Hulu's subscription tiers and what each one costs
Hulu offers four subscription tiers, each with different pricing and features. The Hulu (With Ads) plan is the lowest-cost option and includes access to Hulu's full library of shows and movies, but you will see advertisements during playback. The Hulu (No Ads) plan removes those advertisements but costs more per month. Both of these are standalone plans.
Hulu also sells two bundle options: Disney Bundle and Disney Bundle with Hulu (No Ads). Each bundle pairs Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN+. The bundle with ads includes Hulu (With Ads), while the premium bundle includes Hulu (No Ads). Monthly pricing for all four tiers changes periodically, so you should check Hulu's website directly for current rates rather than relying on older information.
Some people also have access to Hulu through other services. If you subscribe to certain phone plans, internet providers, or other streaming platforms, they may include Hulu as part of the package. The terms and features of those included subscriptions vary by provider.
Key Takeaways
- Hulu offers four subscription options: Hulu (With Ads), Hulu (No Ads), and two Disney Bundles that pair Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN+.
- The main difference between the two standalone plans is whether you see advertisements during shows and movies.
- Pricing for all tiers changes over time, so current rates are available only on Hulu's official website or through your account.
- Some phone plans, internet providers, and other services include Hulu as part of their package, though the terms depend on the provider.
- You can pause your subscription temporarily or cancel at any time without penalty.
Content available on each tier
All four subscription tiers give you access to the same library of shows, movies, and original content. The difference is not what you can watch, but how you watch it. Hulu (With Ads) and Hulu (No Ads) both include the full catalog. The Disney Bundles add Disney+ and ESPN+ on top of that Hulu access, so you get three separate streaming services in one subscription.
Hulu's library includes current-season episodes of many network TV shows, often available the day after they air. It also includes older seasons of those shows, original series produced by Hulu, films, and documentaries. The exact titles available change as licensing agreements expire and new content is added.
Some content on Hulu is restricted by geography. If you travel outside the United States or use a VPN, you may lose access to certain shows or movies. Hulu's terms of service require that you stream from within the US.
How many screens can watch at the same time
The number of simultaneous streams depends on your plan. With Hulu (With Ads) or Hulu (No Ads), you can stream on two screens at the same time. If you need more screens, you can add the Hulu Premium Add-on, which allows up to four simultaneous streams instead of two.
The Disney Bundles follow the same rule: two simultaneous streams on the base bundle, and the option to add Premium for four streams. This limit applies only to Hulu itself; Disney+ and ESPN+ have their own simultaneous-stream policies that are separate.
If someone tries to stream on a third screen while two are already in use, that third stream will be interrupted. Hulu will notify you that the limit has been reached.
Ads on the Hulu (With Ads) plan
The Hulu (With Ads) plan includes advertisements, but not all content has the same ad load. Most shows and movies include ads, but some content is marked as "Limited Ads" — meaning fewer advertisements play during that title. A small amount of content cannot be watched on the (With Ads) plan at all and requires the (No Ads) plan to view.
Ads typically play at the beginning, middle, and end of shows and movies, similar to traditional television. You cannot skip ads on the Hulu (With Ads) plan. The (No Ads) plan removes all advertisements, though a very small number of titles still include a brief ad at the start or end due to licensing restrictions from content providers.
If you find the ad load too heavy, you can upgrade to Hulu (No Ads) or the premium Disney Bundle at any time. Your billing will adjust to reflect the new plan.
Pausing and canceling your subscription
You can pause your Hulu subscription for up to three months without losing your account or payment information. During a pause, you cannot stream content, but your account remains active. When you resume, your settings and watch history stay the same. Pausing is useful if you want to step away temporarily but plan to return.
You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings. There is no cancellation fee or penalty. If you cancel mid-month, you retain access until the end of your current billing cycle. After that date, your account closes and you lose access to all content.
If you cancel and later want to resubscribe, you can restart your account. Your watch history and saved shows may or may not be restored depending on how long you were away; Hulu does not may provide that old data will be available.
Billing and payment methods
Hulu charges on a monthly basis. Your billing date is the same day each month that you started your subscription. You can update your payment method, billing address, and email address through your account settings at any time.
Hulu accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. If you subscribed through a third-party platform — such as Apple's App Store, Google Play, or Amazon — your billing may go through that platform instead of directly to Hulu. In those cases, you manage your subscription and payment through that platform's settings, not through Hulu's website.
If your payment method fails, Hulu will attempt to charge it again. If it continues to fail, your account will be suspended until you update your payment information. You can still log in and update your payment method even after suspension.
Account sharing and household restrictions
Hulu allows account sharing within a household. A household is defined as people living at the same address who share internet. If you share your login with people outside your household, you are violating Hulu's terms of service, though enforcement varies.
Hulu has introduced tools to detect out-of-household sharing. If the service detects that your account is being used in multiple locations simultaneously or from different networks regularly, it may ask you to verify your location or restrict access. Some users have reported being asked to add household members or upgrade to a plan that allows more simultaneous streams.
If you want to share your subscription with someone who does not live with you, you would need to add them as a separate household member, which may require additional verification or a paid add-on depending on Hulu's current policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Hulu on my phone, tablet, and TV at the same time?
Only if your plan allows it. The base Hulu plans allow two simultaneous streams across any devices. If you add the Premium Add-on, you get four simultaneous streams. So yes, you could watch on a phone, tablet, and TV at the same time with the base plan, but a fourth device would be blocked.
What happens if I don't pay my Hulu bill?
Hulu will attempt to charge your payment method on your billing date. If the charge fails, the service will try again over the next few days. If all attempts fail, your account will be suspended and you will lose streaming access. You can restore access by updating your payment method in your account settings.
Can I change my subscription plan anytime?
Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time through your account settings. Changes take effect when ready, and your billing adjusts on your next billing date. If you upgrade mid-month, you may be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of that cycle.
Is Hulu available outside the United States?
Hulu is only available to users streaming from within the United States. If you travel internationally, you will not be able to stream Hulu content. Some users have reported limited access in US territories, so availability may vary by location.
Do I lose my watch history if I cancel and come back later?
Hulu does not may provide that your watch history will be restored if you cancel and resubscribe. Depending on how long you were away, your data may or may not be available when you return. It is not something you can count on.