Netflix vs Hulu: price, plans, and which to keep
Current US prices, price history, trial terms, and cancellation friction side by side, built from our service guides. Last reviewed August 26, 2026.
The short answer
Hulu and Netflix cost almost the same but behave very differently. Hulu is $11.99 with ads and $18.99 without; Netflix is $8.99 with ads, $19.99 for Standard and $26.99 for Premium. Hulu gives you a 30-day trial and lets you pause for up to 12 weeks without losing your watchlist, two things Netflix removed years ago. Hulu's Live TV plan at $89.99 is a different product entirely and the most common reason a Hulu bill surprises people.
Netflix is cheaper by $36 a year on its entry plan.
At a glance
| Netflix | Hulu | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest standard plan | Standard with Ads: $8.99/mo | Hulu (With Ads): $11.99/mo |
| Cheapest plan per year | $107.88 | $143.88 |
| Most expensive plan | Premium: $26.99/mo | Hulu (No Ads): $18.99/mo |
| Price changes since 2023 | 3 | 2 |
| Latest price change | March 2026 | October 2025 |
| Free trial | Netflix no longer offers free trials in the US. | 30-day free trial for new subscribers on the base plans (subject to change). |
| Cancellation | 5 steps · app-store or partner billing caveat | 4 steps · app-store or partner billing caveat |
Cheapest and most expensive plans exclude add-ons, student, bundle, and per-seat plans. Price changes are counted from January 2023. US list prices, last reviewed August 26, 2026.
Which one should you pick?
Choose Netflix if…
Pick Netflix if you want the $8.99 ad plan, a global catalogue of originals, or 4K with spatial audio on Premium. Expect a price rise roughly every 12 to 18 months based on its recent record.
Choose Hulu if…
Pick Hulu if you watch current network TV the day after it airs, want a trial before paying, or expect to pause during slow months. Hulu is also the cheaper route to a Disney bundle if you want Disney+ anyway.
Every current plan
Netflix plans
| Plan | Current price |
|---|---|
| Standard with Ads | $8.99/mo |
| Standard | $19.99/mo |
| Premium | $26.99/mo |
| Extra Member (ad-free)Now costs more than a whole Standard-with-Ads account. | $9.99/mo |
Hulu plans
| Plan | Current price |
|---|---|
| Hulu (With Ads) | $11.99/mo |
| Hulu (No Ads) | $18.99/mo |
| Hulu + Live TVIncludes Disney+ and ESPN Select; eligible trials and promos vary. | $89.99/mo |
US list prices; taxes, promotions, and app-store billing may differ. Last reviewed August 26, 2026.
Price history, both services
March 2026 · Netflix
Second hike in under two years: Standard with Ads $7.99 → $8.99, Standard $17.99 → $19.99, Premium $24.99 → $26.99.
October 2025 · Hulu
With Ads rose $9.99 → $11.99 (+20%); No Ads $17.99 → $18.99 (+6%).
January 2025 · Netflix
US prices rose to $7.99 (ads), $17.99 (Standard) and $24.99 (Premium).
October 2024 · Hulu
Previous hike set With Ads at $9.99 and No Ads at $17.99.
July 2023 · Netflix
The ad-free Basic plan was retired for new members.
November 2022 · Netflix
Ad-supported tier launched at $6.99/month.
How to run both without paying for both
Use Hulu's pause instead of cancelling when a season ends, and rotate Netflix in for one month at a time. If you keep both ad-free, you are paying $38.98 a month; the Disney+, Hulu and Max ad-free bundle at $29.99 replaces the Hulu half and adds two services.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Netflix or Hulu?
Netflix. Its cheapest standard plan works out to $8.99 a month ($107.88 a year) versus $11.99 a month ($143.88 a year) for Hulu, a difference of $36 a year. Bundles, promotions, and app-store billing can change the final price.
Does Hulu still have a free trial?
Yes, Hulu offers a 30-day free trial for new subscribers on its base plans, subject to change. Netflix has not offered a US free trial for years.
Why is my Hulu bill so much higher than Netflix?
Almost always because it is Hulu + Live TV at $89.99 a month rather than the $11.99 or $18.99 on-demand plans. Downgrading to on-demand saves more than $900 a year if you never watch live channels.
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