Hulu is one of the oldest names in streaming, and the platform continues to be a popular choice for cord-cutters. It boasts one of the largest and most diverse on-demand libraries of current and classic movies and shows, along with plenty of award-winning original content, for a starting price of only $9.99 a month.
In recent years, Hulu has even expanded to include live TV as an option. Streamers who want an all-in-one entertainment experience will find a lot here, with more than 95 popular channels, loads of sports content, and access to even more live and on-demand entertainment on Disney Plus and ESPN Plus.
Indeed, Hulu offers quite a range of choices for every kind of cord-cutter. But which Hulu plan is right for you? Read on to find out.
What packages does Hulu offer?
Hulu’s plans fit into two buckets: those that come with Live TV and those that don’t. All the other options in the service’s offering list come down to how much advertising you have to deal with. Here’s a look at Hulu’s offerings in 2024:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Channels | Free Trial? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu (With Ads) | $9.99 | N/A | Yes |
| Hulu (No Ads) | $18.99 | N/A | No |
| Duo Basic – Hulu, Disney Plus (With Ads) | $10.99 | N/A | Yes |
| Trio Basic – Hulu, Disney Plus, ESPN Plus (With Ads) | $16.99 | N/A | Yes |
| Trio Premium – Hulu, Disney Plus, ESPN Plus (No Ads) | $26.99 | N/A | No |
| Live TV Only | $81.99 | 95+ | Yes |
| Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney Plus (With Ads), and ESPN Plus (With Ads) | $82.99 | 95+ | Yes |
| Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney Plus (No Ads) and ESPN Plus (With Ads) | $95.99 | 95+ | On Live TV and ESPN Plus only |
Hulu and Hulu (No Ads)
Hulu’s two standard plans offer the same extensive on-demand library of popular TV shows and movies. While there are no live TV channels in these plans, you’ll stay entertained for hours streaming shows like “The Bear” and “Abbott Elementary” or movies like “Alien” and “Little Women.” Hulu also offers an impressive list of originals, including popular shows like “Nine Perfect Strangers” and “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Like all Hulu plans, you can stream on two devices at once with either basic plan. If you upgrade to Hulu (No Ads), you can binge even more, as you won’t be interrupted by ads while you watch. Whichever option you choose, Hulu’s basic plans are ideal for budget-conscious streamers who want an excellent mix of on-demand entertainment.
Hulu + Live TV Plans
If you really want to make the most of Hulu and leave cable behind, you can check out the platform’s Hulu + Live TV plans. On top of the full Hulu on-demand library, you’ll have access to over 95 popular TV channels with unlimited cloud DVR storage, regardless of which Hulu + Live TV plan you choose. You’ll also have access to loads of live and on-demand sports on ESPN Plus and an extensive library of entertainment on Disney Plus. That makes Hulu + Live TV our top pick for cord-cutters who want the ultimate all-in-one streaming package.
All Hulu + Live TV plans come with the same content, but you can choose your level of advertising. In the base plan, you’ll have ads on all live TV and on-demand content. You can pay more per month to remove ads from some or all on-demand content. Live TV and ESPN Plus content always has ads, regardless of your plan.
Finally, although you can opt for a Live TV Only plan, you lose far more than you gain —saving only $1 per month and losing access to Hulu’s on-demand library, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus.
What channels does Hulu offer?
While Hulu’s basic plans don’t include live TV, all Hulu + Live TV plans offer more than 95 channels. The service boasts one of the most well-rounded channel lists of any live TV provider. Sports fans will be fairly happy, with around a dozen popular channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox Sports 1 (FS1), CBS Sports Network, MLB Network, NFL Network, and SEC Network. Hulu + Live TV also includes your major local TV networks, along with a balanced mix of news, entertainment, and family programming.
There are some holes in Hulu’s channel lineup, though. Regional sports networks (RSNs) are unavailable in most markets, and league-specific offerings like NBA TV and NHL Network are notably absent. Some of Hulu’s competitors offer a more extensive list of channels, including ones like BBC News, IFC, and beIN Sports.
What add-ons does Hulu offer?
Hulu offers several add-ons to let subscribers customize their plans. Options vary based on whether you have a basic Hulu or a Hulu + Live TV subscription.
Premium Hulu add-ons (for all subscribers):
- Cinemax — $9.99 a month
- Max —$9.99 a month (with ads) or $16.99 a month (without ads)
- Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME —12.99 a month
- STARZ —$9.99 a month
Live TV add-ons:
- Entertainment Add-on ($7.99 a month): Adds entertainment and lifestyle channels such as Boomerang, Cooking Channel, MTV2, Nicktoons, and Science.
- Español Add-on ($4.99 a month): Adds Spanish-language programming networks like CNN en Español, Discovery en Español, ESPN Deportes, History Channel en Español, and NBC Universo.
- Sports Add-on ($9.99 a month): Expands your sports coverage on networks like NFL RedZone, FanDuel TV, MAVTV, Outdoor Channel, and the Tennis Channel.
- Unlimited Screens Add-on ($9.99 a month): Allows you to stream on unlimited screens at home and up to three on the go.
Hulu free trial and deals
If you’re not sure about Hulu, you can try out the service for free. New subscribers can test the basic Hulu plan for free for seven days, or you can check out Hulu + Live TV free for three days. Hulu (No Ads) is not eligible for a free trial.
The platform offers a few other ways for subscribers to save or try out the service. Best among these is the Disney Bundle, which we’ll touch on below. The platform also offers its Hulu Student plan at a deep discount, as long as you’re a student at a qualifying college or university.
Hulu, Disney Plus, ESPN Plus Bundle
Although Hulu + Live TV plans automatically include access to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, basic Hulu subscribers can also add these services to their plan and save by bundling. Duo plans start at $10.99 a month and combine Disney Plus and Hulu, while Trio plans start at $16.99 a month and add ESPN Plus to the mix.
These Disney Bundle options are a great way to expand your streaming library without breaking the bank. You’ll spend a little more but gain access to a huge library of extra on-demand entertainment on Disney Plus and live sports on ESPN Plus.
How to watch Hulu
If you’re ready to give Hulu a try, it’s easy to get started. Simply head to Hulu’s welcome page, choose your preferred service, and set up your account. If you’re eligible for a free trial, you won’t be charged until after your free trial period ends. You can then start streaming on a wide range of popular devices, including iOS, Amazon Fire, and Android devices, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, smart TVs, and popular gaming consoles. For a full list of Hulu’s supported devices, see Hulu’s support page.
FAQ
What is the difference between Hulu Basic and Hulu Premium?
The only difference between Hulu’s two standard plans is whether you have to deal with ads or not. The basic Hulu plan includes ads before and during most of its on-demand programming, while the Hulu (No Ads) plan streams everything ad-free (with occasional exceptions).
How much is Hulu per month?
Hulu plans range in cost from $9.99 a month to $95.99 a month, depending on whether you include live TV and how much advertising you can handle. All plans include access to the same on-demand Hulu library, but live TV plans also include more than 95 channels and access to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus.
Can I watch RSNs with Hulu?
Hulu + Live TV plans include regional sports networks (RSNs) in some markets, but availability is limited. Enter your ZIP code on Hulu’s website to see what channels are available in your area.
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