Hulu and Netflix are two of the most popular streaming services, but they’re built around different priorities — Hulu leans on next-day network TV and a live TV bundle, while Netflix leans on big-budget originals and a purely on-demand library. Here’s how they actually compare in 2026.
Pricing Compared
Hulu:
- Hulu (With Ads): $11.99/month or $119.99/year
- Hulu (No Ads): $18.99/month
- Hulu + Live TV (With Ads): starts at $89.99/month — this bundle now includes Disney+ and ESPN Select at no extra charge
Netflix:
- Standard with Ads: $8.99/month
- Standard (ad-free): $15.49/month
- Premium (4K, more simultaneous screens): $22.99/month
Netflix’s entry-level plan is cheaper than Hulu’s, but Hulu’s ad-supported tier includes access to next-day episodes of current network shows, which Netflix doesn’t offer at all.
What Each Service Actually Offers
Hulu is built around current-season network TV (next-day access to many ABC, Fox, and NBC shows), a strong slate of Hulu Originals (The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, Shogun), and — through its Live TV tier — 95+ live channels plus Disney+ and ESPN.
Netflix has no live TV option at all. Its focus is a large on-demand library of licensed movies and TV, plus a heavy investment in Netflix Original films, series, and documentaries, including many international titles.
The Big 2026 Change: Hulu Is Merging Into Disney+
The most important thing to know about Hulu right now: Disney announced in August 2025 that the standalone Hulu app is being folded into Disney+ during 2026, with the Hulu content library and brand surviving as a section inside the Disney+ app rather than a separate app. You can still subscribe to Hulu as a standalone service during and after this transition — your plan, price, login, and watch history carry over. What changes is simply which app you open to watch it. Netflix has made no comparable move and remains a fully separate, standalone app and service.
Live TV: Only Hulu Has It
If live sports or live news matter to you, this is the deciding factor: Netflix doesn’t offer a live TV package. Hulu + Live TV does, bundling 95+ channels with Disney+ and ESPN Select, which makes it a genuine cable replacement in a way Netflix isn’t designed to be.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose Hulu if you want next-day network TV, plan to use the Disney+/ESPN bundle, or want a live TV replacement for cable.
- Choose Netflix if you mainly want a large on-demand library of originals and licensed movies with no interest in live TV, and want the cheapest possible entry price.
- Consider both if budget allows — many households run both services since their content libraries barely overlap.
Related: See our Hulu error code P-DEV318 fix for more on Hulu.
nnFAQ
Is Hulu shutting down?
No. Disney announced the standalone Hulu app is being folded into Disney+ during 2026, but subscribers can still keep a standalone Hulu subscription — your plan, price, and account carry over.
Is Hulu worth it over Netflix?
Yes, if live TV matters to you. Hulu + Live TV bundles 95+ channels with Disney+ and ESPN Select; Netflix has no live TV option at all.
Which is cheaper, Hulu or Netflix?
Netflix’s ad-supported plan is $8.99/month, cheaper than Hulu’s $11.99/month ad-supported plan, but Hulu includes next-day network TV access that Netflix doesn’t offer.