If you are an avid online content-watching person, it is difficult to just settle for one. But sometimes the budget is limited and we have to make the choice (tough one, we know!). It is tougher when you have choices like Amazon Prime, Disney Plus (which isn’t out yet, by the way!). But if you have to choose one, chances are that you’ll be using two of the biggest names in the streaming services: Netflix or Hulu.
Netflix vs Hulu vs Amazon Prime
Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime are all subscription-based streaming services that offer a variety of TV shows, movies, and other content. Here is a comparison of the three services:
Netflix:
Offers a large selection of TV shows, movies, and documentaries, including many Netflix original productions.
Prices start at $8.99 per month for a standard definition, single-stream account.
Available on a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, game consoles, streaming media players, and mobile devices.
Hulu:
Offers a selection of TV shows, movies, and a limited number of live television channels.
Prices start at $5.99 per month for an ad-supported plan, or $11.99 per month for an ad-free plan.
Available on a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, game consoles, streaming media players, and mobile devices.
Amazon Prime:
Offers a selection of TV shows, movies, and a limited number of live television channels, as well as free two-day shipping on certain items, access to a library of e-books, and other benefits.
Prices start at $12.99 per month or $119 per year.
Available on a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, game consoles, streaming media players, and mobile devices.
All three services offer free trials for new customers, which allow you to try out the service before committing to a subscription.
Netflix vs Hulu Which Streaming Sites Plan are Better?
There is enough content on both these websites to keep you glued to your couch for years. Well, I’ll probably end up like that, just me, my TV and my Spectrum TV plans subscribed for eternity!), but at the same time, they are different. So while choosing one, you have to make sure that you are choosing the right one, as per your taste, and budget, of course!
But before you do, let’s get to know these two a little bit!
Netflix
It started working in 1997. Initially, it was a DVD-by-mail service and charged no late return fees. The idea caught on for it was too easy to grab on, and nearly put the rent-a-movie services out of business. It started its major source of internet traffic, the content streaming business, in 2007. It has become the most important source since then.
What started as a movie-watching service, has now become the center of attention for its original TV shows content. You’ll find so many people who are very passionate about binge-watching Netflix shows and would prefer them over almost anything.
Hulu
The start of Hulu is almost the same as Netflix, but unlike the latter, the former is centred upon network TV, not movies. It was launched in 2008. Its main purpose was to work as a syndicate engine for its mother networks, like NBC Universal. But it found its place in the market and became the all-time favourite platform for major television networks (that doesn’t include CBS and The CW, by the way).
Hulu is just available for US subscribers (yeah, not even Canada). Its biggest break came in May 2017, when it started to support live TV. So now that we have had an introduction to both these services, let’s see what other factors you should consider if you have to choose one.
Availability Netflix vs Hulu
If you choose Netflix, it is available in most parts of the world. It offers service subscriptions to more than 190 countries across the world. Hulu is only available in the U.S. (also, wherever US Military bases are) and Japan. It is not going to go international anytime soon in the upcoming future.
So if you are based in Asia, Canada, Australia, or somewhere in Europe, Netflix is your best choice. Of course, there are ways to get Hulu outside of the US too, but most of the people don’t go out of the way for getting a service for which they can easily have an alternate.
The hassle contains all the steps of acquiring a credit or debit card by any US-based bank to sign up for the service.
Even if you manage to get access to that, step two includes having a VPN address to make you look like a US citizen. Even that might not work out for you, as Hulu has a policy of blocking users that access the website through a VPN.
Content Netflix vs Hulu
One of the biggest factors that should help you choose is the content both of these streaming services offer. Yes, tons of movies and TV shows are available on both, but they have different focus areas.
In series like Van Helsing starring Kelly Overton, Stranger Things, Narcos, Master of None, and many more, Netflix is best for watching original programs.
Netflix invested over $10 billion into producing original shows. We cannot say that every show they have made is an enormous success, but there are a few which are good to watch.
As far as Hulu is concerned, it has an upper hand over its contender. Its streaming services are owned by big names like Disney and Comcast, which guarantees access to lots of popular TV shows.
If you want a homey old TV feeling, Hulu has it all, from the Simpsons to Seinfeld. Another great feature is that after new episodes of popular TV shows are aired, they become available on Hulu within a day.
With Netflix, you got to be patient, as they generally upload the entire season once it is aired. Netflix offers plenty of options for TV shows, Hulu specializes in its original shows, like The Handmaid’s Tale. Overall, Netflix is a better option for original content, as Hulu offers network TV programming.
Pricing Netflix vs Hulu
Okay. Hold on. It is going to be a little complicated here. Netflix offers a basic subscription is $8.99. It runs in standard definition (SD) and allows streaming on one device. For a $13.99 Standard plan, you can upgrade to stream at HD (depending on the availability of this feature for the movie or show you are watching).
This package allows two devices. For $17.99 you can get a 4K Premium (Ultra HD resolution). If you want the DVD mailing plans, it is going to cost you an extra $5-$12/month, depending on the type of plan you have.
Pricing Source: https://www.hulu.com/welcome, www.netflix.com]
Hulu offers three subscriptions plan, Hulu $6.99/mo, Hulu (No Ads) $12.99/mo, Hulu + Live TV $69.99/mo. But this comes with a price (literally!). This price includes ads that run through during commercial breaks (just like when you watch TV).
For an ad-free experience, you have to pay double the original fee. It also seems that Hulu is adding more and more ads each day. If you are into binge-watching, it is going to irritate you a lot.
So Netflix vs Hulu vs Amazon Prime? Have you decided yet to choose from? I use (Netflix) I’m glad of my Spectrum internet availability, especially when I have nothing better to do and going out also looks like an ordeal.