Hulu vs YouTube TV
Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
Hulu
Disney-owned US streaming service with next-day TV episodes, originals, and an optional live TV plan.
YouTube TV
Google's US live TV streaming service with 100+ channels, local stations and unlimited cloud DVR.
The short answer
Hulu is mainly an on-demand streaming service with next-day TV episodes and originals, plus an optional Hulu + Live TV plan. YouTube TV is a live TV service built to replace cable, with 100+ channels and unlimited DVR. Choose Hulu for on-demand shows at a lower price; choose YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV, if you want live local channels and sports.
Hulu or YouTube TV: our take
Both are US-only services that run on the web, phones, smart TVs and streaming devices, but they start from opposite ends. Hulu, owned by The Walt Disney Company, is an on-demand library: next-day episodes of many network and FX shows, originals and a large licensed film catalogue, with ad-supported and ad-free plans. YouTube TV, from Google, is live television: local ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC stations in most areas, news networks and cable sports channels, sold as a monthly subscription with no contract.
The direct competition is between YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Hulu's live plan adds 95+ live channels with local news and sports, and includes Disney+ and ESPN, which makes it attractive to households that want a large on-demand library alongside live TV. YouTube TV's main plan is $82.99/month for 100+ channels, with unlimited cloud DVR, six household accounts and three simultaneous streams. Add-ons include NFL Sunday Ticket, premium networks such as HBO Max, Spanish-language channels and a 4K Plus pack at $9.99/month, and sports features like multiview are built in. Channel line-ups on YouTube TV vary by ZIP code.
If you mainly watch shows after they air and don't need live channels, Hulu's on-demand plans, including a cheap ad-supported tier, are the lower-cost route, and Disney sells Hulu in bundles with Disney+ and ESPN. Hulu's ad-free plan still shows ads on some titles, and Hulu + Live TV is expensive compared with on-demand plans.
Pick YouTube TV if you are cutting cable and want live local channels, sports and unlimited DVR without a bundle. Pick Hulu + Live TV if you want live TV plus Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN in one package. Pick plain Hulu if on-demand TV is all you need.
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 Windows and macOS, which YouTube TV doesn't list
- Next-day episodes of many network and FX shows
- Cheap ad-supported plan and Disney+ and ESPN bundles
Choose YouTube TV if…
- US households replacing cable who want local channels, live sports and unlimited DVR
- Unlimited DVR space included with every plan
- Six accounts per household with personal libraries
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 YouTube TV?
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service from Google, sold only in the United States as an internet replacement for a cable or satellite package. The main plan includes 100+ channels, including local ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC stations in most areas, news networks and cable sports channels; a cheaper Sports + News plan drops the entertainment and family networks. Every plan has unlimited cloud DVR, up to six household accounts and three simultaneous streams, plus sports features like multiview and key plays. Add-ons include NFL Sunday Ticket, premium networks such as HBO Max, a 4K Plus pack and Spanish-language channels. It is a monthly subscription with no contract, aimed at cord-cutters, and runs on smart TVs, streaming devices, consoles, phones and the web at tv.youtube.com.
Side by side
| Attribute | Hulu | YouTube TV |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Paid |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS | Web, Android, iOS |
| Best for | US viewers who want current-season TV the day after airing, with an option for live channels | US households replacing cable who want local channels, live sports and unlimited DVR |
| Status | Active | Active |
Hulu vs YouTube TV pricing
Hulu: paid
We couldn't verify Hulu's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
YouTube TV: paid
- Main plan: $82.99/month, 100+ channels source
Platforms
| Platform | Hulu | YouTube TV |
|---|---|---|
| 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.”
YouTube TV facts
5 of 5 verified- Main plan
- $82.99/month, 100+ channels
- Checked Nov 8, 2026tv.youtube.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “then $82.99/mo thereafter.”
- Accounts and streams
- 6 accounts, 3 streams
- Checked Nov 8, 2026tv.youtube.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “6 household accounts and 3 streams”
- Contract
- None
- Checked Nov 8, 2026tv.youtube.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Your ZIP code Submit Everything live TV should be No annual contracts Zero annual contracts or installations.”
- 4K Plus add-on
- $9.99/month
- Checked Nov 8, 2026tv.youtube.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “4K viewing experience on select content. $9.99/mo $9.99 a month Terms and conditions apply.”
- DVR
- Unlimited
- Checked Nov 8, 2026tv.youtube.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Build your dream Library Record it all with unlimited DVR space, and find even more on demand and in our premium add-ons.”
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 YouTube TV
- Unlimited DVR space included with every plan
- Six accounts per household with personal libraries
- No contract, installation or box rental fees
- Multiview and NFL Sunday Ticket add-on for sports fans
- Main plan costs over $80 a month
- Only three simultaneous streams without the paid 4K Plus add-on
- US only, and some channels vary by ZIP code
Other apps to consider
Hulu vs YouTube TV: common questions
Is Hulu better than YouTube TV?
Hulu is mainly an on-demand streaming service with next-day TV episodes and originals, plus an optional Hulu + Live TV plan. YouTube TV is a live TV service built to replace cable, with 100+ channels and unlimited DVR. Choose Hulu for on-demand shows at a lower price; choose YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV, if you want live local channels and sports.
Is Hulu free?
No. Hulu is paid, though it may offer a trial.
Is YouTube TV free?
No. YouTube TV is paid, though it may offer a trial.
Is Hulu or YouTube TV open source?
Neither is open source.
Which platforms do Hulu and YouTube TV support?
Hulu: Web, Android, iOS, Windows and macOS. YouTube TV: Web, Android and iOS.