YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV: Which cable TV alternative wins?

A graphic of a TV with its screen split by logos of YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV
(Image credit: Google and Hulu)

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV is a contentious debate. Both cord-cutting offerings make the list of our best cable TV alternatives. Both offer all the four major broadcast networks, unlimited DVR space and multiple simultaneous streams.

Neither one is our pick for the best live TV streaming service. That honor goes to Sling TV, due to a combination of customizability and affordability.

But if you're unwilling to make the sacrifices Sling TV requires, these two services are probably your top options.

While these two services are similar in most ways, each service has a unique selling point. YouTube TV is the best sports streaming service thanks to features including key plays, multiview and integration with NFL Sunday Ticket.

YouTube TV
YouTube TV: was $82.99 now $69.99 at tv.youtube.com

Get $13 a month off your first 6 months!
For those who love sports, YouTube TV is our top choice. Between features like multiview, key plays and NFL Sunday Ticket integration, it's the clear choice. Plus you still get features like unlimited DVR and multiple streams.
Limited time offer: Try it free for 10 days

Hulu + Live TV offers three streaming services bundled with its live TV service — Hulu, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus (all with ads) — making it an excellent value. So if you love to stream, it might be the better pick.

The quality of that value temporarily dropped when Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, and Hulu all got price increases. That change made Hulu + Live TV $82.99 a month and potentially erased Hulu's biggest advantage over YouTube TV.

However, YouTube TV got its own January 2025 price hike, so these two are back on a level playing field.

Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV: $82.99 at hulu.com

If you love streaming the latest shows and movies, then Hulu + Live TV is a great choice. Not only do you get live TV, but you get Disney Plus, ESPN Plus and Hulu's streaming service included in your monthly price. It's a bundle that's tough to beat.
Limited time offer: 3-day free trial

To determine the true winner, we decided to do what we do best: put these services in a head-to-head competition.

We did hands-on testing with the Apple TV 4K (2022) and the Fire TV Stick 4K and pulled in the most recent available information from both cord-cutting offerings.

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV: Specs

Here's a breakdown on how these two live TV streaming services look on paper.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Row 0 - Cell 0

YouTube TV

Hulu with Live TV

Starting Price (per month)

$82.99

$82.99

Channels (in entry-level package)

100+

95+ channels, Disney Plus (w/ ads), ESPN Plus (w/ ads), Hulu (w/ ads)

DVR

Unlimited

Unlimited

On-Demand

Yes

Yes

Device Support

Chrome, Firefox, Safari., iOS 12 or later, iPad OS 12 or later, Android L or later, Android TV, Google TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Xbox One or later, Smart TVs [select models] (Hisense, LG, Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, Vizio), PS4, PS5, TiVo Stream 4K, Xfinity Flex devices

Web browsers, iOS, iPad OS, Android, Android TV, Google TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox, Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Vizio and more), Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5 and more

Simultaneous Streams

3 (Unlimited for an additional fee)

2 (Unlimited for an additional fee)

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV: Channels

For the most part, the YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV channel assortments are similar.

YouTube boasts more channels (claiming over 100), while Hulu declares it has more than 95 "top channels". And while the two share a lot of networks in common, each is missing something.

The channel grid on YouTube TV

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)

Given that each provider offers dozens of channels, it's almost easier to tell you what isn't included. YouTube TV is notably missing A&E, Lifetime, MLB Network, The History Channel and Vice.

The channel grid on Hulu + Live TV

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)

Hulu, meanwhile, is notably missing Univision, AMC, BBC America, IFC, MTV Classic and MTV 2, NBA TV, NBC Sports and Sundance TV.

Below is the list of networks offered in the base plans of YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. While ourr goal is for this list to be comprehensive, please note that channel availability is subject to chang,e and not all channels are necessarily available in all regions. Always check channel availability before signing up.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Channel

YouTube TV

Hulu with Live TV

ABC

Yes

Yes

CBS

Yes

Yes

Fox

Yes

Yes

NBC

Yes

Yes

ABC News

Yes

Yes

ACC ESPN

Yes

Yes

AMC

Yes

No

AMC Thrillers

Yes

No

All Reality We TV

Yes

No

Adult Swim

Yes

Yes

NBC American Crimes

Yes

Yes

Animal Planet

Yes

Yes

BBC America

Yes

No

BBC News

Yes

No

BET

Yes

Yes

BET Her

Yes

No

Big Ten Network

Yes

Yes

Bravo

Yes

Yes

Bounce

Yes

No

CBS Sports Network

Yes

Yes

CNBC

Yes

Yes

CNBC World

Yes

No

CNN

Yes

Yes

Cartoon Network

Yes

Yes

Charge!

Yes

Yes

Cheddar

Yes

Yes

Cheddar News

Yes

No

CMT

Yes

Yes

Comedy Central

Yes

Yes

Comedy.tv

Yes

Yes

Comet

Yes

Yes

Court TV

Yes

No

Cozi TV

Yes

Yes

Dabl

Yes

Yes

Discovery

Yes

Yes

Disney Channel

Yes

Yes

Disney Jr.

Yes

Yes

Disney XD

Yes

Yes

Docrama

Yes

No

Dove Channel

Yes

No

E!

Yes

Yes

ESPN

Yes

Yes

ESPN 2

Yes

Yes

ESPN U

Yes

Yes

ESPN News

Yes

Yes

Fox Business

Yes

Yes

Fox News

Yes

Yes

Fox Soul

Yes

Yes

Fox Weather

Yes

Yes

FS1

Yes

Yes

FS2

Yes

Yes

FX

Yes

Yes

FXM

Yes

Yes

FXX

Yes

Yes

Food Network

Yes

Yes

Freeform

Yes

Yes

Gala Vision

Yes

No

Get

Yes

Yes

NBC Golf

Yes

Yes

Game Show Network

Yes

Yes

Hallmark Channel

Yes

Yes

Hallmark Family

Yes

No

Hallmark Movies & Mystery

Yes

No

HGTV

Yes

Yes

HLN

Yes

Yes

HSN

Yes

No

IFC

Yes

No

ID

Yes

Yes

Ion

Yes

No

Justice Central TV

Yes

Yes

Law & Crime

Yes

No

Fox Live Now

Yes

Yes

Local Now

Yes

No

ABC Localish

Yes

Yes

Magnolia Network

Yes

Yes

MSNBC

Yes

Yes

MotorTrend

Yes

Yes

MTV

Yes

Yes

MTV 2

Yes

No

MTV Classic

Yes

No

My Network TV

Yes

No

NBA TV

Yes

No

NBC News Now

Yes

Yes

NBC Universo

Yes

No

NBC Sports

Yes

No

New England Cable News

Yes

No

National Geographic Wild

Yes

Yes

National Geographic

Yes

Yes

News Max

Yes

No

News Nation

Yes

Yes

NFL Network

Yes

Yes

Nickelodeon

Yes

Yes

Nick Jr.

Yes

Yes

Nick @ Nite

Yes

No

Nicktoons

Yes

No

Orlando City TV

Yes

No

OWN

Yes

Yes

Oxygen

No

Yes

Oxygen True Crime

Yes

No

Paramount Network

Yes

Yes

PBS

Yes

Yes

PBS Kids

Yes

Yes

PCMag.com

Yes

No

Pop

Yes

Yes

Portlandia IFC

Yes

No

QVC

Yes

Yes

Recipe TV

Yes

No

Scripps News

Yes

No

SEC Network

Yes

Yes

Smithsonian Channel

Yes

Yes

Start TV

Yes

Yes

Stories by AMC

Yes

No

Sundance TV

Yes

No

SyFy

Yes

Yes

T2 Tennis

Yes

Yes

TBD.

Yes

No

TBS

Yes

Yes

Turner Classic Movies

Yes

Yes

TLC

Yes

Yes

TNT

Yes

Yes

TYT

Yes

No

Tastemade Food & More

Yes

No

Teen Nick

Yes

No

Tele Hit

Yes

No

Telemundo

Yes

Yes

The CW

Yes

Yes

The Great Courses Signature Collection

Yes

No

Travel Channel

Yes

Yes

Tru TV

Yes

Yes

TV Land

Yes

Yes

USA

Yes

Yes

Unimas

Yes

No

Univision

Yes

No

VH1

Yes

Yes

The Walking Dead Universe

Yes

No

We TV

Yes

No

The Weather Channel

Yes

Yes

World at War

Yes

No

YouTube Originals

Yes

No

A&E

No

Yes

ABC News Live

No

Yes

Bloomberg Television

No

Yes

CBS News

No

Yes

CNN International

No

Yes

Fanduel TV

No

Yes

FYI

No

Yes

Great American Family

No

Yes

Hallmark Mystery

No

Yes

Lifetime

No

Yes

Lifetime Movies

No

Yes

MLB Network

No

Yes

The History Channel

No

Yes

The Grio

No

Yes

Vevo '80s

No

Yes

Vevo '90s

No

Yes

Vevo Country

No

Yes

Vevo Features

No

Yes

Vevo Hip-hop

No

Yes

Vevo Pop

No

Yes

Vice

No

Yes

In the end, we give the edge to Hulu thanks to a little feature that YouTube TV lacks. Hulu offers East and West Coast feeds of certain channels, so folks out west can watch along with their friends out east.

This is available for Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, TBS, TNT, Animal Planet and Discovery.

Winner: Hulu + Live TV, but only because of their East and West Coast feeds.

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV: Price

Youtube TV app on Apple TV home screen

(Image credit: Future)

Objectively, this one is easy. Hulu + Live TV is $82.99 per month. As of January 2025, YouTube TV is also $82.99. YouTube TV does often have promotions, which are rare for Hulu + Live TV. But in a typical month, you'll spend the same amount.

When you account for the value added by including Hulu with ads and Disney Plus with ads ($16.99 a month normally as the Disney Duo Basic), there's definitely an argument that Hulu is better value. But in terms of pure price, it's a draw.

Winner: Tie

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV: Value

While the overall channel total and entry-level price lean toward YouTube TV, those who want more than just live TV (and love some of the best streaming services) get more with Hulu + Live TV.

The Hulu app on an Apple TV home screen

(Image credit: Future)

Of course, that begins with the shows and movies on Hulu (normally starting at $9.99 a month). Hulu + Live TV also includes Disney Plus (normally starting at $9.99 a month) and ESPN Plus (normally starting at $11.99 a month). Those three add-ons, known as the Disney Bundle Trio Basic are a $16.99 monthly value.

You may not want all of those services, but we bet at least one appeals to most.

That said, YouTube TV does give you one more simultaneous stream, with three streams at once, to Hulu + Live TV's two. It also gives you a significant discount on NFL Sunday Ticket for football fans who want to watch every game.

Winner: Hulu + Live TV for the bundlers

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV: Picture quality

YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV stream live TV at varying rates, but mostly in the 720p to 1080p range, matching what most cable channels offer.

YouTube TV makes it easy to see the picture quality rates available in an on-screen menu, but Hulu does not offer such information.

More frustratingly, neither YouTube TV nor Hulu + Live TV includes 4K live streams with their entry-level, $73 or less, plans. Yes, some of Hulu's on-demand content is in 4K. Yes, YouTube TV offers some 4K feeds... for another $9.99 per month. Only Fubo includes 4K streams by default.

On a personal testing note. we've noticed on mobile devices that Hulu + Live TV feeds can sometimes look lower-res than YouTube TV feeds.

Winner: Nobody. We all deserve better.

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV: Sports

Both YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV let you 'follow' your favorite teams and record all games available, but neither is strong about regional sports networks.

Sadly, for channels such as YES, NESN and the Bally Sports channels, you'll want a Fubo, DirecTV Stream or DirecTV MySports.

YouTube TV hits home runs with its sports options, though. You get NFL Network and NBA TV, and you can get NFL Sunday Ticket and NFL RedZone at discounted prices. You can also get other sports add-ons like NBA League Pass, but those aren't exclusive to YouTube TV.

Unfortunately, Hulu only offers NFL Network — no NBA TV. Neither service carries MLB Network.

Stats are overlaid on screen during a football game on YouTube TV

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)

But just as importantly, YouTube TV is a better viewing experience for sports fans. You get more data-driven content, with scores and stats in its menus. Hulu has nothing like that.

When it comes to catching up on all the big moments, YouTube TV's Key Plays is a truly killer feature. Multiview is also something that Hulu cannot match, and it allows you to watch up to four games at once for select sports.

YouTube TV's $10.99 Sports Plus add-on package includes 14 channels, including NFL RedZone, beIN Sports, Billiard TV, Fox Soccer Plus, Fight Network, FanDuel TV, and Stadium.

Hulu's $9.99 Sports Add-on is a buck cheaper but only has 6 channels: NFL RedZone, MAVTV for motorsports, FanDuel TV, FanDuel Racing, Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel.

Winner: YouTube TV, which practically pitches a shut-out on this one.

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV: DVR

The DVR screen on YouTube TV

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)

We hate to hand out ties (we're not Men's Wearhouse), but YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV both have the same cloud-based DVR specs. Each gives you an unlimited amount of recordings which expire after nine months.

The DVR menu on Hulu + Live TV

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)

This is the best option you can get in live TV streaming services, which DirecTV Stream matches. Sling TV limits you to 50 hours by default, and FuboTV's intro-level Pro package includes 1,000 hours of recordings.

Winner: Tie

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV: User experience

I've hit a weird bug with Hulu + Live TV recently: sometimes while watching live TV on a laptop, it won't let me rewind through an ad break. I'm waiting to see this happen more consistently to believe it's a flaw and not a glitch.

The home screen on YouTube TV

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)

All of the above, though, isn't entirely important if you don't actually like using the service. Both of these services are good, but while I loved using YouTube TV, I did not have that experience using Hulu + Live TV.

Both apps, though, automatically load a channel, something I wish they would not (it's often a show I'm not intending to watch), as Sling doesn't do that (and I'm used to Sling).

YouTube TV's a little better in this regard, because it begins with a home screen of recommendations, while Hulu's Live tab makes you click the down button on your remote to open its TV guide. In practice, both are similarly stable, though I did see Hulu + Live TV buffer once (YouTube TV did not).

Chandler (Matthew Perry) is on the phone in Friends, playing on Hulu + Live TV

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)

Also, Hulu + Live TV is buried inside the Hulu app, under the Live tab. Sometimes, this isn't a problem, but other times it feels like I'm forced to click through a bunch of Hulu content to get to the live TV I want,

You may get used to that, but it gets confusing at times. For example, when I scroll through the home screen trying to find a recently-watched episode of WWE Monday Night Raw that I haven't finished, clicking on its tile in Continue Watching loads Hulu's ad-supported, on-demand version, which is shorter than the full recording — and has commercials you cannot fast-forward through. I've never encountered such an issue on YouTube TV.

Also, fast-forwarding and rewinding are simply more seamless on YouTube TV.

Winner: YouTube TV, which had a head-start with the YouTube app perfecting the streaming experience

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV: Verdict

As you've seen throughout this YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV face-off, these are similar services. Your decision may be made by the channel selection alone.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Category

YouTube TV

Hulu + Live TV

Channels (25 points)

21

22

Price (25 points)

22

22

Value (15 points)

10

14

Sports (15 points)

13

8

User experience (10 points)

9

5

Picture Quality (5 points)

3

3

DVR (5 points)

5

5

Total (100 points)

83

79

Which is better: Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV?

YouTube TV is the best if you care about sports and Hulu + Live TV is the best for those who love streaming shows and movies.

With the most recent price hikes, any significant advantage in price one had over the other is gone. So it really comes down to what you prefer to watch.

For our money, we give a narrow win to YouTube TV due to the combination of a better viewing experience and superior sports features. But we don't blame you if you prefer the value of Hulu + Live TV and its streaming services.

TOPICS
Malcolm McMillan
Streaming Editor

Malcolm McMillan is a Streaming Editor for Tom's Guide, covering all the latest in streaming TV shows and movies. That means news, analysis, recommendations, reviews and more for just about anything you can watch, including sports! If it can be seen on a screen, he can write about it.

Before writing for Tom's Guide, Malcolm worked as a fantasy football analyst writing for several sites and also had a brief stint working for Microsoft selling laptops, Xbox products and even the ill-fated Windows phone. He is passionate about video games and sports, though both cause him to yell at the TV frequently. He proudly sports many tattoos, including an Arsenal tattoo, in honor of the team that causes him to yell at the TV the most.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
A graphic of a TV with its screen split by logos of YouTube TV and Sling TV
YouTube TV vs Sling TV: Which cable TV alternative wins?
Live TV streaming service logos for Sling, YouTube TV, Hulu, Fubo, DirecTV and Philo
The best live TV streaming service in 2025: Cable TV alternatives that save you money
Youtube TV app on Apple TV home screen
YouTube TV channels and networks, cost, devices and more
Streaming service apps on tvOS
This is the one streaming service that won 2024
Sling TV review
Sling TV review
Computer with logo: Netflix , HBO MAX, APPLE TV PLUS, NETFLIX, PRIME VIDEO are online video streaming services
The best streaming services to subscribe to right now
Latest in Streaming
Robert De Niro as George in "Zero Day" coming to Netflix in February 2025
Netflix confirms new crime thriller movie with Robert De Niro — and it’s already on my watchlist
helen Hunt in "I See You"
One of the most mind-twisting psychological thrillers is streaming free right now — and it’s full of surprises
Jean Smart as Deborah Vance and Hannah Einbinder as Ava Daniels in Hacks
Max reveals 'Hacks' season 4 release date and trailer — here's when it's coming
Brian Cox as Tommy Tilden in "The Autopsy of Jane Doe"
Netflix is about to lose one of the most unpredictable dark thrillers I’ve ever watched — stream it while you still can
Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us season 2
Pedro Pascal warns fans about ‘The Last of Us’ season 2: ‘It’s f—ing heartbreaking’
Cruel Intentions on Prime Video
Amazon cancels 'Cruel Intentions' after one season on Prime Video
Latest in Face Off
Pixel 9a render next to iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e vs. Pixel 9a: which mid-range phone could win?
iPhone 16e review.
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17: Everything we know so far
The eero Pro 7 next to the eero Max 7 on a desk
Eero Pro 7 vs Eero Max 7: Which Wi-Fi 7-powered eero mesh system should you buy?
Google Pixel 9a render
Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 9: Which phone should you buy?
Gemini Live
I tested Gemini 2.0 Flash vs Gemini 2.0 Pro — here's the winner
Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a
Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a: Biggest changes to expect