Paramount+ vs Hulu
Paramount+
Paramount Global's streaming service featuring CBS shows, movies, and exclusive originals.
Budget-conscious viewers, Star Trek fans, CBS/Paramount loyalists, and sports enthusiasts wanting NFL content
Hulu
Disney's streaming platform offering TV shows, movies, and live TV options.
Cord-cutters wanting live TV, families seeking Disney integration, binge-watchers wanting maximum content variety, sports fans via ESPN+ bundle
Short Answer
Paramount+ offers exclusive CBS/Paramount content and lower ad-tier pricing ($5.99/month), while Hulu provides broader entertainment variety, live TV options, and better Disney integration through bundle deals. The choice depends on whether you prioritize Paramount's originals or want comprehensive streaming coverage.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Paramount+ if you're a CBS/Paramount franchise fan (Star Trek, Yellowstone, NCIS) and want the cheapest ad-supported streaming at $5.99/month. Choose Hulu if you prioritize live TV, broader entertainment variety, Disney bundle integration, and don't mind paying slightly more for a comprehensive streaming ecosystem.
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Choose Paramount+ if
Budget-conscious viewers, Star Trek fans, CBS/Paramount loyalists, and sports enthusiasts wanting NFL content
Choose Hulu if
Cord-cutters wanting live TV, families seeking Disney integration, binge-watchers wanting maximum content variety, sports fans via ESPN+ bundle
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Key Differences at a Glance
Key Facts & Figures
| Metric | Paramount+ | Hulu | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Subscribers(millions) | Paramount+ | 50+ million | +12% |
| Annual Viewing Hours(billions) | Paramount+ | — | — |
| YoY Growth Rate(percent) | Paramount+ | — | — |
| Ad-Supported Monthly Price(USD) | $5.99 | $7.99 | -25% |
| Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) | $13.99 | $14.99 | -7% |
| Live TV Channels (with Live TV Plan)(count) | Not available | 90+ channels | — |
| Total Content Library(titles) | 16,000+ | 19,000+ | -16% |
| Original Series (2024-2025)(count) | 45+ | 38+ | +18% |
| 4K/HDR Content Available(percentage) | 60% of library | 72% of library | -17% |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days | 30 days (varies by plan) | -77% |
| Subscribers | 50M+ | 50M+ | — |
| Content Budget(USD/year) | $2.5 Billion | $2.5 Billion | — |
| Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) | $17.99 | $17.99 | — |
| Recommended Bundle Price (All Services, No Ads)(USD per month) | $44.99 (with ESPN Unlimited) | $44.99 (with ESPN Unlimited) | — |
| Simultaneous Stream Devices(devices) | 2-4 devices | 2-4 devices | — |
| Watch Party Maximum Participants(people) | 8 participants (Watch Party) | 8 participants (Watch Party) | — |
| App Merger Timeline(year) | Early 2026 | Early 2026 | — |
| Base Subscription Price (Ad-Supported)(USD per month) | $7.99 | $7.99 | — |
| Premium Subscription Price (No Ads)(USD per month) | $14.99 | $14.99 | — |
| Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) | $14.99 | $14.99 | — |
| Original Series Count(active) | 60+ | 60+ | — |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days | 7 days | — |
| Total Content Library Size(titles) | 20,000+ | 20,000+ | — |
| Simultaneous Streams(count) | 4 simultaneous | 4 simultaneous | — |
| Theatrical Release Window(months) | 120 days standard | 120 days standard | — |
| Base Subscription Price (Ad-Supported)(USD/month) | $7.99 | $7.99 | — |
| Premium Subscription Price (Ad-Free)(USD/month) | $14.99 | $14.99 | — |
| Live TV Channels Included(channels) | 75+ | 75+ | — |
| 2026 Emmy-Contending Series(count) | Tell Me Lies (7.2 rating) | Tell Me Lies (7.2 rating) | — |
| Content Library Size (Estimated)(titles) | 15,000+ | 15,000+ | — |
| Content Library Size(titles) | 4,000+ titles | 4,000+ titles | — |
| Basic Plan Price(USD/month) | $7.99 | $7.99 | — |
| Premium Ad-Free Plan(USD/month) | $14.99 | $14.99 | — |
| Original Content Awards(Emmy nominations) | 120+ nominations | 120+ nominations | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (Standard)(screens) | 2 screens | 2 screens | — |
| User Satisfaction Score(%) | 76% | 76% | — |
| Monthly Price (Ad-Supported)(USD) | $5.99 | $5.99 | — |
| Monthly Price (Premium/Ad-Free)(USD) | $11.99 | $11.99 | — |
| Paying Subscribers (2026)(millions) | 55+ million | 55+ million | — |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | 75+ channels | 75+ channels | — |
| Standalone Monthly Price (Ad-Supported)(USD) | $11.99/month | $11.99/month | — |
| Standalone Monthly Price (Ad-Free)(USD) | $19.99/month | $19.99/month | — |
| Bundle Price (Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+)(USD) | $19.99/month (included) | $19.99/month (included) | — |
| Monthly Cost (Base Tier)(USD) | $7.99 | $7.99 | — |
| Monthly Cost (Premium/Ad-Free Tier)(USD) | $14.99 | $14.99 | — |
| Live TV Base Plan Cost(USD/month) | $46-$65 | $46-$65 | — |
| Live TV Channels (Standard Plan)(channels) | 75+ | 75+ | — |
| On-Demand Content Library Size(titles) | 10,000+ | 10,000+ | — |
| User Profiles Per Account(profiles) | 6 | 6 | — |
| Premium Tier Monthly Price(USD) | $14.99 | $14.99 | — |
| Maximum User Profiles(profiles) | 6 | 6 | — |
| TV Episode Next-Day Availability(hours after air) | Same-day/next-day (typically 8-24 hours) | Same-day/next-day (typically 8-24 hours) | — |
| Hulu + Live TV / All-In Bundle Cost(USD/month) | $119.99 (with ads, includes Disney+ & ESPN+) | $119.99 (with ads, includes Disney+ & ESPN+) | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Ad-Free)(USD) | $14.99 | $14.99 | — |
| Total Content Library Size(titles) | ~10,000+ | ~10,000+ | — |
| Annual Content Budget(USD billions) | $2.7B | $2.7B | — |
| 2024 Emmy Nominations(nominations) | 32 nominations | 32 nominations | — |
| Original Series Produced Annually(series) | 95+ | 95+ | — |
| Live TV Channels (with Live Bundle)(channels) | 90+ | 90+ | — |
| Same-Day TV Episode Coverage(percent of shows) | 95% | 95% | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(screens) | 2 (Premium tier) | 2 (Premium tier) | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated Jun 2026.
Key Differences
Paramount+
$5.99/month🏆
Hulu
$7.99/month
Paramount+
$13.99/month🏆
Hulu
$14.99/month
Paramount+
No
Hulu
Yes ($7.99+ with live TV tier)🏆
Paramount+
45+ exclusives (Yellowstone, 1883, Mayor of Kingstown)🏆
Hulu
38+ exclusives (The Bear, Only Murders in the Building)
Paramount+
Limited (separate subscriptions)
Hulu
Seamless (Disney Bundle with Disney+/ESPN+)🏆
Paramount+
16,000+ titles
Hulu
19,000+ titles🏆
Paramount+
NFL on CBS, NCAA Football (select games)🏆
Hulu
None (sports via ESPN+ bundle only)
Full Comparison
| Attribute |  Paramount+ |  Hulu |
|---|---|---|
| Global Subscribers(millions) | Paramount+ | 50+ million |
| Annual Viewing Hours(billions) | Paramount+ | — |
| Viewer Engagement Boost(percent) | Paramount+ | — |
| Content Engagement vs Traditional(%) | Industry standard | — |
| YoY Growth Rate(percent) | Paramount+ | — |
| Live Sports Coverage | Paramount+ | — |
| Movie Library Size | Paramount+ | — |
| Original Content Strength | Paramount+ | — |
| Total Content Library(titles) | 16,000+ | 19,000+ |
| Original Series (2024-2025)(count) | 45+ | 38+ |
Show 14 more attributesSports Content Coverage(categories) Limited (select events only) — Original Series Count(active) 60+ — Total Content Library Size(titles) 20,000+ — Theatrical Release Window(months) 120 days standard — Live TV Channels Included(channels) 75+ — Sports Content Availability ESPN+ with premium sports — Content Library Size(titles) 4,000+ titles — Exclusive Sports Rights Via ESPN+ partnership — Current TV Episode Availability Next-day episodes of current shows — On-Demand Content Library Size(titles) 10,000+ — Total Content Library Size(titles) ~10,000+ — Annual Content Budget(USD billions) $2.7B — Original Series Produced Annually(series) 95+ — Same-Day TV Episode Coverage(percent of shows) 95% — | ||
| Innovative Features | Paramount+ | — |
| Mobile-First Features | Standard mobile app | — |
| Ad-Supported Monthly Price(USD) | $5.99 | $7.99 |
| Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) | $13.99 | $14.99 |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days | 30 days (varies by plan) |
| Recommended Bundle Price (All Services, No Ads)(USD per month) | $44.99 (with ESPN Unlimited) | — |
| Base Subscription Price (Ad-Supported)(USD per month) | $7.99 | — |
Show 17 more attributesPremium Subscription Price (No Ads)(USD per month) $14.99 — Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) $14.99 — Base Subscription Price (Ad-Supported)(USD/month) $7.99 — Premium Subscription Price (Ad-Free)(USD/month) $14.99 — Basic Plan Price(USD/month) $7.99 — Premium Ad-Free Plan(USD/month) $14.99 — Monthly Price (Ad-Supported)(USD) $5.99 — Monthly Price (Premium/Ad-Free)(USD) $11.99 — Standalone Monthly Price (Ad-Supported)(USD) $11.99/month — Standalone Monthly Price (Ad-Free)(USD) $19.99/month — Bundle Price (Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+)(USD) $19.99/month (included) — Monthly Cost (Base Tier)(USD) $7.99 — Monthly Cost (Premium/Ad-Free Tier)(USD) $14.99 — Live TV Base Plan Cost(USD/month) $46-$65 — Premium Tier Monthly Price(USD) $14.99 — Hulu + Live TV / All-In Bundle Cost(USD/month) $119.99 (with ads, includes Disney+ & ESPN+) — Monthly Subscription Cost (Ad-Free)(USD) $14.99 — | ||
| Live TV Channels (with Live TV Plan)(count) | Not available | 90+ channels |
| Disney Bundle Compatibility | Not available | Yes ($14.99/month with Disney+/ESPN+) |
| Simultaneous Stream Devices(devices) | 2-4 devices | — |
| Live TV Access(availability) | Available with bundles | — |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days | — |
Show 11 more attributesLive TV Option(available) Yes (Hulu+Live TV) — Simultaneous Streams(count) 4 simultaneous — Mobile Download Feature(yes/no) Yes — Simultaneous Streams (Standard)(screens) 2 screens — Live TV Channels(channels) 75+ channels — Bundle Options Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu — Watch Party Co-Viewing Feature Included (Hulu Watch Party) — Maximum User Profiles(profiles) 6 — Live TV Option Available(yes/no) Yes (add-on: $14.99/mo) — Live TV Channels (with Live Bundle)(channels) 90+ — Offline Download Support Premium tier only — | ||
| 4K/HDR Content Available(percentage) | 60% of library | 72% of library |
| 4K Content Available(yes/no) | Yes (premium tier) | — |
| Dolby Atmos Support(yes/no) | Yes | — |
| Subscribers | 50M+ | — |
| Content Budget(USD/year) | $2.5 Billion | — |
| Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) | $17.99 | — |
| Bundle Inclusions | Disney+, ESPN+, FX content | — |
| 4K Content Availability(availability level) | Limited, mostly HD | — |
| 4K Streaming Support | Not available | — |
| Watch Party Maximum Participants(people) | 8 participants (Watch Party) | — |
| App Merger Timeline(year) | Early 2026 | — |
| Nielsen Rankings (Jan 2026)(position) | Top 3 among streamers | — |
| 2026 Emmy-Contending Series(count) | Tell Me Lies (7.2 rating) | — |
| Original Content Awards(Emmy nominations) | 120+ nominations | — |
| Same-Day Theatrical Releases | Limited | — |
| Content Library Size (Estimated)(titles) | 15,000+ | — |
| User Satisfaction Score(%) | 76% | — |
| Content Discovery Usability | Easier to browse and find content | — |
| Paying Subscribers (2026)(millions) | 55+ million | — |
| Merger/Platform Status (2026) | Standalone app ending, merging into Disney+ | — |
| Live TV Channels (Standard Plan)(channels) | 75+ | — |
| Cloud DVR Storage (Live TV)(storage) | Unlimited | — |
| User Profiles Per Account(profiles) | 6 | — |
| Same-Day TV Episode Releases(availability) | Yes (ABC, NBC, Fox, FX) | — |
| TV Episode Next-Day Availability(hours after air) | Same-day/next-day (typically 8-24 hours) | — |
| Integrated Non-Streaming Benefits | None | — |
| 2024 Emmy Nominations(nominations) | 32 nominations | — |
| Video Quality Support(max resolution) | 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos | — |
| Next-Day TV Show Episodes(available) | Yes (most series) | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(screens) | 2 (Premium tier) | — |
Paramount+HuluShow 14 more attributes
Show 17 more attributes
Show 11 more attributes
Visual Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
Pros & Cons
Paramount+
Pros
- Lowest ad-supported tier at $5.99/month (24% cheaper than Hulu)
- Exclusive access to Star Trek franchise (Discovery, Picard, Strange New Worlds, Lower Decks)
- Paramount theatrical films available same-day as theater release (Premium tier)
- Strong sports programming with NFL on CBS and select NCAA football
- 45+ original series including prestige dramas (Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown, Godfather of Harlem)
Cons
- No live TV option (requires separate cable/streaming service)
- Smaller overall content library (16,000 vs Hulu's 19,000+ titles)
- Limited integration with other streaming services; Disney bundle not available
Hulu
Pros
- Live TV tier ($7.99+) includes 90+ channels with real-time sports and news
- Largest content library with 19,000+ titles (18% more than Paramount+)
- Disney Bundle ($14.99/month) combines Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu for unmatched value
- Next-day TV episode availability from major networks (ABC, NBC, Fox, FX)
- Award-winning originals including The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, Handmaid's Tale
Cons
- Ad-supported plan costs $7.99/month (33% more than Paramount+'s base tier)
- Ad-free plan requires ESPN+ bundling at $14.99/month (ads still on live TV content)
- No same-day theatrical film releases; relies on traditional windowing
Frequently Asked Questions
Paramount+ has the lowest entry price at $5.99/month for ad-supported viewing (vs. Hulu's $7.99/month). However, if you want ad-free viewing, Paramount+ costs $13.99/month vs. Hulu's $14.99/month. For families wanting multiple services, Hulu's Disney Bundle at $14.99/month (including Disney+ and ESPN+) offers better value than purchasing Paramount+ plus other services separately.
Resources & Learn More
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Where to Buy
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