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Hulu + Live TV vs Fubo: Which is best for you?

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If you’re cutting the cable cord to switch to live TV streaming, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV are two of your best options. And, when you narrow it down to these two platforms, chances are the choice will be easy for you because they offer radically different streaming experiences.

On the one hand, there’s Fubo, the undisputed king of live sports streaming with an impressively large channel lineup. On the other, there’s Hulu + Live TV, the Disney-owned service that wields a wealth of top-tier on-demand entertainment to lure subscribers to a smaller but still potent package of live TV channels.

Which is right for you? Dig into our Hulu vs. Fubo TV streaming comparison to find out.

Hulu + Live TV and Fubo compared


Hulu + Live TV
Fubo
Starting monthly price
$82.99
$84.99
DVR
Unlimited
Unlimited
Simultaneous streams
2
10 at home, 3 outside home
Number of live channels
95+
211+
On-demand library
Yes
Yes
Free trial 3 days 7 days

Hulu + L ive TV vs Fubo content

There are several differences between Fubo and Hulu + Live TV, but none is more significant than the content. 

Fubo was a sports-focused streaming platform from the start, and it has maintained that focus even as it has grown to offer a wider range of programming. Its Pro plan features more than 30 live sports channels, including not only big-name national outlets but also most regional sports networks (RSNs). Note that a fee may be applied for any packages that include regional sports networks.

That’s not all there is to Fubo, though. The Pro plan also features around 150 other channels, from local network affiliates to many of the most popular entertainment and news networks. If you upgrade your plan and explore add-on options, you can get more than 250 channels on Fubo, far more than on any other live TV streaming service.

Hulu + Li ve TV doesn’t attempt to offer anywhere near this much live TV content, but its 95-plus channels include most of the highlights of cable TV that will satisfy the average streamer. It even features some networks missing from Fubo, such as CNN, TBS, TNT and TruTV. In terms of live TV, its biggest weak spot is that it offers very few RSNs, and there aren’t many options for adding extra channels with add-ons.

However, Hulu + Live TV aims to overcome some of these missing elements with a staggering amount of on-demand content and extra live sports. Plans come with full access to the Hulu and Disney Plus libraries, along with tons of extra action from content on ESPN Plus. Although Fubo does offer some content from its networks on demand, it can’t compete with what Hulu + Live TV has to offer here.


Hulu + Live TV vs Fubo DVR

For those who want to record plenty of live games and shows to watch later, these two services offer different pros and cons. 

Both Fubo and Hulu + Live TV now offer unlimited Cloud DVR recording and both will delete recordings after nine months.

Beyond that, the Fubo vs. Hulu live TV experience is fairly similar for DVR. Both services make it easy to record programs in progress or set up future recordings of single events or entire series. There’s no option to record everything on a single channel on either platform. 


Hulu + Live TV vs Fubo personalization and user experience

User experience is another category where these two platforms offer a mixed bag. To start with, both have excellent user interfaces that are intuitive, sharp and easy to navigate.

In terms of personalization, the Hulu vs Fubo comparison is fairly level. Fubo offers up to six user profiles, while Hulu allows for seven. That means both platforms work well for large households that need customized dashboards and viewing preferences for each viewer. 

However, Fubo pulls slightly ahead here by allowing for up to 10 simultaneous streams at home, plus three more on non-TV devices outside your home. That’s a big edge over Hulu’s meager two-simultaneous-stream limit. If you want more, you’ll need to pay extra for them.

When it comes to parental controls, neither platform has much to offer. In fact, Fubo has no parental controls at all. Hulu + Live TV at least offers limited Kids’ profiles and the option to lock profile access with a PIN, but it would be nice to see the option to dial in controls with rating-level restrictions. 


Hulu + Live TV vs Fubo for sports fans

Of all the differences between Fubo vs. Hulu + Live TV, sports may be the deciding factor for many cord-cutters. If you want plenty of international, national and regional action, there’s simply no better streaming option than Fubo. Even with the regional sports fee, you get far more live sports channels for the price than on any other streaming platform.

Hulu + Live TV is still fairly strong in live sports, with a dozen sports networks, a set of sports add-on channels and RSNs in a few select markets. It also features TBS, TNT, TruTV, and ESPN Plus, which carry a lot of MLB, NBA and NHL games you can’t find on Fubo.

Still, Hulu + Live TV’s sports lineup can’t compare to Fubo’s, and the most die-hard fans will opt for the latter. Hulu, meanwhile, will draw in many cord-cutters who want an all-around package with a huge range of live and on-demand entertainment, sports and otherwise.

What does the online community have to say?

Online forums make these points about Hulu + Live TV:

  • Includes support for 1080p/60fps and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound
  • Users satisfied with channel selection and the Disney+ bundle option
  • Supports unlimited screens to allow sharing among households
  • Unreliable DVR option
  • User interface (UI) is confusing and diffcult to navigate

Online forums make these points about Fubo:

  • Comprehensive list of sports channels available, including regional sports networks (RSNs)
  • Reliable DVR feature
  • Audio and picture quality are limited
  • Some popular channels like TNT, History Channel, and locals, are not available
  • Users reported the app being buggy and in some cases crashing Apple TV
  • Can be great for sports content but suffers from price hikes and reduced channel offerings

FAQ

Which streaming service is best for live TV?

Each live TV streaming service has strengths and weaknesses, and it ultimately depends on your viewing preferences. For instance, Fubo is our top pick for live sports, while Hulu + Live TV is our favorite combo package for live and on-demand content. YouTube TV offers the best live channel lineup for the price, while Sling TV is the most budget-friendly option. 

Is Hulu or Fubo better for NFL?

When comparing  NFL coverage on Hulu vs. Fubo, the two platforms are fairly similar. Both feature the key networks for NFL games, including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBS, ESPN, ESPN2 and NFL Network. If you’re looking for Spanish-language NFL coverage, however, Fubo is a better choice.

What is the downside of Hulu + Live TV?

Hulu + Live TV features a smaller channel lineup than some of its competitors, and it offers very few regional sports networks. It also requires an add-on to stream on more than two devices at once.

Luke Daugherty is a freelance writer, editor, and former operations manager based in St. Louis. His work covers business, marketing, and personal finance, as well as many of his personal passions, including coffee, music, and social issues.