Cutting the cord on cable TV continues to gain steam, with a record number of consumers opting for streaming services instead in 2022. In fact, streaming now accounts for 34.8% of TV viewing, surpassing both cable and broadcast.
And while Netflix still leads the pack, competitors like Hulu and YouTube TV continue to chip away at its dominance. Subscribers unsatisfied with Netflix‘s content selection and price hikes have explored what other streaming options can offer.
So if you‘re comparison shopping too, you may be wondering — is Hulu Live or YouTube TV the better cable TV replacement? To help you decide, let‘s take an in-depth look across 10 key dimensions.
Hulu Live vs YouTube TV: At-a-Glance Comparison
| Hulu Live TV | YouTube TV | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $74.99 | $64.99 |
| # of Channels | 75+ | Over 100 |
| Sports Coverage | ESPN, CBS Sports, FS1/FS2, NFL Network + more | ESPN, NBC Sports, MLB Network + more |
| On-Demand Content | Yes | Yes |
| # Simultaneous Streams | 2 | 3 |
| Cloud DVR | 50 hours (unlimited upgrade available) | Unlimited |
Pricing & Value
First up, YouTube TV is cheaper at $64.99 per month compared to Hulu Live TV at $74.99. That‘s nearly a $10 difference. However, Hulu‘s higher pricing comes with some additional perks absent from YouTube TV.
Namely, a Hulu Live TV subscription bundles in the Disney+ and ESPN+ streaming services. For families with kids or sports fans, that‘s a nice bonus representing solid extra value. Hulu also provides access to a catalog of 85,000+ on-demand shows and movies.
YouTube TV on the other hand, gets you…well, YouTube TV. At 100+ channels, it does include more live TV options than the 75+ available on Hulu. But you miss out on the Disney/ESPN extras that could appeal to parents and sports enthusiasts.
Ultimately, YouTube TV offers more bang for your buck if you care purely about channel count and keeping costs low. Yet Hulu Live TV packs in perks that help offset its higher $75 monthly fees.
Channels & Content Selection
Speaking of channels, YouTube TV certainly wins on overall volume with 100+ options spanning entertainment, news, sports and more. Hulu Live TV isn‘t far behind at 75+ channels, but there are some key omissions.
For instance, YouTube TV carries MLB Network and NBA TV — must-haves for baseball and basketball fans. It also includes PBS and the Hallmark Channel which don‘t make Hulu Live TV‘s lineup.
That said, Hulu counters with some unique offerings like A&E and History Channel. So depending on your must-have channels, the better content selection here is debatable.
Where Hulu holds a clear edge is on-demand programming. Between 85K+ shows and movies — plus full access to Disney+ and ESPN+ libraries — itpacks way more choice for binge-watching. YouTube TV lacks the same vault of streamable content.
Streaming Quality
When it comes to video quality, both services deliver solid HD streaming up to 1080p resolution at 60fps. That‘s the case across live content as well as their respective on-demand libraries.
YouTube TV does offer a 4K Plus add-on for $19.99 that includes some live content in Ultra HD 4K. But that hefty upgrade fee only gets you 4K streams for a handful of sporting events at this point.
Until more 4K live programming comes online, streaming quality is mostly a wash between the two. For most viewers, HD 1080p delivers a crisp, high-quality viewing experience anyway.
Supported Devices
When it comes to device support, Hulu Live TV and YouTube TV again are well-matched. Both offer apps for major streaming platforms — think Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and smart TVs from LG, Samsung and beyond.
YouTube TV does support Chromecast which Hulu Live TV lacks. But otherwise, you can enjoy either service on most popular media players. And thanks to built-in Chromecast support in the YouTube TV mobile app, you get wireless streaming here too.
The two services are also accessible on game consoles like Xbox and PlayStation, as well as mobile devices running iOS and Android. Bottom line — device compatibility shouldn‘t sway your decision one way or another.
Simultaneous Streams
Here we come across one advantage clearly favoring YouTube TV over Hulu Live. YouTube TV allows up to 3 concurrent streams per account so more users can watch at once.
Hulu Live TV permits just 2 simultaneous streams. You can pay to upgrade for unlimited streams. But for larger households, YouTube TV‘s 3 streams will stretch further out of the box.
Cloud DVR
DVR support is another close matchup here. YouTube TV offers unlimited cloud DVR at no extra cost with no restrictions on recording hours. Hulu Live TV matches that with unlimited DVR storage as well after making it a standard feature this year.
Hulu‘s DVR upgrade means storage limits are no longer a differentiator. Both services now let you record a virtually unlimited number of programs to replay whenever you like.
One difference is YouTube TV keeps recordings for 9 months. Hulu Live TV hangs onto programs for just 30 days, so you have less time to catch up on saved content here.
Ease of Use
For those less tech-savvy, ease of use matters in picking a service. YouTube TV‘s interface earns slightly higher marks here for its simplicity. The home screen neatly organizes content and makes searches quick.
Hulu Live has made its interface more intuitive too, but lacks the same slick minimalism. YouTube TV‘s spartan aesthetic helps first-time cord cutters feel at home faster. Neither platform will overwhelm you, but ease of use goes to YouTube TV by a sliver.
Pros and Cons Overview
| YouTube TV | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Larger channel lineup (100+) | No on-demand content outside YouTube | |
| Unlimited cloud DVR | — | |
| 3 simultaneous streams | — | |
| Slightly easier interface | — | |
| Cheaper monthly pricing | — | |
| Hulu Live TV | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Bundles Disney+ & ESPN+ | Fewer channels (75+) | |
| Robust on-demand library | Only 2 simultaneous streams | |
| Free trial available | Slightly pricier | |
| Solid channel selection | — | |
| Unlimited DVR | — |
4 Key Takeaways
Before deciding between Hulu Live and YouTube TV, keep these core differences in mind:
- Hulu Live TV costs $10/month more but bundles Disney+ and ESPN+ access
- YouTube TV offers around 25 more channels
- Hulu includes a much larger on-demand streaming library
- YouTube TV permits 3 simultaneous streams vs 2 on Hulu
The Verdict: YouTube TV Wins (Barely)
When it comes to Hulu Live vs YouTube TV, it‘s very close. But the cheaper pricing plus extra streams on YouTube TV make it our pick for the best live TV streaming service.
YouTube TV matches Hulu Live on critical features like unlimited DVR while throwing in better multitasking support. And while Hulu brings extra perks like Disney+ access, most folks are signing up first and foremost for live TV.
On that front, YouTube TV offers the superior package — if only slightly. For $10 in monthly savings and more channels to boot, it‘s tough to ignore as the cord-cutting service that nudges out ahead.
