Hulu Plus Logo
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6.2

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: August 25th, 2025

Hulu (aka Hulu Plus) is a leading streaming TV service that offers live TV, live sports, Hulu original shows and movies, as well as classic and new offerings from top cable TV and premium channels. The company provides both ad-free and ad-supported subscription plans, a free 30-day trial for all packages, and the opportunity to bundle its streaming services with other streaming providers.

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The Good

  • Expansive Library of Movie Options and TV Shows
  • Ad-Free and Live TV Options Available
  • Bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $12.99 per Month
  • Premium Channels Available as Add-Ons
  • Student Discount for $1.99 per Month

Expansive Library of Movie Options and TV Shows

In addition to its growing library of Hulu original movies and TV shows, Hulu offers subscribers a formidable catalog from some of the biggest names in television, including 21st Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, CBS Corporation, The CW, Turner Networks, A+E Networks and Discovery Networks, and the following channel lineup:

  • ABC
  • Adult Swim
  • AMC
  • Animal Planet
  • BBC America
  • Bravo
  • CINEMAX (add-on)
  • CMT
  • Comedy Central
  • Cooking Channel
  • E! Entertainment
  • Epix Originals
  • Food Network
  • Freeform
  • Fuse
  • FX and FXX
  • HBO Max (add-on)
  • HereTV
  • HGTV
  • History Channel
  • Investigation Discovery
  • Lifetime
  • MTV
  • National Geographic
  • Science
  • SHOWTIME (add-on)
  • STARZ (add-on)
  • SYFY
  • TBS
  • Telemundo
  • TLC
  • TNT
  • Travel Channel
  • USA
  • VH1
  • WGN America

In most cases, subscribers can gain access to newly aired episodes of their favorite shows the day after they air. All streaming content is available through the Hulu app, available via mobile device, computer, or smart TV.

Ad-Free and Live TV Options Available

Each of Hulu's subscription plans offer the first month free. After that, subscribers could pay anywhere between $5.99 to $64.99 per month, depending on their subscription plan:

  • Hulu ($5.99 per month) — full access to streaming library via TV, laptop, phone, or tablet; supports up to six user profiles and simultaneous streams on two devices.
  • Hulu (No Ads; $11.99 per month) — all the features of the standard Hulu plan, plus no ads or commercials, as well as the ability to download and watch content for offline viewing.
  • Hulu + Live TV Plan ($64.99 per month) — no cable required to access more than 65 live channels as well as a live TV guide; record live TV with 50 hours of cloud DVR storage.

Bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $12.99 per Month

Hulu customers have the option to bundle Hulu's streaming services with Disney+ and ESPN+ for only $12.99 per month (still cheaper than Netflix and as expensive as Amazon Prime). This streaming bundle gives users access to Disney's complete library, including the Marvel and Star Wars franchises, as well as ESPN's full 30 for 30 series, along with live sports channels.

Premium Channels Available as Add-Ons

For an additional fee, Hulu subscribers can add premium channels like HBO Max, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, and STARZ for hit movies, series, and documentaries. For Hulu + Live TV subscribers, add-ons come with unlimited screens, enhanced DVR storage, entertainment add-ons, and Español add-ons.

Student Discount for $1.99 per Month

Active college students qualify for Hulu's student discount, which reduces the cost of the ad-supported plan ($5.99 per month) down to $1.99 per month. Students should note, however, that Hulu does not provide a free trial on its student discount option.

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The Bad

  • Ads and Commercials

Ads and Commercials

The only drawback to Hulu's basic plan is the presence of commercials. These usually only play at the beginning of episodes or movies; however, for newly aired episodes, short ads will play periodically throughout the show. If customers wish to enjoy their viewing experience without ads, they can opt for the ad-free version which is comparable to other ad-free streaming services like Netflix in price.

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The Bottom Line

With Hulu, a subscriber can gain access for original content, a live TV streaming service, and thousands of viewing options for as little as $5.99 per month. Users should be prepared to pay more for an ad-free viewing experience, and about about much as they would for any other live streaming service. The ability to bundle with other streaming platform services like Disney+ and ESPN+ offers customers a unique viewing library, and the free trial, cancel anytime policy allows users to try Hulu risk-free.

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Star Rating

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4.3

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671 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

54%

4 grade

30%

3 grade

11%

2 grade

2%

1 grade

3%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

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Quality

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Review Source

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Al Avolicino

The cloud recording is almost a joke. Programs are not always recorded, I pay for no commercials and that doesn't always work, just a lot of software problems on their part.

5 years ago

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Jasmin Mena

Other than anime, Hulu has nothing to offer to me. A lot of their documentaries seem promising and interesting at first glance, but as soon as I've watched them I felt like I just wasted my time. Each to their own of course, but Hulu just isn't my coup of tea.

2 years ago

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Gary Griffith Abilene, TX

The price for streaming was a bit higher than necessary. Quickly run out of the new shows to watch. Added Plus and Live TV but found the menu system too confusing to find the shows I wanted to watch. Canceled during my trial period, wished I had never tried it.

4 years ago

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Tanner Hales Pleasant Grove, UT

Got a free Hulu membership with my Spotify student membership, and I have to say that I would not pay for a membership solely for Hulu. I don't particularly care for the movies that are available most of the time, and I can't stand most of the Hulu original shows. They are crude, and about all that's available for decent TV shows. When compared to other streaming services, it really does not stack up.

7 years ago

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Hank Ricardo

The streaming is slow. It always buffers every few mins.. It's not fun to watch. All of my other streaming services work just fine which tells me Hulu has a problem with its platform.

1 year ago

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Liana Colorado Springs, CO

I PAY for your service, why are you still forcing me to watch ads? And their selection is probably the worst. However, being able to put a hold on your account at any time is nice.

6 years ago

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Lilly Logan, UT

Hulu is always having problems, especially with the app actually working. Other apps work perfectly fine on my phone but every time I pull up Hulu it won’t load at all.

6 years ago

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Dru Scott American Fork, UT

I tried to cancel and it kept billing me. I unsubscribe from email lists but I still get emails from them. Very annoying.

6 years ago

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Angela Pyrah Willard, MO

Too expensive for what you actually get. Its good for somethings, but i can get the same service through another company for less money

7 years ago

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Mike Shabanowitz

Not great I personally prefer Netflix over Hulu Plus. Hulu has a small selection to choose.

2 years ago

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James Auten

Live streaming terrible. Even with super fast internet the thing would buffer . Basically it sucks!

7 years ago

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Aubrey Rentschler Salt Lake City, UT

The shows they offer are versatile and fun; however, they have way to many commercials.

8 years ago

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Tori Provo, UT

I do not have Hulu plus because I don’t want to pay for it but Hulu has some dope shows like the terror omg

6 years ago

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Kevin Beard Waldorf, MD

Save your money, the same movie are on all day back to bank.

2 years ago

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Gloria Muskegon, MI

constantly cuts off during movie or programl

5 years ago