In an increasingly growing streaming market, it’s becoming harder than ever before to pinpoint exactly what each streaming platform does differently. And with each streaming platform offering different TV shows and films, it can be super tricky to decide which of the many TV streaming providers is best suited to your tastes, streaming needs and budget.

More so, the launch of Disney Plus and Apple TV Plus has made it even harder for streaming lovers to make up their mind, especially considering that the former offers some mouthwatering bundle deals with Hulu and ESPN+ subscriptions.

However, if you’re looking to subscribe to either Hulu or Netflix, or just thinking of making the switch from one of these providers to the next, we have put together all the information you’ll need to make what seems like a terrifying decision a lot easier. Let’s bring you up to speed, shall we?

Hulu and Netflix: Overview

Hulu and Netflix have earned their place among the best TV streaming platforms and for good reasons too. Packed with massive content libraries including films, documentaries, TV shows, animations and more, both Hulu and Netflix feature contents that deliver value for money spent.

Today, streaming either Netflix or Hulu has got to be one of the easiest things to do, especially considering that both streaming platforms can be accessed via different streaming devices, including dedicated mobile apps, PC, web browsers, game consoles and much more. With many portals available to kickstart your streaming journey, Hulu and Netflix provide you with an array of options you’ll love.

Both streaming platforms are hot on their heels when it comes to content delivery. As things stand, both Hulu and Netflix roll out new shows, TV series and older classic sitcoms while aiming for a broad selection in a bid to keep subscribers and attract new viewers.

For those who have no idea, Hulu is partly owned by Disney. That explains why Hulu allows users to bundle Disney Plus to spruce up their TV experience.

With over 140 million subscribers to its name, Netflix has established its dominance in the TV streaming world, little wonder why they have become the number one streaming platform for people looking for something unique.

Hulu

As the competition in the streaming world skyrockets, Hulu has stayed on top of its game and has continued to offer exclusive access to a robust library of movies, TV shows as well as a reliable live TV option.

And when it comes to original series, Hulu’s original library can be a hit or miss. Although Hulu recently introduced offline downloads to spruce things up a bit, this feature is only available to premium subscribers.

Despite Hulu’s recent price hike, we love the fact that they have upped things a bit with their live TV service.

Since stepping foot into the TV streaming world, Hulu TV has centred its on-demand library around TV shows, and they have been pretty consistent in that regard. With Hulu’s massive on-demand catalogue, streaming lovers will enjoy access to hundreds of seasons and thousands of new and old episodes from major networks.

With the recent purchase of Hulu by Disney, we expect Hulu’s on-demand library to get new contents that will boost their current on-demand library.

Pros and cons

Hulu TV has remained a class act since setting foot to the streaming world. But like a lot of streaming platforms out there, Hulu has its negatives. Here, check out some pros and cons of Hulu.

Pros

An impressive collection of TV series and movies

Offers support for myriads of streaming devices

Impressive channel lineup

Cons

Price hikes for its live TV service

The offline download feature is only available to premium subscribers

Base package features ads, which can be a bit annoying

Netflix

Although Netflix began as a disc-mailing service, the company has rebranded its services in the last couple of years and are now a powerhouse in the TV streaming world. Thanks to Netflix robust streaming services, they are rivalled by only a few streaming platforms.

Today, Netflix boasts of a robust library of movies and TV series that will keep you glued to your screen all day long. Not just that, they also provide some of the best original programmings.

Buoyed by excellent usability features across different interfaces, the ability to download content for offline streaming while providing support for 4K content, Netflix is a force to contend with in the TV streaming industry.

While other high profile streaming services now available at a lower price, the high cost of Netflix’s packages stands out. But that shouldn’t be a bummer if you’re interested in quality service delivery.

More so, Netflix is in a juicy position with its original programming as many of their titles have now become pop culture phenomenons. So if you’re interested in quality original programmings, you’ll not be disappointed to give Netflix a try.

Pros and cons

Netflix has remained a rare gem in the streaming landscape, and that’s all thanks to their superb service delivery. That said, Netflix has a couple of glitches you should know. Read on to find some pros and cons of Netflix.

Pros

Top-notch, original programmings

Provide support for offline download and streaming

Ad-free streaming

Cons

A tad expensive, especially compared to Hulu

No prior notice to changes regarding the available content

Hulu’s SD streaming quality just doesn’t cut it

Installation process and bundled services

Netflix and Hulu both offer a hassle-free setup process that doesn’t require the installation of hardware or fancy equipment. Taking a completely different route from cable and satellite TV, streaming services like Netflix and Hulu make their installation process super easy so that you can set everything up within minutes.

To start streaming Netflix or Hulu right away, you only need a compatible device and a reliable internet connection.

Device support and compatibility

The list of compatible devices with support for Netflix is pretty comprehensive. From set-top boxes to android devices to smart TV’s to game consoles to Amazon Fire Sticks to Google Chromecast and more, you can stream Netflix on a lot of compatible devices.

On its own, Hulu has a pretty thorough list of compatible devices. Some of the Hulu’s supported devices include Amazon Firestick, Google Chromecast, Android devices, Smart TV’s, game consoles, Roku and more.

Bundled services

Bundling is steadily crawling its way into the TV streaming world. Before now, bundling was exclusive to cable and satellite TV, but with the innovations in the streaming world, we are seeing lots of streaming platforms take on bundling in a bid to offer more options to their teeming customers.

With Hulu, customers can bundle Disney Plus and ESPN Plus for an extra $12.99. With this bundling option, you not only have access to Hulu’s impressive library but also get to see amazing contents from Disney Plus and exclusive sporting content from ESPN+.

Unfortunately, when it comes to bundling on Netflix, there is little or no option you can explore. So if this is a deal-breaker, we suggest you stick with Hulu for now. Hopefully, things may change for Netflix in the long run.

Overall content delivery

A TV streaming service isn’t worth it if you’re not impressed with the TV shows and movies they have to offer. So your biggest challenge is figuring out whether Hulu or Netflix feature the kind of content you’re interested in.

And when it comes to quantity, Netflix is way out of the league of Hulu as they feature thousands of shows and movies you can stream all day long. For us, this isn’t surprising, especially because Netflix spends close to $13 billion a year on content creation. Given this financial edge, it’s no surprise why Netflix is home to some of the best movies and TV series including big names like Breaking Bad and Friends, that have become a lot of fans favourites.

Where Netflix blows off the steam from other TV streaming services is in their original programming. With Netflix originals, you’re in for the ultimate streaming experience as they feature tons of impressive originals including oscar-nominated titles like Stranger Things, The Irishman, The Haunting of Hill House, Roma and the Marriage Story.

On the flip side, Hulu isn’t doing too badly with its content offering as they are also home to some of the best movies to ever grace the big screens. Although Hulu features several impressive films and TV shows, its biggest drawback is that their contents are really not up to date. While Netflix rolls out new episodes of TV series three months to one year after the entire season ends, it takes some time before similar titles make their way to Hulu’s library.

To make up for its shortcomings, Hulu features new episodes of the latest TV shows on cable and network channels like ABC, NBC, FOX and others the day after they first aired on their respective networks.

Like Netflix, Hulu has been making a lot of tremendous gains in its original content delivery. With critically acclaimed projects like PEN15, Veronica Mars and The Handmaid’s Tale to its name, Hulu features a library of quality on-demand originals that will go shoulder to shoulder with the best in this industry.

And don’t forget that there is the Disney factor also. With Disney’s purchase of Hulu, Hulu is set to start carrying some of Disney’s content, which is great news for Hulu subscribers who have always wanted to get the best from their subscriptions.

While you can find popular Disney properties like the Avengers: Infinity War and Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Netflix’s library, Disney is currently working on taking down its content from Netflix and launching them on Disney Plus instead.

And given the split between Disney and Netflix, Hulu is set to welcome some content from Disney and Fox. As things stand, popular titles like Marvel’s animated adult comedies and Deadpool which aren’t family-friendly will be featured on Hulu instead.

Although the split between Netflix and Disney is a little bit disappointing, Netflix boasts of some high profile originals to weather the storm, so we doubt if Netflix subscribers will miss much.

Saving the best for the last, Hulu features an impressive Live TV service you can bump with their regular streaming service. Although this service is quite pricey, it is perfect for TV lovers looking to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Premium channel selections

Are you interested in premium channels like HBO, Cinemax, Epix, Starz and more, then now is a great time to subscribe to Hulu. Thanks to Hulu, you’ll enjoy access to the best of premium channels at an extra cost. Although subscribing to Hulu’s premium channels will drive your monthly subscription through the roof, you’ll get value for every penny spent.

Sadly, Netflix isn’t offering premium channels at the moment, so you have to stick to their current on-demand library. Or better still, you can make the switch to Hulu if premium channels are a must-have for you.

Hulu & Netflix Price comparison

This is where things get a little tricky for people looking for a streaming provider with fair and competitive pricing. Thankfully, both Hulu and Netflix roll out a variety of pricing you can explore. At the end of the day, it all boils down to your budget, the kind of contents you’re interested in, the video and sound quality you want and whether or not you can put up with ads.

With Netflix, there is a basic package that sells for $9 per month. With this package, you’ll stream your favourite TV shows and movies in standard definition. Plus, this package allows you to stream content on only one device at a time.

If this doesn’t cut it for you, you can check out the $13 per month standard plan from Netflix. This package allows you to stream content in HD. And Unlike the basic plan that allows just one stream, this package lets you stream on two devices at once.

Netflix also has a top tier package that costs $16 per month. With this package, you’ll stream your favourite content in 4K Ultra HD resolution, along with four simultaneous streams. And for those interested in DVD mailing plans, this service will cost you an additional $5 to $12, depending on which plan you want.

In terms of pricing, Hulu is a lot cheaper than Netflix. For a start, Hulu pegs its basic pricing at only $6 per month. But while this might sound like a great deal, we would like you to keep in mind that this plan features ads that pop up during commercial breaks.

However, if you’re interested in Hulu but don’t want to deal with the annoying ads, you can upgrade to Hulu’s top tier package, which is nearly twice the price of their basic plan. We doubt you’ll regret the move though, as we know that a lot of folks don’t like dealing with ads.

What we love about Hulu is that they offer customers lots of fantastic options to explore. Besides their already impressive streaming service, Hulu spices things up a bit with the introduction of Live TV service. With Hulu’s Live TV service, you can keep up with all the top TV channels you’ve always wanted to see.

Although, opting for Hulu’s Live TV will push your monthly bills higher, you’ll enjoy access to over 60 channels. To get hooked to Hulu’s Live TV service, you only need to pay a monthly subscription of $55. And if you want the ad-free premium plan for this package, you’ll pay $61 instead

Note: Please keep in mind that the ad-free premium subscription for Hulu’s Live TV only removes ads when streaming Hulu’s regular on-demand content. What this means is that you’ll still see ads while streaming Hulu’s Live TV.

Extras and Addons

To expand Hulu’s content offering, you can augment Hulu’s Live TV with Extras and add-ons. Although this will cost you, even more, you’ll enjoy loads of fantastic perks. For instance, you’ll get Hulu’s Enhanced Cloud DVR service that lets users fast-forward through commercials while enjoying more robust storage space. More so, opting for Hulu’s extras will let you stream Hulu’s Live TV on unlimited devices.

With Hulu, you also get access to lots of great add ons including premium channels like HBO for $15, Starz for $19, Cinemax for $10, and Showtime for $11.

Where Hulu stands out is that they let users bundle with other Disney services. So if you’ve always wanted to stream Disney Plus and Hulu together, here is your chance to get some mouthwatering deal. At the moment, Hulu users can bundle Disney Plus, ESPN+ and the ad-supported Hulu plan for $13 per month.

But while this looks like a really tempting offer, we would love to see them throw the Hulu ad-free option into the mix.

Unfortunately, Netflix doesn’t seem to offer any form of extras or add-ons, but we hope things change in the future. For now, Hulu TV is your best bet if you’re interested in superb add-ons and extras.

Downloads

Gone are the days when you can only stream your favourite shows online. Thanks to new upgrades and improvement, Netflix and Hulu now allow their teeming customers to download their favourite shows and watch offline when it is most convenient. While this feature comes with a few caveats, we appreciate that Netflix and Hulu are doing their best to improve the overall experience of their customers.

Although Netflix has had the download feature for some time, there are some limitations to the types of movies and TV shows you can download. While this can be a bit annoying, Netflix features thousands of titles, so this should make up for the disappointment.

Hulu debuted the download feature in October 2019 and customers couldn’t be more thrilled with the news. The only issue we have with Hulu’s download feature is that it is only available on iPads and iOS. And while this feature allows you to download all of Hulu’s originals, it isn’t available for all of Hulu’s next-day content.

Another thing you should keep in mind is that Hulu’s download feature is only available to subscribers who opt for Hulu’s ad-free subscriptions.

Equipement fee and DVR performance

Choosing Hulu or Netflix comes with a lot of perks. And one we have fall heads over heels for is that neither Netflix nor Hulu requires the installation of equipment or hardware. This saves you the extra cost for equipment.

To take things up a notch, Hulu offers a cloud DVR that lets you record your favourite TV shows. With Hulu cloud DVR, you get 50 hours of storage space, which can be upgraded to 200 hours for an extra $9.99 per month.

On the other hand, Netflix doesn’t include a cloud DVR as part of its services. And considering that they have a super reliable download feature that lets you download your favourite TV shows so you can stream when it’s most convenient, we doubt you’ll miss much.

Frequently asked questions

Does Netflix have contracts?

With Netflix, you’re allowed to stream your favourite shows and movies on a per month basis, so there aren’t any forms of contracts or commitments you should be worried about.

How many streams does Netflix offer

The number of streams you get depends on which of their package you opt for. Their base package allows only a single stream, while their standard and premium package offer two and four streams respectively.

Can I bundle Hulu with Live TV

Hulu’s on-demand may be great, but you know what’s even better? Hulu’s live TV. Thankfully, Hulu allows you to bundle both Live TV and on-demand.

Can I cancel my subscription with Hulu?

With Hulu, there are no commitments or contracts, so you can pull the plugs when you like.

Conclusion

Which of these streaming providers you finally settle for all boils down to a matter of personal preference. On the one hand, Netflix stands out with its impressive original programmings. It also offers more simultaneous streams and quality video resolution than Hulu.

On the other hand, Hulu is a much better option if you’re interested in popular Network shows, premium channel selections, add-ons and extras.

So take a few minutes to think about what you want precisely before taking the plunge.