Hulu vs. YouTube TV: Which Is Better in 2024?

If you’re like most entertainment lovers, you’ve probably ditched traditional cable for streaming platforms long ago. Nowadays, though, you’ll need a cable alternative to watch the best live sporting events and niche TV channels. 

It can be hard to choose between Hulu and YouTube TV without experiencing them for yourself – which is why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide comparing these top cable alternatives. 

Discover what sets them apart, including their subscription plans, content, and features, and find your own answer to the question: Is YouTube TV better than Hulu? Plus, learn how PIA VPN can help you get the most out of your subscription, whichever one you choose.

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV: Content Quality

Both Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV provide access to tons of shows and movies. They also cover various types of content, including breaking news, awards shows, live sports, kids’ content, reality TV, politics, and primetime dramas. While Hulu’s live TV subscription offers 90+ channels, YouTube TV includes 130. 

When comparing the Hulu + Live TV vs. YouTube TV channel lineups, you’ll find that their offerings are pretty similar. It really comes down to the specific channels you need. If you want access to BBC America or HGTV, you’ll want YouTube TV. Meanwhile, only Hulu gets you access to Lifetime and The History Channel.

Both include the following popular channels, though network news channels may vary depending on your location: 

• Paramount
• Comedy Central
• Disney
• BET
• FX
• National Geographic
• ABC
• FOX
• NBC
• CBS

So, what’s the difference between YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, really? While Hulu specializes in original content, YouTube TV has little in comparison. It only has YouTube Originals, which it stopped producing in 2022. If you choose Hulu + Live TV, you also get ESPN+ and Disney+ – that’s an unbeatable amount of content.

Another big consideration is sports content. Hulu + Live TV comes with ESPN+, regardless of your package. Both platforms offer various live sports, including NFL, NBA, golf, UFC, and wrestling. YouTube TV also offers a range of add-ons, like NFL Sunday Ticket. 

Hulu vs. YouTube TV: Plans, Add-ons, and Pricing

	Hulu + Live TV	YouTube TV
Base Plan Cost	$76.99 – $89.99/Month depending on ad adoption	$72.99/Month for English plan, or $34.99/Month for Spanish plan
Free Trial	3 Days	Available, but length varies
Add-ons	– Max – Paramount+ 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	– NFL Sunday Ticket – NFL Sunday Ticket + NFL RedZone – NBA League Plus – WNBA League Pass – Max – 4K Plus – Sports Plus – Spanish Plus – Entertainment Plus (Includes Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, and STARZ) – Zee Family (Indian favorites) – And dozens more options
Number of Channels In Base Plan	90+	130
On-Demand Included In Base Package	Yes	Yes
Profile Limits	7	6
Simultaneous Streams	2 (or unlimited with $9.99/month Unlimited Screens add-on)	3 (or unlimited with $9.99/month 4K Plus add-on)
Offline Viewing	Yes, but only downloaded Hulu content (not Live TV).	Yes, by using the 4K Plus add-on to download recordings from your DVR library.
Parental Controls	– Kids Profiles – PIN Protection for non-Kids Profiles	Ratings Filter: Allow up to PG, up to TV-14, or all content on your child’s device.
Profile Personalization	– Personalized content recommendations – DVR library – My Stuff library – Like and Dislike content to improve recommendations	– Personalized content recommendations – DVR library – Custom channel lineup
Traveling Within the US	Watch only on mobile devices while traveling, unless you choose to update your account’s Home Location.	Watch on any device while traveling, including Smart TVs, Fire TV Sticks, and Apple TVs.

Considering its number of live TV channels, simultaneous streaming allowance, and access while traveling, YouTube TV provides more value for your money. However, if you value on-demand streaming content, Hulu’s content library, along with included Disney+ and ESPN+ content, is hard to beat. 

Hulu + Live TV vs. YouTube TV: Apps & Features

What really differentiates Hulu and YouTube TV are their features. Each has pros and cons, depending on what you’re looking for.

Compatible Devices

Hulu

YouTube TV

Smart TVs – Fire TV  – Samsung smart TVs – Vizio Smart – Cast TVs – Android TV devices – LG WebOS smart TVs – Xfinity Flex and X1 TV Boxes – Xumo TV and XiOne Box – Android TV – Google TV Streaming Devices – Apple TV  – Chromecast – Roku – Contour 2 and Stream Player Boxes Gaming Systems – Nintendo Switch  – Playstation 4 and 5 – Xbox Mobile and Personal Devices – Echo Show – Amazon Fire tablets – Android phones and tablets – Apple iPhones and iPads

Smart TVs – Android TV – Google TV – Samsung smart TVs – LG smart TVs – Vizio SmartCast TVs – Hisense smart TVs – Sharp smart TVs – Sony smart TVs Streaming Devices – Chromecast – Google TV – Roku – Apple TV – Fire TV Sticks Gaming Systems – Xbox – PlayStation 4 and 5 Mobile and Personal Devices – Google Nest Hub – Android phones and tablets – Apple iPhones and iPads

User Interface and Ease of Use

The user interface is quite different between the two platforms. While YouTube TV has a similar interface to many cable providers, Hulu is still a streaming-first platform. You have to load the app, view streaming content, and toggle over to Live TV, which requires more clicks (and a little more hassle) than YouTube TV. 

Stream Quality

Both Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV have 1080p video quality. YouTube also has a 4K Plus add-on, which provides 4K video quality for select content. However, users frequently report that YouTube TV’s picture quality is lacking. Although YouTube rolled out enhanced 1080p with better bitrates this year, many report that some content is still hard to watch. 

For example, users say that FX content, especially dark or fast-moving scenes, is difficult to watch due to poor video quality. Meanwhile, users typically report a positive experience with Hulu’s video quality.

DVR

The DVR offerings for YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are almost identical. Both provide an unlimited, separate cloud space for each user on your account. Each platform allows you to record multiple programs simultaneously, and each will delete your recordings after nine months. You can delete your Hulu recordings before then, whereas YouTube TV doesn’t allow you to delete anything.

That said, the DVRs function very differently. Hulu’s DVR is similar to the ones you’ve likely experienced through cable companies. YouTube TV’s DVR works via your account library. To record a show, you must add it to your library and your DVR will download all episodes when they air. If you add a movie, it will save it every time it plays, meaning you get duplicates. 

YouTube’s DVR also pushes older episodes to you in an effort to help you catch up on a series, which can sometimes be confusing. Users also report minor annoyances with Hulu, saying it doesn’t save your spot when you stop watching. When you return to finish it, the recording starts from the beginning and you must find where you left off. 

Downloading Options

You can download almost anything from Hulu’s streaming library for offline viewing. It limits each account to 25 titles on up to five mobile devices. Hulu doesn’t advertise any option to download Live TV DVR recordings. YouTube TV does allow you to download your DVR recordings, but only if you pay for its 4K Plus add-on.

Hulu vs. YouTube TV for Sports

If you’re a big sports fan, YouTube TV has some unique features. It provides multiview, allowing you to watch up to four live streams on a single screen and easily switch the audio source between them. Hulu doesn’t have a feature like this.

YouTube TV also has some exclusive sports features, including Key Plays, Stats, and Fantasy Football Views. When you turn these on, you can quickly review information about players, see the game’s top moments, and more. These features could take your game day watch parties to the next level.

Hulu vs. YouTube TV: Pros and Cons

Hulu Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
✅ Excellent picture quality ✅ Large catalog of shows and movies, including original content ✅ Affordable option to bundle ESPN+ and Disney+	❌ Watch only on mobile devices when traveling ❌ Buffering between episodes ❌ DVR doesn’t maintain your place in unfinished content ❌ Only two simultaneous streams

YouTube TV Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
✅ Customizable live TV guide ✅ Multiview interface and specialty sports viewing features ✅ More channel add-ons available ✅ Easy to watch during travel	❌ Limited picture quality ❌ No option to delete items from DVR library ❌ DVR saves more content than desired

Hulu vs. YouTube TV: Which Should You Choose?

So, which is better, Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV? With just $4 between the base subscriptions. there’s not much comparison between Hulu vs. YouTube TV prices, so it all depends on your preferences.

Features and content are a different story. If you’re a video quality snob, Hulu has consistently great quality and is the clear choice. Meanwhile, if you know you’ll be traveling or sharing your account with two other people, YouTube TV is likely the best option.

Big sports fan? You’ll probably be happier with YouTube TV since you can watch multiple screens at once, get player stats, and rewatch key moments. While both offer some live games, YouTube TV’s Sports Plus add-on offers better value. It includes 15 channels, including beIN Sports and NFL RedZone. Hulu’s Sports Add-on is almost the same price but includes just eight channels. 

If you’re after entertainment content, Hulu is likely the better choice. It’s got everything from original series like The Handmaid’s Tale and The Bear to reality series, like Love Island UK. Hulu also has YouTube TV beat in terms of value with its ESPN+ and Disney+ bundle. If your primary concern is channel and content variety, YouTube TV is the winner with over 130 channels compared to Hulu’s 90-ish.

Why You Need a VPN for Streaming

A VPN allows you to bring your streaming subscription wherever you go and get the most out of it. Most streaming platforms are only available in a single country, so when you travel abroad, you may struggle to access your usual content. A VPN provides a simple workaround. Just connect to a server in your home country and keep watching like you never left. 

VPN encryption helps you bypass network restrictions at work or school. It conceals your internet activity, so the network can’t block you from accessing any streaming site you choose. And if you’re watching on public Wi-Fi, a VPN will also hide your personal information, like login credentials or bank details, to keep you safe from any lurking cybercriminals.

Why Choose PIA as Your #1 Streaming VPN

PIA’s global server network includes servers in 91 countries, meaning you’ll always be able to find a server where you need one. We also have special streaming-optimized servers, which we monitor to ensure you get an IP address that can access your streaming services seamlessly. 

With PIA VPN, you get the smoothest video quality thanks to our 10-Gbps server network and unlimited bandwidth. We have apps for Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. If you have questions, our 24/7 customer support team is always here to help.

Try it for yourself risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee.

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