Hulu vs Peacock: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Hulu has two plans with 4K on both; Peacock has three, and only Premium and Premium Plus include live sports, movies and originals. Peacock prepays every plan and streams on three screens; Hulu prepays only the plan with ads and streams on two. Hulu pauses for up to 12 weeks; Peacock gives no refunds on cancellation.
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 | Peacock |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | With Ads, Premium | Select, Premium, Premium Plus |
| Live sports | ESPN bundles, Live TV | Premium, Premium Plus |
| Yearly billing | Plan with ads | Every plan |
| Streams at once | 2 | 3 |
| Downloads | Premium | Premium Plus |
| Ads on the top plan | A few shows | Channels, live sports, a few titles |
Two US services built on network TV. Hulu leans on current series and Disney bundles; Peacock is NBCUniversal — NBC and Bravo shows plus live sports.
If you don’t want to read further
Current TV series, 4K on every plan and a Disney+ bundle — Hulu. NBC, Bravo and live sports on one plan, three screens and yearly billing on every plan — Peacock Premium.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Is the cheapest plan the full service?
Hulu
Yes — Hulu (With Ads) has the same library, with ads.
Peacock
No — Select excludes live sports, movies and Peacock Originals.
Compare Hulu (With Ads) with Peacock Premium, not with Select.
Live sports?
Hulu
Through ESPN bundles or Hulu + Live TV — separate plans.
Peacock
Included in Premium and Premium Plus.
For sports in the base subscription, Peacock Premium.
Yearly billing?
Hulu
Hulu (With Ads) only.
Peacock
Every plan — 12 months for the price of 10.
Peacock rewards a full year on any plan.
Screens and profiles?
Hulu
Two screens at once and up to 7 profiles.
Peacock
Three streams at once and up to 6 profiles.
More people can watch at once on Peacock; Hulu has one more profile.
Ads on the top plan?
Hulu
Hulu Premium has no ads except a few shows.
Peacock
Premium Plus keeps ads in channels, live sports and events and a few shows and movies.
Neither is completely ad-free; Hulu Premium comes closer outside live TV.
Taking a break?
Hulu
Pause for up to 12 weeks (monthly plans billed by Hulu).
Peacock
Canceling ends the plan at the end of the term, with no refunds or credits unless required by law.
If you take seasonal breaks, Hulu’s pause keeps your account and Cloud DVR recordings.
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.
Downloads on the top plan only
Hulu Premium and Peacock Premium Plus.
TV series at the core
Both are built around TV series — Hulu’s current series, Peacock’s NBC and Bravo shows.
US services
Hulu requires being in the US; Peacock’s plans are for the US.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You watch NBC, Bravo and live sports | Peacock Premium | Select doesn’t include sports. |
| You want 4K on a budget | Hulu (With Ads) | Up to 4K UHD on both Hulu plans; Peacock’s 4K starts at Premium. |
| You also want Disney+ | A Hulu bundle | With Disney+, ESPN or HBO Max. |
| Three people watch at once | Peacock | Three concurrent streams. |
- Peacock Select has no live sports, movies or originals.
- Peacock gives no refunds on cancellation unless required by law.
- Hulu requires being located in the US.
- Peacock raised its prices on August 18, 2026.
Where the facts come from
Sources: the Hulu Help Center and Peacock’s plans page and Help Center. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Hulu or Peacock
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: Peacock Premium Plus
Hulu Premium: 2 screens at the same time (3,0/5) · Peacock Premium Plus: 3 screens at the same time (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — what else is included: Peacock Premium Plus
Hulu Premium: the catalog only (2,0/5) · Peacock Premium Plus: 1 extra content type at no extra cost (3,0/5)
If what matters most is — profiles: Hulu Premium
Hulu Premium: up to 7 (5,0/5) · Peacock Premium Plus: up to 6 (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — app rating: Peacock Premium Plus
Hulu Premium: 4,6 out of 5 (4,6/5) · Peacock Premium Plus: 4,7 out of 5 (4,7/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: