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Hulu vs Disney+: which is better?

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Updated October 23, 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…Our pick

  • You want more highly-rated titles: it streams 264 that pass our 7.0 IMDb / 70% RT bar, vs 64 on Disney+
  • You want a free trial: it gives you 30 days free, while Disney+ has none
  • You care about Action, Anime, Comedy, Family
Try Hulu free for 30 days
Read our full Hulu review

Choose Disney+ if…

  • You care about Action, Family, Horror, Kids
  • You want to watch Love Story, Dying for Sex, A Thousand Blows
Try Disney+
Read our full Disney+ review
Or get both: Hulu and Disney+ are also sold together in the Disney+ bundle, which costs less than paying for both separately. If you are torn between them, the bundle can make this choice unnecessary.
Ready to sign up? Skip the research. Try Hulu free for 30 days Try Disney+

Summary: Hulu vs Disney+

Feature HuluOur pick Disney+
Base price $11.99/mo $11.99/mo
Free trial 30 days None
Titles that pass our 7.0 IMDb / 70% RT bar 264 64
Try Hulu free for 30 days Try Disney+

Which Has More Highly-Rated Titles?

We only recommend movies and shows rated at least 7.0 on IMDb and 70% on Rotten Tomatoes. By that standard, Hulu currently streams 264 qualifying titles, compared to 64 on Disney+. Here are the picks our readers are watching most on each right now.

Cheapest Plans Compared

If you just want the lowest possible bill, here is exactly what each service’s cheapest plan gets you.

Feature Hulu With Ads Disney+ Basic
Price / month $11.99 $11.99
Annual Price $119.99 –
Streams at Home 2 at the same time, unlimited device log-ins 2
Streams Outside Home 3, more with Extra Member add-on 1, with Extra Member Add-on
Profiles 7 7
Max Quality 1080p 1080p
4K Support ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Audio 5.1 audio 5.1 audio
Dolby Digital ✓ Yes –
Dolby Atmos – ✓ Yes
Min. Speed 3 Mbps 5 Mbps
Get With Ads → Get Basic →

Hulu vs Disney+: All Plans & Pricing Compared

Prices checked October 2026.

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: With Ads ($11.99/mo)
  • Huge library
  • Original series
  • Next-day TV

Student discount available

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

Device Support: Hulu vs Disney+

Both services support most major devices. Here’s a breakdown based on the device apps each service lists.

Device / Platform Hulu Disney+
Airplay ✓ ✓
Amazon Fire TV ✓ ✓
Android ✓ ✓
Android TV ✓ ✓
Apple TV ✓ ✓
Chromecast ✓ Not listed
Google TV Streamer ✓ ✓
LG TV ✓ Not listed
Nintendo Switch ✓ Not listed
PlayStation Not listed ✓
Roku ✓ ✓
Samsung TV ✓ Not listed
Xbox ✓ ✓
iOS ✓ ✓

“Not listed” means the service doesn’t list an app for that device; it may still work via casting or a browser.

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 each catalog and features to make your call.

The Honest Caveats

Before you pick either one, here is the drawback of each service, plainly stated.

Hulu

Most Hulu plans keep ads unless you pay roughly double for the ad-free tier, and Disney has been steadily folding Hulu into the Disney+ app, so the standalone experience keeps shifting.

Disney+

Outside of Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and family titles, the Disney+ catalog is thin for adults, and price increases have been frequent.

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.

Are Hulu and Disney+ owned by the same company?

Yes. Both are owned by The Walt Disney Company, which is why they are often sold together in a bundle. They remain separate subscriptions with different catalogs.

Which has more highly-rated titles, Hulu or Disney+?

By our curation standard (at least 7.0 on IMDb and 70% on Rotten Tomatoes), Hulu currently streams 264 qualifying titles, compared to 64 on Disney+.

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

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.

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