Hulu vs Disney+: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Hulu and Disney+ are sold by the same company and work best together. Both list 4K on the plan with ads; Hulu prepays only the plan with ads and is US-only, Disney+ prepays only Premium and adds Dolby Atmos. If you want both, the bundle is the first thing to check.
Option A
Option B
We compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Hulu | Disney+ |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | With Ads, Premium | With Ads, Premium |
| 4K | Both plans | Both plans |
| Best audio | 5.1 | Dolby Atmos (Premium) |
| Yearly billing | Plan with ads | Premium |
| Downloads | Premium | Premium, 10 devices |
| Screens at once | 2 | 4 |
| Where | US only | Many countries |
Hulu is a US library of current TV series and originals; Disney+ is Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic. Most of the Hulu library can now also play inside the Disney+ app.
If you don’t want to read further
Current TV series and a yearly plan with ads — Hulu. Disney, Marvel and Star Wars, downloads on up to 10 devices and Dolby Atmos — Disney+. Both — the bundle.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
What’s in the catalog?
Hulu
TV series, movies and Hulu originals; live channels only with Hulu + Live TV.
Disney+
Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic.
Adults who follow current TV lean Hulu; families lean Disney+.
Which plan can be paid yearly?
Hulu
Hulu (With Ads).
Disney+
Disney+ Premium.
Opposite ends: prepay ads on Hulu, prepay no ads on Disney+.
Sound on the top plan?
Hulu
Up to 5.1 audio on both plans.
Disney+
Up to Dolby Atmos on Premium.
For a home theater with Atmos, Disney+ Premium.
Downloads?
Hulu
Hulu Premium, select shows and movies.
Disney+
Disney+ Premium, on up to 10 devices.
Both keep downloads off the plan with ads.
Screens at once?
Hulu
Two.
Disney+
Up to four devices for your household.
Bigger households fit better on Disney+.
Where does it work?
Hulu
You need to be located in the US to subscribe.
Disney+
Sold in many countries; US plans are for US residents 18 and older.
Only Disney+ exists outside the US.
Discounts?
Hulu
A Student Discount for eligible subscribers; Spotify Premium Student includes Hulu (With Ads).
Disney+
Military members, veterans and their families get 25% off Premium yearly through the Exchange; students get the Disney+, Hulu bundle at a discount.
Military households should start with Disney+ Premium yearly; students should check Spotify first.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
4K on both plans
Both list up to 4K UHD even on the plan with ads.
Extra Member add-on
Both sell an add-on for someone outside your household: one stream, one profile.
Premium isn’t 100% ad-free
Hulu Premium excludes a few shows; Disney+ Premium keeps ads in select live programming.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You want both libraries | The Disney+, Hulu bundle | One bill; most of Hulu also plays in the Disney+ app. |
| You’re a college student | The student Disney+, Hulu bundle | Verified through SheerID. |
| You follow current US TV | Hulu | Yearly billing on the plan with ads. |
| A family with kids | Disney+ | Premium adds downloads on up to 10 devices. |
- Hulu requires being located in the US.
- Disney+ doesn’t currently offer a free trial.
- Spotify Premium Student in the US already includes Hulu (With Ads).
- The Extra Member add-on isn’t available with every bundle.
Where the facts come from
Sources: the Hulu Help Center and the Disney+ Help Center for the US. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Hulu or Disney+
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “Streaming services” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — simultaneous streams: Disney+ Premium
Hulu Premium: 2 screens at the same time (3,0/5) · Disney+ Premium: 4 screens at the same time (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — maximum resolution: Disney+ Premium
Hulu Premium: 4K UHD (HDR not for all content) (4,0/5) · Disney+ Premium: 4K UHD with HDR (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — what else is included: Disney+ Premium
Hulu Premium: the catalog only (2,0/5) · Disney+ Premium: 1 extra content type at no extra cost (3,0/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: