Hulu Live vs fuboTV (2023): What Service Offers the Best Options?
Cut the cord but don’t sacrifice your favorite sports! You can save money by ditching cable and you can watch sports online!
A lot of people think of cutting the cord as something scary. That makes sense since you’re putting all your faith into something that’s new to you. Most of us have lived in a time where cable has always been available, and it’s never really let us down. When we want to watch sports, it’s there to give us what we want. Of course, cable also offers hidden fees, contracts (complete with small print), and more limitations than it should have. Why pay more for all of that when you could have the same thing on better terms, for less money? Switching isn’t as scary when you consider all the positive benefits that await you.
The only thing you really need to worry about is how to find the right streaming service. If you’ve been looking at the options, you’ve likely got a few candidates in mind. Whether that’s true or not, this guide should help you determine if either Hulu Live or fuboTV might be the service for you. These services are similar in a lot of ways, so it’s a good idea to learn more about what makes them different, as this might be the thing that helps you pick a new streaming service.
In the sections below, we’re going to put both Hulu Live and fuboTV under a microscope so that you can figure out which service is best suited for you.
What is Hulu Live?
Hulu with Live TV is a name that most people are familiar with. Thanks to the popularity of the on-demand Hulu service, many customers feel comfortable making the switch to Hulu with Live TV. One plan is available offering a mix of sports, general entertainment, and news. Over 85 channels are included for $70/month. There are no contracts or hidden fees. You can cancel whenever you want. You even get a free one-week trial to start your subscription.
Hulu Live features local channels in most areas of the country. You’ll also have top channels like ESPN, NFL Network, USA, TNT, Discovery, and more. There are add-on channels available, as well. Hulu Live includes subscriptions to ESPN+ and Disney+, too. You also get a cloud-DVR and other plan perks. You can watch on most streaming devices including mobile, computers, and Apple TV. Our Hulu with Live TV full review has more details.
Try Hulu Live free for a week!
What is fuboTV?
fuboTV has been offering sports fans streaming options since the early days of live streaming. More recently, they began offering full packages of the top networks in entertainment. That said, sports are still an important part of the lineup. Multiple packages are available with over 200 potential channels up for grabs. Plans start at $75 a month. Several add-on bundles are available, as well.
fuboTV comes with a cloud-DVR and access to thousands of hours of content on-demand. TV Everywhere apps are compatible with many of the channels in each package. You can stream fuboTV on computers, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and other devices. Take a look at our fuboTV review to learn more.
fuboTV offers new subscribers the first 7-days free!
Pricing Options: Hulu Live vs fuboTV
Hulu Live offers one package that comes with Live TV. This package includes more than 85 channels for $70 per month. Each package begins with a free weeklong trial. You can cancel anytime. Your package includes live and on-demand TV, cloud-DVR, and added subscriptions to ESPN+ and Disney+.
fuboTV allows you the choice between three separate plans. The base, Pro Plan, features 120+ channels for $75 a month. Like with Hulu Live, new subscribers receive a free 7-day trial! Add-on channels including sports channels, are available. Each package comes with an on-demand library, cloud-DVR, and use of TV Everywhere apps. Again, you can cancel any of these packages at any time.
Winner: Tie (Both services offer many channels at a similar price.)
Channel Selection: Hulu Live vs fuboTV
Beyond price, channel lineup is usually the thing people pay the most attention to in their streaming service. Sometimes it’s the most important issue, even ahead of price. That’s the main reason that we’ve split this section in two. Here, you will find all of the details pertaining to the top networks in general entertainment. You won’t find any sports details here. In the next section, it’s all sports, with a clear look at the channels that are available and if any are missing. Hopefully this helps to put into perspective, which of these services might be right for you.
Hulu Live and fuboTV are similar in price, despite fuboTV offering more channels. Of course, more doesn’t always mean better, so let’s see what these two services can offer you.
Hulu Live includes the following top networks:
ABC, A&E, BET, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CBS, CMT, CW, Discovery, Disney, E!, FOX, History, ID, Lifetime, MTV, NBC, Nick, Paramount Network, Syfy, TBS, TCM, TNT, USA, and more!
fuboTV offers the following major networks:
Local channels (ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC), AMC, Animal Planet, Comedy Central, Discovery, Disney, Food Network, Hallmark, HGTV, Nat Geo, Nick, OWN, Sundance TV, TLC, and many other channels!
When it comes to things missing from the channel lineup Hulu Live is not currently offering networks like AMC or MLB Network. fuboTV is currently without TBS, TNT, and CNN.
Winner: Tie (The winner might come down to whether you want something like AMC or TNT.)
Sports Coverage: Hulu Live vs fuboTV
When it comes to sports, Hulu Live and fuboTV have most of the major bases covered. Local channels are represented across the country, they both offer limited access to RSNs, and most of the top cable-based sports networks are included.
Hulu Live’s sports offerings include: Local channels, ACCN, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, ESPN College Extra, FS1 and FS2, Golf Channel, MotorTrend, NBC Sports, NFL Network, Olympic Channel, and SECN.
All in, you’ll find that Hulu Live offers 20+ sports channels. If you want more than that, the Sports Bundle is an additional $10 per month and offers NFL RedZone, MAVTV, TVG, TVG2, Outdoor Channel, and Sportsman Channel.
The fuboTV sports lineup includes: Local channels, ACC Network, beIN Sports, BTN, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1 & FS2, Golf, MLB Network, MotorTrend, NFL Network, NHL Network, Olympic Channel, Pac-12 Network, SECN, Stadium, Tennis, and more.
The number of channels you receive depends on the fuboTV plan you choose. Many plans include more than 25 sports channels! You can also choose a variety of sports bundles to add to your package. Add-on plans start as low as $5 per month.
Winner: Tie (Both services offer a nearly identical sports lineup including local channels. The main difference is that fuboTV offers MLB Network and Hulu Live does not.)
Package Features: Hulu Live vs fuboTV
Now it’s time to look at package features. These are added account features that are available with your plan. You don’t pay any extra for them. They are like added perks to go with the live TV. When comparing services, the included package features can make a difference between which service you choose.
Hulu Live offers added subscriptions to Disney+ and ESPN+ as part of your plan. You receive multiple profiles per account and can stream on two devices at once. Your account also features an on-demand library with Hulu Originals, TV Everywhere app authentication, and an unlimited cloud-based DVR.
fuboTV offers an on-demand library with thousands of hours of sports and general entertainment. A cloud-DVR is included with each package offering 1,000 hours of cloud-storage. You can also choose to use TV Everywhere apps for many of the channels in your package. Families can enjoy the ability to stream on ten devices at the same time!
Winner: Hulu Live (Three services for the price of one is hard to beat, especially when the other features offered are similar.)
Pros & Cons: Hulu Live
Hulu Live has millions of subscribers and it’s a reliable choice when it comes to live streaming. However, like all services, it’s got some down sides, too. Here are some pros and cons to help you make an informed choice.
Pros:
- A well-rounded selection of more than 85 channels
- Amazing local coverage and some regional
- Unlimited DVR and other package features are included
- ESPN and other top sports networks are included
- Hulu Originals are part of the plan
- ESPN+ and Disney+ are included in each package
- Hulu Live includes a free 7-day trial
Cons:
- Regional coverage is light where sports are concerned, and MLB Network is missing
- AMC and Hallmark are not available for general entertainment fans
- If you want to stream on more than two devices simultaneously you need to upgrade
Pros & Cons: fuboTV
Now that we’ve looked at Hulu with Live TV, let’s consider fuboTV. If you’re not quite sure which service is standing out, these points might help you see a difference.
Pros:
- 3 package options starting at $75 a month
- 25+ sports networks with more available as add-ons
- 1,000 hours of Cloud-DVR storage
- Stream simultaneously on 10 devices at once
- Local channels are included in most areas
- Most of the top networks in sports are available
- fuboTV offers a 7-day trial
Cons:
- Regional sports coverage is lacking without Bally Sports
- Other missing networks include TNT and TBS
- You can only stream on multiple devices through your home network
Winner: Tie (Both services give you plenty of good reasons to sign up. It may come down to the specific elements you’re looking for in a streaming service to see which one comes out on top.)
Conclusion: What’s Better? Hulu Live or fuboTV?
It’s hard to pick an outright winner when it comes to Hulu Live vs fuboTV. Both services offer the top networks in both general entertainment and sports. They include local channel coverage, despite being light on regional sports coverage. They also include several positive package features that give you more for your money. You can even stream both services on the same devices! This could come down to something as simple as whether you want to watch MLB Network, or you’d like to enjoy ESPN+ without paying for an additional subscription. Whichever you choose, remember if you’re not satisfied, each of these services allow you to cancel at any time.
