Netflix is better for users seeking a vast library of original content and 4K streaming (with premium plan), while Hulu is a strong choice for those wanting current-season TV, live TV options, and potentially a free trial. Hulu's bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ offers a cost-effective solution for families.
| Attribute | Netflix | Hulu |
|---|---|---|
| Content library size and variety | Offers over 15,000 titles, including movies, TV shows, documentaries, and specials. Content library varies by region due to licensing restrictions. Invests in original programming and uses recommendation algorithms to personalize content suggestions. Offers a diverse range of content, including TV series, movies, documentaries, kids shows, stand-up comedy, anime, and international programming. | Offers a wide array of content, including current-season TV episodes, classic films, and original series. Over 1,200 movies and 1,300 TV shows. |
| Original content quality and quantity | Large quantity of original content, including mainstream hits like "Stranger Things" and "Wednesday," and cult classics like "Bojack Horseman" and "The Witcher". In 2023, there was a reduction of approximately 130 original programs compared to 2022, marking a 16% decrease. Shifting focus to producing fewer, higher-quality projects. Critically acclaimed original series include "Stranger Things," "The Crown," "Narcos," and "Orange is the New Black". | Known for its award-winning original programming like The Handmaid's Tale and Only Murders in the Building (available in 4K). |
| Subscription price and plans | Offers different subscription plans: Standard with ads ($7.99/month) - Supports watching on 2 devices at a time and allows downloads on 2 supported devices. Some movies and TV shows may not be available. Standard ($17.99/month) - Includes ad-free access to movies, TV shows, and mobile games. Supports watching and downloading on 2 devices at a time. You can add one extra member who doesn't live with you for an additional fee. Premium ($24.99/month) - Supports watching on 4 devices at a time and downloading on 6 devices. Offers 4K (Ultra HD) + HDR and the option to add up to 2 extra members. | Hulu (With Ads): $9.99/month or $99.99/year; Hulu (No Ads): $18.99/month; Hulu + Live TV (With Ads): Starts at $82.99/month; Hulu + Live TV (No Ads): $95.99/month. Bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ available. |
| Ad-free viewing options | Ad-free viewing is available on the Standard and Premium plans. The "Standard with ads" plan includes advertisements. | Hulu (No Ads) plan allows ad-free viewing for most content, but some shows may still have ads before and after the video. |
| Offline download availability | The Standard plan allows downloads on 2 devices at once, and the Premium plan allows downloads on up to 6 devices. The Standard with Ads plan does not offer offline downloads. Reliability and storage limitations of the offline download feature were not found in the search results. | Available only with the Hulu (No Ads) plan. Maximum of 25 downloads across five devices. Downloads expire after 30 days if unwatched, and after 2 days once you start watching. |
| Streaming quality (resolution, HDR) | Standard with ads: Up to 1080p (Full HD). Standard: Up to 1080p (Full HD). Premium: Up to 4K (Ultra HD) + HDR. To get the best quality, all devices must support the desired quality. Streaming quality depends on the plan, device, and internet connection. Netflix uses optimized encodes to improve video quality and reduce buffering. | Offers streaming in 720p, 1080p, 4K Ultra HD, and 60fps. Some Originals available in HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. Quality automatically adjusts based on available bandwidth. |
| Number of simultaneous streams | Standard with ads: 2 devices. Standard: 2 devices. Premium: 4 devices. | Allows a maximum of two simultaneous streams across all plans. Unlimited Screens add-on available for Hulu + Live TV for $9.99/month, allowing unlimited devices on Home Network and up to three mobile devices outside the home. |
| User interface and ease of navigation | Has a user-friendly interface that is consistent across devices. The platform adapts its interface to different screen sizes. Intuitive and user-friendly platform interface, especially on different devices. | Updated user interface with simplified navigation. Categories like TV, Movies, and Sports in the main navigation. Vertical and horizontal scrolling within collections. |
| Device compatibility | Compatible with many devices, including TVs, streaming devices, mobile phones, tablets, computers, game consoles, and cable boxes. | Supports streaming on web browsers, mobile devices, tablets, streaming sticks, gaming consoles, smart TVs, and set-top boxes. |
| Parental control features | Parental controls allow you to restrict content based on maturity levels. You can create profiles for kids, set profile maturity ratings, and block specific titles. You can also lock profiles with a PIN and require a PIN to add new profiles. | Provides parental controls to restrict content based on ratings. Create Kids Profiles to filter out mature content and set a PIN to restrict access. |
| Customer support quality | Not enough information was found to assess customer support quality. Information about the responsiveness and helpfulness of Netflix's customer support team was not found in the search results. | Not available |
| Free trial availability | Netflix does not offer free trials. | Generally offers a free trial for its on-demand streaming plans. |