Netflix vs Hulu: which is worth it in 2026?
Prices verified as of October 14, 2026.
Netflix is cheaper at both levels: $8.99/mo with ads against Hulu's $12.49/mo, and $19.99/mo ad-free against $21.49/mo. Hulu's case is not price, it is timing — current network and FX shows the day after they air, which Netflix does not offer. If you mostly watch originals and films, Netflix wins on price. If you follow weekly broadcast TV, Hulu earns its premium. Many households rotate: Hulu while their shows are airing, Netflix in the gaps.
Plans and prices compared
| Netflix | Hulu |
|---|---|
| $8.99/mo Standard with ads Ads: Yes 1080p 2 streams Downloads: Yes (2 devices) | $12.49/mo Hulu (With Ads) Ads: Yes 1080p 2 streams Downloads: No |
| $19.99/mo Standard Ads: No 1080p 2 streams Downloads: Yes (2 devices) | $21.49/mo Hulu (No Ads) Ads: No 1080p 2 streams Downloads: Yes |
| $26.99/mo Premium Ads: No 4K + HDR 4 streams Downloads: Yes (6 devices) | — |
Full plan details: Netflix pricing · Hulu pricing. Price history for both is on the price history page.
Which should you pick?
Netflix:
- Standard with ads at $8.99/mo is the cheapest way in, if you can live with commercial breaks and a few locked titles.
- Standard at $19.99/mo is the sweet spot for most households: no ads, 1080p, two simultaneous streams, downloads on two devices.
- Premium is only worth $26.99/mo if you have a 4K TV and need four simultaneous streams. It is the only tier with 4K and HDR.
Hulu:
- With Ads at $12.49/mo (or $119.99/yr) is fine for casual viewing. Ad breaks are frequent, so binge-watchers usually upgrade.
- No Ads at $21.49/mo is the pick for heavy use, though a few shows still carry ads because of streaming rights.
- Cord-cutters should price Hulu + Live TV (from $99.99/mo) against the Disney Bundle Duo and Trio before subscribing standalone.
Or rotate both
Keeping both year-round is the expensive default. Both services are month-to-month, so the cheaper pattern is one at a time: subscribe for the shows you want, cancel, and switch. Dormant's rotation planner times those switches to premieres and finales, and the cost calculator shows what the rotation saves per year.
Common questions
Is Hulu cheaper than Netflix?
No. Hulu (With Ads) is $12.49/mo against Netflix Standard with ads at $8.99/mo, and Hulu (No Ads) is $21.49/mo against Netflix Standard at $19.99/mo. Hulu does offer annual billing on its ads tier ($119.99/yr); Netflix is month-to-month only. Prices verified October 14, 2026.
Netflix vs Hulu: which has downloads?
Both ad-free tiers do. On the ads tiers, Netflix Standard with ads allows downloads on two devices; Hulu (With Ads) does not offer downloads. Prices verified October 14, 2026.
How do I cancel Netflix or Hulu?
See Dormant's step-by-step guides: How to cancel Netflix and How to cancel Hulu. You keep access until the end of your billing period either way.
Changed your mind about one of them? How to cancel Netflix · How to cancel Hulu.