Hulu vs Apple TV+: which is better?

While both Hulu and AppleTV+ excel at producing original shows, there are a couple of differences between the two popular streaming services. Hulu has more variety both in terms of price range and content. You can choose ad-supported or ad-free, and you can even bundle it with add-on channels if you want to. It also goes beyond originals, streaming new episodes of ABC shows like Abbott Elementary and other Disney-owned properties like National Geographic documentaries. Meanwhile, the pricier AppleTV+ is limited to its own films and TV shows. But boy, are they good. What it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality—Severance, Pachinko, Ted Lasso, and Slow Horses are only some of the many award-winning shows it has to offer. So, which is better? If you value variety and want more value for money, go for Hulu. If you like seeing big stars in quality productions, go for AppleTV+. Both have free trials anyway, so you can test them out for yourself. In the meantime, we break down all you need to know about Hulu vs AppleTV+.

Summary

Comparaison	Hulu	Apple TV+
Price	$7.99/month	$9.99/month
Trial	30 days	7 days
Our rating	9/10	7/10
Number of channels	-	-
Parental controls	Yes	Yes

Hulu and Apple TV+ cost

Hulu is cheaper than Apple TV+: Hulu costs $8 whereas Apple TV+ costs $10/month. Subscribing to Apple TV+ instead of Hulu will set you back $2 every month ($24/year).

Why get Hulu?

Budget: Hulu is one of the cheapest of the “top” streaming platforms, although the price to pay is watching ads.

Add-ons: In addition to on-demand streaming, Hulu offers over 50 channels of live TV, featuring different networks depending on where you live, for $70 a month.

Go to Hulu

Why get Apple TV+?

Price: Apple TV+ is great value for money compared to just about every streaming service out there, in terms of both quality of the programming and service. Offline downloads and 4K streaming: Although you have to pay for the service, Paramount+ offers premium subscribers offline downloads, as well as 4K streaming for select titles.

Go to Apple TV+

Devices: Hulu is more widely available than Apple TV+

Hulu is available on Airplay supported, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, iOS, LG TV, Nintendo Switch, Roku, Roku TV, Samsung TV, Shareplay supported or Xbox.

Whereas Apple TV+ is available on Airplay supported, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Google TV Streamer, iOS, Roku TV, Samsung TV or Shareplay supported. That's 6 less devices than Hulu.

Channel count: Hulu has 0 channels more than Apple TV+

Hulu's lineup includes channels whereas Apple TV+ has no channels. Getting a subscription to Hulu will give you access to 0 more channels than Apple TV+.

Trial: Hulu offers a trial

Hulu has a trial. The trial duration is 30 days.

Find out more on Hulu

Trial: Apple TV+ offers a trial

Apple TV+ has a trial. The trial duration is 7 days.

Find out more on Apple TV+

Hulu's specialty

The specialties of Hulu are: Action, Anime, Family, Horror, Movies, Old TV shows, Original series, Spanish-language content, True Crime, TV shows.

Apple TV+'s specialty

The specialties of Apple TV+ are: Baseball, Family, Language learning, Original series, Soccer, TV shows.

Hulu's accepted payment methods

Hulu accepts: Apple App Store, credit card, debit card, Google Play Store, Paypal, prepaid card, Retailer gift card, Target gift card.

Apple TV+'s accepted payment methods

The payment methods that Apple TV+ accepts are: Apple Pay, credit card, debit card, Paypal, prepaid card, Retailer gift card, Target gift card.

Does Hulu have a better catalog than Apple TV+?

Based on our calculations, Hulu has a better catalog than Apple TV+. Our curators have found 274 highly-rated movies and shows on Hulu. By contrast, they have only found 76 highly-rated movies and shows on Apple TV+.

What are the best movies on Hulu?

Here are the best movies that our team recommends on Hulu:

The Intouchables (2012) (our rating: 9.611/10)

The Worst Person in the World (2021) (our rating: 9.5/10)

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015) (our rating: 9.5/10)

All of Us Strangers (2023) (our rating: 9.2/10)

Saint Omer (2022) (our rating: 9/10)

I Am Not Your Negro (2017) (our rating: 8.9/10)

Robot Dreams (2023) (our rating: 8.8/10)

Anatomy of a Fall (2023) (our rating: 8.8/10)

Living (2022) (our rating: 8.7/10)

Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021) (our rating: 8.6/10)

What are the best movies on Apple TV+?

Here are the best movies that our team recommends on Apple TV+:

Boys State (2020) (our rating: 8.7/10)

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) (our rating: 8.7/10)

Wolfwalkers (2020) (our rating: 8.5/10)

Fingernails (2023) (our rating: 8.4/10)

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023) (our rating: 7.8/10)

Beastie Boys Story (2020) (our rating: 7.7/10)

Tetris (2023) (our rating: 7.6/10)

Fancy Dance (2024) (our rating: 7.6/10)

The Pigeon Tunnel (2023) (our rating: 7.5/10)

The Velveteen Rabbit (2023) (our rating: 7.5/10)

What are the best shows on Hulu?

Here are the best shows that our team recommends on Hulu:

Atlanta (our rating: 9.6/10)

You’re the Worst (our rating: 9.5/10)

Shōgun (our rating: 9.2/10)

Godfather of Harlem (our rating: 9.2/10)

Normal People (our rating: 9.1/10)

The Americans (our rating: 9.1/10)

Ramy (our rating: 9.1/10)

Luther (our rating: 9/10)

The Great (our rating: 8.8/10)

Casual (our rating: 8.8/10)

What are the best shows on Apple TV+?

Here are the best shows that our team recommends on Apple TV+:

Severance (our rating: 9.6/10)

Pachinko (our rating: 9.5/10)

Silo (our rating: 9/10)

Black Bird (our rating: 8.8/10)

Slow Horses (our rating: 8.6/10)

Bad Sisters (our rating: 8.5/10)

Five Days at Memorial (our rating: 8.5/10)

Masters of the Air (our rating: 8.3/10)

Dickinson (our rating: 8.3/10)

Hijack (our rating: 8/10)

If you choose to subscribe to a streaming service we recommend as a result of our research, analysis, and curation, our work is sometimes (but not always) supported by an affiliate commission from the streaming service when you make a purchase.