Apps Like Hulu: 12 Streaming Services That Do It Better
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About Hulu
Founded
2007
USA
Ships to
US, Japan
Editor-reviewed
Every recommendation read and refined by hand
Honest tradeoffs
Drawbacks listed, not hidden
No paid placements
Brands cannot pay to be ranked
The thing Hulu once owned was the morning-after ritual — the episode of "Grey's Anatomy" or "Saturday Night Live" waiting for you before your coworkers could spoil it, back when it was the only legal way to catch broadcast TV without a DVR. That reflex has quietly migrated. FX prestige like "The Bear" and "Shogun" still debuts here, but the whole app now feeds into the Disney+ machine, and the tab-swapping between two apps for one bundle feels like paying for a divorce that never finalized.
Then there's the pricing creep. Hulu + Live TV keeps drifting toward the $80-plus range it once mocked cable for, and the ad-supported base tier now runs commercials on stuff you'd swear was ad-free a year ago.
The result is a service that's neither the cheap cord-cutter's shortcut it started as nor a clean premium destination.
What's worth chasing isn't a Hulu clone — it's whichever piece of Hulu you actually came for. Peacock quietly inherited the next-day-NBC franchise and dumps live sports on top of it, while YouTube TV runs the live-bundle experience Hulu keeps fumbling.
Then there's the pricing creep. Hulu + Live TV keeps drifting toward the $80-plus range it once mocked cable for, and the ad-supported base tier now runs commercials on stuff you'd swear was ad-free a year ago.
The result is a service that's neither the cheap cord-cutter's shortcut it started as nor a clean premium destination.
What's worth chasing isn't a Hulu clone — it's whichever piece of Hulu you actually came for. Peacock quietly inherited the next-day-NBC franchise and dumps live sports on top of it, while YouTube TV runs the live-bundle experience Hulu keeps fumbling.
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The 12 Best Alternatives to Hulu
1
Peacock
Est. 2020
New York, USA
$
cheaper
NBC and Bravo fans who watch reality TV next-day
Peacock is the natural heir to Hulu's next-day broadcast habit — NBC and Bravo shows land the morning after, plus current-season reality TV and a growing sports slate with Premier League and the Olympics.
Pros
- Next-day NBC and Bravo, the closest match to Hulu's core habit
- Live sports including Premier League and the Olympics
- Cheaper base tier than Hulu
Cons
- Ad tier is heavy on commercials
- Originals are hit or miss
- Interface can feel cluttered
2
Netflix
Est. 1997
Los Gatos, USA
≈
similar
Binge-watchers who want originals and a huge library
For the on-demand binge half of Hulu — deep library, prestige originals, and a recommendation engine that actually surfaces things you'll finish.
Pros
- Largest original slate in streaming
- Strong download-for-offline support
- Ad-supported tier undercuts the standard plan
Cons
- No live TV or next-day broadcast
- Cracked down hard on password sharing
- Prices keep climbing
Visit Netflix
Full guide: Apps Like Netflix
3
Max
Est. 2020
New York, USA
≈
similar
Prestige TV and HBO devotees
Max delivers the prestige-drama itch Hulu chases with FX — HBO originals, plus the Warner Bros. film library and same-day theatrical drops.
Pros
- HBO's back catalog and current originals
- Warner Bros. movies including same-day releases
- Solid 4K on higher tiers
Cons
- Constant rebranding confusion
- No live TV
- Content has been culled for tax write-offs
4
YouTube TV
Est. 2017
San Bruno, USA
≈
similar
Cord-cutters who want live TV done right
The direct replacement for Hulu + Live TV — 100-plus live channels, unlimited cloud DVR, and a cleaner live experience than Hulu's live bundle.
Pros
- Unlimited cloud DVR with no storage caps
- 100+ live channels including locals
- Six accounts per household
Cons
- No large on-demand library like Hulu
- Price has crept toward cable territory
- Sports add-ons cost extra
5
fuboTV
Est. 2015
New York, USA
$$$
pricier
Sports fans who want live channels
A live TV bundle built around sports, fubo covers the live-channel role Hulu + Live TV plays but with deeper soccer and regional sports coverage.
Pros
- Deep sports and soccer coverage
- Multi-view for watching several games
- 4K on select events
Cons
- Pricier than most live bundles
- Missing some entertainment channels
- Add-ons push the price higher
6
Sling TV
Est. 2015
Englewood, USA
$
cheaper
Budget-minded live TV watchers
The budget live-TV pick — Sling lets you pick Orange or Blue lineups à la carte, undercutting Hulu + Live TV for people who only want specific channels.
Pros
- Cheapest live TV entry point
- à la carte channel packs
- Frequent hardware and promo deals
Cons
- Local channels are spotty
- Fewer channels than YouTube TV
- DVR storage limits on base plans
7
Paramount+
Est. 2021
New York, USA
$
cheaper
CBS viewers and NFL fans
Paramount+ carries CBS next-day episodes and live sports like NFL and Champions League, filling both Hulu's broadcast-catch-up and live-sports roles.
Pros
- Next-day CBS shows and live NFL
- Showtime bundle on higher tier
- Good value entry price
Cons
- App can be buggy
- Library thinner than Hulu's
- Lower tier still has ads
8
Disney+
Est. 2019
Burbank, USA
≈
similar
Families and Marvel/Star Wars fans
Since Hulu already lives inside Disney+, the bundle logic is obvious — Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar on one side, and you can add Hulu content in the same app.
Pros
- Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar franchises
- Bundles directly with Hulu content
- Great for family viewing
Cons
- Weak on adult drama on its own
- No live broadcast TV
- Release cadence has slowed
9
Prime Video
Est. 2006
Seattle, USA
$
cheaper
Amazon Prime members wanting bundled streaming
Prime Video pairs a large on-demand library and originals with add-on channels, letting you assemble a Hulu-style mix without a separate subscription tangle.
Pros
- Included with Prime membership
- Thursday Night Football and live sports
- Huge rental and channel add-on catalog
Cons
- Now runs ads unless you pay extra
- Navigation mixes rentals and included titles confusingly
- Quality varies wildly
10
Apple TV+
Est. 2019
Cupertino, USA
$
cheaper
Viewers who prize prestige originals
Carbon Neutral
For the FX-tier prestige originals that keep Hulu subscribers around, Apple TV+ delivers awards-caliber shows like "Ted Lasso" and "Severance" with the highest production polish.
Pros
- Consistently high-quality originals
- No ads at all
- Clean, uncluttered interface
Cons
- Small library overall
- No live TV or back catalog
- Release pace is slow
11
Philo
Est. 2017
San Francisco, USA
$
cheaper
Reality and lifestyle TV fans on a budget
Philo is the cheapest live-TV alternative for people who never watch sports — 70-plus entertainment and lifestyle channels for a fraction of Hulu + Live TV.
Pros
- Cheapest live TV bundle around
- Unlimited DVR
- Great for lifestyle and reality channels
Cons
- No sports or local channels
- Fewer channels overall
- Not for news or major networks
12
Tubi
Est. 2014
San Francisco, USA
$
cheaper
Free streaming and deep catalog browsing
For the ad-supported watch-for-free crowd Hulu's base tier serves, Tubi offers a massive on-demand library at no cost — the trade being ads and no new-release TV.
Pros
- Completely free
- Surprisingly large movie and TV catalog
- No account required to browse
Cons
- Ads throughout
- No current-season network shows
- Library rotates unpredictably
If Hulu + Live TV pricing pushed you out
The live bundle is where Hulu's price creep hurts most. Sling TV and Philo undercut it dramatically if you can live with fewer channels, while YouTube TV matches Hulu's live experience with unlimited DVR and a cleaner interface. Sports diehards should look at fuboTV for its multi-view and soccer depth. Philo is the pick if you never touch sports or local news — it's the cheapest way to keep reality and lifestyle channels flowing.
Free and cheap ways to replace the base tier
Hulu's ad-supported plan keeps getting more ads for the same money. Tubi is genuinely free with a deep back catalog, no card required. Peacock and Paramount+ both run cheaper than Hulu's base while carrying the next-day broadcast shows people actually came for — NBC and Bravo on Peacock, CBS and NFL on Paramount+. Prime Video is close to free if you already pay for a Prime membership.
Where the prestige originals went
FX shows like "The Bear" are Hulu's crown jewels, but the prestige-drama energy is spread across services now. Max still owns HBO's catalog and current hits. Apple TV+ punches far above its library size with "Severance" and "Ted Lasso," and it runs zero ads. Netflix remains the volume leader for originals if you want the widest net.Which Alternative Is Right for You?
If your gripe is the live TV bill, YouTube TV is the closest full replacement, while Sling TV and Philo save real money for lighter watchers. If you mostly used Hulu for next-day broadcast, Peacock covers NBC and Bravo and Paramount+ covers CBS — both cheaper than Hulu. Prestige-TV people should split between Max for HBO and Apple TV+ for originals. And if you just want to stop paying entirely, Tubi is free and deeper than you'd expect. Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat's the cheapest alternative to Hulu + Live TV?
Sling TV and Philo are the cheapest live bundles. Sling lets you pick Orange or Blue lineups à la carte, and Philo is the lowest-cost option if you skip sports and local channels. Both come in well under Hulu + Live TV's $80-plus pricing.
QWhich service replaces Hulu's next-day broadcast TV?
It depends on the network. Peacock carries NBC and Bravo shows the morning after, and Paramount+ handles CBS. Neither covers everything Hulu did, but combining one of them with a free service like Tubi gets close for less money.
QWhere can I watch FX shows like The Bear without Hulu?
FX originals are largely exclusive to Hulu in the US, so there's no clean full replacement for the FX library. For similar prestige drama, Max carries HBO's catalog and Apple TV+ has award-winning originals — both scratch the same itch without ads on the paid tiers.
QIs Peacock or Paramount+ a better Hulu alternative?
Peacock is better for NBC, Bravo, reality TV, and live sports like Premier League. Paramount+ wins for CBS shows, NFL, and the Showtime bundle. Both cost less than Hulu, so the choice comes down to which networks you actually watch.
QCan I get a Hulu-style live plus on-demand mix from one app?
YouTube TV is the closest single-app live experience, though its on-demand library is thin. To truly replicate Hulu's live-plus-library combo you'll likely pair a live service like YouTube TV or Sling with an on-demand app like Netflix or Prime Video.
Our Verdict
The Best Hulu Alternative For You
If your gripe is the live TV bill, YouTube TV is the closest full replacement, while Sling TV and Philo save real money for lighter watchers. If you mostly used Hulu for next-day broadcast, Peacock covers NBC and Bravo and Paramount+ covers CBS — both cheaper than Hulu. Prestige-TV people should split between Max for HBO and Apple TV+ for originals. And if you just want to stop paying entirely, Tubi is free and deeper than you'd expect.