Hulu vs Paramount+: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Hulu lists 4K on both plans and bundles with Disney+; Paramount+ includes NFL on CBS, UFC and Champions League even on its cheaper plan, and streams on three screens to Hulu’s two. Paramount+ prepays both plans; Hulu only the plan with ads.
Option A
Option B
$13.99/moParamount+ Premium
Official price before tax: $13.99
Price checked
Paramount+ price and plansWe 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 | Paramount+ |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | With Ads, Premium | Essential, Premium |
| Live sports | ESPN bundles, Live TV | Both plans |
| 4K | Both plans | Select titles, Premium |
| Streams at once | 2 | 3 |
| Yearly billing | Plan with ads | Both plans |
| Downloads | Premium | Premium (phones, tablets) |
Hulu is a US library of current TV series and originals; Paramount+ is CBS, SHOWTIME, Paramount networks and live sports.
If you don’t want to read further
Current TV and a Disney+ bundle — Hulu. NFL on CBS, UFC, CBS shows and SHOWTIME — Paramount+.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Live sports in the base plan?
Hulu
No — sports come with ESPN bundles or Hulu + Live TV.
Paramount+
Yes — Essential includes NFL on CBS, UFC, Zuffa Boxing and Champions League.
For sports without add-ons, Paramount+.
4K?
Hulu
Up to 4K UHD on both plans.
Paramount+
Select titles in 4K UHD, Dolby Vision or HDR10 on Premium only.
For 4K on the cheaper plan, Hulu.
Screens and profiles?
Hulu
Two screens at once and up to 7 profiles.
Paramount+
Three streams and six profiles on both plans.
More people can watch at once on Paramount+; Hulu has one more profile.
Yearly billing?
Hulu
Hulu (With Ads) only.
Paramount+
Both plans.
Only Paramount+ prepays the ad-free plan.
Downloads?
Hulu
Hulu Premium, select shows and movies.
Paramount+
Premium, up to 25 at a time, on phones and tablets.
Top plan only on both; Paramount+ doesn’t download to computers.
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.
Ads on the cheaper plan
Hulu (With Ads) and Paramount+ Essential.
Top plan isn’t 100% ad-free
A few Hulu shows keep ads; Paramount+ live TV has ad breaks.
Through partners
Both can be billed by app stores; Paramount+ also comes with Walmart+.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You want NFL on CBS on a budget | Paramount+ Essential | Games in your local CBS market. |
| You want 4K on the cheaper plan | Hulu (With Ads) | Up to 4K UHD. |
| You also want Disney+ | A Hulu bundle | With Disney+, ESPN or HBO Max. |
| You already have Walmart+ | Paramount+ Essential | Included with Walmart+. |
- Hulu requires being located in the US.
- Paramount+ Essential doesn’t include your local live CBS station beyond NFL games.
- Paramount+ has no DVR.
- Hulu Premium still has ads on a few shows.
Where the facts come from
Sources: the Hulu Help Center and the Paramount+ website and Help Center. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Hulu or Paramount+
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 — what else is included: Paramount+ Premium
Hulu Premium: the catalog only (2,0/5) · Paramount+ Premium: 2 extra content types at no extra cost (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — simultaneous streams: Paramount+ Premium
Hulu Premium: 2 screens at the same time (3,0/5) · Paramount+ Premium: 3 screens at the same time (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — profiles: Hulu Premium
Hulu Premium: up to 7 (5,0/5) · Paramount+ Premium: up to 6 (4,0/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: