Hulu (with ads) vs. Hulu (no ads): Which is better for you?

Hulu’s basic plan gives you access to its full library of over 70,000 TV episodes, films and specials. All content is ad-supported, which means you’ll see ads before your program and during several short breaks throughout the viewing experience. This is comparable to competitors like Netflix, which offers its full ad-supported library for $6.99 a month.

Overall, this plan is ideal for anyone who wants to keep up with critically acclaimed Hulu Originals like “Only Murderers in the Building” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” alongside new episodes of shows like “The Bear” and “Abbott Elementary” from top networks like ABC, FX, CBS and Lifetime. Hulu also features an excellent rotating selection of new and classic movies. If you don’t mind the ads and are streaming on a budget, this plan is for you. 

It’s also worth noting that most college students can get Hulu’s basic plan for only $1.99 a month.

Hulu (No Ads)

Hulu’s top-tier basic plan includes everything in the lower plan — just without the ads. With Hulu (No Ads), you can binge-watch everything at breakneck speed without any ad breaks. Ultimately, you’ll have to decide if ad-free viewing is worth the extra $10 per month.

Hulu notes that some shows in the ad-free plan will still show ads before and after each episode. Currently, “Grey’s Anatomy” is the only show that’s excluded from ad-free viewing.

Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney Plus (With Ads) and ESPN Plus (With Ads)

This plan builds on the basic ad-supported Hulu plan by adding live TV and the Disney Bundle to your package. Not only will you get access to Hulu’s full on-demand library, but you can also watch more than 95 live TV channels, the full ad-supported Disney Plus library, and a range of live and on-demand sports programming on ESPN Plus.

Hulu’s live TV packages include many of the most popular networks, from local broadcast channels like ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC to top news and entertainment networks like A&E, CNN, Comedy Central, HGTV and MSNBC. You’ll also get a plethora of live sports programming across the ESPN family of networks and stations like FS1 and NFL Network. Considering that it’s paired with the Disney Bundle at only $76.99 a month, this package offers one of the best overall values in streaming. You can try out the service with a three-day free trial.

Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney Plus (No Ads) and ESPN Plus (With Ads)

For an extra $10 per month, you can get the full Hulu + Live TV experience noted above — but without ads on the on-demand content from the Hulu and Disney Plus libraries. You’ll have access to all the same content and live programming, but you can ramp up your binge-watching game without ad breaks on much of the on-demand programming. All live TV content, including on-demand programs from Hulu’s live TV partners and live sports on ESPN Plus, will still stream with ads. 

Live TV Only

If you don’t care about all the extra content in the Hulu, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus libraries, this plan is worth a closer look. You’ll have access to the full Hulu + Live TV channel lineup without any of the other content included in the other plans. As in the other plans, all live TV content and on-demand live TV programming includes ads. 

It’s worth noting that this package only knocks $1 per month off the price of the full ad-supported live TV plan, so it may not be worth the savings compared to what you give up.

Hulu Basic vs. Hulu + Live TV

Apart from its ad-supported vs. ad-free options, Hulu offers two general plan types for subscribers. Hulu’s basic plans provide full access to Hulu’s library of over 70,000 TV episodes, movies and specials. All Hulu + Live TV plans, except for the Live TV Only plan, include that same Hulu library, more than 95 live TV channels, live and on-demand sports programming on ESPN Plus, and thousands of hours of on-demand entertainment on Disney Plus.

Hulu (With Ads) vs. Hulu (No Ads)

With Hulu’s basic plans, you can choose from its ad-supported plan for $7.99 a month or the Hulu (No Ads) plan for $17.99 per month. Both plans include the same library of Hulu originals alongside shows and movies from top networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, FX and more. In the ad-supported plan, you’ll see ads before and during each program. However, with Hulu (No Ads), you’ll get everything but a few select shows without any ad interruptions. 

Hulu + Live TV (With Ads) vs. Hulu + Live TV (No Ads)

Hulu + Live TV used to offer only two options — with ads and without ads. However, Hulu now offers several options so you can customize whether you receive ads in on-demand content from Hulu, Disney Plus and Hulu, or neither platform. Pricing on these plans ranges from $76.99 to $89.99 per month, with full ad support at the lower end and a completely ad-free experience for both platforms at the high end. 

Regardless of which option you choose, all live TV content will stream with ads. You’ll also see ads in any on-demand content provided by Hulu’s live TV partners and on most live ESPN Plus content.

Why am I seeing ads with my No Ad plan?

On any of Hulu’s ad-free plans, you’ll still see ads in some content. For instance, live TV programming and any on-demand content from live TV partners will still include ads. You’ll also see ads on ESPN Plus content. In Hulu’s library, you should only see ads in a select few programs. The list of programs with ads changes regularly, but it currently only includes “Grey’s Anatomy.”

FAQ

Is it better to get Hulu with or without ads?

The right choice depends on how you feel about ad breaks in your on-demand programming. Hulu’s ad-free plans allow you to binge-watch more content without interruption, but you’ll pay significantly more for this privilege. 

Should I pay for no ads on Hulu?

Depending on the plan, you’ll pay anywhere from $7.99 to $17.99 per month more to remove ads from Hulu’s on-demand content, and you’ll still see ads on live TV and ESPN Plus programming. Ultimately, it depends on whether you find ad-free viewing worth this price difference.

How much more expensive is Hulu without commercials?

Hulu’s basic plan costs $10 more per month without ads. For ad-free Hulu on the Hulu + Live TV plan, you’ll pay $13 more per month.