Hulu is one of the most popular streaming services for watching TV shows, movies, and original content online. With Hulu, you can access thousands of shows and films on-demand without a cable subscription. But to access the full Hulu library, you need to sign up for a paid Hulu subscription plan. Here’s a look at Hulu pricing, plan options, and what’s included with each tier.
Hulu Subscription Plans and Pricing
Hulu offers three main subscription plans:
Hulu Basic – $7.99/month
This ad-supported plan gives you access to the full Hulu streaming library but includes commercial breaks. You can stream unlimited TV shows, movies, Hulu originals, and more on your preferred devices. The Basic plan supports one concurrent stream.
Hulu Premium (No Ads) – $14.99/month
For $14.99/month, you can upgrade to the No Ads plan. This removes all advertising from Hulu’s on-demand library for uninterrupted streaming. The No Ads plan supports unlimited concurrent streams on your home network and up to 3 simultaneous streams when away from home.
Hulu + Live TV – $69.99/month
Hulu’s live TV plan gives you access to over 75+ live TV channels in addition to the full Hulu on-demand library without ads. Live channels include major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox in select markets. A standard DVR with 50 hours of storage is included to record live TV. The Live TV plan allows 2 simultaneous streams.
For all plans, Hulu offers a 30-day free trial so you can test the service. You can cancel anytime during the trial period to avoid being charged.
Hulu also offers add-on channels like HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, and Starz to customize your subscription. Add-on pricing ranges from $3 to $15 per month for each premium channel.
Now let’s take a deeper look at what’s included with each Hulu subscription tier.
Hulu Basic Plan
For $7.99/month, the Hulu Basic plan gives you access to:
- Full Hulu streaming library with limited ads – Watch thousands of TV episodes, movies, Hulu originals, and more on-demand. Ads play before and during content.
- Up to 1080p HD quality streaming
- Ability to stream on unlimited screens at home + 1 mobile device
- Access to Hulu’s full content library but only 1 stream at a time
- Personalized account – Create up to 6 profiles per account. Recommendations based on your viewing.
- Watch on popular devices – Stream via iOS and Android devices, game consoles, Smart TVs, and more.
- Parental controls – Block content by rating to control what your kids can watch.
The ad-supported Basic plan is ideal for those wanting access to Hulu’s full content library at the lowest price. Though you’ll have to sit through some ads, the subscription gives you unlimited, on-demand streaming for just $7.99/month.
Hulu (No Ads) Plan
For $14.99/month, the Hulu No Ads plan includes:
- Full Hulu streaming library without ads – Enjoy uninterrupted streaming with all ads removed from Hulu’s on-demand library.
- Up to 1080p HD streaming quality
- Unlimited streams at home + 3 mobile devices – Stream on as many screens as you want on your home network. Plus 3 simultaneous streams when out and about.
- Access to Hulu’s full content library
- Create up to 6 personalized profiles
- Stream on your devices – Includes same devices as Basic plan like iOS/Android, game consoles, Smart TVs, and more.
- Parental controls to block content
The No Ads option delivers ad-free streaming for just $7 more per month. This is ideal if you find Hulu ads too repetitive or disruptive. The additional streams are also great for larger households.
Hulu + Live TV Plan
Here’s what’s included with the Hulu + Live TV plan for $69.99/month:
- 75+ live TV channels – Access live streams from top channels like ABC, ESPN, FX, TNT, HGTV, and more. Local channel availability varies by region.
- Hulu streaming library with ads – Get full access to Hulu’s entire streaming library in addition to the live TV channels. Ads play before and during on-demand content.
- 50 hours DVR storage – Record live TV to watch later. Fast forward to ads on recorded content.
- 2 simultaneous streams – Stream on 2 devices at the same time. Screens at home get unlimited streams.
- Access to Hulu and ESPN+ libraries – Get the Disney Bundle built-in with access to ESPN+ live sports.
- Premium channel add-ons – Customize your package with HBO Max, Showtime, Cinemax, and more.
- Stream on your devices – Access via iOS and Android, game consoles, Smart TVs, Fire Stick, and more.
- Parental controls and profiles – Control what your kids can watch and create personalized profiles.
The Hulu + Live TV plan offers the best of both worlds—a robust live TV channel lineup plus full access to Hulu’s on-demand library. It’s the closest thing you’ll get to a cable TV experience without the costly bill. The included DVR and ability to add premium channels make this a great cable replacement. However, the higher $69.99 monthly cost reflects the premium experience.
Standalone Hulu Add-Ons
Along with the main plans, Hulu offers a few standalone add-ons:
- Unlimited Screens (at home) – $9.99/month This add-on removes the max streams cap at home so you can stream on an unlimited number of devices connected to your home network. Great for larger families.
- Unlimited Downloads – $9.99/month Download and watch your favorite shows and movies offline when you’re on the go. Available for mobile devices only.
- HBO Max – $14.99/month Get access to all HBO Max content like new Warner Bros. movies, DC films, Studio Ghibli, classic shows and Max originals.
- Cinemax – $9.99/month Bolster your on-demand library with Hollywood movies, action flicks, and Cinemax original series.
- SHOWTIME – $10.99/month Expand your streaming with SHOWTIME original series, hard-hitting sports, comedy specials, and blockbuster movies.
- STARZ – $8.99/month Enjoy commercial-free STARZ movies and original programming like Outlander, Power, American Gods, and Ash vs Evil Dead.
Which Hulu Plan is Best For You?
So which Hulu subscription should you choose? Here are some guidelines:
The Hulu Basic plan is great if you just want affordable access to Hulu’s streaming catalog to watch shows, movies, and Hulu Originals on-demand. Though you’ll have to sit through some ads, the low $7.99 price point makes it very budget-friendly. It’s comparable to Netflix’s basic $9.99 plan.
Upgrade to the Hulu No Ads plan if you want uninterrupted streaming. For $7 more, you can ditch the ads and stream without disruptions. The extra streams are nice too. This is a solid middle-ground plan.
Hulu + Live TV is the premium plan best for cord-cutters who still want that live channel experience. The 75+ live channels, full access to Hulu and ESPN+, built-in DVR, and ability to add premium channels make this a well-rounded cable replacement. But the $69.99 monthly cost is quite steep compared to the other tiers.
The Unlimited Screens add-on allows for unlimited simultaneous streaming at home – great for larger families with lots of devices. And the Unlimited Downloads add-on lets you take your favorite Hulu shows offline when traveling.
Adding channels like HBO Max, SHOWTIME, or STARZ gives you access to even more shows, movies, and originals from top networks. Customize your Hulu package based on your interests.
Hey there! I’m Dyna, the author of howlytic.com. For 9 years, I’ve been in the tech world, focusing on latest technological growth in our daily tech life. My mission? Provide clear guides on everything from streaming devices to card activations. I’m all about guiding you step-by-step through any process. With my guides, you’re always on the right path.
