Cutting the cable cord used to feel like a bold move. Now it’s practically standard. But choosing between YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV? That’s where things get genuinely tricky.
Both services deliver a cable-like experience without the cable box. Both carry your local ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC stations. And both have been steadily raising prices over the past few years. So what actually separates them? Quite a bit, once you dig into the details.
The Price Tag Reality Check
Let’s start with the numbers, because they matter.
YouTube TV runs $83 per month. Hulu Plus Live TV costs $90 per month. Neither is cheap, but both still undercut most traditional cable packages when you factor in equipment rental fees and bundle markups.
The gap between them is only $7 monthly. That works out to $84 per year. So price alone shouldn’t drive your decision. Instead, think about what each service includes at those price points.
Hulu’s $90 covers ad-supported Disney Plus and ESPN Plus. That’s a meaningful bonus if your household watches Disney content or wants extra sports coverage. YouTube TV’s $83 gets you a cleaner, more focused live TV experience without the bundle.
Channel Count: YouTube TV Edges Ahead
Here’s where YouTube TV pulls its strongest punch. Among the top 100 channels tracked by CNET editors, YouTube TV carries 78. Hulu Plus Live TV carries 75. Three channels separate them, but the specific differences matter more than the gap.
YouTube TV includes AMC, BBC America, BBC World News, IFC, NBA TV, Sundance TV, Tastemade, and WE tv. Hulu carries those same sports and entertainment staples but swaps in A&E, History, Lifetime, Lifetime Movie Network, and Vice instead.
So if you love true crime docs on History or Lifetime originals, Hulu wins that round. If you prefer BBC coverage or NBA TV included at no extra cost, YouTube TV is your service.
Both carry all four major local networks in most areas, plus CW affiliates, MyTV, and PBS stations. Regional sports network availability varies by ZIP code, so check each service directly if local team coverage matters to you.
Sports Coverage: YouTube TV Takes the Lead
Sports fans should pay close attention here, because this category really separates the two.
YouTube TV includes NBA TV in its base package. That’s a notable win for basketball fans who don’t want to pay extra. Beyond that, a $11-per-month Sports Plus add-on brings Fox Soccer Plus, NFL RedZone, and Tennis Channel into the mix.
New YouTube TV subscribers can also access NFL Sunday Ticket for $240 in the first year. Returning customers pay $378 annually. That’s a significant addition for NFL households who want every out-of-market game.
Hulu dropped most regional sports networks back in 2020 and hasn’t fully recovered in that area. Its $10 Sports Add-on does include NFL RedZone, MLB Strike Zone, and several motorsports channels. But YouTube TV currently carries four NBC regional sports networks in its base package, giving it an edge for fans of specific local teams.
Interface and Usability
Both interfaces feel modern and navigable. But they serve slightly different priorities.
YouTube TV’s layout is clean and straightforward. If you’ve ever used the regular YouTube app, the structure will feel immediately familiar. Search works exceptionally well. Finding a channel, show, or live event takes just a few taps. It’s not flashy, but it gets out of your way and lets you watch TV.
Hulu’s interface is brighter and more visually engaging. It feels more like a proper streaming app, with bigger thumbnails and more editorial recommendations. The tradeoff is that it can feel slightly busier when you just want to flip through live channels quickly.
For families watching on multiple devices simultaneously, the stream limits deserve attention. YouTube TV allows three simultaneous streams. Hulu allows two. Both services offer an unlimited streams upgrade for an extra $10 per month. YouTube TV’s $10 upgrade also adds 4K streaming capability.
Cloud DVR: Both Are Excellent
Neither service skimps on DVR functionality. Both offer unlimited cloud storage for recorded content. Both let you fast-forward through commercials in recorded programming.
CNET considers YouTube TV’s DVR the gold standard among live TV streaming services. But Hulu’s DVR is genuinely excellent too. For most viewers, the difference won’t be noticeable in daily use. Record what you want, skip the ads, and watch on your schedule. Both services handle this well.
On-Demand Content: Hulu Wins Convincingly
This is the biggest qualitative difference between the two services, and Hulu’s advantage is substantial.
YouTube TV includes on-demand content from participating networks. Think of it as a digital extension of cable’s on-demand menu. It’s fine for catching up on recent episodes, but the library is relatively shallow.
Hulu Plus Live TV, by contrast, gives you full access to the standard Hulu streaming library. That includes thousands of network TV episodes, a growing catalog of Hulu Originals like The Bear, Paradise, Only Murders in the Building, and Alien: Earth, plus a solid movie selection. Combined with the included Disney Plus and ESPN Plus access, Hulu’s overall content depth blows YouTube TV out of the water for on-demand viewing.
If your household watches as much on-demand content as live TV, this alone might settle the decision.
Add-On Options
Both services let you expand beyond the base package with premium channel add-ons. Starz, Cinemax, and HBO/Max are available as paid add-ons on both platforms.
Hulu offers a few additional options worth noting. The Entertainment Add-On costs $8 per month and brings 15 extra channels including MTV Classic and Cooking Channel. The Español Add-On runs $5 per month and includes 16 Spanish-language channels. These targeted packages let Hulu subscribers customize their lineup without paying for channels they’ll never watch.
Which Service Should You Choose?
Choosing between YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV really comes down to your watching habits.
Pick YouTube TV if channel selection and sports coverage are your priorities. The larger channel count, NBA TV inclusion, NFL Sunday Ticket access, and cleaner interface make it the stronger pure live TV option. Serious sports households will especially appreciate what YouTube TV brings to the table.
Pick Hulu Plus Live TV if you want more overall entertainment value. The included Disney Plus and ESPN Plus bundle, combined with Hulu’s deep on-demand library and Originals catalog, makes it the better choice for households that mix live TV with streaming. The extra $7 per month feels justified when you’re getting three services in one subscription.
Both services beat traditional cable in flexibility and price for most households. Neither requires a contract or a technician visit. Both work on smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and most game consoles. You can try both free trials and compare the interfaces yourself before committing.
Whichever you choose, you’re getting one of the best live TV streaming experiences available right now. Just pick the one that matches how your household actually watches TV.
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