YouTube TV offers more live TV channels (150+) and better sports coverage, while Hulu provides a larger on-demand library (10,000+ titles) and lower entry price at $7.99/month with ads. YouTube TV costs $72.99/month but includes cloud DVR and 4K streaming, making it better for live TV enthusiasts, whereas Hulu suits on-demand viewers on tighter budgets.
YouTube TV vs Hulu — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose YouTube TV if you prioritize live sports, news, and want unlimited cloud DVR with 4K streaming—it's ideal for cord-cutters replacing traditional cable. Choose Hulu if you prefer on-demand entertainment at an affordable price point and are willing to accept limited live TV channels; it's best for budget-conscious streamers focused on binge-watching shows and movies.
Live TV streaming service with 150+ channels and unlimited cloud DVR.
Streaming platform with 10,000+ on-demand titles and limited live TV options.
Structured comparison data for YouTube TV vs Hulu with 212 attributes.
Premium Tier Price (with Disney+ & ESPN+)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
Recommended Bundle Price (All Services, No Ads)
YouTube TV vs Hulu — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for YouTube TV vs Hulu.
Can I watch live sports on both services?
YouTube TV has significantly better sports coverage with 150+ channels including ESPN, Fox Sports, and availability of NFL Sunday Ticket. Hulu's limited 85+ channels include some ESPN content but lacks comprehensive sports programming. For serious sports fans, YouTube TV is the clear choice despite its higher cost.
Which service has better value for families?
YouTube TV offers better value for families with 6 simultaneous streams vs. Hulu's 2 streams, allowing multiple household members to watch simultaneously. However, Hulu's $7.99 base price is significantly cheaper, and when bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $14.99/month, it becomes an attractive option for families wanting entertainment and sports across multiple platforms.
What's the difference in DVR capabilities?
YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud DVR storage with 9-month retention at no extra cost, meaning you can record unlimited shows and keep them for 9 months. Hulu's standard plan offers only 50 hours of cloud DVR storage. If you rely on recording and rewatching programs, YouTube TV is significantly superior.
Which service is better for binge-watching shows?
Hulu excels for binge-watching with 10,000+ on-demand titles compared to YouTube TV's ~3,000. Hulu also offers next-day episode releases for current series, making it ideal for staying caught up on shows. YouTube TV's strength is live TV; for pure on-demand content, Hulu is the better choice.
Only YouTube TV offers 4K streaming, included at no extra cost with all plans. Hulu does not support 4K streaming on any of its current plans. If picture quality and 4K are priorities, YouTube TV is the only option between these two services.