Hulu vs Paramount+: which is better?

Hulu and Paramount+'s ad-supported tiers both cost $8/month, but which of them is better? That depends on what you're looking for. If you want a constant and consistent release of original titles, Hulu might be a better fit for you. With award-winning shows like The Bear, The Handmaid's Tale, Only Murders in the Building, and Shogun, you'll likely find something to tune into on the platform. Not to mention, it carries next-day episodes of ABC shows like Abbott Elementary and High Potential, so that's something to consider if you've gone fully cordless. Meanwhile, Paramount+ has the Star Trek and Yellowstone spin-offs going for itself. Don't be fooled by the quantity, though. Paramount+ also has rights to Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, BET, and MTV shows. It also covers NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League live; if you upgrade to their premium Showtime tier, you'll even have access to your local CBS station. So which is better? For more value for money, Hulu. For more variety and sports content, Paramount+. Of course, there are many other factors to consider too, like device compatibility and free trial availability. So if you're still on the fence, you can read about all those details and more in our breakdown below.  

Summary

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

Paramount+ Essential and Hulu cost

Paramount+ Essential's costs $8 and Hulu also costs $8 (for base backages without any add-ons.)

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 Paramount+ Essential?

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 Paramount+ Essential

Devices: Paramount+ Essential is more widely available than Hulu

Paramount+ Essential is available on Airplay supported, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense Android TV, iOS, LG TV, Playsation, Roku, Samsung TV, Shareplay supported, Sony Bravia Android TVs, TCL 3-Series Smart TV, Visio TV, Vizio TV or Xbox.

Whereas 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. That's 3 less devices than Paramount+ Essential.

Channel count: Hulu has 0 channels more than Paramount+ Essential

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

Trial: Hulu offers a trial

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

Find out more on Hulu

Trial: Paramount+ Essential offers a trial

Paramount+ Essential has a trial. The trial duration is 7 days.

Find out more on Paramount+ Essential

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.

Paramount+ Essential's specialty

The specialties of Paramount+ Essential are: Action, Horror, Movies, Old TV shows, Original series.

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.

Paramount+ Essential's accepted payment methods

The payment methods that Paramount+ Essential accepts are: Amazon Appstore, Apple App Store, credit card, Google Play Store, prepaid card, Retailer gift card, Walmart gift cards.

Does Hulu have a better catalog than Paramount+ Essential?

Based on our calculations, Hulu has a better catalog than Paramount+ Essential. Our curators have found 274 highly-rated movies and shows on Hulu. By contrast, they have only found 61 highly-rated movies and shows on Paramount+ Essential.

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)

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

The Worst Person in the World (2021) (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)

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

Robot Dreams (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 Paramount+ Essential?

Here are the best movies that our team recommends on Paramount+ Essential:

The Hours (2002) (our rating: 8.7/10)

Election (1999) (our rating: 8.3/10)

Chicago (2002) (our rating: 8.2/10)

Adventureland (2009) (our rating: 8.1/10)

Like Crazy (2011) (our rating: 8/10)

Strictly Ballroom (1992) (our rating: 8/10)

The Eternal Memory (2023) (our rating: 7.9/10)

Fences (2016) (our rating: 7.8/10)

76 Days (2020) (our rating: 7.8/10)

Fatal Attraction (1987) (our rating: 7.7/10)

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)

Godfather of Harlem (our rating: 9.2/10)

Shōgun (our rating: 9.2/10)

Ramy (our rating: 9.1/10)

Normal People (our rating: 9.1/10)

The Americans (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 Paramount+ Essential?

Here are the best shows that our team recommends on Paramount+ Essential:

The Good Fight (our rating: 9.1/10)

Ghosts (our rating: 8.9/10)

Nathan for You (our rating: 8.6/10)

Review (our rating: 8.6/10)

Signal (our rating: 8.5/10)

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (our rating: 8.3/10)

Corporate (our rating: 8/10)

Broad City (our rating: 7.9/10)

Pyramid Game (our rating: 7.8/10)

Rabbit Hole (our rating: 7.7/10)

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.