The way people watch movies and shows have significantly changed over the last decade. Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have become a norm. Incidentally, among the many streaming services available to choose from, Netflix and Hulu are two of the most popular. Here are the factors that differentiate the two.
Netflix
Netflix is currently the most popular streaming service in the United States. It is available in the U.S, U.K, and Ireland and provides streaming for movies, series, cartoons, anime, and original content. Netflix used to be a DVD-by-mail service with no late fees, but has since then evolved into the streaming service it is now. Aside from its large selection of shows, it also boasts an ad-free streaming service without any added fees.
Hulu
Hulu is currently the second-most popular streaming platform in the United States. It is currently available only in the U.S. and also has a knock-off version in Japan. Hulu caters more on TV series and allows add-on channels for HBO, Cinemax, and showtime. It also has more subbed anime titles than Netflix. TV series under Hulu are also available the day after airing, as opposed to Netflix who start streaming at least a week after the season ends. Unlike Netflix, you have to pay additional fees if you want to watch your shows ad-free.
Netflix |
Hulu |
|
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $8.99 per month (single stream, SD), $12.99 (two simultaneous screens, HD), $15.99 (four screens, Ultra HD); all ad-free | $7.99 for base content (price drop to $5.99 on Feb. 26. 2019), $11.99 monthly for ad-free content, $39.99 a month for Hulu With Live TV ($45 on Feb. 26, 2019) |
| Content | Movies, TV shows and series, original content, some dubbed anime titles | Movies, TV shows, original content, many subbed anime titles, Live TV |
| Ads | Ad-free | Ad-free except for the base subscription; some shows may have ads due to streaming rights |
| Library size | Over 100, 000 titles, including individual show episodes | Approximately 2,500 movies and 43,000 individual episodes |
| Website | www.netflix.com | www.hulu.com |
| Audio | Dolby Digital 5.1 | Stereo sound |
| Accounts and profiles | Five profiles per account | Six profiles per account |
| Original series | Many original series | Four, plus three to be released |
| Date founded | 1997 | 2007 |
| Availability of TV episodes | About a week after the latest season ends | Airs the following day fr ABC, NBC and Fox shows |
| Add-ons | DVD plans | Add-on channels (Starz, Showtime, Cinemax, HBO) |
Venn Diagram
