Hulu + Live TV vs. FuboTV

For people looking to cut the cord, two popular streaming services to consider are Hulu + Live TV  and fuboTV. However, when comparing the two, how do you decide between the platforms?

With about four million subscribers, Hulu + Live TV is one of the most popular live streaming services available. In addition to most local channels, including most local sports games, and the most popular cable channels, subscribers have access to Hulu's original programming and its massive on-demand library.

In contrast, with close to one million subscribers, fuboTV is well known as one of the best streaming services for diehard sports fans. It offers more sports channels in its basic package than any other service and has plenty of options for subscribers to add additional channels, both domestically and internationally.

We're compiling all the latest information on benefits, features, and more that you should consider when deciding between Hulu + Live TV vs. fuboTV so you can find the best streaming service for you.

Compare Hulu + Live TV vs. fuboTV plans

Which streaming service is right for you?

There are pros and cons for both services. As mentioned, Hulu + Live TV includes Hulu's massive on-demand library, while fuboTV has a larger selection of sports channels. 

Meanwhile, fuboTV also offers more simultaneous streams, more DVR storage and more channels for a lower monthly starting price. However, Hulu + Live TV allows for offline viewing and has an ad-free option -- two features not available with fuboTV.

User experience

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu makes it easy to access Hulu + Live TV. Its app can be downloaded to most devices, including: 

• iPhones and iPads

• Apple TV

• Android phones and tablets

• Android TV/Google TV

• Roku

• Amazon Fire TV

• Fire TV Sticks and Fire tablets

• Chromecast

• Echo Show

• Xfinity Flex and X1 TV streaming boxes

• Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense, and Vizio Smart TVs

• Mac and PC 

• Nintendo Switch

• PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5

• Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S

With Hulu + Live TV, you can download shows for offline viewing, making it easy to use when you're on the go.

fuboTV 

Here are the devices compatible with fuboTV:

• Amazon Fire TV

• Apple TV

• Android phones, tablets, and TV (Google TV) 

• Chromecast

• iPhones and iPads

• Roku

• Hisense, LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio Smart TVs

• Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S

• Mac and PC

Noticeably missing from this list are Nintendo Switch and PlayStation gaming consoles. In addition, since fuboTV does not provide for offline streaming, you must be connected to the internet or use your data to watch your favorite TV shows and movies.

Personalization

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV makes it easy to personalize your experience. You can create up to six user profiles to customize your viewing to the type of shows you like to watch. Using the Tastepicker feature, you can identify your entertainment likes and dislikes -- which helps the service know what TV shows and movies to recommend. 

Each profile has a "My Stuff" personalized hub, where you can add TV shows, episodes, and movies you'd like to keep track of and have easy access to. You can also manage your cloud DVR from within this hub. Using the Tastepicker feature further informs Hulu + Live TV of your preferences, which will then further refine the TV shows and movies it recommends to you. 

Meanwhile, parents can create kids' profiles and restrict content that can be viewed within that profile. Using PIN codes, parents can prevent their kids from accessing other profiles.

fuboTV

The streaming platform fuboTV also allows for up to six user profiles. Within each profile, you can set up favorite channels, followed series, and manage the profile's recordings. This allows you to customize the viewing experience for each profile. 

However, fuboTV does not have parental controls, which will make it difficult to monitor or restrict what your kids are watching.

Extras

Hulu + Live TV

Premium channels:

• HBO Max -- $15/mo.

• Cinemax -- $10/mo.

• Showtime -- $11/mo.

• Starz -- $9/mo.

Additional content packages:

• Entertainment package, which has 16 channels, including American Heroes Channel, Cooking Channel, Crime + Investigation, Destination America, MTV Classic, NickToons, and more -- $8/mo.

• Sports package, which comes with six channels, including NFL RedZone, Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, and more -- $10/mo.

• Español package, which has seven Spanish-language channels, including ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, Universo, and more -- $5/mo.

Service add-ons:

• Upgrade your cloud DVR storage to 200 hours -- $10/mo.

• Upgrade simultaneous viewing to an unlimited number of screens at home and three screens when away from home -- $10/mo.

• Combine the cloud DVR and simultaneous screen upgrades -- $15/mo.

fuboTV 

Premium channels: 

• Epix -- $6/mo.

• Showtime -- $11/mo.

• Starz -- $9/mo.

Additional content packages:

• Adventure Plus, six channels, including Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, and more -- $5/mo.

• AMC+ (formerly AMC Premiere) -- $5/mo.

• Extra, 43 channels, including Cooking Channel, MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, NickToons, Science Channel, and more -- $8/mo.

• International Sports Plus, Eight channels, including ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, and more -- $7/mo.

• Latino Plus -- 15 channels, including Discovery en Español, ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, and more -- $20/mo.

• Portuguese Plus -- Five channels, including GolTV and others -- $15/mo.

• Rai Italia -- $8/mo.

• Sports Lite -- Eight channels, including MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, and more -- $25/quarter

• Sports Plus -- 26 channels, including MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL RedZone, and more -- $11/mo.

• TV5 Monde -- $10/mo.

Service add-ons: 

• Cloud DVR 1,000 hours -- $17/mo.

• Unlimited Screens -- $10/mo.

Both services offer an option to upgrade your DVR storage and the number of screens you can stream at the same time. In addition, they each offer the ability to add premium channels. However, while HBO Max and Cinemax are available from Hulu + Live TV, you cannot get these premium channels from fuboTV. Similarly, fuboTV offers Epix, while Hulu + Live TV does not.

While offering more channels in its basic package, fuboTV also has more channels available as add-ons to your package -- especially domestic and international sports channels.

Disadvantages

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV is a well-rounded service that does not have many negatives. However, the biggest drawback is its price. At $70/mo., it is one of the most expensive streaming services available. In addition, for that price, the service offers fewer channels than its counterparts.

fuboTV

The streamer fuboTV offers limited content in 4K/HDR (High Dynamic Range) and only in Beta version, which means TV shows that are broadcast in the format cannot be recorded. In addition, Turner networks -- CNN, TBS, and TNT -- are not offered. While fuboTV offers many international channels, the service is only available to subscribers in the U.S.

Our final take

When comparing Hulu + Live TV vs. fuboTV, the main factor to consider is who will be watching and what they prefer. For diehard sports fans, the scales tilt in favor of fuboTV, which has more sports channels in its basic package and more potential sports channels that can be added on. 

However, for families and people looking for a more well-rounded option, Hulu + Live TV is the way to go, especially that it comes with the Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+) as part of the service -- which is a $14/mo. value. With parental controls, local channels, and its huge on-demand library, Hulu + Live TV has options for everyone in the family. 

At the moment, only fuboTV offers seven-day free trials, while Hulu + Live TV does not. So you can only test drive one of the services before making a commitment. 

Learn more in our Hulu + Live TV and fuboTV reviews.