CableTV.com spent 100s of hours comparing Netflix to Hulu—which comes out on top in the battle of the streaming TV heavyweights?
Best for next-day streaming
Price: $7.99–$17.99/mo.
On-demand library: 2,500+ TV shows and movies
Video resolution: 1080p, 4K
Free trial: 30 days
Price: $7.99–$17.99/mo.
On-demand library: 2,500+ TV shows and movies
Video resolution: 1080p, 4K
Free trial: 30 days
Most original content
Price: $6.99–$22.99/mo.
On-demand library: 6,000+ TV shows and movies
Video resolution: 720p, 1080p, 4K
Free trial: None
Price: $6.99–$22.99/mo.
On-demand library: 6,000+ TV shows and movies
Video resolution: 720p, 1080p, 4K
Free trial: None
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
By Bill Frost
Is Netflix or Hulu better?
The twin titans of on-demand content, Netflix and Hulu, both began streaming in 2007 and have been battling for dominance ever since. So, which does it better? The quickie comparison: Netflix has more stuff in sheer quantity, while Hulu has a smaller but wider variety of quality stuff.
That wider variety of stuff is why we’re giving Hulu the edge here, but Netflix’s consistency in cranking out content week after week can’t be overlooked. Let’s get into the digital deets of Netflix vs. Hulu.
Netflix
✓ 6,000+ TV shows and movies
✓ Regular original content releases
✗ No password sharing
Hulu
✓ 2,500+ TV shows and movies
✓ Next-day streaming of network shows
✗ Only 2 simultaneous streams
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Jump to:
- Head-to-head comparison
- Plans and prices
- TV shows and movies
- Specs and features
Free trials and deals
Hulu offers a 30-day free trial to test its streaming waters, as well as various discounts and deals. Check out our Hulu Deals guide for all the ways you can save some streaming green.
Netflix isn’t as generous—no free trials, no discounts, nada. However, T-Mobile cellular customers can get free Netflix with their phone service. That’s a pretty good deal, if you’re in a T-Mobile-friendly service area.
Compare Netflix and Hulu head-to-head
Netflix vs. Hulu
| Service | Price | Editorial rating | Video | Streams | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | $6.99–$22.99/mo. | 3.7/5 | 1080p, 4K | 2–4 | View plans |
| Hulu | $7.99–$17.99/mo. | 3.2/5 | 1080p, 4K | 2 | View plans |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Netflix gives you more content and simultaneous streams, plus a slightly lower price tag than Hulu. Hulu’s ad-supported base plan is a buck more than Netflix’s, while Hulu’s ad-free plan is now $17.99 a month, $2.50 more than Netflix’s comparable Standard plan. Right off the bat, we prefer Netflix.
Netflix vs. Hulu plans and pricing
Netflix plans and prices
| Plan | Price | Video | Streams | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard with Ads | $6.99/mo. | 1080p | 2 | View plans |
| Standard | $15.49/mo. | 1080p | 2 | View plans |
| Premium | $22.99/mo. | 1080p, 4K | 4 | View plans |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Netflix’s most popular plan is its Standard tier at $15.49 a month, which gives you two simultaneous streams and 1080p HD video. Families with a few kiddos in the house might want to opt for the $22.99 a month Premium plan, which features four simultaneous streams (a necessity) and 4K access (not so much unless there’s a videophile in the fam).
Hulu plans and prices
| Plan | Price | Video | Streams | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu (Limited ads) | $7.99/mo. | 1080p, 4K | 2 | View plans |
| Hulu (No Ads) | $17.99/mo. | 1080p, 4K | 2 | View plans |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
The only real difference between Hulu’s two plans is the presence of ads—the $7.99 tier has ‘em, the $17.99 tier doesn’t. The cheaper Hulu’s ad load isn’t overbearing; if you’re used to watching standard live TV, you might not mind it. However, once you try ad-free Hulu, it’s painful to go back to interrupted viewing. Choose carefully.
There’s also the option of adding live TV channels to Hulu with the cleverly titled Hulu + Live TV—you can read all about it in our Hulu + Live TV review.
Expand your streaming options
Netflix and Hulu aren’t the only games in Stream Town: Check out our Best Streaming Services guide for a critical look at Max (formerly HBO Max) Disney+, Peaco*ck, and more.
Netflix vs. Hulu TV shows and movies
Yes, Netflix carries far more movies and TV shows than Hulu, but our eyes glaze over around the 1,000 mark, and we’d bet yours do, too. Chances are you’ll only watch 100 or fewer titles in any given non-pandemic year, which puts Netflix and Hulu on semi-equal footing.
Netflix is all about that new-new, dropping fresh original content several days a week, every week without fail. Hulu is more judicious with its original shows and movies, releasing only a handful of exclusives a month.
But original content isn’t necessarily what subscribers want. Some of the most popular shows on Netflix include older acquired series like Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, and Supernatural, while Hulu’s secret weapon is the next-day availability of fresh network shows from ABC, FOX, FX, and other Disney-owned channels. Viewers may be shunning traditional TV, but they still like the shows.
For a deeper dive into their respective content, read our What to Watch on Netflix and What to Watch on Hulu guides.
Netflix vs. Hulu specs and features
Netflix and Hulu feature similar bells and whistles in their user interfaces and functionality: 4K capability, offline downloads, parental controls, individual profiles, etc. But there are a few crucial differences, including a couple of checks in the negative column on Hulu for what should be basic functions (like streams and fast-forwarding).
Multiple streams and offline downloads
| Servuce | Streams | Offline downloads |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | 2–4 | Ad-free only |
| Hulu | 2 | Ad-free only |
As we mentioned earlier, Netflix’s Premium plan is probably the best way for households with multiple viewers to go—four streams are worth the extra money to keep the family happy. On the other hand, we’ve always been annoyed with Hulu’s two-streams-only policy and remain so still.
Compatible devices
| Device | Netflix | Hulu |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Fire Cube, Stick, TV | ✔ | ✔ |
| Android phones, tablets | ✔ | ✔ |
| Android TV | ✔ | ✔ |
| Apple TV (4th gen.) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Apple TV 4K | ✔ | ✔ |
| Chromecast, Chromecast with Google TV | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cox Contour | ✔ | ✔ |
| Echo Show | ✔ | ✔ |
| iPhone, iPad | ✔ | ✔ |
| LG TVs (select models) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Nintendo Switch | — | ✔ |
| NVIDIA SHIELD Pro TV | ✔ | ✔ |
| PC, Mac web browsers | ✔ | ✔ |
| PlayStation 3, 4, 5 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Roku Ultra, Express, Premiere, Stick, TV | ✔ | ✔ |
| Samsung TVs (select models) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sony TVs (select models) | ✔ | ✔ |
| TiVo Stream | ✔ | ✔ |
| VIZIO TVs (select models) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Wii | ✔ | — |
| Xbox 360, Xbox One | ✔ | ✔ |
| Xfinity X1 | ✔ | ✔ |
Data effective as of post date.
Netflix and Hulu are available on more platforms than most other streaming services. Another (obscure) plus for Netflix: Just as in the good ole days, Netflix will still mail you a physical DVD.
We’re here for the gear
Compare streaming TV equipment with our Best Streaming Devices guide to help find the right gear for you.
Video and audio quality
| Servuce | Video | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | 1080p, 4K (Premium plan only) | 2.0 stereo, 5.1 surround sound audio, Dolby Atmos (Premium plan only) |
| Hulu | 1080p, 4K | 2.0 stereo, 5.1 surround sound audio |
For ultra-high-def enthusiasts, Netflix carries around 600 titles in 4K (Premium plan only). Hulu’s 4K content is limited to just a handful of original shows and movies.
Both Netflix and Hulu support standard 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround sound audio, but only Netflix supports Dolby Atmos (again, Premium plan only).
Another of our small quibbles with Hulu: its fast-forward/rewind function flat-out sucks. The clunky, draggy performance is among the worst we’ve seen in any streaming service (including the notoriously buggy Amazon Prime Video).
Stop the lag and drag
Slow internet makes for bad viewing: Read our Best Internet for Streaming guide and level up your game.
Final take: Are Netflix and Hulu worth it?
While we think both Netflix and Hulu earn their price tags, for different reasons, we’re giving the everyman edge here to Hulu.
Netflix’s weekly firehose of original content is impressive, but we think Hulu’s next-day streaming of network shows, not to mention the convenient option to add live TV channels, is more in-line with the needs of the average viewer.
Also, Hulu’s originals get better every year—have you heard of The Bear? Chef’s kiss.
Netflix vs. Hulu FAQs
Both Netflix and Hulu have their strengths, but we like Hulu’s quality-over-quantity approach to original content, next-day streaming of network TV shows, and the option to add live TV to the mix.
Netflix’s biggest advantage over Hulu is its sheer quantity of original content that refreshes week after week, year after year. There’s literally always something new on Netflix whenever you open the app. Netflix also has Stranger Things, which is kind of a big deal.
Netflix and Hulu are different enough that they could compliment each other if you’re a power TV watcher willing to shell out subscription money for both. If all you care about is Korean dramas and Stranger Things (did we mention that it’s kind of a big deal?), you’re probably good with just Netflix.
Methodology
Our TV experts spent hundreds of hours watching Netflix and Hulu, rating the services on content, value, and reliability. Then we matched it up against other on-demand streaming TV services head to head to give a clearer picture of their strengths and weaknesses. For more information on our methodology, check out our How We Rank page.
