Hulu + Live TV vs Pluto TV
In-depth comparison of Hulu + Live TV and Pluto TV across pricing, channels, 4K, device support, and editorial scores.
Last updated May 5, 2026 · By IPTVForum Editorial Team
Hulu + Live TV
The only live TV service that bundles Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu's full on-demand library.
Pluto TV
The closest thing to free cable — 250+ live channels and 30,000 on-demand titles, zero signup required.
Editorial Verdict
Our pick: Hulu + Live TV
Our pick is Hulu + Live TV — it scores 9.0/10 versus 8.0/10, a 1.0-point edge, and leads in 3 of 6 categories.
Hulu + Live TV vs Pluto TV head-to-head
Our pick is Hulu + Live TV — it scores 9.0/10 versus 8.0/10, a 1.0-point edge, and leads in 3 of 6 categories. Pluto TV carries 155 more live channels.
| Metric | Hulu + Live TV | Pluto TV |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest monthly | $82.99 | $0.00 |
| Live channels | 95+ | 250+ |
| VOD titles | 80,000+ | 30,000+ |
| Free trial | 72h | 0h |
| Max resolution | 4K | FHD |
| Max connections | 2 | 1 |
| Refund policy | No | No |
Quick verdict — Hulu + Live TV vs Pluto TV
In a head-to-head test of Hulu + Live TV vs Pluto TV across pricing, channel volume, 4K output, free trial availability, refund policy, and editor scoring, Hulu + Live TV comes out ahead with a 9.0/10 editor score versus 8.0/10, a 1.0-point edge, while leading in 3 of 6 categories. Pricing differs by $82.99/month — roughly $995.88 over a 12-month subscription. Pluto TV carries the larger channel catalog at 250+ live streams, a 155-channel lead. On price alone, Pluto TV is the more affordable option, but per-feature value depends on whether you actually use the included extras.
Key differences at a glance
- Pluto TV undercuts the other by $82.99/month — about $995.88 cheaper over a year
- Hulu + Live TV delivers 4K streaming; Pluto TV caps at FHD
- Hulu + Live TV ships a 50K-title larger on-demand library
- Positioning split: Hulu + Live TV sits in the premium tier, Pluto TV in the free tier
Side-by-side site preview
Real homepage captures from our two-week 2026 review.
All plans compared
Hulu + Live TV 2 plans · Pluto TV 1 plan — sorted by length.
| Plan | Total | / month |
|---|---|---|
| With AdsBest | $82.99 | $82.99 |
| No Ads | $95.99 | $95.99 |
✓ 72-hour free trial available
| Plan | Total | / month |
|---|---|---|
| FreeBest | $0.00 | $0.00 |
✓ 0-hour free trial available
Who should pick which?
Pick Hulu + Live TV if you cord-cutters who already pay for disney+ and hulu separately, or nfl and college football fans who need espn networks plus espn+. Its strongest area in our scorecard is features at 9.7/10, and at $82.99/month on the longest plan it carries a small premium over Pluto TV. The 72-hour free trial means you can validate channel availability on your own hardware before committing.
Pick Pluto TV if you cord-cutters wanting a free supplement to youtube tv or sling, or casual viewers who leave tv on as background entertainment. Its top-rated category is pricing at 10.0/10, and at $0.00/month it lands below Hulu + Live TV on monthly cost. Their 0-hour trial is the safer first step.
What both services share
Common ground worth noting before you decide.
Features
- 7-day EPG
- anti-freeze technology
- VOD library
- free trial
Devices
Amazon Firestick, Roku, Apple TV, Smart TV, iOS, Android +1 more
Hulu + Live TV vs Pluto TV — Side-by-side
| Specification | Hulu + Live TV | Pluto TV | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editor Score | 9.0 / 10 | 8.0 / 10 | Hulu + Live TV |
| Live Channels | 95+ | 250+ | Pluto TV |
| VOD Library | 80,000+ | 30,000+ | Hulu + Live TV |
| From / month | $82.99 | $0.00 | Pluto TV |
| Free trial | 72h | 0h | Tie |
| 4K available | Yes | No | Hulu + Live TV |
| Tier | premium | free | Tie |
| Refund policy | — | — | Tie |
| Catch-up TV | 168h | — | Tie |
| PPV events | — | — | Tie |
6-Category Score Breakdown