Hulu vs. Disney+: Which Streaming Service Is Right for You?
The streaming wars rage on, and choosing the right platform can be a head-scratcher.
Two major contenders for your hearts and minds are Hulu and Disney+. Both offer lots to watch, but they cater to slightly different audiences. In this article, we’ll take a closer look to help you decide which one suits you best.
You’ll also find out how PIA VPN can help you access your streaming accounts while you’re traveling abroad, without compromising your connection speed or security.
Quick Guide: How to Stream with PIA VPN
PIA helps you get around streaming blocks on restricted networks. Here’s how to do it in three simple steps:
- Get PIA VPN. Install the app on your favorite streaming device.
- Connect to a VPN server.
- Open your streaming service, sit back, and enjoy the show.
Table of Contents
Hulu vs Disney+: Content Quality
Comparing two streaming giants isn’t easy, but here’s what we found out.
Hulu
Number of Titles: Hulu boasts a vast library with over 7000 titles, including movies, TV shows, and documentaries.
Original Content: Hulu is known for its high-quality original series like The Handmaid’s Tale, Castle Rock, and Pen15, which have received critical acclaim. That said, Hulu’s original feature films have been less impressive.
Variety: Hulu offers a broad range of genres, from comedy and drama to horror and sci-fi flicks, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Hulu doesn’t specialize in any specific type of content, but you can find plenty of shows and movies for kids and lots of treats for sports enthusiasts, making it a well-rounded option for families.
Live Streaming: The Hulu + Live TV plans are significantly more expensive than a regular Hulu subscription, but you can stream live sports, news, and entertainment channels.
Availability: Hulu is currently only available in the US.
Disney+
Number of Titles: Disney+ offers around 2500 titles, focusing on quality over quantity.
Original Content: Disney+ is home to pop culture favorites like The Mandalorian, WandaVision, and Loki, as well as exclusive movies, including big hits: Soul, Turning Red, Disenchanted, and others.
Variety: While Disney+ has a narrower focus, it excels in specific genres, such as family-friendly content, Marvel and Star Wars titles, and National Geographic documentaries. It’s a treasure trove for fans of Disney classics and Pixar films.
Live Streaming: Disney+ doesn’t currently have live streaming as part of its offering.
Availability: Disney+ is available in 80+ countries around the world. The content library may slightly differ from country to country.
Hulu vs Disney+: Plans, Add-Ons, and Bundles
There are different packages you can get to enjoy the two streaming services separately and even multiple options to purchase them in bundles. Check all the currently available plans below. Keep in mind that pricing changes often, so it’s always a good idea to look at the platform’s official websites to get the most up-to-date information.
Hulu
| Hulu (with ads) | Hulu (no ads) | Hulu + Live TV | |
| Monthly price | $7.99/mo. | $17.99/mo. | $75.99/month |
Disney
| Disney+ (with ads) | Disney+ (no ads) | |
| Monthly price | $7.99/month | $13.99/month |
Bundles
| Disney+, Hulu (with ads) | Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ (with ads) | Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ (no ads) | Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, ESPN+ (with ads) | Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, ESPN+ (with ads) | |
| Monthly price | $9.99/mo. | $14.99/mo. | $24.99/mo. | $76.99/mo. | $89.99/mo. |
Value for Money
Ultimately, the value depends on what you’re looking for:
- If you want one comprehensive subscription to cover both your on-demand content needs and live television, including sports, it’s probably best to opt for the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ bundle.
- If you’re strictly looking for easy ways to stream Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, or family-friendly content in general at home, then the Disney+ library alone should suffice.
- If you’re searching for tons of on-demand content with no particular preferences, a Hulu standalone subscription will do the job.
Hulu vs Disney+: Apps & Features
User experience is an important aspect of any streaming service. Here’s how Hulu and Disney+ stack up in terms of apps and features:
Hulu
Ease of Use: Hulu’s interface is user-friendly, with intuitive navigation and personalized recommendations.
Device Compatibility: Amazon Fire TV and tablets, any Android devices, any Apple devices (Apple TV 4th generation and later), Chromecast, LG WebOS smart TVs, PlayStation 4 & 5, Roku, Nintendo Switch, Echo Show (8, 10 & 15), Samsung TV, Vizio SmartCast TVs, Xbox, Xumo TV and XiOne Box, and all major browsers.
Stream Quality: HD and 4K streaming, with adaptive bitrate streaming to ensure smooth playback.
Downloading Options: Hulu allows downloads for offline viewing, but this feature is available only with the ad-free plan.
Multiple Users: Up to 7 user profiles with a single subscription, enabling personalized viewing experiences for each family member. You can stream on up to 2 devices at a time.
Disney+
Ease of Use: Disney+ has a clean, easy-to-navigate interface with well-organized categories and personalized suggestions.
Device Compatibility: Amazon Fire TV and tablets, PCs and tablets with Windows 10 and 11, any Apple devices, any Android devices, Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox, Hisense smart TVs, LG WebOS smart TVs, Panasonic smart TVs, Samsung smart TVs with Tizen OS.
Stream Quality: 4K UHD, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos on supported devices.
Downloading Options: Unlimited downloads for offline viewing on up to 10 devices.
Multiple Users: Up to 7 user profiles and simultaneous streaming on 4 devices.
Hulu vs Disney+ : Which Should You Choose?
Still scratching your head? No worries, here’s a short recap. The bottom line: both services are top-tier and the decision between Hulu and Disney+ depends on your viewing preferences and needs.
For families and Disney fans: If you have children or are a fan of Disney, Marvel, or Star Wars franchises, Disney+ is the obvious choice, with its rich catalog of family-friendly and exclusive content.
For variety and live TV: If you want a broad selection of genres and the ability to watch live TV, Hulu + Live TV is the better option. Its extensive library and live streaming capabilities make it a more versatile choice.
For original content: Both platforms provide plenty of great original content, but if you’re drawn to more mature, critically acclaimed series like The Handmaid’s Tale, Hulu might be more appealing.
For best value: If you want the best of both worlds, consider the Disney+ bundle with Hulu and ESPN+, which offers an all-in-one entertainment package at an affordable rate.
Why You Need a VPN for Streaming
A VPN can help you out in situations you may have never even considered.
Stay in Touch with Your Favorite Content while Abroad
As Hulu is unavailable outside the US, it can get really frustrating if you travel a lot and lose access to your favorite content while you’re abroad. A VPN provides an easy workaround: Just connect to a PIA VPN server in the US to mask your IP address and stream as though you never left home.
Stream All You Want on Restricted Networks
What can be more annoying than going on break at school or work and not being able to watch the latest episode of your favorite show, just because the local Wi-Fi blocks streaming services? You can avoid that with PIA VPN. It encrypts your data so that the network can’t see what sites you’re visiting. This way, you can unblock streaming services from anywhere.
Avoid ISP Slowdowns
Sometimes, during peak hours, your ISP might slow down your connection when you launch Disney+, Hulu, or any other streaming service, because it wants to save some bandwidth. That can only happen if your ISP can view your online activity. When you connect to a PIA VPN server, even your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online. This way, you can bypass activity-based ISP throttling and stream without buffering and lag.
Stay Safe on Unsecured Wi-Fi
Waiting for a delayed flight without your favorite show in the background can be painful. But connecting to the free Wi-Fi at the airport can bring on some potential security risks that you can easily avoid. A VPN encrypts your traffic, so online snoopers can’t see what you’re up to.
FAQ
When you get a bundle that includes both Disney+ and Hulu, almost all of the Hulu library is available within the Disney+ Hulu tile. That includes some of Hulu’s greatest originals, FX shows, Searchlight movies, ABC shows like Abbott Elementary, and more. Due to licensing issues, some popular shows like Modern Family and Love Island are missing.
Hulu is not directly available on Disney+ in the UK. However, a significant portion of Hulu’s original content and other series are available through the Star hub on Disney+, which is included with a Disney+ subscription in the UK and other international markets.
If you want access to the full Hulu library, including the Live TV add-on, you will need a separate Hulu subscription. However, some Hulu originals and popular series are available on Disney+ through the Star hub in certain regions. Check with your provider to be sure.
No, Hulu is not being discontinued. As of now, Hulu continues to operate as a separate streaming service in the US, offering its own unique content along with live TV options. Disney, which owns Hulu, has been integrating some Hulu content into Disney+ internationally through the Star hub, but Hulu itself remains active.
Hulu and Disney+ are not merging into a single service. However, Disney is leveraging its ownership of both platforms to offer bundled subscriptions and cross-promote content. Some Hulu content is available on Disney+ internationally through the Star hub, but in the US, Hulu remains a separate service.
In the US, you can subscribe to a bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. This bundle allows you to access all three services at a discounted rate compared to subscribing separately. However, Hulu and Disney+ will still operate as distinct apps with separate content libraries.
Whether Hulu is worth it depends on your viewing preferences. Hulu offers a vast library of TV shows, movies, original content, and live TV options. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy current-season TV episodes, classic series, and Hulu originals. If you value this type of content, Hulu is likely worth the subscription. For the best value, consider the Disney+ bundle that includes Hulu and ESPN+.
Can I use a VPN to watch a streaming service in another country?
Some VPN users may use a server in another country, where a certain streaming service is available, to connect to that service. While we cannot see what you are doing online due to our no-logs policy, this goes against our terms of service and is not acceptable.
PIA VPN puts your privacy first and we don’t track our users’ activity. That said, you should always comply with relevant laws, including copyright.