Streaming services: Hulu vs. Netflix

Quick Verdict

Hulu and Netflix are both strong contenders in the streaming service market. Hulu offers a more budget-friendly option with its ad-supported plan and provides next-day streaming for many network shows, while Netflix is renowned for its extensive library of original content and user-friendly interface. The choice depends on individual preferences, viewing habits, and budget considerations.

Both Hulu and Netflix offer a wide variety of content, including original series, movies, and TV shows.
Both services offer ad-free options, but Hulu's ad-supported plan is significantly cheaper than its ad-free plan.
Netflix no longer offers free trials, while Hulu sometimes offers a 30-day free trial.
Both services provide parental control features to restrict content based on maturity levels.
Both services are compatible with a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming devices, mobile devices, and gaming consoles.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Hulu	Netflix
Content library size	40,000 hours of on-demand content, including over 100 Hulu Originals, recent movies, and next-day streaming rights for many network shows.	Over 15,000 titles, including movies, TV shows, documentaries, and specials. In the US, the library includes around 3,800 movies and 1,800 TV shows. The number of titles can vary by region due to licensing agreements.
Original content quality	High-quality original content in both comedy and drama, with shows like "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Only Murders in the Building" receiving critical acclaim.	Known for its original content, with a significant portion of its library consisting of Netflix Originals. Netflix invests heavily in original content, tailoring its strategies to different markets and focusing on diverse genres like drama, crime, and comedy.
Subscription cost	Ad-supported plan: $9.99 per month; Ad-free plan: $18.99 per month; Hulu + Live TV (with ads): $82.99 per month; Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV: $95.99 per month; College student ad-free plan: $1.99 per month; Bundles with Disney+ and ESPN+ are also available.	Netflix offers different subscription plans with varying features and prices.
Ad-free option availability	Yes, Hulu offers an ad-free plan for $18.99/month.	Netflix provides ad-free plans.
Offline viewing support	Offline downloads are available only with the ad-free plan.	Netflix allows users to download content for offline viewing on supported mobile devices.
Number of simultaneous streams	Standard Hulu plan: 2 simultaneous streams; Hulu + Live TV: 2 simultaneous streams (can be upgraded with "Unlimited Screens" add-on for $9.99/month); Premium channels: Up to 5 simultaneous streams (3 outside the home network).	Basic: 1 device, Standard: 2 devices, Premium: 4 devices
Video resolution (4K, HD)	Hulu offers streaming in various high-definition video qualities, including 720p, 1080p, and 4K Ultra HD. 4K content is primarily focused on Hulu Originals. Live TV channels are limited to HD (up to 1080p).	Standard Plan: Full HD (1080p), Premium Plan: Ultra HD (4K) where available
User interface and navigation	Generally considered intuitive and user-friendly, with personalized profiles and tailored recommendations.	Designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, with features like personalized recommendations, easy browsing, and clear categories. Netflix is rolling out a new television experience, the biggest single product update in the company's history. It introduces a new way for users to browse, search, and discover titles.
Device compatibility	Smart TVs (LG, Samsung, Vizio); Streaming devices (Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast); Mobile devices (Android and Apple phones and tablets); Gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch); Web browsers	Compatible with a wide range of devices, including Smart TVs, Streaming devices, Mobile devices, Game consoles, and Computers.
Content genre variety	TV shows, movies, anime, documentaries, and original series.	Offers a wide variety of genres, including action, anime, children's content, classics, comedies, documentaries, dramas, horror, music, romance, sci-fi, sports, thrillers, and TV shows.
Family profiles and parental controls	Hulu offers parental controls, including Kids Profiles, which display only child-friendly content. PIN protection is available to lock profiles and prevent unauthorized access. Content restrictions can be set based on age ratings.	Offers parental control features that allow you to restrict content based on maturity levels, block specific titles, and set PINs for profiles.
Free trial availability	Hulu sometimes offers a 30-day free trial.	Netflix does not currently offer free trials for new subscribers.

Overall Comparison

Hulu: Ad-supported plan at $9.99/month, 40,000 hours of content. Netflix: Over 15,000 titles, no free trial.

Pros and Cons

Hulu

Pros:

Diverse content library
High-quality original content
User-friendly interface
Wide device compatibility
Parental control features
Tailored recommendations
Different subscription models and add-ons

Cons:

Ads on the ad-supported plan can be intrusive
Offline viewing is only available on the ad-free plan
Standard plan allows only two simultaneous streams
Parental controls may not be as customizable as some other apps

Netflix

Pros:

No notable advantages reported.

Cons:

No major disadvantages reported.

User Experiences and Feedback

Hulu

What Users Love

Content library is diverse, offering a wide range of genres and catering to various interests.
Exclusive content is generally well-regarded.
Subscription price is considered justified by its catalog of live and on-demand content.
Interface is generally considered user-friendly and easy to navigate.
Compatible with a wide range of devices.
30-day free trial is generally sufficient to evaluate the service.

Common Complaints

Ads on the ad-supported plan can be intrusive.
Standard Hulu plan allows for two simultaneous streams, which may not be sufficient for larger households.
Parental control features may not be as customizable as some other apps.

Value Perception

Subscription price is considered justified by its catalog of live and on-demand content, access to movies and new episodes of popular series, and the ability to tailor the experience with different subscription models and add-ons.
Ad-free option is worth the extra cost for those who prefer uninterrupted viewing.

Netflix

What Users Love

Netflix has a diverse content library, catering to various interests with numerous genres and subgenres.
Netflix is known for its original content, with a significant portion of its library consisting of Netflix Originals.
Netflix's user interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, with features like personalized recommendations, easy browsing, and clear categories.
Netflix is compatible with a wide range of devices.
Netflix offers parental control features that allow you to restrict content based on maturity levels, block specific titles, and set PINs for profiles.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

The value of the subscription price depends on individual viewing habits and needs.
Netflix offers an ad-supported plan, and the intrusiveness of ads is subjective. The ad-free option is available for those who prefer an uninterrupted viewing experience.
Netflix offers offline viewing, but the reliability and limitations may vary depending on the device and content availability.
Netflix offers different plans with varying numbers of simultaneous streams to accommodate different household sizes.

User Recommendations

Netflix is known for its original content.
Netflix's user interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly.