Hulu vs. Netflix: Which Streaming Service Is Best?

Can you believe there once was a time when Netflix had no competition? It pioneered streaming as we know it and, for a time, was the sole on-demand streaming provider – at least in the West. Today, streaming services abound, and while Netflix is still leagues ahead of the rest, the heat is intensifying.

One such challenger is Hulu. It has a fraction of Netflix’s subscriber count, and is limited to only US territories, but it’s still considered a leading streaming service. The question is, is Hulu better than Netflix? Let’s find out – and learn how PIA VPN will enhance your streaming experience, no matter the service you opt for.

Hulu vs. Netflix: Content Quality

Content is one of the biggest differences between Netflix and Hulu. Netflix has 7,000+ titles in its US library and nearly 20,000 titles worldwide, while Hulu has approximately 2,500 titles. 

Hulu pales in comparison when it comes to quantity, but is its library more curated? Does Hulu have better movies than Netflix, or a better selection of shows? Or, is Netflix the forerunner of streaming because it’s perfected both scale and entertainment value? The truth is, we can’t fairly compare the two because they’re apples and oranges. Hulu and Netflix, generally speaking, cater to different audiences. Here’s where they shine.

What’s On Netflix?

🍿 Netflix Originals: Netflix is revered for its original movies and series. Critically acclaimed titles include Stranger Things, The Witcher, Bridgerton, Don’t Look Up, and All Quiet on the Western Front.

🍿 Variety: The great thing about Netflix is that it has some of everything, including new releases, classics, and exclusive content, covering a wide variety of genres. 

🍿 Live events: Subscribers can tune in to live releases, including boxing matches, comedy shows, and NFL Christmas specials. Netflix has exclusive rights to the anticipated Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, scheduled for November 15th.

🍿 Kids’ and YA content: Netflix has a solid library of children’s and teen entertainment. It’s got a ton of cartoons and educational programs, as well as YA smash hits, like Riverdale, Wednesday and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. 

🍿 Stand-up comedy: Netflix and stand-up comedy go hand in hand. It’s got the widest selection of comedy specials, and the service brings new shows every month.

What’s On Hulu?

🍿 Hulu Exclusives: Hulu may not have as many original titles as Netflix, but its titles give Netflix a run for its money. Popular titles include American Horror Story, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Fox’s Futurama.

🍿 Current episodes: Hulu is your best bet if you enjoy television but don’t want, or can’t get, cable. New episodes of popular TV shows are added the day after they air.

🍿 Live music: If you have a Live TV supported device, you can stream live music festivals at no extra cost. This includes Austin City Limits, iHeartRadio Festival and iHeartCountry Festival, and Lollapalooza.

🍿 Anime: Hulu has its own anime hub, containing 300+ titles for geeks to enjoy. This includes subbed and dubbed, classic and new titles, E and R rated shows, and fan favorites like Bleach, Sword Art Online, Akira, Naruto, and One-Punch Man.

🍿 Live TV, News, and Sports: Hulu subscribers can opt in, or upgrade to a Live TV package. This gives viewers access to 90+ TV channels without the hassle of signing up for cable.

Hulu vs Netflix: Pricing

Netflix prices vary by country. The rates listed below are specific to the US. If you’re outside of this region, check your local Netflix site for accurate pricing.

Netflix	Hulu
Plans
Standard with ads – $7.99/month Ad-supported, most titles available, 2 simultaneous device connections, full HD. Standard – $15.49/month Unlimited ad-free viewing, full HD, 2 simultaneous device connections, up to 1 extra member outside of your home network (opt in). Premium – $22.99/month Unlimited ad-free viewing, 4 simultaneous streams, downloads on up to 6 devices, watch in Ultra HD, up to 2 extra members outside of your home network (opt in), Netflix spatial audio.	Ad supported – $7.99/month or $79.99 annually Includes Hulu’s full content library with ads. Student discount priced at $1.99 per month. Ad-free – $17.99/month No ad breaks, but ads are still shown before and after select shows. Hulu + Live TV Access to 90+ TV channels, includes Disney+ and ESPN+. $76.99/month with ads or $89.99/month ad-free (Hulu and Disney+). Live TV only – $75.99/month Does not include Hulu, Disney+, or ESPN+.
Add-Ons
Extra member slots on standard and premium, priced at $7.99 each.	Partner add-ons Disney+ (with ads) – $2.00/month ESPN+ – $10.99/month Premium add-ons Max – $15.99/month Cinemax – $9.99/month Paramount+ (with Showtime): $11.99/month STARZ – $9.99/month Live TV add-ons Español – $4.99/month Entertainment – $7.99/month Sports $9.99/month Unlimited Screens – $9.99/month
Bundles
Streamsaver Bundle – $15.99/month Available for Comcast Xfinity TV and broadband customers. Includes: Peacock Premium, Apple TV+, and Netflix Standard with ads	Disney Bundle Disney+ subscribers can opt in to Hulu and ESPN+. Duo Basic (Disney+ and Hulu) for $9.99/month Includes ads. Trio Basic (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) for $14.99/month. Includes ads. Trio Premium (Disney+ and Hulu ad free, and ESPN+ with ads) for $25.99/month

Hulu vs. Netflix: Apps & Features

Content isn’t the only consideration when settling on a streaming service. You also want a great user experience. That said, which is best – Hulu or Netflix? We’ve weighed them up.

	Netflix	Hulu
Device Compatibility	All major devices including desktop, mobile, streaming devices, consoles, and browsers.	All major devices including desktop, mobile, streaming devices, consoles, and browsers.
Quality	HD (Standard with ads, Standard) 4K Ultra HD (Premium) HDR (Premium, with compatible devices)	Standard Definition HD 720p and 1080p 4K Ultra HD HDR on select devices
Downloads	Standard plans: 15 downloads per month Premium: 100 active downloads per device	Up to 25 downloads on 5 devices at one time. Only available on ad-free plans.
Accessibility features	Assistive listening, audio descriptions, screen readers, subtitles and closed captions, voice commands, keyboard shortcuts; brightness, font size, and playback speed controls	Audio descriptions, closed captions and subtitles, keyboard shortcuts, screen readers, and voice commands.
Users	Up to 5 profiles on home networks. Users on standard and premium pans can purchase extra member slots for $7.99 p/m each. 4 simultaneous streams with premium subscription.	Up to 7 profiles on unlimited devices. 2 simultaneous streams. Live TV subscribers can add unlimited screens for $9.99 p/m.

It’s close, but Netflix just barely wins this one. Not only does it have more accessibility and customization options, its add ons are more affordable, and you get more simultaneous streams on premium plans. Premium subscribers can download more too.

Hulu vs. Netflix: Pros and Cons

Netflix and Hulu are both excellent streaming services, but neither is perfect. Whether their weak points are deal breakers or not is up to you and what you’re looking for.

Netflix Benefits

• ✅ Extensive content library: Netflix has more than double Hulu’s titles.
• ✅ It’s easy to use and customize.
• ✅ It offers more simultaneous streams.
• ✅ It has more diverse content, including foreign entertainment and independent films.

Netflix Drawbacks

• ❌ Available titles vary by country.
• ❌ Profiles outside of your home network cost extra.
• ❌ Higher quality is only available on premium plans.

Hulu Benefits

• ✅ Access to live music, sports, news, and Disney content depending on your plan.
• ✅ Next-day viewing for current network series.
• ✅ Live TV subscribers get access to 90+ cable channels.
• ✅ No device limit.

Hulu Drawbacks

• ❌ Only available in the US (but you can get around that with a VPN if you’re traveling abroad).
• ❌ Premium plans cost more than most other streaming services.
• ❌ Only 2 simultaneous streams.

Hulu vs. Netflix : Which Should You Choose? 

The Streaming War is unlikely to end any time soon, so all we can do is choose which services are worth paying for and which ones we can go without. When it comes to the Hulu vs Netflix battle, there is no clear winner. They both have their perks and disadvantages, and ultimately the one you pick depends on your needs.

Netflix is the better option for film buffs, families, and differently-abled viewers. Younger audiences, comedy enthusiasts, and fans of original, foreign, or independent content are likely to find what they’re looking for. It comes with a trade off. It doesn’t update its content as quickly, and available titles vary by location. Overall, it’s a great choice if you want loads of entertainment, but aren’t too discerning about what you get or when you get it.

Hulu is your best bet if you’re a TV addict, and prefer quality over quantity. You won’t find as many titles as you would on Netflix, but you can enjoy a wider variety of niches, including sports, news, music, and an array of genres; everything from reality shows to anime. Hulu also brings you fresher content faster, and if you’re willing to pay more, you can access cable television without the hassle of setting it up at home.

Still undecided? You could always sign up for Hulu and Netflix and get the best of both worlds.

Why You Need a VPN for Streaming

Netflix has different libraries for different countries. As an example, Slovakia has the biggest Netflix library with 8400 titles, while Georgia has the smallest, with a little over 2000 titles. This means that even if a film or show is available on Netflix, it might not be available to you.

When you travel abroad, you could easily miss out on your favorite titles that are normally available to you at home. It’s even worse with Hulu. It’s only available in the US, so you’ll lose access to your whole account.

PIA VPN lets you change your IP address, so you can digitally relocate back to your home country and access your streaming accounts as usual. You can also bypass ISP throttling and blocks on work or school networks. We encrypt your data and hide your activity too, so you can stream safely on public Wi-Fi.

Our 10-Gbps streaming-optimized VPN servers ensure you’ll be able to easily connect to Netflix and Hulu. You also get unlimited bandwidth, so you can stream securely as much as you like.

Best of all? You can cover unlimited devices with one account. Our app is compatible with all major streaming devices, and our customer support team is available 24/7. Try PIA VPN with our risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

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