Best Streaming Video · head-to-head

Hulu vs Netflix

A sourced, side-by-side comparison for streaming video. Netflix has the lower entry price. Every figure links to the public page it was captured from — the vendor's own wherever the vendor publishes the number, otherwise the named public source — with the date we captured it.

Netflix has the lower entry price — Hulu starts at $11.99/mo, Netflix at $8.99/mo. Free tier: Hulu No, Netflix No. HIPAA: Hulu —, Netflix —.

As of 2026-09-05 · figures link to their source below STALE

Side by side

Hulu

$11.99/mo entry
Entry price$11.99/mo (Hulu (With Ads))
Free tierNo
HIPAA (BAA)
SOC 2
GDPR
Best forCable-cutters who want live local broadcast TV

Netflix

$8.99/mo entry
Entry price$8.99/mo (Standard with Ads)
Free tierNo
HIPAA (BAA)
SOC 2
GDPR
Best forLargest original content library

Sources — Hulu: dealnews.com (verified 2026-09-05) STALE · 2026-06-13 · Netflix: help.netflix.com (verified 2026-09-05)

Key features

Hulu: Unlimited Cloud DVR with 9-month retention (Live TV plans); 95+ live channels including local ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX affiliates (Live TV plans); Next-day access to current-season network programming; Hulu Originals library; Disney+ and ESPN content accessible within Hulu app (Live TV bundle); Add-on channel packages (HBO, Showtime, Starz) available; Student discount — $1.99/mo on With Ads plan

Netflix: 4K Ultra HD + HDR + Dolby Vision (Premium only); Spatial audio on 700+ titles (Premium only); Netflix Games — 100+ ad-free mobile games included at no extra cost; Smart Downloads — auto-deletes watched episodes, queues next; Offline downloads on Standard and Premium tiers; Parental controls with PIN protection and content maturity ratings; Up to 5 user profiles per account

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