Hulu Price Per Month 2026: Every Plan and Bundle

Hulu costs $12.49 a month with ads and $21.49 a month without ads in the US after Disney's latest price rise. New subscribers pay that now; existing members move on their first bill on or after October 21, 2026. Hulu + Live TV is $99.99 a month with ads.

Here is the twist that most price guides miss: the Disney+ and Hulu bundle with ads costs $12.99, just 50 cents more than Hulu on its own, and the ad-free bundle is $21.99, also 50 cents more than ad-free Hulu. For almost everyone, buying Hulu by itself no longer makes sense. This guide covers every plan, what you actually get, the bundles, student and carrier deals, price history and who should pay for what.

Hulu plans and what you get

The fine print

• "No ads" is not quite no ads. A handful of shows on Hulu Premium still play short ads before and after episodes because of licensing deals. Hulu lists them with a "no ads" exception. It is a few titles, not a lot, but it surprises people.
• No downloads on the ad plan. Offline viewing is Premium-only.
• Two screens. Families with three or four TVs need the Unlimited Screens add-on, which is only available with Hulu + Live TV.
• The Hulu app is moving into Disney+. During 2026 Disney is folding Hulu content into the Disney+ app. Standalone Hulu plans are still sold, but more and more of the experience lives in Disney+, which is another reason the bundle makes sense.
• Price rises apply to existing members after a 30-day notice. There is no grandfathering.

Why the Disney+ bundle beats Hulu alone

The Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max bundle rose $2 in Disney's September 2026 change, to $21.99 with ads and $34.99 ad-free. It is still the cheapest way to get all three.

What Hulu is worth watching for

Hulu's library leans adult and TV-first, which is why it pairs so well with family-focused Disney+:

• FX originals: The Bear, Shogun, Alien: Earth, What We Do in the Shadows, Fargo and the rest of the FX back catalog.
• Hulu originals: Only Murders in the Building, The Handmaid's Tale and its sequel series, Paradise.
• Next-day network TV: ABC shows like Abbott Elementary and Grey's Anatomy the day after they air, plus a selection from NBC and Fox.
• Adult animation: Family Guy, Bob's Burgers, Futurama, King of the Hill.
• Films: a rotating library plus 20th Century and Searchlight releases after their theatrical runs.

If you want ideas for streaming nights, our what to watch on Netflix guide and list of legal free movie sites fill the gaps.

Hulu vs other streaming services

On its own, Hulu with ads is now the most expensive ad tier among the big services. Bundled with Disney+, it becomes one of the cheapest. That is the whole story of Hulu's pricing in 2026.

Discounts and cheaper ways to pay

• Students: $1.99 a month for Hulu with ads has long been the deal, verified through SheerID, but Hulu's student page now leads with the bundle and some reports say new signups can no longer get the Hulu-only price. Students who want Disney+ too can get the Disney+ and Hulu bundle with ads for $6.49. Details in our Disney+ student discount guide.
• Spotify Premium Student in the US has long included Hulu with ads. Check your Spotify account before paying for Hulu separately.
• Carriers and cable. Some Verizon plans include the Disney+ and Hulu bundle, and Spectrum TV Select includes Disney+ and Hulu with ads. Look through your bill and plan perks.
• Black Friday. Hulu has run a deep Black Friday discount on the ad plan most years, often a dollar or two a month for the first year. It is usually limited to new and returning subscribers who have not paid in the last month. Our Black Friday deals guide tracks it when it goes live.
• Rotate. Hulu keeps your profile and watch history if you cancel. Many people subscribe for an FX season and leave.

Hulu price history

Hulu with ads has more than doubled from $5.99 in 2019 to $12.49 now. The ad-free plan went from $11.99 to $21.49 over the same period. Disney has moved prices every October since 2022, and the 2026 change is its fourth autumn rise in four years.

What subscribers say on Reddit

From r/Hulu, r/cordcutters and r/DisneyPlus:

Complaints:

• "Paying for no ads and still seeing ads." The licensing exception on Premium is a constant source of annoyance.
• Yearly October hikes. Many long-time members say each rise makes them rotate rather than stay.
• App changes. Some prefer the old Hulu app and dislike the move into Disney+, especially for finding next-day TV.
• Hulu + Live TV at $99.99 is now close to a cable bill, and cord cutters often recommend YouTube TV or Sling instead.

Praise:

• FX shows. The Bear, Shogun and Alien: Earth are cited as reasons to keep Hulu even after price rises.
• The $12.99 bundle. Users often call the Disney+ and Hulu ad bundle the best value in streaming.
• The $1.99 student plan, which comes up in nearly every "cheapest streaming" thread.

Our verdict

Compare with our guides to Netflix plan prices, HBO Max cost and the Amazon Prime free trial.

FAQs

How much is Hulu per month in 2026?

Hulu with ads is $12.49 a month and Hulu Premium (no ads) is $21.49 a month in the US. Existing subscribers move to these prices on their first bill on or after October 21, 2026.

Is it cheaper to get Hulu with Disney+?

Yes. The Disney+ and Hulu bundle with ads is $12.99, only 50 cents more than Hulu with ads alone. The ad-free bundle is $21.99, 50 cents more than Hulu Premium alone.

How much is Hulu for students?

The Disney+ and Hulu bundle with ads is $6.49 a month for students at US Title IV accredited colleges who verify their enrolment. Hulu with ads alone has been $1.99 for students, but some reports say that plan is closed to new signups, so check the student page.

How much is Hulu + Live TV?

$99.99 a month with ads or $109.99 a month with an ad-free on-demand library. Both include Disney+ and ESPN.

Does Hulu have a free trial?

The standard Hulu plans no longer have a free trial in the US. Hulu + Live TV has offered a short trial. Black Friday deals and carrier perks are the usual ways to pay less.

Can I download shows on Hulu with ads?

No. Downloads are only available on Hulu Premium (no ads) and the ad-free bundles.

Why does Hulu's no-ads plan still show ads?

A small number of shows carry short ads before and after episodes because of licensing deals with their owners. Hulu marks them, and they are the exception, not the rule.