Wondering whether to subscribe to Vudu or Hulu? This comprehensive guide compares every aspect including price, library content, video quality, device support, and more.
When evaluating Vudu vs Hulu, the main factors I considered were:
- Cost: How much do the basic plans cost per month? Are there pricing tiers? What about ads?
- Library Content: What movies, shows and originals are included? How often is new content added?
- Video Quality: What resolutions and frame rates are supported? Is 4K or HDR available?
- Supported Devices: What platforms allow you to access and stream content?
- Simultaneous Streams: How many people can watch at the same time per account?
- Free Option: Does a free ad-supported plan exist? What are the limitations?
I also assessed social features, offline downloads, parental controls and other elements that impact the overall user experience.
Below I provide a detailed feature-by-feature comparison of Vudu and Hulu so you can determine the best streaming platform for your needs.
Vudu Overview
Vudu is an on-demand streaming platform owned by Walmart that offers both free ad-supported content as well as premium rental, purchase and subscription options.
It’s considered more of an “online video store” compared to pure subscription sites like Netflix. However, Vudu still provides solid streaming capabilities across devices.
Some key things to know upfront about Vudu:
- 100,000+ movies & shows available à la carte
- 10,000+ free titles with ads
- Vudu Originals lacking compared to Netflix & Hulu
- Disc-to-Digital conversion program
- Movies in theaters quickly accessible
- Movies rent for $3.99+, purchases $9.99+
- Crisp HDX 1080p video quality
- 4K HDR supported on many new releases
- Streams on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, mobiles & more
Next let’s look at how Hulu stacks up.
Hulu Overview
Hulu focuses more on TV shows than movies, with options for both ad-supported and ad-free on demand plans starting at $7.99 per month.
As of 2022, Hulu has over 75+ live TV channels and claims to offer “85% of cable TV content”. This includes next-day access to current seasons from major networks.
Key Hulu specs at a glance:
- 75,000+ TV episodes on demand
- Hulu Originals like The Handmaid’s Tale
- Plans from $7.99/month
- On demand shows get new episodes next day
- Live TV package for $69.99/month
- Streams in 720p & 1080p resolution
- Limited 4K HDR content
- Access via Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and more
- Can download shows to watch offline
Now let’s compare Vudu vs Hulu’s features in detail across 8 key categories:
Vudu vs Hulu Comparison
Price & Plans
Vudu Pricing
Vudu operates on a pay-per-view model with no monthly fee. Pricing is as follows:
- Movie Rentals: From $3.99 (24 hrs)
- Movie Purchases: From $9.99 (unlimited)
- Disc-to-Digital: $2 to convert DVDs
- Free w/Ads: Ad-supported on demand
There are discounts for buying bundles and seasons. Vudu frequently runs free movie weekends or $0.99 rental promotions. For tight budgets, some opt to complement Vudu with services like Vudu vs Redbox.
Hulu Pricing
Hulu offers more traditional subscription plans:
- Basic On-Demand: $7.99/month with ads
- No Ads: $17.99/month for ad-free
- Live TV: $76.99/month with ads
- No Ads + Live TV: $89.99/month
- Disney Bundle: Get Hulu, Disney+ & ESPN+ for $14.99 month
Hulu is running a promotion for $0.99/month for 1 year with ads as of January 2023.
Overall Hulu provides more flexibility on pricing tiers based on preferences for ads, while Vudu wins for purchase options and discounts.
Library Content
Vudu Movie & TV Selection
In total, Vudu grants access to over 100,000 movies & shows. Key highlights include:
- 200,000+ paid selections available
- 10,000+ free movies & shows with ads
- Hot new releases often available same-day as DVD
- Huge back catalog of classics, indies & blockbusters
- Popular TV series also for purchase/rental
Downsides are no original productions and catalog lacks when it comes to Hulu’s specialty of TV episodes.
Hulu Show & Movie Offerings
As primarily a TV streaming service, Hulu boasts 75,000+ episodes spanning:
- Next-day access to current seasons from ABC, NBC, Fox & more
- Iconic shows like Seinfeld, ER, South Park & more
- Hulu Originals like Little Fires Everywhere, The Handmaid’s Tale
- Movies also available from Parasite to Palm Springs, though limited
Hulu adds titles frequently. However it has less robust film options compared to Vudu.
For the latest films, Vudu is superior. But for TV, Hulu wins. Both lack in original productions versus Netflix.
Video Quality
Vudu HD, 4K & HDR
Vudu streams most titles in crisp HDX 1080p quality thanks to solid encoding practices. Support is expanding for 4K Ultra HD and HDR as well.
If you run into playback issues like Vudu keeps stopping, particularly around Ultra HD films, check your internet speeds meet recommended levels.
- Over 1,000 movies now stream in 4K Ultra HD on Vudu
- A portion of the 4K catalog supports HDR video
- Bitrates for HDX 1080p average 5-6 Mbps
- Original Blu-ray quality is retained via 1080p 24fps encode
This ensures an immersive, theater-like viewing experience when renting or buying.
Hulu Video Resolutions
Hulu has gradually improved video quality, but still doesn’t match Vudu’s standards. Resolutions vary by plan:
- Basic (SD): Limited to 480p
- Live TV/No Ads (HD): Up to 1080p
- Small 4K collection (Premium): 2160p with HDR10/Dolby Vision
- Max bitrate caps out at 16 Mbps
Hulu has benefited from upgrades but still offers 480p as the baseline. Content encoded above HD remains limited.
For superior HD & emerging 4K, Vudu wins. But casual viewers may be satisfied with Hulu’s base quality.
Supported Devices
Where To Stream Vudu
Due to Walmart ownership, Vudu enjoys wide integration across platforms:
- Smart TVs: LG, Samsung, VIZIO with apps
- Media Players: Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast
- Game Consoles: PS4, Xbox One
- Mobile: iOS, iPadOS, Android apps
- Web: Chrome, Safari, Firefox browsers
You can also play Vudu on Xbox Series X|S and PS5 via backward compatibility. Some users have experienced issues getting Vudu to work properly on certain devices like Vudu on Samsung TVs, so checking compatibility sheets is advised.
Hulu Device Compatibility
Hulu is available on most major streaming hardware as well:
- Smart TVs: LG, Samsung, VIZIO plus Android TV models
- Media Players: Roku, Apple TV 4K, Chromecast, Fire TV Stick
- Game Consoles: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
- Mobile: iOS 12+, iPadOS, Android 6+
- Web: Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox browsers
Between robust apps and browser access, Vudu and Hulu offer excellent device support. Both enable streaming across phones, TVs, computers and other platforms.
Simultaneous Streams
Vudu Account Limits
Up to 8 users can create Profiles under one Vudu account. However simultaneous streams depend on playback source:
- 3 Home Streams: Only 3 devices playing per home
- 1 Mobile Stream: Just 1 phone/tablet at a time
So a total of 4 concurrent Vudu streams are permitted by default.
Hulu Multiple Streams
For Hulu on demand plans, just 2 simultaneous streams are allowed. Upgrades for the Live TV plan permit:
- 2 Home Users can stream Hulu video on demand
- Plus 3 Live TV streams under the higher pricing
- Unlimited streams from the Hulu base plan library on 1 registered mobile device
Vudu allows more concurrent streams making it better suited for larger households. But Hulu offers mobile workarounds.
Social Features
Neither Vudu nor Hulu have building strong streaming social features into their platforms yet.
Vudu Social Experience
The only social components Vudu currently provides are:
- User profiles to track watch history
- Ratings & reviews for purchases
- Share via Twitter integration
Otherwise it lacks friend feeds, watch parties or internal social networks.
Hulu Social Features
Similarly Hulu just offers:
- User profiles with watch history
- Optional new social share features in beta
- Share via Twitter & Facebook external integrations
Hulu profiles do enable parental controls for filtering content if needed.
But those wanting an interactive viewing experience should look to Teleparty and other third-party options. Between Vudu and Hulu themselves, extended social capabilities are still minimal.
Offline Viewing
Can You Download from Vudu?
Unfortunately Vudu does not currently support downloading movies or shows to watch offline. An internet connection is required to maintain video streaming.
Hopefully Walmart can negotiate improved rights in the future to add this popular feature.
Hulu Offline Viewing
Hulu does enable users to download select films and episodes using the native mobile apps. This permits offline playback for:
- A subset of movies from the Hulu library
- A portion of Hulu original programming
- Some past seasons from popular network series
Media downloaded on Hulu has an expiration date and will need to be refreshed after a certain period. But this gives flexibility for flights or low connectivity situations.
So while Vudu lacks offline viewing, Hulu provides it even if content options remain limited at roughly 40-50 titles.
Key Takeaways: Vudu vs Hulu in 2024
Based on this comprehensive feature comparison, some key advantages stand out for each service:
Main Benefits of Vudu
- New movie releases quickly available
- Disc-to-Digital conversion program
- Generous selection of 4K, HDX and HDR
- More concurrent streams allowed
- Transactional model fits varied budgets
Top Perks of Hulu
- Next-day access to current broadcast TV
- Solid lineup of Hulu original programming
- Downloads for offline viewing capability
- Flexible subscription plans (including no ads)
- Free trial available for new users
Ultimately it depends most on your preferences for on demand films versus TV series episodes.
For the extensive world of movies, Vudu excels. To stay current on last night’s television hits, choose Hulu. Both services deliver ample quality content with solid technical capabilities across devices.
FAQs: Vudu vs Hulu
Does Vudu have a free option?
Yes, Vudu offers an ad-supported free option with a rotating selection of free movies and TV show episodes. New titles are added regularly.
Can I get live TV on Vudu?
No, unlike Hulu + Live TV, Vudu is purely an on-demand streaming platform without any live television options.
What shows can I watch on Hulu?
Hulu carries many popular shows from major broadcast and cable networks, with most new episodes available to stream next day after they air. Hulu is especially well-known for keeping current seasons of shows from ABC, NBC, Fox and FX.
Why choose Vudu over Netflix?
Vudu differs from Netflix with its rental/purchase model. So while Netflix may have more originals, Vudu allows you to access the latest theatrical films much sooner. Vudu also tends to have better video quality via its HDX encoding. And 4K HDR movies are expanding regularly.
Can I get Hulu for free?
Hulu offers new users a 1-month free trial standard plan trial. The ad-supported plan, when not discounted, only costs $7.99 as well, less than competitors. Certain Verizon, T-Mobile or Spotify packages also come with free Hulu subscriptions.
Does Hulu have more content than Netflix?
Netflix still provides the most robust overall library for streaming. However, Hulu positions itself as a leader for TV shows, through partnerships with ABC, NBC and others that allow episodes shortly after airing. Hulu also enables live TV not offered by Netflix. So when it comes to shows rather than films, Hulu is very competitive on library size.
The Bottom Line
Both Vudu and Hulu offer compelling on demand streaming options punctuated by high definition video quality and broad device support.
Vudu shines when it comes to the latest movie releases but lacks original productions. Hulu conversely leverages partnerships with broadcast television networks to deliver episodes shortly after airing.
In the end if you want transactional new movie access opt for Vudu. But for current TV series from ABC, NBC and more, choose Hulu. Each platform brings unique strengths focused around different media priorities.
For the best of both worlds, consider pairing services. Use Vudu for renting films and Hulu + Live TV for unbeatable TV coverage. That’s the streaming cord cutting dream team.
Hopefully this guide has helped better position the pros, pricing and capabilities of both platforms. Users may also want to reference Vudu reviews from trusted editorial sites for the latest updates.
