disney Company, is built around TV. Its draw is next-day streaming of current network and FX episodes, originals such as The Handmaid's Tale and The Bear, and a licensed film library. Plans come with ads or ad-free, though the ad-free plan still shows ads on some titles, and add-ons like HBO Max and STARZ can be added. Hulu + Live TV adds 95+ live channels with local news and sports, and includes Disney+ and ESPN, so it can replace a cable package, though it costs much more than the on-demand plans.
Prime Video is Amazon's service and most people get it with Amazon Prime, though it's sold standalone in some countries. It mixes Amazon originals, licensed films and series, live sports in selected markets and paid channel add-ons. You can rent or buy titles that aren't included, which helps with new releases. Included content shows ads in many countries unless you pay for an ad-free upgrade, and the mix of included, add-on and paid titles can make browsing confusing.
Availability is the clearest split. Hulu only works in the United States; elsewhere much of its content appears on Disney+. Prime Video is available in many countries, though its catalogue varies by country. Prime Video also allows offline downloads on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows and Fire tablets, but downloaded titles can't be cast to Chromecast or AirPlay. Disney increasingly sells Hulu in bundles with Disney+ and ESPN, and bundle subscribers can watch Hulu inside the Disney+ app.
Pick Hulu if you're in the US and mainly watch current TV series, or want live channels without cable. Pick Prime Video if you already pay for Amazon Prime, live outside the US, or want to rent new films. Since Prime Video often comes with an existing membership, many US households end up with 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
- Next-day episodes of many network and FX shows
- Cheap ad-supported plan and Disney+ and ESPN bundles
Choose Prime Video if…
- Amazon Prime members who want films, series and sports bundled with their membership
- Included with an Amazon Prime membership
- Rent or buy titles that aren't in the subscription
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 Prime Video?
Prime Video is Amazon's video streaming service. Most people get it as part of an Amazon Prime membership, though it's sold standalone in some countries. It mixes Amazon originals, licensed films and series, live sports in selected markets and channel add-ons such as premium networks you can subscribe to inside the app. You can also rent or buy individual titles that aren't included, which is useful for new releases. Included content shows ads in many countries unless you pay for an ad-free upgrade. Titles can be downloaded for offline viewing on Fire tablets and in the iOS, Android, macOS and Windows apps, and it has apps for most smart TVs, consoles and streaming devices. The catalogue varies widely by country, and the mix of included, add-on and paid titles can make browsing confusing.
Side by side
| Attribute | Hulu | Prime Video |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Paid |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Best for | US viewers who want current-season TV the day after airing, with an option for live channels | Amazon Prime members who want films, series and sports bundled with their membership |
| Status | Active | Active |
Verified facts, compared
Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.
| Fact | Hulu | Prime Video |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company | Amazon |
Hulu vs Prime Video pricing
Hulu: paid
We couldn't verify Hulu's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
Platforms
| Platform | Hulu | Prime Video |
|---|---|---|
| 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.”
Prime Video facts
8 of 8 verified- Content
- Movies, TV shows, sports, live TV
- Checked Nov 8, 2026primevideo.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Watch movies, TV shows, sports, and live TV”
- Offline downloads
- iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Fire tablets
- Checked Nov 8, 2026primevideo.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “you need a Fire tablet, or the Prime Video app for iOS, Android, macOS, or Windows 10 and 11.”
- Casting downloads
- Not allowed
- Checked Nov 8, 2026primevideo.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “The playback of downloaded content over Chromecast or AirPlay isn’t permitted.”
- Owner
- Amazon
- Checked Nov 8, 2026primevideo.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates”
- Amazon Prime plan (UK)
- £8.99/month or £95/year
- Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.co.uk(opens source in a new tab)
- “Prime Monthly £8.99 per month after trial Prime Annual £95 per year”
- Amazon Prime plan (India)
- ₹299/month or ₹1,499/year
- Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.in(opens source in a new tab)
- “Prime ₹299 per month Prime ₹1,499 per year”
- Prime Lite plan (India)
- ₹799/year
- Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.in(opens source in a new tab)
- “Prime Lite ₹799 per year”
- Amazon Prime plan
- $14.99/month or $139/year
- Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Prime Monthly $14.99 per month after trial Prime Annual $139 per year after trial Prime for Young Adults $7.49 per month after trial Prime Access $6.”
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 Prime Video
- Included with an Amazon Prime membership
- Rent or buy titles that aren't in the subscription
- Offline downloads on mobile and desktop apps
- Ads on included content in many countries unless you pay extra
- Mix of included, add-on and paid titles makes browsing confusing
- Downloaded titles can't be cast to Chromecast or AirPlay
Other apps to consider
Hulu vs Prime Video: common questions
Is Hulu better than Prime Video?
Hulu suits US viewers who want current network and FX shows the day after they air, with an option for live channels and Disney+ and ESPN bundles. Prime Video suits Amazon Prime members who want films, series and sports included with their membership, plus rentals. The biggest difference is that Hulu is a US-only TV-focused service, while Prime Video is widely available and usually comes with Prime.
Is Hulu free?
No. Hulu is paid, though it may offer a trial.
Is Prime Video free?
No. Prime Video is paid, though it may offer a trial.
Is Hulu or Prime Video open source?
Neither is open source.
Which platforms do Hulu and Prime Video support?
Hulu: Web, Android, iOS, Windows and macOS. Prime Video: Web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.