Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc, etc, etc. If you’re a cord cutting family like we are, you might have one or more streaming services you are familiar with. Often, I’ve seen someone ask which service would you choose if you could only go with one. And often I’ve watched responders say that all 3 of the previously mentioned services are exactly the same. Except they’re not.
Below is a comparison of Hulu vs Netflix vs Amazon Prime:
Hulu
Hulu is a premium subscription service that primarily offers access to current season television shows for two price options. $7.99 for limited commercials and $11.99 for no commercials, assuming the content providers are participating with the no commercial option. Even without a content provider’s participation, subscribers of the no commercial option only have one commercial before and one after every show from that provider. Current season CBS shows are not available on Hulu, with CBS instead opting for their own streaming service called CBS All Access.
Subscribers are able to view episodes of their favorite television shows as soon as the day after they originally air. How long episodes are available depends on the agreement between Hulu and the content provider. Full current seasons are rarely available though.
Some shows and some episodes are available for free without a subscription via a browser on your computer or on your TV using a service like PlayOn. But if you would like to use the Hulu app on your TV or streaming device, you will need a subscription although there is a free 1 month trial available.
Hulu has been offering an increasing number of older movies and television shows as well as original series.
Optional Add-On: SHOWTIME content is available for an additional $8.99/month.
Netflix
Netflix is a premium subscription service that offers an extensive library of past seasons of many television shows as well as movies. There are currently two price options for the Netflix subscription: $7.99/month to view content on two devices AT ONCE in HD and $11.99/month to view content on four devices at once in Ultra HD.
Netflix changes the availability of content depending on their agreements with content providers. Netflix currently has exclusive agreements with content providers including Disney and Marvel, and production companies like Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison.
Netflix has been offering a rapidly increasing list of original series and original movies, many through the previously mentioned agreements with Marvel and Happy Madison. A subscription is required although there is a free 1 month trial available.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is included in a membership to Amazon Prime for $99/year, which breaks down to $8.25/month. Amazon was the first streaming provider to offer Ultra HD content and for no additional cost.
Prime Video offers most of the same content as Netflix BUT there is exclusive-to-Amazon deals like with CBS Corporation. Just like Netflix and Hulu, content availability is dependent on agreements with content providers.
Also like Netflix and Hulu, Amazon has been offering an increasing number of original series with plans to premiere 3 new summer series from CBS through 2018. A subscription is required although there is a free 30 day trial available. Amazon is the only provider of the 3 to offer videos for Rent or Purchase, including new movies and television shows.
Optional Add-On: Both SHOWTIME and Starz content is available for an additional $8.99/month each. More add-ons are also available.
Hulu vs. Netflix vs. Amazon Prime Breakdown
|
|
Hulu |
Netflix |
Amazon Prime |
| Current Season Broadcast Television Episodes |
Yes |
No | Yes – additional cost |
| Past Season Broadcast Television Episodes |
Limited |
Yes |
Yes |
| New release movies |
No |
No |
Yes – additional cost |
| Previously released movies |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Original Series |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Original Movies |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Ultra HD |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Price |
$7.99/$11.99 per month |
$7.99/$11.99 per month |
$99/year ($8.25 per month) |
| Add-Ons |
SHOWTIME for $8.99/month |
No |
SHOWTIME for $8.99/month & Starz for $8.99/month |
|
Free Content |
Yes | No |
No |
|
Free Trial |
1 Month | 1 Month |
30 Day |
What’s your favorite streaming service? Or do you have all 3? Have something to add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!
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