Comparing Hulu vs. Fubo for Sports, Live TV, and More

Posted on Aug 26, 2024 by Nicole Forrest

Streaming services have overtaken cable TV for their personalized content offerings, lower monthly fees, and greater flexibility. Hulu + Live TV and Fubo are two of the best on the market, but each one has its own pros and cons that make it better suited to some audiences than others.

To help you answer the question, “Is Fubo better than Hulu?”, we’re taking an in-depth look at each of these platforms, including their content offerings, cost, and the bells and whistles they come with. We’ll also tell you how PIA VPN can help you access your streaming account easily and securely wherever you are.


Quick Guide: How to Stream with PIA VPN

Both Hulu and Fubo are available only in a few countries, but PIA VPN lets you take your subscriptions with you when you’re traveling abroad.

  1. Sign up for PIA VPN.
  2. Connect to a streaming-optimized server in the US.
  3. Log in to Hulu or Fubo and stream your favorite content just like you would back home.

Hulu vs Fubo: Channel Lineup and Content Quality

Hulu and Fubo share more than a few similarities, but there’s still plenty to distinguish the services from one another.

While Hulu has separate packages for on-demand content and live TV, Fubo is a live TV-first service that also gives you access to on-demand content. 

Hulu + Live TV comes with more than 95 live TV channels and offers around 9,000 on-demand titles in the Hulu and Disney+ libraries. Fubo offers more than 40,000 on-demand titles, plus an extensive lineup of channels. Fubo’s lowest tier plan delivers more than 180 channels and the highest includes over 250.

Hulu offers some excellent Originals, like The Bear and Only Murders in the Building – a feature that’s somewhat unsurprising considering the platform’s Walt Disney-Company pedigree. Fubo, on the other hand, doesn’t produce any of its own content.

Hulu + Live TV also offers a wider variety of kids’ programming compared to Fubo’s base plan, as it includes Disney+ in addition to popular channels like Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and PBS Kids. Fubo does have the Disney Channel, so there will be at least a little overlap in the choice of shows, and if you sign up for one of the higher-priced plans, you can access more kids’ channels than Hulu offers.

If you want Spanish-language content, Hulu’s Hispanic & Latin American Stories hub houses original content produced in Latin America as well as various telenovelas, comedies, and family shows. The Español add-on gives you access to channels such as ESPN Deportes and CNN en Español. Fubo’s Latino package is a cheaper option if you don’t want English-language content. It features 60+ Spanish-language channels spanning entertainment, sport, education, news, and movies.

Hulu vs Fubo for Sports

Another big consideration is whether to choose Hulu or Fubo for sports. Both streaming services give you access to ESPN, Fox Sports 1, the NFL Network, MLB Network, and SEC Network. Hulu + Live TV offers a limited selection of regional sports networks, including NBC Sports channels. Fubo’s comprehensive list of RSNs, including Bally Sports, NBC Sports, and various smaller networks, makes it a better option for dedicated sports fans.

You can also sign up for a variety of paid add-ons to expand the sports selection on each platform, with both Hulu’s Sports Add-on and Fubo’s Sports Plus with NFL RedZone giving you access to the NFL channel. You can also use your Hulu + Live TV account to log in to the ESPN app to watch highlights reels, talk shows, and sports documentaries.

Hulu vs Fubo: Pricing 

Price is always a big consideration when picking a streaming service. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect to pay on each platform, as well as the features you’ll get for your monthly subscription fee:

Hulu + Live TVFubo
Starting price (per month)$76.99$79.99
Plan options23
Add-ons7 packages, including premium channels, plus entertainment, sports, and Spanish-language bundles16 packages, including premium and niche channels, news, sports, entertainment and Spanish-language bundles
Free trialYesYes
Simultaneous streams210 at home; 3 outside of home
DownloadsYes (No Ads package)Yes
Parental controlsYesNo
DVR capacityUnlimitedUnlimited

Hulu + Live TV has two plans. Both give you access to 9,000+ titles on Hulu and Disney+, as well as 95+ live TV channels and ESPN+. You can watch with ads for $76.99 per month or without ads for $89.99 per month.

Fubo’s Pro plan is priced at $79.99 per month and includes more than 180 channels. The Elite plan costs $89.99 per month for 250+ channels, while the Premier plan has a $99.99 price tag and will give you access to 260+ channels. There’s also the Latino plan, which costs $32.99 per month for 60+ channels.

As far as value for money goes, Fubo gives you a little more bang for your buck than Hulu + Live TV. Although its base package (Pro) is slightly more expensive than Hulu’s, you’ll get an additional 79 channels for the extra investment.

Hulu vs Fubo: Apps & Features

Video quality is a big consideration when choosing a streaming platform – and there are some significant differences between Hulu and Fubo. Hulu’s entire library is available to stream in either 720p or 1080p, with select titles available in 4K. In contrast, Fubo’s standard resolution is 720p and only higher tier plans allow you to stream some sports content in 4K.

Both platforms let you create up to 6 profiles to stream using various web browsers, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming sticks, and set-top boxes. 

This leads to another important question: is Fubo or Hulu better for streaming on the go? The answer here is Fubo. Unlike Hulu, which only allows up to 2 simultaneous streams, Fubo’s 10-screen allowance means that you can transition from watching on your smart TV to streaming on your smartphone without any hassle.

Fubo’s interface is also superior across all of its apps. It’s easy to navigate the library and search for shows, plus the channel guide loads quickly and gives you previews for content without having to click through to the title. However, it can be tricky to see whether a show is available on demand versus streaming live or stored in your DVR library.

Unfortunately for Hulu + Live, it falls short by comparison. Finding the channel guide can be a challenge, which makes the live TV experience somewhat frustrating. The same goes for content on your DVR – it can be difficult to find titles you’ve recorded, even when using the search function.

Hulu vs Fubo: Pros and Cons

Pros Cons
Image ✅ Award-winning Hulu Originals ❌ Base plan includes unskippable ads
✅ Includes Disney + and ESPN+ ❌ Few regional sports channels
✅ Large library of on-demand content ❌ Only 2 concurrent streams


Pros Cons
Image ✅ Excellent live sports selection ❌ Monthly Regional Sports
Fee applies in certain areas
✅ 10 simultaneous streams ❌ Most live streams only in 720p
✅ Easy-to-navigate interface ❌ No parental controls


Hulu vs Fubo: Which Should You Choose?

Although these two streaming services are pretty evenly footed in terms of pricing, there are loads of other factors to consider when comparing them. Channel lineup, streaming capabilities, and ease of use will all be important considerations when making your choice.

Both platforms have apps for a range of devices, enabling you to watch at home and on the go. Fubo’s more intuitive interface makes it slightly easier to navigate when you first use the platform. With up to 10 simultaneous streams, it’s a better choice for larger households. Viewers looking for a wider range of content to watch in full HD and 4K will likely prefer Hulu as it offers more shows and movies in these resolutions.

When it comes to content, Fubo is a great option for sports fans. The service has an impressive lineup of sports channels, including the NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, as well as various networks that cover both regional and international sporting events.

On the flip side, Hulu + Live TV provides subscribers with access to award-winning Hulu Originals like The Handmaid’s Tale and American Horror Story. Plus, you get Disney+ and ESPN+ included in your subscription.

Ultimately, the platform that comes out tops for you in the Fubo vs Hulu face-off will depend on you and what you like to watch.

Why You Need a VPN for Streaming

Hulu, Fubo, and many other streaming platforms limit their availability to the US or a small number of other countries, making it hard to watch the shows and channels you like when you travel abroad. A VPN can change your virtual location and allow you to watch on your usual platforms just like you would at home.

Similarly, if you’re blocked from accessing streaming services on the Wi-Fi at your school or office, a VPN offers an easy solution. VPN encryption hides your activity from the network, allowing you to bypass firewalls with ease. It also keeps your personal information secure when you’re streaming over public Wi-Fi.

Why Choose PIA as Your #1 Streaming VPN

PIA VPN has streaming-optimized servers in the US that work seamlessly with a wide range of streaming providers, including Hulu and Fubo. Our 10-Gbps network delivers fast VPN connection speeds, so you can stream in the highest resolution your platform offers without loss of picture quality.

Our huge server network includes servers in every US state, making it easy to access your local news and sports channels securely. 

We have user-friendly VPN apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Android/Google TV. You can also configure PIA on your router to cover every streaming device in your home. 

If you need help choosing the right server, our customer support experts are on hand to help you 24/7. Try PIA VPN risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee.

FAQ

Which is better, Fubo or Hulu?

Fubo gives you access to more channels than with Hulu. On the other hand, Hulu + Live TV offers Warner Bros. Discovery channels (think Discovery, HGTV, Food Network, and TLC). Plus, you can add Disney+ and ESPN+ to your package. Fubo’s sports catalog and access to regional sports networks make it a better choice for live sports. 

What is the downside of Hulu?

The ads on the ad-supported Hulu plan are quite intrusive. Some viewers also find the interface difficult to navigate. Hulu + Live TV features fewer channels than similarly priced competitors, but does include Disney+ and ESPN+.

Which streaming service is better than Hulu?

Netflix might be a better choice if you’re looking for a wider range of original programming and movies. Disney+ has a lot of family-friendly content, and you can bundle it with Hulu. For sports fans, Fubo or ESPN+ could be better, depending on which sports you want to watch live.

Why is Fubo so expensive?

Fubo offers lots of sports channels, and broadcast rights for live sports are expensive. Its packages also include an extensive range of live TV channels, on-demand content, and unlimited DVR storage, all of which add to the cost.

What is the downside of Fubo?

Fubo has higher subscription fees than Hulu + Live TV and other similar streaming services, and you won’t see many of the latest hit series or movies in its on-demand library. Plus, most content is available only in 720p.

What is the #1 best streaming service?

The best streaming service will depend on your preferences. Netflix is often considered the top choice for on-demand content due to the selection and quality of content on offer. When it comes to live TV streaming, YouTube TV usually ranks as the best service due to its channel line-up, sports offering, stream quality, and ease of use.

Is Hulu available in the UK?

Hulu isn’t directly available in the UK, but some of its content is accessible through Disney+ under the Star section. If you’re traveling to the UK, you can connect to one of PIA VPN’s streaming-optimized servers in the US to access Hulu like normal.

Is Hulu free with Amazon Prime?

Hulu isn’t free with Amazon Prime Video, but you can subscribe to Hulu through Prime Channels. Keep in mind that you’ll still need to pay the monthly subscription fee for Hulu on top of your Prime Video membership.

Can I Use a VPN to Access Streaming Services in Another Country? 

Some VPN users may use a VPN server in the US to watch Hulu or Fubo from another country. You should be aware that doing so may violate copyright law and go against PIA’s terms of service.

PIA VPN puts your privacy first and we never keep tabs on our users’ activity. In fact, when you use PIA, even we can’t see what you’re using it for. That said, we support the media industry and urge you to carefully read your streaming platform’s terms and conditions.


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