The Three Hulu Plans and What They Cost

Hulu offers three subscription tiers: Hulu (With Ads), Hulu (No Ads), and Hulu (No Ads + Live TV). Each tier gives you access to Hulu's library of TV shows, movies, and originals, but the price, ad load, and included features differ. As of now, Hulu (With Ads) costs less than $10 per month, Hulu (No Ads) runs between $15 and $20 per month, and Hulu (No Ads + Live TV) costs roughly $30 per month or more. These prices change periodically, so check Hulu's website directly for current rates in your region.

The main trade-off is straightforward: lower cost means you watch ads; higher cost means fewer or no ads, plus access to live television if you choose that tier. There is no trial period on any plan — you pay immediately when you sign up. You can change plans or cancel at any time without penalty.

Key Takeaways

  • Hulu (With Ads) is the cheapest option and includes the full content library, but you will see ads during shows and movies.
  • Hulu (No Ads) removes ads from on-demand content but costs significantly more per month than the ad-supported tier.
  • Hulu (No Ads + Live TV) includes live television channels in addition to the full on-demand library, making it the most expensive option.
  • You can switch between plans or cancel at any time, and changes take effect immediately or at the start of your next billing cycle depending on when you make the change.

What Hulu (With Ads) Includes

The ad-supported plan gives you access to Hulu's entire on-demand catalog: current-season TV shows (usually the day after they air), past seasons of thousands of series, movies, and Hulu originals. You will see ads before, during, and after content. The number of ads varies by title — some shows have fewer interruptions than others, and movies typically have more ad breaks than half-hour episodes.

This plan works on all devices: phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV. You can stream on one device at a time. If someone else in your household tries to watch on a different device simultaneously, you will get a message asking you to stop on one of them.

What Hulu (No Ads) Includes

The no-ads plan removes advertisements from on-demand shows and movies. You get the same full library as the ad-supported tier — all current and past seasons, originals, and films — but without interruptions. The exception is a small number of titles that still carry ads even on the no-ads plan; Hulu discloses which shows have this restriction when you encounter them.

Like the ad-supported plan, you can watch on any device and stream one title at a time. The higher monthly cost is the primary difference between this tier and Hulu (With Ads).

What Hulu (No Ads + Live TV) Includes

This plan combines the no-ads on-demand library with access to live television. You get dozens of live channels — the exact number and which channels depend on your location, but typically include news, sports, entertainment, and cable networks. You can pause and rewind live TV on most channels, and the plan includes a cloud-based DVR that lets you record programs to watch later. DVR storage limits vary; Hulu usually offers 50 hours of storage, though this can change.

The live TV component requires a stable internet connection and works best on larger screens like TVs or computers, though you can also watch on mobile devices. You can stream on two devices at the same time with this plan, compared to one device on the lower tiers. This plan is substantially more expensive than the other two because it includes live broadcast rights.

Bundling Hulu With Disney+ and ESPN+

Disney offers bundle packages that combine Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN+. A bundle typically costs less than buying all three services separately. The bundle comes in three versions: one with ads on Hulu and Disney+, one with no ads on both, and one with no ads on Hulu and Disney+ plus ESPN+. If you already subscribe to one or more of these services individually, you can switch to a bundle and may receive a credit for the remainder of your current billing cycle.

Bundles are managed as a single subscription, so you have one bill and one login across all three services. You can cancel the bundle at any time, and you will revert to having no active subscriptions unless you choose to restart individual services separately.

How to Switch Plans or Cancel

Log into your Hulu account on any device and go to Account Settings. From there, you can view your current plan, see your billing date, and choose a different tier. If you upgrade, the change takes effect immediately and you will be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of your current billing cycle. If you downgrade, the change takes effect on your next billing date.

To cancel, go to Account Settings and select the option to cancel your subscription. Hulu will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay. Once you confirm cancellation, your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle — you do not lose access immediately. If you cancel and then want to resubscribe later, you can restart your account without penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Hulu on multiple devices at the same time?

On Hulu (With Ads) and Hulu (No Ads), you can stream on one device at a time. On Hulu (No Ads + Live TV), you can stream on two devices simultaneously. If you try to watch on more devices than your plan allows, you will be prompted to stop on one of them.

Do I need a credit card to sign up for Hulu?

Yes. Hulu requires a valid payment method — credit card, debit card, or other accepted payment option — to create an account. There is no free trial period, so you will be charged immediately when you sign up.

What happens to my recordings if I cancel the live TV plan?

If you downgrade from Hulu (No Ads + Live TV) to one of the on-demand-only plans, your DVR recordings are deleted. If you resubscribe to the live TV plan later, your previous recordings will not be restored.

Can I share my Hulu account with family members?

Hulu's terms of service restrict account sharing to members of your household. The number of simultaneous streams allowed depends on your plan. If you share your login with people outside your home, you risk account suspension or termination.

Are there any shows or movies I cannot watch even on the no-ads plan?

A small number of titles carry ads even on Hulu (No Ads). Hulu indicates which shows have this restriction in the app when you select them. Most of the library is ad-free on the no-ads plan.