Hulu vs. Peacock: Which Streaming Service Is Best?
Choosing a streaming service today is a big deal – it can mean the difference between watching the latest buzz-worthy shows and missing out on water cooler talk at work. You’ll also want to choose the platform that caters to your preferences the most, whether you want to watch the hottest sports games or latest docuseries.
At first glance, Hulu and Peacock might appear similar, since each offers a streaming library and live TV option. When you look more closely, you’ll find key differences that help make your choice easier. We’re taking a deep dive into each platform and looking at key aspects, like content quality, pricing, and user interface. Plus, we’ll cover how PIA VPN can help you avoid common streaming issues.
Quick Guide: How to Stream with PIA VPN
PIA VPN helps you stream wherever you go, even if you’re watching at work or school. When you connect to a PIA server, you can bypass network blocks and pick back up on your favorite content.
- Sign up for PIA VPN.
- Connect to a streaming-optimized server in the US.
- Watch shows, movies, sports, and more!
Hulu vs. Peacock: Content Quality
Titles
A major difference between Hulu and Peacock is the number of available titles. According to Ampere Analytics, Peacock has 6,411 distinct movies and TV seasons. That’s certainly a lot, but Hulu has it beat with 7,250 titles. Not to mention, you can also bundle Hulu with Disney+ and up the count to more than 9,500.
Channel Lineup
If you’re comparing Peacock vs. Hulu + Live TV, Hulu is the clear winner, though you’ll pay a premium for the service. Peacock includes its “live” offering with its lowest tier package, which is more affordable, but it offers far fewer channels and most of them function more like on-demand channels than live TV. Still, if you only want to watch big sporting events and local news, Peacock is a great option.
Original Content
Each service has an impressive selection of exclusive original content. On Peacock, you get a significant variety of original dramas, including The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Apples Never Fall, Poker Face, and Dr. Death. Note-worthy original reality TV series include shows like Paris In Love and The Traitors.
All of that said, Hulu’s original content is tough to beat since it includes hard-hitting FX originals. You’ll need a Hulu subscription if you want to watch The Bear, The Kardashians, Life & Beth, and The Patient.
Specialty Content
Peacock is home to many classic sitcoms you likely know and love. It has The Office, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, That 70’s Show, Modern Family, The King of Queens, Everybody Loves Raymond, Roseanne, and Monk.
While Hulu has tons of scripted series, it shines with its documentaries. It’s always coming out with new options, but a few highlights include Black Twitter: A People’s History, The Contestant, and Mother Undercover.
Live Sports Coverage
Peacock’s base-level plan has Hulu’s comparable plan beat. On Peacock, you can watch live news and sports, including Sunday Night Football and Premier League, for just $7.99/month.
On Hulu, you’ll only get access to live news coverage from ABC News with the base-level plan. For more live sports coverage, you’ll need Hulu + Live TV for $76.99/month. Still, the live TV plan gets you tons of content, including NFL and MLB games, as well as optional ESPN+.
Peacock TV vs. Hulu: Plans, Add-ons, Bundles, and Pricing
What is the difference between Hulu and Peacock when it comes to pricing, plans, add-ons, and streaming experience? Compare it all in the table below.
| Hulu | Peacock | |
| Base Plan Cost | – $7.99/month or $79.99/year (With ads) – $17.99/month (No ads) (No annual plan) | – $7.99/month or $79.99/year (With ads) – $13.99/month or 139.99/year (No ads) |
| Free Trial | Up to 30 Days (Depending on plan) | None |
| Add-ons | – Disney+ – ESPN+ – MaxParamount+ with SHOWTIME – Cinemax – STARZ – Español Add-on – Entertainment Add-on (Includes MTV Classic, Nicktoons, and more) – Sports Add-on (Includes NFL RedZone, Tennis Channel, and more) – Unlimited Screens Add-on | None |
| Bundles | – Hulu (With ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (With ads) and ESPN+ (With ads) – Hulu (No ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No ads) and ESPN+ (With ads) – Hulu (With ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No ads) and ESPN+ (With ads) | Peacock, Netflix, and Apple TV+ bundle (Only available for Xfinity TV and Comcast broadband subscribers) |
| Live TV Option | Yes, with live TV package | Yes, with Premium Plus subscription |
| Number of Live TV Channels In Base Plan | 90+ | 50+, though some “live” channels function more like on-demand content |
| Profile Limits | 7 | 6 |
| Simultaneous Streams | 2 (or unlimited with $9.99/month Unlimited Screens add-on) | 3 |
| Offline Viewing | Yes, but only downloaded Hulu streaming content (not Live TV) | Yes, but downloading is only available to Premium Plus subscribers |
| Parental Controls | – Kids profiles – PIN protection for non-kids profiles | – Kids profiles – Set maturity rating for adult or kid profiles – PIN profile protection |
| Profile Personalization | – Personalized content recommendations – DVR library – My Stuff library – Like and Dislike content to improve recommendations | – Personalized content based on your age, gender, and location – My Stuff library |
Hulu vs. Peacock: Apps & Features
Compatible Devices
| Hulu | Peacock |
| Smart TVs – Android TV devices – LG WebOS smart TVs – Samsung smart TVs – Vizio Smart Cast TVs – Xumo TV and XiOne Box Streaming Devices and Boxes – Apple TV – Chromecast – Fire TV – Roku – Xfinity Flex and X1 TV Boxes – Contour 2 and Stream Player Boxes – Echo Show Game Consoles – Nintendo Switch – Playstation 4 and 5 – Xbox Phones and Tablets – Amazon Fire tablets – Android phones and tablets – Apple iPhones and iPads | Smart TVs – Android TV-enabled Smart TVs – Google TV – Hisense VIDAA – LG Smart TV – Samsung Smart TV – SmartCast TV – Xumo Streaming Devices and Boxes – Apple TV – Chromecast – Cox Contour Box and Contour Stream Player – Fire TV – Roku – Spectrum Zumo Stream Box – Xfinity Streaming devices Game Consoles and VR – Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro – PlayStation – Xbox Phones and Tablets – Android phones and tablets (6.0 or above) – Amazon Fire Tablets – Apple iPhones and iPads (iOS 14 or above) |
User Interface and Ease of Use
If you’re used to Netflix, Hulu and Peacock may both seem a little confusing. When you log into Hulu, you’re presented with buttons on the left side and top of the screen for different categories, including TV, Movies, and Keep Watching. You can ignore these options and scroll through content on the main page immediately. The number of choices can feel overwhelming.
Peacock is simpler, with one menu on the left side of the screen and the option to scroll content immediately. It becomes more confusing than Hulu when you select a show to watch, though. Sifting through episodes can be finicky, as you must toggle between a split screen with seasons on one side and all episodes on the other. It’s easy to accidentally select the wrong thing.
Hulu is best in terms of ease of use. Once you get used to the interface, it’s easy to find what you want. Peacock sometimes loses your place in an episode or doesn’t log that you’ve watched something, making it harder to pick back up where you left off. Some people report having to restart the app to correct freezing, especially during live sports.
Stream Quality
Both Hulu and Peacock offer up to 4K Ultra HD video quality, though you’re more likely to get 720p or 1080p. As with most streaming platforms, your quality will depend on your internet connection.
That said, Hulu sometimes shuffles between multiple quality levels, regardless of your connection speed. This can be quite a distracting and frustrating viewing experience. On the flip side, people say that Peacock’s video quality is consistently high, though when the app initially started it had some issues in this area.
Downloading Options
Comparing Hulu and Peacock in this category is easy, since they’re almost identical. Both allow downloads only on ad-free accounts. On each platform, you can download up to 25 pieces of content across all devices. Once you start watching something you downloaded, both apps will automatically delete it after 48 hours. Each platform deletes unwatched content after 30 days.
There are a few differences. Peacock will delete downloads if you log out of your account or uninstall the app. Additionally, Peacock limits certain pieces of content to 10 total downloads.
Hulu vs. Peacock: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
|
✅ Huge catalog of shows and movies, including original content | ❌ Video quality sometimes appears jumpy |
| ✅ Extensive add-on and bundling options | ❌ Buffering between episodes | |
| ✅ More personalization | ❌ Only two simultaneous streams | |
| ✅ Option for unlimited simultaneous streams | ❌ Extra cost for Hulu + Live TV |
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
|
✅ Affordable no-ads option | ❌ Buffering between episodes |
| ✅ 3 simultaneous streams included | ❌ Limited Live TV offering outside of sports and local news | |
| ✅ Excellent specialty content offering | ❌ Confusing user interface | |
| ✅ More live sports included in base package | ❌ No add-ons or bundles |
Peacock vs. Hulu: Which Should You Choose?
So, is Hulu or Peacock better? It comes down to what you want to watch and how much you want to spend. If you’re looking for more live TV channels and bundling options, Hulu is likely the best choice. You can also test it out with a free trial, which can be up to 30 days depending on your subscription.
Is cost a key concern? Peacock’s ad-free plan is more affordable. Do you care most about user experience? Hulu takes some getting used to, but is ultimately easier to navigate and offers more personalization.
If you’re considering a lower-cost tier, you may also ask: Does Hulu or Peacock have more ads? There is no official data from the streaming services, but users generally report that Peacock has fewer ads.
Why You Need a VPN for Streaming
A VPN helps you get the most out of your streaming subscriptions. Here’s how:
- Access platforms while traveling abroad. Both Hulu and Peacock are only available in the US, which can mean missing out on your usual shows when you travel abroad. When you connect to a VPN server back in the US, you can keep watching as if you never left.
- Bypass streaming blocks. If the Wi-Fi at your school or office blocks streaming services, you’re not alone. With powerful VPN encryption, you can conceal your activity from the network and unblock streaming sites instantly.
- Protect your data. Lack of security on public Wi-Fi networks can make them an easy target for cybercriminals. VPN encryption makes your data unreadable to anyone without a key, stopping any lurking bad actors from accessing your passwords, payment details, and other personal info.
Why Choose PIA VPN for Streaming?
PIA VPN helps solve common streaming issues so you can just focus on watching. We have servers in 91 countries, so you can always find a server where you need it. Many of these are streaming-optimized servers, which we monitor to ensure you always get an IP address that works with your streaming platform.
Our super-fast, 10-Gbps server network ensures you get the speed you need for top-tier video quality with zero buffering. There are no data transfer caps, so you can stream for as long as you want.
You can watch on your preferred devices with PIA VPN. We have apps for Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Or, configure the VPN on your router to use it across all your devices! If you’re not sure which server to choose, or have any questions, our customer support team is available to help 24/7.
Use our 30-day money-back guarantee to try it risk-free.
FAQ
Peacock has NBC shows, like The Office and Parks and Recreation, many of which were once on other platforms like Hulu. Peacock also offers many sports at no extra charge, including WWE, Premier League soccer, and Big Ten basketball. It also has local NBC channels.
Hulu is popular because of its extensive streaming library, including kids’ shows, reality TV, documentaries, comedies, dramas, international hits, and more. It also has tons of original content you can’t see elsewhere.
Peacock is a great option compared to some other platforms because it’s more affordable, offers more live content in its base package, and streams more live sports. It includes up to 3 simultaneous screens and high-quality video. Still, there are some drawbacks, like its lack of add-on or bundling options.
It depends on what you’re looking for. Hulu is a great choice for original content, bundling, and live TV. People love Max for its exclusive library of classic and current hits. Netflix has more stand-up comedy and documentaries. Peacock is the most affordable ad-free option.
Netflix has more titles than Hulu, with 8,391 compared to 7,250. However, if you include Disney+ in Hulu’s total, it jumps to over 9,500 titles. Netflix also has more originals, making up 55% of its library. Netflix currently has more stand-up comedy, though Hulu has plans to catch up with its new stand-up comedy brand, Hulu’s Laughing Now.
Peacock’s biggest downside is its user interface; it can be difficult to navigate between episodes. The content also sometimes lags and freezes. However, this can occur due to content-based ISP throttling rather than an issue with Peacock. If you’re experiencing this, get PIA VPN and enjoy streaming with the speeds you paid for.
It depends on your preferences. They’re roughly the same cost and each has a great UI, so it comes down to content. Each has excellent originals, but Max is known for its gold-standard shows like The Sopranos and Game of Thrones. Hulu has FX original content, including hits like The Bear. Max is generally better for movies, while Hulu has more comfort shows.
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.