Hulu vs Sling TV: Hulu and Sling TV are two of the well-known names in the TV service providing business in the USA. Hulu was established in 2007 through a partnership between NBC Universal and News Corporation. In 2010, Hulu launched a paid subscription service called Hulu+, and in 2017, they took another major step with the debut of Hulu+Live TV, an internet-based streaming option that includes access to live broadcast channels. Whereby, Sling TV came into existence from television service provider DishWorld, which, after 2015, came to be known as Sling TV. Hulu streams live TV and also provides streaming services of platforms like ESPN+, Max, and Disney+, along with its original content. Hulu has a bunch of different bundles on its platform with the above-mentioned partner for people to choose from. Both are such veterans in their field that one begs to question, which of the two is better for me? Whose services should I avail?
Do not worry, we are here through our meticulous research and after hours of first-hand experience with both services, we have tried to answer your questions by providing ample data to help you decide which streaming service provider works best for you.
Hulu vs Sling TV
Hulu offers multiple bundle options on its website, which can be categorised into 2 broad spectrums. First, there are bundles with streaming platforms like Disney+, Max, ESPN+, along with full access to Hulu’s streaming library. Second, together with access to its streaming library, Hulu also provides 100+ top live TV channels along with Disney+ and ESPN+. This way, Hulu has tried to cater to the conventional live TV audience as well as to the people who don’t watch much of the live TV channels and get their source of entertainment through streaming platforms.
Sling TV is a modern alternative to cable boxes or satellite dish services, which are provided over the internet. If you are a Sling TV customer, you don’t have to worry about extra rentals for old-school hardware required to watch TV channels. Sling TV provides 3 different packages: Sling Orange, Sling Blue, and Sling Orange + Blue. Some local TV channels are available based on their availability in your region (USA only) and are included in all plans, along with these packages. There are additional streaming and TV packages that people can add to their Orange, Blue, or Orange + Blue packages. This way, Sling lets people choose what they want to see and pay for.
| Specifications | Hulu | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Company | NBC Universal and News Corporation | Dish Network |
| Price Packs | $10.99/month to $95.99/month | $45.99/month to $65.99/month |
| Supports Live TV | Yes | Yes |
| Concurrent Streaming | 2 – Unlimited Devices | 1 – 4 Devices |
| Original Content | Yes | No |
| DVR services | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Everyone | Local TV Channels |
| Coverage Area | Worldwide | USA |
| Free Trial | 3-7 Days | No |
Plan & Price Comparison of TV Services
Hulu+Live TV’s pack that comes with Disney+ and ESPN+ at a base price of $82.99/month has a library of 100+ channels and allows its platform to run on two devices at the same time. They also offer a pack for $95.99/month through which allows people to stream Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ with no ads on its platform, but Live TV will still have ads, and also gives people access to unlimited simultaneous streaming, whereby multiple people can access their platform at the same time from the same id. $95.99/month pack also allows offline download of shows from Hulu and Disney+, but not from Live TV streaming. Hulu also offers a free 3-7 day trial for people to try their services without paying.
Sling TV does not have any other streaming platform in its base plans and comes with up to 50+ channels that are provided through their Plans Sling Orange, Sling Blue, and Sling Orange + Blue. Since Sling broadcasts live TV through its platform, and ads are part of live TV, there are no ad-free plans offered by Sling. Simultaneous streaming up to 4 devices is available, depending upon which plan you choose, and unlike Hulu, there is no free trial for Sling TV’s services.
| Feature | Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $82.99/Month | $45.99/Month to $65.99/Month |
| Channels Up To | 100+ | 50+ |
| Cloud DVR Storage | Unlimited | 50 Hours |
| Simultaneous Streaming | 2 Devices – Unlimited Devices | Up to 4 Devices |
| Free Trial | 3-7 Days | No |
| Offline Download | Yes (If Using $95.99/Month Pack) | No |
Hulu Plans
Hulu, other than its Live TV plan that comes with Disney+ and ESPN+, provides packages in partnership with other streaming service providers and presents people with several bundles from which people can choose. Hulu with Disney+ provides a package starting at $10.99/month that allows people to access content from both streaming platforms. This pack does not allow offline download of content, and even shows ads on some content, but for $19.99/month, people get an ad-free experience and even download content offline. Hulu has a package with Disney+ and ESPN+, which starts at $16.99/month with ads and no offline download feature, but for $26.99/month provides an ad-free experience and allows offline download of content. Similarly, Hulu also has a package with Disney+ and Max at a starting price of $16.99/month, having ads and no offline download feature, but for $29.99/month gives an ad-free experience and allows offline download of content.
| Feature | Hulu with Disney+ | Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN+ | Hulu with Disney+ and Max | Hulu with Live TV, Disney+ and ESPN+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (with ads) | $10.99/Month | $16.99/Month | $16.99/Month | $82.99/Month |
| Price (without ads) | $19.99/Month | $26.99/Month | $29.99/Month | $95.99/Month |
| Cloud DVR Storage | No | No | No | Yes |
Sling TV Plans
Sling TV provides 3 plan options catering to the audience who wants to have access to a limited number of channels. These plans are called Sling Orange, which has the lowest price point at $45.99/month and the least 30+ channels, followed by Sling Blue, which is a mid plan starting at $50.99/month which offers 40+ channels, whereas Sling Orange + Blue is their premium plan at $65.99/month which offers 50+ channels. As the name suggests, Sling Orange + Blue has all the channels from Sling Orange and Sling Blue, along with the common channels that are provided by the platform.
(The number of channels is not exact, as in America number of local channels changes depending on where you live.)
| Feature | Sling Orange | Sling Blue | Sling Orange + Blue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $45.99/Month | $50.99/Month | $65.99/Month |
| Channels Up To | 30+ Channels | 40+ Channels | 50+ Channels |
| Cloud DVR Storage | 50 Hours | 50 Hours | 50 Hours |
| Simultaneous Streaming | 1 Device | 3 Devices | 4 Devices |
| Free Trial | No | No | No |
Student Discount
Hulu provides students with unlimited access to the Hulu Streaming library at a subscription fee of $1.99/month, which is valid for the entire duration of their college time. This discount is valid for the Hulu streaming library only; if a student wants access to any other available bundle, they would have to pay the same price.
Sling TV, on the other hand, provides students with a $10/month off the plans that they provide for 6 months only. They provide this discount on all available packs to choose from, but it comes with a time limit (6 months).
Hulu vs Sling TV Channel Comparison
( Channels having * may or may not be included based on the pack you choose. )
( Availability of certain channels may differs based on where you live in the USA )
Sports Channels
Hulu+Live TV has 18 sports channels, which is way more sports channels as compared to Sling TV’s 8 sports channels.
| Channel | Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| ACCN (ACC Network) | Yes | No |
| Big Ten Network (BTN) | Yes | No |
| CBS Sports Network | Yes | No |
| ESPN | Yes | Yes* |
| ESPN2 | Yes | Yes* |
| ESPNEWS | Yes | No |
| ESPNU | Yes | No |
| FanDuel TV | Yes | No |
| FS1 (Fox Sports 1) | Yes | Yes* |
| FS2 (Fox Sports 2) | Yes | No |
| Golf Channel | Yes | No |
| MLB Network | Yes | No |
| Monumental Sports Network | Yes | No |
| NBC Sports Washington | Yes | No |
| NFL Network | Yes | Yes* |
| SEC Network (ESPN) | Yes | No |
| Tennis Channel (T2) | Yes | No |
| TNT | No | Yes |
| TBS | No | Yes |
| truTV | No | Yes* |
| NBC Sports | Yes | Yes* |
Live Local Channels
Hulu+Live TV has 13 local channels, which is way more local channels as compared to Sling TV’s 3 local channels.
| Channel | Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| WMAR-2 (ABC) | Yes | No |
| CBS 13 | Yes | No |
| The CW Baltimore | Yes | No |
| FOX 45 (WBFF Baltimore) | Yes | No |
| Monumental Sports Network | Yes | No |
| NBC Sports Washington | Yes | No |
| WBAL-TV 11 (NBC) | Yes | No |
| MPT (Maryland Public Television) | Yes | No |
| WHUT (Howard University Television) | Yes | No |
| WETA Metro PBS | Yes | No |
| Telemundo | Yes | No |
| FOX | Yes | Yes* |
| NBC | Yes | Yes* |
| Local Now | No | Yes |
Entertainment & Lifestyle Channels
Hulu+Live TV has 53 entertainment and lifestyle channels, which is significantly more entertainment and lifestyle channels as compared to Sling TV’s 16 entertainment and lifestyle channels.
| Channel | Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| A&E | Yes | Yes |
| WMAR-2 (ABC) | Yes | No |
| Adult Swim | No | Yes |
| Animal Planet | Yes | Yes* |
| BET | Yes | Yes* |
| Bravo | Yes | Yes* |
| CBS 13 | Yes | No |
| Charge! | Yes | No |
| CMT | Yes | No |
| Comedy Central | Yes | Yes |
| Comedy.TV | Yes | No |
| Comet TV | Yes | No |
| COZI TV | Yes | No |
| The CW Baltimore | Yes | No |
| Dabl | Yes | No |
| Discovery Channel | Yes | Yes* |
| E! | Yes | Yes* |
| Food Network | Yes | Yes |
| FOX 45 (WBFF Baltimore) | Yes | No |
| FOX Soul | Yes | No |
| Freeform | Yes | Yes* |
| FX | Yes | Yes |
| FXX | Yes | Yes |
| FYI | Yes | No |
| Game Show Network | Yes | No |
| getTV | Yes | No |
| Great American Family | Yes | No |
| Hallmark Channel | Yes | No |
| Hallmark Movies & Mysteries | Yes | No |
| HGTV | Yes | Yes |
| Investigation Discovery (ID) | Yes | Yes* |
| Justice Central | Yes | No |
| Lifetime | Yes | Yes* |
| Lifetime Movies | Yes | No |
| Localish | Yes | No |
| Magnolia Network | Yes | No |
| MotorTrend | Yes | Yes* |
| MTV | Yes | No |
| National Geographic | Yes | Yes |
| Nat Geo Wild | Yes | No |
| WBAL-TV 11 (NBC) | Yes | No |
| American Crimes | Yes | No |
| NBC News Now | Yes | No |
| OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) | Yes | No |
| Oxygen | Yes | No |
| Paramount Network | Yes | No |
| MPT (Maryland Public Television) | Yes | No |
| WHUT (Howard University Television) | Yes | No |
| WETA Metro PBS | Yes | No |
| Pop TV | Yes | No |
| QVC | Yes | No |
| Smithsonian Channel | Yes | No |
| Start TV | Yes | No |
| SYFY | Yes | Yes* |
Movie Channels
Hulu+Live TV has 4 movie channels, whereas Sling TV provides no movie channels on any of its packages.
| Channel | Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| FXM (Fox Movie Channel) | Yes | No |
| Hallmark Channel | Yes | No |
| Hallmark Movies & Mysteries | Yes | No |
| TCM (Turner Classic Movies) | Yes | No |
News Channels
Hulu+Live TV has 15 news channels, which is way more news channels as compared to Sling TV’s 5 news channels.
| Channel | Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV |
|---|---|---|
| ABC News | Yes | No |
| ABC News Live | Yes | No |
| Bloomberg Television | Yes | No |
| CBS News | Yes | No |
| CNBC | Yes | Yes* |
| CNN | Yes | Yes* |
| CNN International | Yes | No |
| FOX Business | Yes | No |
| FOX News Channel | Yes | Yes* |
| FOX Weather | Yes | No |
| HLN | Yes | No |
| LiveNOW from FOX | Yes | No |
| MSNBC | Yes | Yes* |
| NewsNation | Yes | Yes* |
| The Weather Channel | Yes | No |
Hulu vs Sling TV Add-On Packs
Hulu + Live TV comes with ESPN+ and Disney+ and 100+ Live TV channels, but apart from that, big streaming platforms like Max, Cinemax, STARZ, and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME also provide an option to add their streaming services to your pack if you want to watch their content too, for there respectable add-on charges.
As for Sling TV, it offers a wide range of individual add-on packs, including service providers such as Acorn TV, ALLBLK, AMC+, BET+, Comedy Dynamics Network, Cinemax, CONtv, Curiosity Stream, discovery+, Docurama, FOX Nation, Hallmark+, Here TV, Magnolia Selects, Max, and MGM+.TV, Newsmax TV, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, Shudder, STARZ, True Royalty TV, UP Faith & Family, ViX Premium. Apart from these, they offer a good collection of TV shows bundled for people who want to watch TV content from different parts of the world under their International Plans. They are categorised as packs for East Asian, South American, European, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Latino. Similarly, if your base pack does not have channels for sports that you want, they have different Sports packs for sports like MLB, NBA, WNBA, NHL, Soccer, Tennis, and Cricket.
Cloud DVR & Recording Feature
The Hulu+Live TV plan allows users to record from the Live TV stream with unlimited storage in the cloud, which can be accessed anytime over the internet for 9 months. After this period, old videos are automatically deleted. DVR accessibility does not mean that you can just record the part you like and skip ads in the recording; if you want to record, you have to record the entire thing. However, who cares when you have unlimited storage?
Sling TV takes an old-school approach whereby it allows users to record individual parts of episodes or even a full series separately, just like old-school DVRs, but it only provides 50 hours of free DVR Storage in the cloud. So if you want to record more videos, you either have to delete the old videos or pay $5/month for unlimited storage.
Simultaneous Streaming
Hulu’s bundles with Disney+, ESPN+, and Max offer a maximum of 2 devices for simultaneous streaming options. They offer a version of these bundles that do not show ads and allow the user to download shows offline (the version with ads does not allow downloads) on these platforms(Disney+ and Max). Hulu+Live TV’s $82.99/month pack that comes with Disney+ and ESPN+ also allows 2 devices for simultaneous streaming, but if you pay $95.99/month you can get unlimited devices for the simultaneous streaming without having to think about is someone else is using Hulu right now or not, and you can offline download content from Disney+ and Hulu in through this pack.
Sling TV allows a different number of devices for different plans. Sling Orange allows streaming on 1 device at a time, whereas Sling Blue allows you to use 3 devices simultaneously. In case of Sling Orange + Blue, the limit of devices that can be used simultaneously is increased to 4 devices, and there is no way to increase this number. If you want more simultaneous streaming, you have to choose packs with more devices.
Final Verdict: Hulu vs Sling TV
Both Hulu and Sling TV are USA-based Streaming service providers. Hulu provides a large catalogue of streaming platforms and live TV channels for a decent price point, whereas Sling TV provides TV channels as their services along with a plethora of add-on packs. The number of channels is half (in their best plan) of what Hulu provides for almost half the price, but it might be better in terms of choosing which TV channels you want to pay for on your device. Sling TV is limited to the USA only, whereas Hulu is available worldwide.
Basically, we would say Hulu+Live TV is a better deal than Sling TV as it provides people with more live TV channels and, along with that, gives the customer access to original content from Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+. But if you are on a budget, then Sling provides an ample amount of TV channels for half the price, and you can always mix and match TV channels to your choice.