Hulu has solidified its position as a top-tier streaming service, offering a diverse range of content for every type of viewer. From on-demand classics and Hulu Originals to live TV channels, Hulu provides a multitude of options to cut the cord and enjoy your favorite entertainment. But with various plans and add-ons available, understanding the cost structure can be a bit confusing. If you’re wondering “How Much Is Hulu A Month?”, you’ve come to the right place.
This guide will break down all the Hulu plans and associated costs in 2024, ensuring you have all the information to choose the best option for your streaming needs without breaking the bank.
Understanding Hulu Plans and Pricing in 2024
Hulu offers a range of plans designed to cater to different viewing preferences and budgets. Let’s explore the core Hulu plans and their respective monthly costs:
Hulu On-Demand Plans
For those primarily interested in on-demand content, Hulu provides two main plans:
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Hulu (With Ads): Starting at $7.99 per month, this is the most affordable Hulu plan. It gives you access to Hulu’s vast streaming library, including hit shows like The Handmaid’s Tale, Abbott Elementary, and a wide array of movies. As the name suggests, this plan includes advertisements during playback.
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Hulu (No Ads): If you prefer an uninterrupted viewing experience, the Hulu (No Ads) plan is available for $14.99 per month. This plan removes most commercials from on-demand content, allowing for seamless binge-watching of your favorite series and movies. Please note that “No Ads” applies to on-demand content; live TV content (available in other plans) will still include commercials.
Hulu + Live TV Plans
For viewers looking to replace traditional cable TV, Hulu + Live TV is a comprehensive option that combines on-demand streaming with live television channels. Here are the Hulu + Live TV plans:
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Hulu + Live TV (With Ads): Priced at $76.99 per month, this plan includes everything in the Hulu (With Ads) plan, plus over 90 live TV channels, including news, sports, and entertainment networks. This plan also includes Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads), providing a complete entertainment package.
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Hulu + Live TV (No Ads): For an ad-free on-demand experience with live TV, the Hulu + Live TV (No Ads) plan costs $89.99 per month. This plan provides the same live TV channels and the Disney+ and ESPN+ bundle, but upgrades the Hulu on-demand library to ad-free viewing. Disney+ and ESPN+ content within this bundle will still contain ads.
Disney Bundle Options with Hulu
To maximize value, Hulu also offers bundle deals with Disney+ and ESPN+, providing access to a wider range of content at a reduced combined price:
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Disney Bundle Duo Basic: At $9.99 per month, this bundle includes Hulu (With Ads) and Disney+ (With Ads). It’s an excellent option for families and individuals who enjoy both Hulu’s general entertainment and Disney’s family-friendly content.
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Disney Bundle Trio Basic: For $14.99 per month, the Trio Basic bundle includes Hulu (With Ads), Disney+ (With Ads), and ESPN+ (With Ads). This is the most comprehensive basic bundle, offering a vast library of entertainment, sports, and family content at a very competitive price.
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Disney Bundle Trio Premium: For an upgraded experience, the Trio Premium bundle is available for $24.99 per month. This includes Hulu (No Ads), Disney+ (No Ads), and ESPN+ (With Ads). This is the ultimate bundle for those who want ad-free viewing for most content and a wide variety of entertainment options.
Hulu Add-ons: Customize Your Subscription
Beyond the core plans, Hulu allows you to further customize your viewing experience with various add-on options. These add-ons can enhance your subscription by providing access to premium channels and specialized content:
- Max (With Ads): For an additional $9.99 per month, you can add Max (formerly HBO Max) with ads to your Hulu plan. This gives you access to HBO’s acclaimed series, movies, and Max Originals.
- Max (No Ads): Upgrade to ad-free Max content for $16.99 per month as an add-on.
- Cinemax: Add Cinemax for $9.99 per month to enjoy a wide selection of movies and action-packed series.
- Paramount+ with SHOWTIME: For $12.99 per month, get a bundle of Paramount+ and SHOWTIME, offering a rich catalog of blockbuster movies, original series, and live sports (via Paramount+).
- STARZ: Enhance your movie and series options with STARZ for $10.99 per month, featuring STARZ Originals and a diverse film library.
These add-ons provide flexibility, allowing you to tailor your Hulu subscription to include the specific content you and your household enjoy most.
Hulu Free Trial: Test the Waters
For new subscribers, Hulu often offers a free trial period, allowing you to experience the service before committing to a monthly subscription.
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Hulu On-Demand Free Trial: Typically, Hulu offers a 30-day free trial for its on-demand plans (both with and without ads) to new and eligible returning subscribers. This generous trial period provides ample time to explore Hulu’s on-demand library and decide if it meets your entertainment needs.
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Hulu + Live TV Free Trial: Free trials for Hulu + Live TV are less common and shorter when available, often around 3 days. Eligibility for live TV free trials can also vary. It’s always best to check the Hulu website for the most current trial offers.
These free trials are an excellent way to test Hulu’s service and content library to see if it’s the right streaming platform for you.
Hulu: A Unique Streaming Service
Hulu distinguishes itself from other streaming services through its blend of on-demand and live TV offerings. Unlike Netflix or Max, which primarily focus on on-demand content, Hulu combines a vast library of current network shows, Hulu Originals, and classic series with the option to add live TV channels. This hybrid approach makes Hulu a versatile choice, serving both as a traditional streaming service and a cable TV alternative.
Hulu’s bundling strategy with Disney+ and ESPN+ further enhances its value proposition. These bundles offer a comprehensive content library, spanning from general entertainment to family-friendly and sports programming, often at a more affordable price than subscribing to each service individually.
Another key differentiator is Hulu’s next-day streaming of many network TV shows from channels like ABC, NBC, and FOX. This feature is particularly appealing to viewers who want to stay current with broadcast television without waiting for full seasons to become available. And with Hulu + Live TV, subscribers can access local channels, providing live news, sports, and events, which are essential for cord-cutters seeking a complete cable replacement.
While platforms like Netflix and Max excel in original content and ad-free viewing, Hulu offers a balanced approach, combining current TV, exclusive content, customizable live TV, and flexible pricing options.
Hulu Availability: Where Can You Stream?
Currently, Hulu is available within the United States, select U.S. territories, and U.S. military bases. For those in the military community with base-provided internet, Hulu streaming is also accessible. Unfortunately, Hulu is not officially available outside of these regions. While VPNs can sometimes provide access from abroad, this method may violate Hulu’s terms of service and can lead to service disruptions.
Final Verdict: Is Hulu Worth the Cost?
Hulu’s range of plans and pricing options positions it as a highly accessible and versatile streaming service. Whether you are looking for basic on-demand streaming, an ad-free experience, or a comprehensive live TV solution to replace cable, Hulu offers a plan to meet various needs and budgets. The flexibility to bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ further enhances its appeal, providing significant value for families and individuals with diverse entertainment preferences.
However, if live sports or very specific niche cable channels are your primary focus, it’s worth comparing Hulu + Live TV with services like DIRECTV STREAM or Fubo, which may offer more specialized sports content. For the majority of viewers, though, Hulu strikes an excellent balance between affordability, content variety, and user-friendly features, making it a strong contender in the streaming landscape.
To explore Hulu’s offerings and subscribe, visit the Hulu website.
