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+.
| Feature | Hulu | Apple TV+ |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | $11.99/mo | $12.99/mo |
| Free trial | 30 days | 7 days |
| Subscribers | 43,000,000 | — |
| Our rating | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Try Hulu — 30 days free | Try Apple TV+ — 7 days free |
| Hulu 3 plans | Apple TV+ 4 plans | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest Hulu Student | With Ads | No Ads | Cheapest Apple TV | Apple One Individual | Apple One Family | Apple One Premier | |
| Price / month | $1.99 | $11.99 | $18.99 | $12.99 | $19.95 | $31.95 | $37.95 |
| Annual Price | — | $119.99 | — | $99.99 | — | — | — |
| Streams at Home | 2 at the same time, unlimited device log-ins | 2 at the same time, unlimited device log-ins | 2 at the same time, unlimited device log-ins | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Streams Outside Home | 3 | 3, more with Extra Member add-on | 3, more with Extra Member add-on | 6, more with Family Sharing | 6 | 6, more with Family Sharing | 6, more with Family Sharing |
| Profiles | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Max Quality | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p |
| 4K Support | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audio | 5.1 audio | 5.1 audio | 5.1 audio | 5.1 sound | 5.1 sound | 5.1 sound | 5.1 sound |
| Dolby Digital | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | — | — | — | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Min. Speed | 3 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 2.5 Mbps | 2.5 Mbps | 2.5 Mbps | 2.5 Mbps |
| Get plan → | Get plan → | Get plan → | Get plan → | Get plan → | Get plan → | Get plan → | |
Only available for the standalone plan or the Hulu-Spotify bundle
Both services support most major devices. Here’s a full breakdown of where you can watch each one.
| Device / Platform | Hulu | Apple TV+ |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Fire TV | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | — |
| Android TV | ✓ | — |
| Apple TV | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chromecast | ✓ | — |
| Google TV Streamer | ✓ | ✓ |
| LG TV | ✓ | — |
| Nintendo Switch | ✓ | — |
| Roku | ✓ | — |
| Samsung TV | ✓ | ✓ |
| Xbox | ✓ | — |
| iOS | ✓ | ✓ |
Hulu has 43,000,000M subscribers compared to 0M for Apple TV+.
Hulu starts at $11.99/month, while Apple TV+ starts at $12.99/month. That’s $1.00 more per month for Apple TV+, or $12.00 more per year.
Is Hulu cheaper than Apple TV+?
Yes. Hulu starts at $11.99/month, while Apple TV+ starts at $12.99/month. That's a difference of $1.00/month, or $12.00 per year.
Do Hulu or Apple TV+ offer a free trial?
Hulu offers a 30-day free trial. Apple TV+ offers a 7-day free trial.
Can I cancel Hulu or Apple TV+ anytime?
Yes. Both Hulu and Apple TV+ are month-to-month subscriptions with no long-term contracts. You can cancel either service at any time.
<p>If you're a fan of TV shows, then Hulu has a lot to offer, with a pretty comprehensive list of popular shows from major networks, including classic sitcoms, as well as children's programs like Sesame Street. Hulu is also acclaimed for its ace original programming, with hit shows from comedies like The Mindy Project to dystopian dramas like Handmaid's Tale.</p>
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