Hulu's current pricing for each plan

Hulu offers four subscription tiers, and the price you pay depends on which one you choose and whether you want ads. As of now, the basic plan with ads costs $7.99 per month, and the plan without ads costs $14.99 per month. The Standard plan with ads runs $14.99 per month, and without ads it is $24.99 per month. The Premium plan with ads costs $19.99 per month, and without ads it is $24.99 per month.

These prices can change, and Hulu has raised its rates several times in recent years. The company typically announces price changes in advance, and the new rate applies to new subscribers when ready and to existing subscribers at their next billing date. If you already have a subscription, check your account settings or your last billing email to see what you are currently paying.

Hulu also bundles its service with Disney+ and ESPN+. The bundle with ads starts at $14.99 per month for all three services together, while the bundle without ads costs $24.99 per month. These bundles often cost less than paying for each service separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Hulu's ad-supported plan costs $7.99 per month, and the ad-free plan costs $14.99 per month on the basic tier.
  • Higher tiers offer more simultaneous streams and better video quality, with prices ranging from $14.99 to $24.99 per month depending on ads and features.
  • Bundling Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN+ can reduce your total monthly cost compared to paying for each service alone.
  • Hulu prices have increased multiple times, so check your account to confirm what you are currently being charged.
  • The plan you choose affects how many people can watch at the same time and the video quality available on your devices.

What each plan includes and who should choose it

The basic plan with ads gives you access to Hulu's full library of shows and movies, but you will see ads during playback. You can stream on one device at a time, and video quality maxes out at 1080p. This plan works well if you are the only person using the account and you do not mind watching commercials.

The Standard plan with ads costs more but lets two people stream at the same time on different devices. Video quality stays at 1080p. Choose this if you share your account with one other person — a roommate, partner, or family member — and you both watch regularly.

The Premium plan with ads allows four simultaneous streams and supports 4K video quality on compatible devices and content. This is the right choice if three or more people in your household watch Hulu, or if you have a 4K television and want the best picture quality.

All ad-free versions remove commercials but do not change the number of simultaneous streams or video quality limits. The ad-free basic plan still allows only one stream at a time, while ad-free Standard and Premium maintain their respective stream counts and quality levels.

How simultaneous streams and video quality affect your choice

Simultaneous streams determine how many people can watch Hulu at the exact same moment. If you live alone or watch alone, the basic plan's single stream is enough. If two people in your household watch at overlapping times — one person watching in the living room while another watches in a bedroom — you need at least the Standard plan.

Video quality matters less for most content. Standard definition (the basic plan's maximum) looks fine on phones and tablets, and acceptable on smaller televisions. 1080p, available on Standard and Premium plans, is noticeably sharper on larger screens. 4K, only on the Premium plan, requires both a 4K television and content that Hulu has filmed or encoded in 4K — not all shows and movies are available in this quality.

Before upgrading for 4K, check whether the shows and movies you actually watch are offered in that quality. Hulu's library includes thousands of titles, but only a fraction are available in 4K. If you mostly watch older shows or smaller productions, the extra cost may not be worth it.

Bundling with Disney+ and ESPN+ to lower your total cost

Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ are all owned by Disney, and the company offers discounted bundles that combine all three. The bundle with ads costs $14.99 per month, which is the same price as Hulu's Standard plan with ads alone. This means you get Disney+ and ESPN+ at no additional cost. The bundle without ads costs $24.99 per month, matching the Premium plan price.

The bundle is worth considering if you watch any content on Disney+ (Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Disney films) or ESPN+ (live sports, original shows). Even if you only occasionally use those services, the bundle usually costs less than paying for Hulu alone at the ad-free tier.

One limitation: the bundle does not let you customize which plan tier you want for each service. You get the same ad status across all three — either ads on all three or ads on none. If you want Hulu without ads but do not care about ads on Disney+, the bundle forces you to pay for ad-free Disney+ as well.

Free trials and promotional offers

Hulu occasionally offers free trial periods to new subscribers, though the length and availability of these trials change. Some trials last one month, while others may be shorter. Check Hulu's website directly before signing up, because promotional offers are not always advertised widely and may vary by region or by how you sign up.

If you sign up through a third-party service — such as a mobile carrier, streaming device, or other platform — the trial terms may differ from Hulu's direct offer. Always read the terms before confirming your subscription, because some third-party offers auto-renew at a different price than Hulu's standard rates.

Student discounts are sometimes available through Hulu's partnership with certain student verification services. If you are a student, search for "Hulu student discount" and verify your status through the service Hulu partners with at that time.

How to change your plan or cancel

You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your Hulu subscription anytime through your account settings on the Hulu website or app. Log in, go to Account, then Subscription, and select the option to change your plan. The new plan takes effect when ready, and your next billing date reflects the new price.

If you downgrade — for example, from Premium to Standard — the change happens right away, but you are not refunded for the portion of your current billing cycle you have already paid. If you upgrade, you may be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of your current cycle, depending on Hulu's current policy.

Canceling stops your subscription at the end of your current billing period. You keep access until that date, and you are not charged again. If you cancel mid-cycle, you do not receive a refund for unused time.

Comparing Hulu to other streaming services

Hulu's pricing sits in the middle range of major streaming services. Netflix's basic plan with ads costs $6.99 per month, while its ad-free plans range from $15.49 to $22.99 per month depending on video quality and simultaneous streams. Disney+ costs $7.99 per month with ads or $13.99 without. Max (formerly HBO Max) costs $5.99 with ads or $19.99 without.

The choice between services depends on which shows and movies matter to you. Hulu specializes in current-season television and has a large library of older series. Netflix focuses on original content and films. Disney+ centers on Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars properties. Max emphasizes HBO series and Warner Bros. films. Most people who watch streaming video end up paying for two or three services rather than just one.

If you are trying to keep costs down, the Hulu-Disney+-ESPN+ bundle at $14.99 per month with ads is one of the cheapest ways to access three major services. Combining it with Netflix's ad-supported plan would give you access to both services' libraries for under $22 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Hulu password with someone outside my household?

Hulu's terms of service state that your account is for personal use only and should not be shared outside your household. The company has not enforced strict password-sharing restrictions the way Netflix has, but this could change. If you want to share with someone who does not live with you, they should have their own subscription.

Does Hulu charge sales tax on top of the monthly price?

Sales tax rules vary by state and by how you pay. If you pay directly to Hulu with a credit card, some states require Hulu to add sales tax to your bill. If you pay through a third-party service like Apple or Google Play, tax may be handled differently. Check your billing statement to see whether tax is included in your charge.

What happens if I downgrade from Premium to Standard mid-month?

The downgrade takes effect when ready, and your next billing date will reflect the lower price. You are not refunded for the days remaining in your current cycle at the higher rate. If you want to avoid losing money, downgrade right after your billing date so you pay the lower price for the full next month.

Is the Hulu bundle cheaper than paying for each service separately?

Yes, usually. The ad-supported bundle costs $14.99 per month for all three services, while Hulu alone with ads is $7.99, Disney+ with ads is $7.99, and ESPN+ is $11.99 — totaling $27.97. The bundle saves you about $13 per month if you use all three services.

Can I use Hulu on multiple devices at the same time with the basic plan?

No. The basic plan allows only one simultaneous stream, so only one device can play Hulu at a time. If a second person tries to start watching while someone else is already streaming, the first stream will stop. You need the Standard or Premium plan to watch on multiple devices at once.