Hulu vs Netflix vs Amazon Prime Video: Which Streaming Service Wins?

Netflix pioneered the streaming revolution. Hulu brought next-day TV to the masses. Amazon Prime Video bundled entertainment with free shipping. Together, these three services command hundreds of millions of subscribers worldwide, but choosing between them depends entirely on what you actually watch.

We spent weeks analyzing content libraries, pricing tiers, streaming quality, and user experience across all three platforms. Here’s what we found when comparing Hulu vs Netflix vs Amazon Prime Video.

Quick Verdict: Who Should Choose What

Netflix wins for: Binge-watchers who want massive content variety, award-winning originals, and the most polished streaming experience. Best for households with diverse viewing tastes.

Hulu wins for: Cord-cutters who want next-day access to current TV shows from ABC, Fox, and other networks. The Disney Bundle makes it unbeatable value for families.

Amazon Prime Video wins for: Prime members who want streaming as a bonus benefit, plus anyone who appreciates the X-Ray feature and extensive rental library.

Category	Winner	Why
Monthly Price (Ad-Supported)	Netflix	$7.99/mo vs $9/mo (Prime) and $11.99/mo (Hulu)
Monthly Price (Ad-Free)	Prime Video	$12/mo standalone vs $17.99 (Netflix) and $18.99 (Hulu)
Current TV Shows	Hulu	Next-day episodes from ABC, Fox, and more networks
Original Series	Netflix	Largest volume with global hits like Squid Game, Wednesday
Movie Library	Prime Video	Largest catalog plus rental/purchase store
4K Availability	Prime Video	4K included at no extra cost on all content
Bundle Value	Hulu	Disney Bundle includes Disney+, ESPN+ for $16.99/mo
Unique Features	Prime Video	X-Ray IMDb integration, AI-powered recaps

Head-to-Head Comparison

Pricing Breakdown: Every Tier Compared

Streaming prices have increased across all services in 2025. Here’s exactly what you’ll pay for each platform.

Netflix Pricing (December 2025)

Plan	Monthly Price	Key Features
Standard with Ads	$7.99	1080p, 2 streams, ads during content
Standard	$17.99	1080p, 2 streams, 1 extra member slot
Premium	$24.99	4K HDR, 4 streams, 2 extra member slots

Netflix raised prices in January 2025, including the first-ever increase on its ad-supported tier (from $6.99 to $7.99). Extra member add-ons cost $8.99/month for ad-free or $6.99/month with ads. Netflix does not offer annual billing.

Hulu Pricing (December 2025)

Plan	Monthly Price	Annual Price	Key Features
Hulu (With Ads)	$11.99	$119/year	Full library with ads
Hulu (No Ads)	$18.99	N/A	Ad-free streaming
Hulu + Live TV (With Ads)	$89.99	N/A	95+ live channels, unlimited DVR
Hulu + Live TV (No Ads)	$99.99	N/A	Live TV without on-demand ads

Hulu offers a student discount at just $1.99/month (with ads), and military members receive 25% off. A 30-day free trial is available for new subscribers.

Amazon Prime Video Pricing (December 2025)

Plan	Monthly Price	Annual Price	Key Features
Prime Video Standalone (With Ads)	$9	N/A	Prime Video only, ads included
Prime Video Standalone (Ad-Free)	$12	N/A	Prime Video only, no ads
Amazon Prime (With Ads)	$14.99	$139/year	Full Prime benefits + video
Amazon Prime (Ad-Free Video)	$17.98	N/A	Prime + $2.99 ad-free upgrade

Amazon introduced ads to Prime Video in early 2024. Removing them costs an additional $2.99/month. Students can get Prime for $7.49/month or $69/year.

Price Winner: Netflix has the cheapest ad-supported tier at $7.99/month. For ad-free viewing, Prime Video standalone at $12/month beats both competitors. However, if you already have Amazon Prime, you’re effectively paying nothing extra for video streaming.

Content Library Comparison

This is where the three services diverge most dramatically. Each platform has carved out its own niche in the streaming landscape.

Netflix Content Library

Netflix maintains the largest overall streaming catalog with an estimated 5,000+ titles across movies and TV shows.

Notable Original Series:

• Stranger Things (Final season in production)
• Squid Game (Global phenomenon, multiple seasons)
• Wednesday (Addams Family spinoff)
• Bridgerton (Regency drama hit)
• The Crown (Award-winning royal drama)
• Black Mirror (Sci-fi anthology)
• Cobra Kai (Karate Kid continuation)

2025 Highlights:

• Squid Game Season 2 and beyond
• Wednesday Season 2
• Happy Gilmore 2 (Adam Sandler)
• Knives Out sequel: Wake Up Dead Man

Content Strategy: Netflix releases entire seasons at once for binge-watching. The platform produces more original content than any competitor, with over 100 original films annually. Licensed content rotates frequently based on licensing agreements.

Live Content: Netflix has expanded into live events including NFL Christmas games and WWE Monday Night Raw, setting it apart from traditional on-demand competitors.

Weaknesses: Licensed content comes and goes unpredictably. Quality varies significantly across the massive catalog. No next-day TV show access.

Hulu Content Library

Hulu’s superpower is current TV. Most new episodes from major networks are available the day after they air.

Next-Day TV Networks:

• ABC (Abbott Elementary, Dancing with the Stars, Grey’s Anatomy)
• Fox (The Masked Singer, 9-1-1)
• NBC (select content)
• FX (available same day)

Notable Original Series:

• The Bear (FX, Emmy-winning kitchen drama)
• Only Murders in the Building (Comedy-mystery phenomenon)
• Shogun (Epic historical drama)
• The Handmaid’s Tale (Award-winning dystopian series)

2025 Highlights:

• The Bear Season 4 (June 2025)
• Only Murders in the Building Season 5 and 6
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians (shared with Disney+)
• Extensive FX original library

Content Strategy: Hulu focuses on current TV and high-quality FX originals. The platform is increasingly integrated with Disney+, with content sharing between services.

Hulu + Live TV: For $89.99/month, you get 95+ live channels including ESPN, ABC, Fox, CNN, HGTV, and more, plus unlimited cloud DVR. This competes directly with YouTube TV and traditional cable.

Weaknesses: Smaller movie library than competitors. 4K content limited primarily to Hulu Originals. Higher ad-supported price than Netflix.

Amazon Prime Video Content Library

Prime Video combines original content with the largest movie rental store in streaming.

Notable Original Series:

• The Boys (Superhero satire, final season coming)
• Fallout (Video game adaptation, biggest debut ever)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Epic fantasy)
• Reacher (Action series, multiple seasons)
• The Wheel of Time (Fantasy epic)
• Jack Ryan (Spy thriller)

2025-2026 Highlights:

• Fallout Season 2 (New Vegas setting)
• The Boys Season 5 (Final season)
• The Rings of Power Season 3
• Gen V Season 2

Content Strategy: Prime Video balances big-budget originals with a massive licensed catalog. The platform serves as Amazon’s entertainment anchor for Prime membership retention.

Unique Feature - Rental Store: Unlike Netflix and Hulu, Prime Video includes a full rental and purchase store. Can’t find a movie on any streaming service? You can likely rent it on Prime Video for $3.99-$5.99 or buy it outright.

Weaknesses: Ads now default on all content (requires $2.99/month to remove). User interface can feel cluttered with rental content mixed alongside included titles. Content discovery is less refined than Netflix.

Content Winner: Netflix for variety and originals volume. Hulu for current TV and FX content. Prime Video for movie selection and rental flexibility.

Streaming Quality and Features

Video Quality Comparison

Feature	Netflix	Hulu	Prime Video
Max Resolution	4K Ultra HD	4K Ultra HD	4K Ultra HD
4K Plan Required	Premium ($24.99)	No (but limited content)	No (all content)
HDR Formats	HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision	HDR10, Dolby Vision	HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos	Yes	Limited	Yes
4K Content Volume	Extensive	Limited (Originals only)	Extensive

Prime Video stands out by including 4K and HDR on all content at no extra charge. Netflix reserves 4K for its $24.99 Premium tier. Hulu technically supports 4K, but it’s only available on select Hulu Originals and not on Live TV content.

Netflix recently added HDR10+ support alongside Dolby Vision, making it the most comprehensive HDR platform when combined with its Premium tier.

Download Limits

Service	Downloads Allowed	Device Limit	Expiration
Netflix	15-100 titles	2-6 devices (by plan)	30 days / 48 hours after starting
Hulu	Yes (No Ads plan)	Varies	30 days / 48 hours after starting
Prime Video	25 titles	2 devices	30 days / 48 hours after starting

Netflix’s download limits vary by plan: Standard with Ads gets 15 downloads, Standard gets 100, and Premium gets 100 across more devices. Hulu requires the No Ads plan for downloads. Prime Video allows 25 titles across 2 devices.

Simultaneous Streams

Service	Ad-Supported	Standard	Premium
Netflix	2 streams	2 streams	4 streams
Hulu	2 streams	2 streams	2 streams (Unlimited add-on: +$9.99)
Prime Video	3 streams	3 streams	3 streams

Hulu’s 2-stream limit is the most restrictive for families. The Unlimited Screens add-on costs $9.99/month extra. Prime Video’s 3 streams offer a middle ground, while Netflix Premium’s 4 streams work well for larger households.

Unique Platform Features

Netflix:

• Industry-leading recommendation algorithm
• Top 10 lists updated daily
• “Play Something” shuffle feature
• Mobile games library included
• Extensive subtitle and audio language options

Hulu:

• Next-day TV from major networks
• Live TV option with cloud DVR
• Disney Bundle integration
• Watch Party for synchronized viewing

Prime Video:

• X-Ray powered by IMDb (cast info, trivia, music identification)
• X-Ray Recaps (AI-generated episode summaries)
• Rental and purchase store integrated
• Amazon Household sharing (up to 6 people)
• Watch Party feature

Quality Winner: Prime Video for 4K value (included free). Netflix Premium for best overall quality and HDR support.

User Experience and Apps

App Availability

All three services support virtually every platform:

• iOS and Android phones/tablets
• Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, TCL, Hisense)
• Streaming devices (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast)
• Gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)
• Web browsers

Interface Design

Netflix: The gold standard for streaming interfaces. Personalized rows, “Because You Watched” recommendations, and the Top 10 feature help surface relevant content. Autoplay previews can be disabled in settings. The recommendation algorithm improves meaningfully with use.

Hulu: Clean navigation with dedicated hubs for TV, Movies, and Hulu Originals. The “My Stuff” section tracks your shows effectively. Live TV integration (if subscribed) works seamlessly. Continue Watching occasionally loses progress.

Prime Video: The most polarizing interface. Content you “own” mixes with Prime-included titles, and rental options appear alongside free content. X-Ray features are excellent, but overall navigation can feel cluttered. Recent redesigns have improved discoverability.

Customer Satisfaction (2025 ACSI Ratings)

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, Netflix and Prime Video tied at 79 out of 100 in 2025, slightly above the industry average of 78. Hulu + Live TV ranks lower due to higher pricing, while base Hulu performs comparably to competitors.

UX Winner: Netflix for interface polish and recommendations. Prime Video for unique features like X-Ray.

Which Service Should You Choose?

Choose Netflix If You…

• Want the largest content selection and variety
• Prefer binge-watching entire seasons at once
• Value a polished, easy-to-navigate interface
• Have diverse tastes across multiple genres
• Want access to live NFL games and WWE

Choose Hulu If You…

• Want to watch current TV shows the next day
• Love FX originals like The Bear or Only Murders
• Need a cable replacement (Hulu + Live TV)
• Want the Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+)
• Are a student (unbeatable $1.99/month deal)

Choose Amazon Prime Video If You…

• Already have Amazon Prime (it’s included!)
• Want 4K quality without paying for premium tiers
• Appreciate the X-Ray IMDb integration
• Need access to rental/purchase movies
• Have a larger household (Amazon Household sharing)

The Multi-Service Strategy

At full ad-free pricing, subscribing to all three costs approximately $48/month ($576/year). That’s cheaper than cable, but still significant.

Smart stacking strategies:

1. The Prime Foundation: If you have Amazon Prime, you already have Prime Video. Add Netflix Standard with Ads ($7.99) for $23/month total with two services.

2. The Cord-Cutter Stack: Hulu + Live TV ($89.99) replaces cable and includes next-day TV. Add Prime Video standalone ($9) for movie variety at $99/month.

3. The Disney Family: Disney Bundle Trio ($16.99) gives you Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+. Add Netflix for full coverage at $25-$42/month depending on Netflix tier.

4. The Rotator: Subscribe to one service for 2-3 months, binge everything you want, then switch. Most content stays available, and you save significantly over subscribing to all simultaneously.

5. The Student Deal: Hulu at $1.99/month + Prime Student at $7.49/month = $9.48/month for two services. Hard to beat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which streaming service has the best original content?

Netflix produces the most original content by volume, with global hits like Squid Game, Wednesday, and Stranger Things. However, Hulu (via FX) arguably produces higher-quality prestige content like The Bear and Shogun. Prime Video lands major franchise adaptations like Fallout and The Rings of Power. The “best” depends on your genre preferences.

Can I get 4K streaming without paying for a premium plan?

Yes, on Amazon Prime Video. 4K HDR is included on all content with your Prime membership or standalone Prime Video subscription at no extra cost. Netflix requires the $24.99 Premium plan for 4K. Hulu supports 4K only on select originals, not across the full library.

Which service is best for watching current TV shows?

Hulu wins decisively for current TV. Most episodes from ABC, Fox, and other networks are available the next day. Netflix and Prime Video focus on original content and don’t offer next-day network TV access.

Is Prime Video worth it if I don’t have Amazon Prime?

At $9/month with ads or $12/month ad-free, Prime Video standalone is competitively priced but removes the main value proposition. If you order from Amazon even occasionally, the full Prime membership at $14.99/month ($139/year) provides shipping benefits, Prime Music, Prime Reading, and more, making the video “free.”

Which service has the fewest ads on the ad-supported tier?

Netflix’s ad-supported tier generally has fewer and shorter ad breaks than competitors. Amazon Prime Video introduced “limited ads” in 2024 but has been increasing ad frequency. Hulu’s ad-supported tier has the most ads, averaging 6-8 minutes of commercials per hour.

Can I share my account with family members outside my household?

All three services have cracked down on password sharing. Netflix charges $6.99-$8.99/month to add extra members. Hulu charges $6.99-$9.99/month. Amazon Prime offers Amazon Household for sharing within an actual household (2 adults, 4 children) at no extra cost, making it the most sharing-friendly for families.

Do any of these services offer free trials?

Hulu offers a 30-day free trial for new subscribers. Amazon Prime offers a 30-day free trial for the full Prime membership. Netflix no longer offers free trials in most regions.

Which service works best for families with kids?

For kids’ content specifically, Disney+ (via the Disney Bundle with Hulu) is unbeatable. Among these three, Prime Video has a decent kids’ selection with Amazon Kids profiles. Netflix has quality kids’ content but less depth than Disney+. Hulu’s kids’ content is more limited.

Final Verdict

There’s no universal “best” streaming service. Your choice depends on your viewing habits, household size, and whether you’re already an Amazon Prime member.

For most households: Netflix remains the default choice. Its $7.99 ad-supported tier is the most affordable entry point, and no other service matches its content variety and binge-friendly release schedule. The Premium tier at $24.99 handles larger families well with 4 streams and 4K quality.

For cord-cutters: Hulu is essential if you want next-day access to current TV shows. The Disney Bundle at $16.99/month delivers exceptional value by including Disney+ and ESPN+. If you need live TV, Hulu + Live TV at $89.99/month replaces cable entirely.

For Amazon shoppers: Prime Video is effectively free if you’re already a Prime member. Adding the $2.99/month ad-free upgrade gives you a complete 4K streaming experience for less than Netflix Standard. The X-Ray feature and rental store add genuine utility no competitor matches.

The smart play: Start with one service, watch everything you want for a few months, then evaluate. The streaming wars mean all three constantly add new content. Your “best” choice today might change when your favorite show’s new season drops somewhere else.