Hulu vs Disney+: which is better?

Updated July 20, 2026 • Staff picks

Hulu and Disney+ are both Disney properties, so it can be difficult to distinguish one from the other. This is especially true if you watch Hulu on the Disney+ platform, as the latter allows you to do so. But which is better? Hulu is a tad cheaper and offers more mature content for adult audiences. That’s because most of its most well-known titles are produced by FX, the cutting-edge network behind hits like Atlanta, The Bear, and Shogun. Meanwhile, to no one’s surprise, Disney+ is more kid-friendly. It has age-appropriate shows like Bluey, and it has rights to big properties like Marvel and Star Wars. Whichever’s better will come down to preference: if you want more original, adult-oriented shows, go for Hulu. But if you’re a fan of big franchises and/or have a little one watching with you, Disney+ might be your best bet. You can read our more detailed breakdown between Hulu and Disney+ below.

Choose Hulu if…

  • You want a longer free trial (30 days vs 0 days)
Try Hulu — 30 days free

Choose Disney+ if…

  • You need ABC News Live, Disney+ Playtime, Hallowstream, or other channels exclusive to Disney+
Try Disney+
Ready to sign up? Skip the research. Try Hulu — 30 days free Try Disney+

Summary: Hulu vs Disney+

Feature Hulu Disney+
Base price $11.99/mo $11.99/mo
Free trial 30 days None
Subscribers 43,000,000
Our rating 9/10 9/10
Try Hulu — 30 days free Try Disney+

Hulu vs Disney+: All Plans & Pricing Compared

Hulu 3 plans Disney+ 2 plans
Cheapest Hulu Student With Ads No Ads Cheapest Basic Premium
Price / month $1.99 $11.99 $18.99 $11.99 $18.99
Annual Price $119.99 $189.99
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 2 4
Streams Outside Home 3 3, more with Extra Member add-on 3, more with Extra Member add-on 1, with Extra Member Add-on 1, with Extra Member Add-on
Profiles 7 7 7 7 7
Max Quality 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p
4K Support ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Audio 5.1 audio 5.1 audio 5.1 audio 5.1 audio 5.1 audio
Dolby Digital ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Dolby Atmos ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Min. Speed 3 Mbps 3 Mbps 3 Mbps 5 Mbps 5 Mbps
Get plan → Get plan → Get plan → Get plan → Get plan →

What’s included in the cheapest plan

Hulu — Hulu Student ($1.99/mo)
  • Verified students only
  • Full library access
  • Ad supported

Only available for the standalone plan or the Hulu-Spotify bundle

Disney+ — Basic ($11.99/mo)
  • Disney/Marvel/Star Wars
  • Full library
  • With ads

Channel Lineup: Hulu vs Disney+

0 channels are available on both services. Disney+ has 6 exclusive channels not on Hulu.

On both services Disney+ only
Channel Hulu Disney+
ABC News Live
Disney+ Playtime
Hallowstream
Hits & Heroes
Real Life
Throwbacks

Device Support: Hulu vs Disney+

Both services support most major devices. Here’s a full breakdown of where you can watch each one.

Device / Platform Hulu Disney+
Airplay
Amazon Fire TV
Android
Android TV
Apple TV
Chromecast
Google TV Streamer
LG TV
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation
Roku
Samsung TV
Xbox
iOS

Popularity: Hulu is more popular

Hulu has 43,000,000M subscribers compared to 0M for Disney+.

Price: Hulu and Disney+ cost the same

Both Hulu and Disney+ start at $11.99/month for their base plan, so price alone won’t decide this comparison. Look at channel selection and features to make your call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hulu the same price as Disney+?

Yes. Both Hulu and Disney+ start at $11.99/month for their base plan.

Do Hulu or Disney+ offer a free trial?

Hulu offers a 30-day free trial. Disney+ does not currently offer a free trial.

What channels does Disney+ have that Hulu doesn't?

Disney+ has 6 channels not available on Hulu, including: ABC News Live, Disney+ Playtime, Hallowstream, Hits & Heroes, Real Life, and more.

Can I cancel Hulu or Disney+ anytime?

Yes. Both Hulu and Disney+ are month-to-month subscriptions with no long-term contracts. You can cancel either service at any time.

Our pick: Hulu

<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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