If we were to lay out the top three video-on-demand (VOD) streaming giants, in no specific order, Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu immediately come to mind. Not only are these services the largest in the industry, but their popularity has helped define the perks of streaming from the features they offer to the original content they produce. Streaming has transformed the way we watch our favorite movies and shows by freeing us up to stream wherever, whenever.
We might recognize Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu as the best in the business, but what sets them apart? Who carries the most titles, and who creates the best original series? To get to the bottom of these burning questions, we stack up Netflix vs. Hulu vs. Amazon to help you figure out which is best for you.
Plans and pricing for Netflix vs. Amazon vs. Hulu
| Amazon | Hulu | Netflix | |
| Monthly price | $8.99-$12.99 | $5.99-$70.99 | $8.99-$15.99 |
| Free trial length | 30-day | 30-day | 30-day |
| Number of titles | 17,000+ | 2,700+ | 5,000+ |
| Original content available? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live streaming available? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Offline viewing feature | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Amazon Prime Video is part of the Amazon Prime membership. So, in addition to its on-demand library, there are also a bunch of other perks like free two-day shipping for $12.99/mo. But if you want to sidestep a Prime membership, you can do so and receive Amazon Prime Video by itself for $8.99/mo.
Hulu starts at just $5.99/mo. and carries thousands of titles with the occasional commercial break. Fortunately, there’s an option to upgrade to Hulu Premium (No Ads) for the cost of $11.99/mo. That way, you can nix the pesky ads and stream without interruption. Hulu also provides an impressive over-the-top (OTT) cable-alternative service that includes its popular on-demand library for $64.99/mo., which you can upgrade to no-ads status for $70.99/mo.
Netflix, on the other hand, provides three separate plans without any ads — Basic ($8.99/mo.), Standard ($13.99/mo.), and Premium ($17.99/mo.) Netflix works with a tier system that provides more premium features, like simultaneous screens and high-definition (HD) content for its more expensive plans.
Comparing the Netflix vs. Amazon vs. Hulu experience
User experience
There are plenty of ways to stream and enjoy Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu — whether it’s from your mobile device, TV, or your computer’s web browser. Netflix has a sleek interface across all of its platforms, accented by its signature red and black. Amazon Prime Video presents a smartly-oriented interface as well as a home page that holds your other apps. Hulu’s interface incorporates a useful top menu for easy navigation, and its interface is pleasing to the eye.
Netflix supported devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Android devices
- Apple TV
- Blu-ray players
- Google Chromecast
- iOS devices
- Nvidia Shield
- PlayStation 3/PlayStation 4/PlayStation 5
- Roku
- Smart TVs
- Web browsers
- Windows devices
- Xbox 360/Xbox One
Amazon Prime Video supported devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Android devices
- Apple TV
- Blu-ray players
- iOS devices
- Nvidia Shield
- PlayStation 3/PlayStation4/PlayStation 5
- Roku
- Smart TVs
- Web browsers
- Xbox One
Hulu supported devices:
- Amazon Fire TV devices
- Android devices
- Android TV
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast
- iOS devices
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation3/PlayStation 4/PlayStation 5
- Roku
- Smart TVs
- Web browsers
- Xbox 360/Xbox One
- Xfinity Flex/X1 set-top boxes
Personalization
With your own user profile, you’re able to keep your content separate from the rest of your household, which is also great for service recommendations based on your interests. Amazon Prime Video and Hulu both provide up to six user profiles, while Netflix falls just slightly below that at five.
For an additional monthly cost, some services even offer add-ons in the form of premium channels and feature upgrades. Amazon Prime Video includes “Channel” add-ons like CBS All Access, HBO, and Shudder. You can also boost your Hulu subscription with premium channels like Cinemax, HBO Max, and STARZ. And its feature upgrades for Enhanced Cloud DVR and Unlimited Screens are especially beneficial with Hulu + Live TV. Even though Netflix is the biggest streaming service, it still doesn’t offer add-ons like its competitors.
Need to access your account controls and settings? Reaching your controls and settings for Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix is relatively a similar process. You’ll want to start by opening your account on your preferred service and navigating to your menu bar. In the case of Amazon and Hulu, you’ll need to scroll all the way right for your Settings. Netflix sports a vertical menu — you’ll need to scroll all the way up for your account settings.
Features
One of the most important features of any streaming service is the max number of viewers who can stream content simultaneously. Both Hulu and Hulu (No Ads) provides you with 2 simultaneous streams, while Hulu + Live TV lets you upgrade to Unlimited Screens for an extra cost of $9.99/mo.
Netflix enhances your number of screens with its Standard and Premium plans, including 2 and 4 streams concurrently, respectively. Amazon Prime Video settles in the middle of Hulu and Netflix, allowing you to watch on 3 screens at the same time.
Amazon Prime Video and Netflix don’t offer cloud DVR capabilities. That’s because DVR is primarily for live TV services. Hulu + Live TV provides you with 50 hours of cloud DVR storage that you can upgrade to 200 hours for $9.99/mo.
Netflix vs. Amazon vs. Hulu content
Netflix
Netflix carries quite the load of shows, movies, and original content. Out of its 5,000+ titles, you’ll get coveted shows like Altered Carbon, Bloodline, Derek, Dracula, Marco Polo, The Witcher, and Watership Down. And there are even more movies like Holidate, Marriage Story, The Trial of the Chicago 7, The Irishman, The Laundromat, The Social Dilemma, and Uncut Gems.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon has the largest library of on-demand titles, as well as a pipeline to an even larger line of episodes and movies that you can buy or rent. Some of the most popular shows on Amazon Prime Video include Good Omens, Hanna, The Boys, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. There’s also a great mix of popular new movies and timeless classics like Citizen Four, Ghost in The Shell, Grizzly Man, Knives Out, Memories, Sound of Metal, The Last Waltz, and The Lighthouse. Amazon is also working on providing live sports and currently simulcasts NFL games with Thursday Night Football.
Hulu
Hulu contains less content than Netflix and Amazon Prime Video at 2,700+ titles, but this is still a lot considering that Hulu continuously cycles new releases from popular shows. For example, after new episodes of Mayans M.C. premiere on FX, they’ll appear in Hulu’s on-demand library. Popular titles include Animaniacs, No Man’s Land, PEN15, and The Handmaid’s Tale. There are also a bunch of recognizable movies like Akira, Parasite, The Nice Guys, and Where’d You Go, Bernadette.
The final cut
Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix are the most recognizable streaming services for good reason. But while they share the occasional feature, they’re actually quite different. Amazon Prime Video offers the biggest library of titles, while Netflix has the most popular original series. And Hulu not only offers a no-ads plan but a solid cable-alternative service in Hulu + Live TV.
But don’t just take our word for it. Since all of these services offer a 30-day free trial period, it’s a good idea to try each one out before making a decision. And if you want to try Hulu + Live TV, you can do so for free with its 7-day trial period.