Hulu Price in 2026: Plans, Live TV Price, and Is Hulu Worth It?

Hulu's subscription has changed in recent years. The answer to "What is the price of Hulu?" can vary at any time. Too many types of Hulu plans can be confusing: Hulu With Ads, Hulu No Ads, Hulu + Live TV, student pricing, annual billing, Disney bundles, ESPN bundles, etc.

This guide will introduce every detail of the Hulu plan and explain what you actually get with each one for a better understanding. Hope it can help you decide whether Hulu is worth it and save more money.

Overview: How Much Is Hulu in 2026?

Hulu mainly has two types of plans: on-demand streaming plans and Live TV plans. Here is a quick glance at the Hulu price:

The on-demand Hulu plans are best if you mainly want TV shows, Hulu Originals, movies, FX shows, ABC episodes, and next-day network TV. These plans do not include live channels.

Hulu + Live TV is for people who want to replace cable. It includes live channels, sports, news, the Hulu streaming library, Disney+, ESPN Select, and Unlimited DVR.

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Hulu says its Live TV plan includes 95+ or 100+ live channels, depending on the page and package description.

Hulu + Live TV Plan: Is Hulu Live TV Worth It?

As the most expensive Hulu plan, the Hulu + Live TV subscription starts at $89.99 per month (the price varies by region and supported services). For Live TV Español, the price can be as low as $29.99/mo.

Check what you can get from Hulu + Live TV:

• Live sports on channels like ESPN and ABC
• Local news and national news
• Live events
• Cable-style channels
• Cloud DVR recording
• Having Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN Select in one package
• A short 3-day free trial (only for eligible users)

📌 Hulu + Live TV is worth it if you want to replace cable and actually use the full package. But if you only watch a few Hulu Originals or next-day shows, Hulu + Live TV is probably more than you need.

Hulu Bundles: Disney+, ESPN, and HBO Max Options

Hulu bundle is a humanized service. It's especially prepared for those audiences who want a rich library across different streaming platforms. Current U.S. bundle options include:

📌 If you already use Disney+ and Hulu, the Disney+, Hulu Bundle is often easier to justify than paying for both separately.

Does Hulu Provide a Free Trial?

Yes. You can enjoy the Hulu free trial if you are:

• A new subscriber
• A returning subscriber who has not subscribed to Hulu in the past 12 months

The trial is now only available for the Hulu (With Ads) plan and the Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN Select plan. And the trial length depends on the plan. Hulu + Live TV is currently promoted with a 3-day free trial.

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To avoid unexpected charges, remember to always check the end date for your free trial on your Account page.

Is Hulu Worth It?

So, is Hulu worth it? For on-demand TV, yes, especially if you watch Hulu often enough to justify the monthly cost. For casual movie-only viewers, maybe not.

My Verdict: Check If Hulu Suits you

✅ Hulu is worth it if you watch TV shows, FX series, Hulu Originals, adult animation, reality TV, or next-day episodes from major networks. In the U.S, a $11.99/mo. ad-supported plan is still one of the more affordable ways to get streaming entertainment.

❌ Hulu may not be worth it if you mostly watch movies, international shows, anime, or live sports only. In that case, Netflix, Max, Crunchyroll, Peacock, YouTube TV, Sling, or Fubo may fit your habits better.

Pro Tip: Save Money with Your Hulu Subscription

Official Hulu downloads are mainly available to Hulu No Ads subscribers, on mobile devices only. And if your Hulu subscription ends, the downloads will disappear right away, which is not so convenient.

If you want to make full use of your Hulu subscription, I recommend using KeepStreams for Hulu to download Hulu videos. It can help you save episodes and movies locally and remove ads from downloaded Hulu videos, even with a Hulu plan with ads.

KeepStreams for Hulu

Download high-quality Hulu shows in Full HD 1080p or 4K

• Download Hulu video in 1080p or 4K
• Support EAC3 5.1, AAC 2.0 audio
• Convert Hulu downloads into MP4/MKV format
• Remove ads from Hulu downloads, even with the ad-supported plan
• Download subs into separate SRT files
• Schedule your downloads and save the latest episode automatically
• Save multiple videos at the same time
• 30-day free trial to download 3 full-length videos

 Free Trial  Free Trial

Learn More

KeepStreams is more like an add-on rather than a replacement for Hulu. It helps you make full use of your Hulu account and watch Hulu videos with fewer limits. Here's how to use it:

Go to Vip Services > Hulu, and sign in to your account. KeepStreams requires your access to Hulu content because it can't directly remove DRM, which is illegal and risky.

Play the Hulu video you want to download in the built-in browser. Wait for analysis, and a settings window will follow up soon. Customize the video as you prefer.

Click on Download Now to save the Hulu videos in MP4 format. You can check the real-time download progress from Downloads > Downloading. 

Conclusion

Hulu is still a strong streaming option in 2026, but the best plan depends on what you actually watch.

My advice? Always start with the cheapest plan that matches your real viewing habits. You can always upgrade later if you need more features. And if you want to get more value from your Hulu subscription, especially for offline watching, KeepStreams for Hulu can help you download Hulu videos and remove ads from downloaded content, even when you are using Hulu With Ads.