Cutting cable and opting for streaming is all the rage, but with so many services to choose from, it can get confusing. Two popular options are Hulu and Roku, but they actually serve different purposes. This comprehensive guide compares Hulu vs Roku to help you decide which – or both – are right for you.
A Quick Overview
Hulu is an on-demand streaming service with 95+ live TV channels. It has thousands of shows, movies, Hulu originals, and includes Disney+ and ESPN+.
Roku is a platform that connects your TV to streaming apps like Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video, etc. Roku streaming players start at $25, with no monthly fees (just app subscriptions).
So Hulu is a streaming content provider, while Roku enables you to access that content on your TV. You can use Hulu on multiple platforms including Roku.
Key Differences
| Hulu | Roku |
|---|---|
| Streaming service with on-demand & live TV content | Streaming device platform to access services like Hulu |
| 95+ live channels, thousands of on-demand shows & movies | Starts at $25 for device, no monthly fees |
| Includes Disney+ & ESPN+ | Connects your TV to apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube |
| $9.99-$89.99/month depending on plan | 4K & voice search available on some models |
Hulu Overview
Hulu offers subscribers instant access to stream current shows, classic series, Hulu originals, hit movies, and more on their choice of device.
Its robust on-demand library boasts thousands of TV show episodes as well as Hulu Originals like The Handmaid’s Tale. The Hulu streaming library is updated monthly, so the available content is staying fresh and timely.
In addition, Hulu + Live TV subscribers get 95+ popular live TV channels like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox alongside the Hulu on-demand service. So you can watch your favorite shows live or on-demand.
Hulu is accessible from a multitude of devices, giving you options to watch from a phone, tablet, computer, and compatible streaming TV devices.
And depending on the plan you choose, Hulu now includes access to both Disney+ and ESPN+, delivering a ton of entertainment for one convenient price.
Hulu Pricing Breakdown
Hulu offers viewers various pricing options depending on your preferences.
| Plan | Price/Month | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hulu With Ads | $9.99 | On-demand shows & movies with 5 mins of ads per hour |
| Hulu No Ads | $17.99 | Ad-free access to full on-demand library |
| Hulu + Live TV | $76.99 | 95+ channels plus full on-demand catalog – all with ads |
| Hulu No Ads + Live TV | $89.99 | Ad-free on-demand and 95+ live channels |
| Hulu + Live TV (No Disney Bundle) | $63 | Live TV with ads but without Disney+/ESPN+ |
As you can see above, the basic Hulu plan starts at a budget-friendly $9.99 per month. Or you can upgrade to the No Ads plan for $17.99 monthly.
The Hulu + Live TV plan brings full access to Hulu’s on-demand catalog plus 95+ live channels all together for $76.99 per month with ads, or $89.99 per month commercial-free.
And now the standard Live TV package includes Disney+/ESPN at no extra charge. There is also the option to get Live TV without the Disney/ESPN bundle for $7 less per month.
So in short, here are the key things to know about Hulu:
- 95+ Popular Live TV Channels
- Massive On-Demand Library With Current & Classic TV Shows
- Thousands of Hit Movies
- Disney+ and ESPN+ Included With Most Plans
- Stream on Roku, Firestick, Chromecast, iOS, Android and More
- Limited Ads on Cheaper Plans
- Works on 2 Devices At Once, Unlimited Screens Requires Add-On Upgrade ($10/Month Extra)
- Record Shows with 50 Hours Cloud DVR Storage
Next up, let’s look at what Roku offers.
What is Roku & How Does it Work?
Roku is a streaming platform – meaning they offer various devices that connect your TV to popular streaming content providers. So apps like Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video and others can be accessed directly on your television.
The physical Roku devices start between $25-$100 depending on features. There is no monthly cost to use Roku itself once you own a streaming player.
However, you do need to pay for any streaming subscriptions (Netflix, Hulu, etc.) you want to access. Roku simply unlocks those services on your TV.
Here are the key things Roku enables you to do:
- Stream top services like Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video
- Available models with 4K and HDR for enhanced picture
- Voice Search makes finding content quick and easy
- Stream free TV and movies from The Roku Channel
- Roku devices start at $30 with no monthly fees
- Access to 500,000+ movies and TV episodes
- Find undiscovered content with Roku’s universal search
- Choose from simple Roku Express models or high-end Roku Ultra
- Control your smart home devices using Roku voice remotes
- Get live streams of news, sports, and events using the Roku platform
So in essence, Roku gives you easy access to today’s most popular streaming content right on your TV. Models range from the basic Roku Express at $25, up to high-performance Roku Ultra for $100.
There are no monthly costs associated with Roku itself. You only pay subscription fees for the streaming services you decide to use, like Hulu or Netflix.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of what each service provides, let’s directly compare Hulu vs Roku across some key categories.
Hulu vs Roku: Features Face-Off
Now we’ll dive deeper on how Hulu and Roku stack up across critical functionality like channel lineup, pricing, ease of use and more:
Content Selection
- Hulu provides instant access to an enormous catalog of current hit shows, Hulu originals, blockbuster movies, and more. Fans of series from major networks like ABC, NBC, FX, and more will have fresh episodes ready to stream the day after airing – as well as the entire back catalog.
- An $7 Hulu subscription unlocks thousands of hours of on-demand shows without a Live TV plan. Or access 85+ live channels including locals and cable favorites for $70 monthly.
- In addition, most Hulu plans now include full access to Disney+ and ESPN+ at no extra charge. So kids and families can stream everything Disney along with tons of sports content.
- Roku offers something very different – rather than producing any content itself, it connects users to their favorite streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, Sling, and countless others to access that content directly on your TV screen.
- So your Roku device becomes your hub to access virtually any streaming service you subscribe to. It opens up a world of both free and paid content.
- For example, The Roku Channel alone offers over 200 free streaming live TV channels spanning entertainment, sports, news, movies, crime investigation, and more. No paid streaming subscription required.
So Hulu brings its own content catalog front and center, with Roku offering a content-neutral platform to customize your TV setup with your preferred services.
WINNER? Hulu for its owned content and channel packages. Roku for its open, neutral platform.
Supported Devices
- Hulu officially supports streaming on a huge range of popular devices:
- Roku, Fire TV, & Fire Sticks
- Apple TV
- Android TVs
- iOS & Android mobile devices
- Gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox
- And some smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony and VIZIO
- Given Roku needing physical hardware to function, the Roku devices themselves dictate compatibility. However their streaming players provide many options to connect your TV:
- Roku streaming players & sticks work with virtually any TV with an HDMI input.
- Select models also support older TVs with component video inputs.
So Hulu holds the advantage for accessing content across more mobile devices like phones and tablets.
But Roku lets you leverage the Hulu app alongside thousands more on your television screen, where most viewers still consume the majority of content.
For more comparisons, check out our guides on Roku vs Chromecast, Roku vs Firestick, and Roku vs Apple TV.
It’s a tie as both provide tremendous versatility to use across a wide array of smart devices and televisions.
Live TV & Sports
Live programming is hugely important to many streamers looking to cut cable TV. Hulu and Roku both enable live streaming, but in different capacities.
- Hulu + Live TV delivers 95+ popular live channels including major broadcast networks ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. So you can watch events, news and sports live from the providers you expect.
- In addition, you can stream live channels from Discovery, Turner, Viacom and more without having to add extra channel packs.
- Add-on channel bundles are available to expand your selection like Sports Plus with NFL RedZone.
- One shortfall of Hulu is more limited access to regional sports networks depending on location. While ESPN and FS1 provide national coverage, some hometown team broadcasts may be restricted.
- Roku as a platform does not provide specific live TV packages akin to Hulu, YouTube TV, DirectTV Stream and others.
- However, users can easily download any number of third party live TV streaming apps to enjoy through their Roku device. Whether it be YouTube TV itself, Sling TV, fuboTV or niche sports services like NFL Sunday Ticket.
- Additionally, The Roku Channel provides diverse live streaming TV options for free including news, sports, movies, entertainment – no paid streaming subscription required.
So Hulu + Live TV itself delivers high quality live channels including locals, cable news and sports. But certain regional games may get blocked.
Roku presents a more open opportunity to enjoy live sports and events from various free channel options or by subscribing separately to compatible providers available on the platform.
The choice comes down to budget and specific programming needs. But Roku certainly provides more flexibility among premium live TV providers.
Cloud DVR Functionality
The ability to record and replay content is what made DVR so popular during the peak cable TV era. Streaming technology has brought us the cloud DVR – so how do Hulu and Roku hold up when it comes to time-shifting shows and events?
- Hulu subscribers receive 50 hours of cloud DVR storage to record live TV shows and movies to stream later. Unfortunately watching recordings still requires users to view ads.
- Playback on those recordings is restricted until upgrading to the Enhanced Cloud DVR for $10 more per month. This includes 200 hours of storage and allows ad-free fast forwarding.
- Roku devices themselves at present do not offer native recording or cloud storage space.
- However the platform is compatible popular third-party live streaming services that provide robust DVR functionality in their own right – services like YouTube TV, fuboTV, Sling TV, DIRECTV STREAM and others.
- For example, YouTube TV offers unlimited storage plus custom recordings, single program recordings, series recordings and more.
- And standard Roku devices allow you pause, fast forward, rewind live TV from the compatible apps. Plus restart shows already in progress.
So Hulu itself brings cloud DVR to the table but does cap storage, while Roku achieves that functionality in concert with compatible streaming apps added from their Channel Store.
For the best combination, using Hulu’s cloud DVR for on-demand recordings and YouTube TV for unlimited live show storage brings together the perks both platforms’ recorder benefits.
Pricing & Bill Payment
When weighing Hulu against Roku, the pricing consideration brings an interesting dynamic.
- Hulu offers various subscription price tiers depending on your preference:
- $9.99 monthly for full on-demand catalog with ads
- $14.99 monthly for ad-free on-demand
- $76+ monthly for Hulu + Live TV packages
- So there is an ongoing monthly bill to maintain access, with options to meet different budgets.
- Roku devices themselves represent a one-time purchase ranging from:
- $25 for Roku Express HD
- $100 for 4K HDR Roku Ultra
- There are no monthly costs associated with using the Roku platform itself. Only app subscription fees apply.
- For example, users would still need to pay for services like Hulu, Netflix or whatever apps they choose to stream. But no recurring platform costs.
So Hulu follows a conventional streaming service pricing model, while Roku opts for affordable purchase fees in lieu of monthly bills.
Both can provide streaming on a budget. But Roku avoids ongoing costs as an access point for content. Hulu charges a monthly rate in return for its owned content directly.
Ease of Use
When it comes to streamlining the streaming experience across devices and making viewing most convenient, how do these platforms compare on user experience?
- Hulu has always focused intently on content discovery and user experience. Recommendations based on viewing history and robust search keep your favorite new shows at your fingertips.
- The interface allows scrolling to explore genres easily. Lightning quick results as you type make searching for titles painless rather than frustrating.
- describe navigation
- Roku aims to unify streaming across countless providers and bring them under one roof. So their emphasis lies more in accessing and launching various streaming channels themselves.
- Easy to understand menus keep apps, subscriptions, settings and inputs easily accessible.
- Universal search allows you to find content across both free and paid channels so hidden gems get uncovered.
- describe roku usability
So Hulu offers a silky smooth user experience focused solely on its singular content ecosystem. Roku acts as connective tissue across a rich diversity streaming content libraries. For less tech savvy users, Hulu’s simplicity may prove more straight forward. Seasoned streamers will appreciate Roku’s customization and control marrying so many services.
Both emphasize usability, just tailored to different parts of the streaming puzzle.
Pros and Cons Comparison
| Hulu | Roku | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | Tons of on-demand shows, movies & originals 95+ live TV channels w/ DVR Disney+/ESPN included Intuitive interface | Affordable player starting at $25 One dashboard for all streaming services Hundreds of free streaming channels New movies via The Roku Channel |
| Cons | Live TV limits viewing away from home device Fewer regional sports available 2 device max stream limit without upgrading | No owned content or DVR capabilities Still need subscriptions to access major apps |
To summarize, Hulu boasts serious advantages in its content volume with huge on-demand libraries plus live channels. The downsides center mostly on restrictions around live TV streaming accessibility.
Roku emerges very well as a centralized, affordable means of accessing a rich diversity of streaming content – both free and paid. But it doesn’t include those subscriptions natively the way Hulu packages entertainment access.
Deciding between the two depends hugely on budget, programming preferences, and device needs. Many cord cutters find having both Hulu and Roku provides the perfect 1-2 streaming punch.
FAQs: Key Hulu vs Roku Questions
Still evaluating whether Hulu or Roku fits your streaming needs best? These answers to commonly asked questions should help tip the scales.
Is Hulu available on Roku?
Yes, Hulu can be accessed on all modern Roku devices through the Roku Channel Store. Once you install the app, signing into your Hulu account unlocks all of its on-demand libraries plus any Live TV subscription benefits.
Can I get live TV on Roku?
You can absolutely access streaming live TV through a Roku player. Top providers like YouTube TV, fuboTV, Sling TV and more are available as apps. Many offer free trial periods.
Additionally The Roku Channel itself streams over 200 free live TV channels – no paid apps or subscriptions needed. News, sports, movies and more.
How much storage do I need for live TV on Roku?
Roku devices themselves do not record or store live TV content. However streaming providers you install like YouTube TV allow unlimited cloud DVR storage. Record as much as you want to stream whenever you want.
No storage limits!
What is the best device for streaming TV?
Experts agree Roku devices offer the most robust, reliable and affordable means of streaming TV shows and movies from top providers. They compactly turn virtually any TV with HDMI input into a gateway for thousands of streaming options.
Roku Ultra ($99) gives you high performance speed, 4K HDR visuals with vibrant color and exceptional audio. Plus lost remote finder and a handy headphone jack built into the remote itself for private listening.
For tighter budgets, Roku Streaming Stick 4K ($49) enables the same vivid 4K resolution in a tiny package barely bigger than a pack of gum. Easy to hide out of sight.
And the entry level Roku Express HD ($25) handles all your streaming needs if HDR visuals aren’t vital. At 1/4 the cost of high-end models, it keeps dollars in your wallet.
Roku clearly dominates their market niche. Even Consumer Reports named Roku the #1 streaming platform.
The Verdict: It’s Not Hulu vs Roku, It’s Hulu AND Roku!
When weighing up Hulu vs Roku in terms of which streaming option might serve you best, recognize their differences:
- 🎦 Hulu – Top notch streaming service with thousands of on-demand shows, original content, 95+ live TV channels. Includes Disney+ and ESPN. Downsides are limited streams and device access.
- 📺 Roku – Streaming platform granting easy access to free and paid streaming apps. Hardware starts at $25. Upside is centralizing all subscriptions in one place. No natively owned content.
Most cord-cutters find the best experience is ultimately using both in tandem:
- 🎚️ Use Hulu on a Roku streaming player to merge the robust content catalog viewing with the simplified television access
- complementary streaming strengths
- Enjoy Hulu originals, next day network shows on-demand or live
- Access everything Disney+ for the kids
- Cover sports needs with ESPN and Hulu Live regional sports
- Use Roku Channel free live streams
- Add other paid streaming apps to round out your full entertainment needs
The combo delivers a fully customized, budget friendly streaming suite for virtually any household. Before choosing a side in a supposed Hulu vs Roku stand-off, recognize their superpowers unite symbiotically.
The versatility of Roku devices provides the ideal stage for Hulu content alongside today’s other top streaming services. Use promo codes and intro deals to squeeze value from both platforms.
Why choose between them at all? Embrace the best of both Hulu AND Roku to take back control of your home entertainment.
For more comparisons between Hulu and other services, read our guides on Vudu vs Hulu, fuboTV vs Hulu Live, and Philo vs Hulu.
