Apple TV+ focuses on premium original content with a smaller library (around 2,500 titles) at $9.99/month, while Hulu offers a broader entertainment catalog with 10,000+ titles and lower-cost ad-supported plans starting at $7.99/month, making them suited for different viewing preferences.
Apple TV+ vs Hulu — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Premium subscription streaming service focused on original films and series
Broad-based streaming service with 10,000+ titles, next-day TV episodes, and live TV options
Library Size. Ad-Supported Plan Cost. Original Content Strategy. Next-Day TV Episodes. Bundle Pricing. 4K Content Availability. Live TV Access
Choose Apple TV+ if you prioritize high-quality original dramas and films with premium production value and don't mind a smaller, curated selection. Choose Hulu if you want access to current TV episodes, a massive content library, lower entry-level pricing, and next-day access to network broadcasts.
Apple TV+: ~140-149 million (2026 projection) | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: Part of $28.75B Services (FY2025) | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: 15% (Apple Services FY2025) | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: Premium original programming | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: Deep Apple device integration | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: WiFi 6E (802.11ax) | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: 6 simultaneous streams | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: Yes (standard) | Hulu: Premium tier only
Apple TV+: Not available | Hulu: Available (600+ shows)
Apple TV+: Up to 6 users (family sharing) | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: iOS, macOS, tvOS, web, Android, Fire TV, Roku (all major platforms supported) | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: All tiers included | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: 6 streams | Hulu: 4 streams (standard) / 6 streams (premium)
Apple TV+: 92 nominations | Hulu: 32 nominations
Apple TV+: 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos | Hulu: 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos
Apple TV+: No (weekly releases) | Hulu: Yes (most series)
Apple TV+: No | Hulu: Yes (add-on: $14.99/mo)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
Apple TV+: None (limited original series) | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: 4K HDR + Dolby Atmos | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: Apple devices, web, select smart TVs | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: Full library on all devices | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: 90 days (with Apple One) | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: 25 million (Q3 2024) | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: $20.88/year (Apple One) | Hulu: N/A
Apple TV+: $9.99/month or free (Apple One) | Hulu: N/A
Average Rotten Tomatoes Score (Originals Only)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Tier)
Apple TV+: $9.99/month | Hulu: $7.99/month (with ads)
Apple TV+: ~70% of originals in 4K | Hulu: ~15% of library in 4K
Apple TV+: $9.99/month (standard, no ads) | Hulu: $17.99/month
Apple TV+: Not available | Hulu: 90+ channels (Live TV add-on)
Recommended Bundle Price (All Services, No Ads)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: $44.99 (with ESPN Unlimited)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Limited, mostly HD
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: 8 participants (Watch Party)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Available with bundles
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Limited (select events only)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Top 3 among streamers
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Yes (Hulu+Live TV)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Yes (premium tier)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: 120 days standard
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Disney+, ESPN+, FX content
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Tell Me Lies (7.2 rating)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: ESPN+ with premium sports
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Industry standard
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Via ESPN+ partnership
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Standard mobile app
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Included (Hulu Watch Party)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Easier to browse and find content
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: $19.99/month (included)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Next-day episodes of current shows
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Standalone app ending, merging into Disney+
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Yes (ABC, NBC, Fox, FX)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Same-day/next-day (typically 8-24 hours)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: $119.99 (with ads, includes Disney+ & ESPN+)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Yes ($14.99/month with Disney+/ESPN+)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: 30 days (varies by plan)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Next-day (24 hours)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Available ($76.99/month add-on)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Premium plan only
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: 25+ diverse originals
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: ABC, Fox, NBC shows included
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: $14.99 (with Disney+, ESPN+)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Same-day or next-day
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: Limited (requires add-ons)
Apple TV+: N/A | Hulu: 65+ (Hulu+Live TV $76.99/mo)
How to choose between Apple TV+ and Hulu
Apple TV+ vs Hulu — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Apple TV+ vs Hulu. Contains 203 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Apple TV+ vs Hulu — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Apple TV+ vs Hulu.
Can I watch current TV episodes on release day?
No on Apple TV+. Hulu offers next-day access to 600+ current shows from ABC, Fox, FX, and other networks, typically available the morning after broadcast. This is a major advantage for Hulu if you want to stay current with popular series.
Which service has better original content?
Apple TV+ has won more critical acclaim and Emmy recognition (169 total nominations vs Hulu's 120+) for shows like 'Severance,' 'Ted Lasso,' and 'Foundation.' However, Hulu produces more content overall. Apple TV+ prioritizes quality over quantity.
What's the cheapest way to access both services?
The cheapest ad-supported Hulu tier is $7.99/month, while Apple TV+ is $9.99/month with no ads. Alternatively, bundle: Disney Bundle (Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+) at $24.99/month includes Hulu, or Apple One Premium at $19.99/month includes Apple TV+.
Hulu has significantly more content with 10,000+ titles versus Apple TV+'s ~2,500. However, Apple TV+'s smaller library is intentionally curated for quality. Hulu offers more variety for casual browsing but less discoverability due to its size.
Yes, both support 4K, but Apple TV+ has much higher 4K adoption (~70% of originals) with Dolby Vision/Atmos support, while Hulu's 4K content is limited to ~15% of its library, mostly licensed content. Apple TV+ is superior for 4K enthusiasts.
How to Choose Between Apple TV+ and Hulu
Library Size: Apple TV+ has ~2,500 titles, while Hulu has ~10,000+ titles.
Ad-Supported Plan Cost: Apple TV+ has $9.99/month (no ads available at standard tier), while Hulu has $7.99/month.
Original Content Strategy: Apple TV+ has Premium quality originals (Emmy winner with 169 nominations total), while Hulu has Broad mix of originals and licensed content.
Next-Day TV Episodes: Apple TV+ has Not available, while Hulu has Available on most shows (next-day access).
Bundle Pricing: Apple TV+ has $19.99/month (Apple One Premium with TV, Music, iCloud+, Fitness+), while Hulu has $24.99/month (Disney Bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+).
4K Content Availability: Apple TV+ has Multiple titles support 4K/Dolby Vision, while Hulu has Limited 4K selection (mostly licensed content).
Live TV Access: Apple TV+ has Not included, while Hulu has Available with Hulu + Live TV ($76.99/month).