Hulu Live vs YouTube TV Pricing: Every Plan, Add-On, and Hidden Cost Compared
Quick answer: Base plans both cost $82.99/mo. But YouTube TV now offers genre plans from $44.99/mo. Hulu bundles $40 in streaming services (Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu on-demand). True cost depends on what you watch.
Base Plan Comparison
| Feature | Hulu + Live TV (Ads) | Hulu + Live TV (No Ads) | YouTube TV Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $82.99 | $95.99 | $82.99 |
| Live channels | 95+ | 95+ | 100+ |
| On-demand ads | Yes (ads on Hulu library) | No ads on Hulu library | N/A (no on-demand library) |
| Disney+ included | Yes (Basic, with ads) | Yes (Basic, with ads) | No |
| ESPN+ included | Yes | Yes | No |
| Simultaneous streams | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| DVR storage | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited (9-month retention) |
| Annual cost | $995.88 | $1,151.88 | $995.88 |
YouTube TV Genre Plans (February 2026)
YouTube TV launched genre-based plans that let you pay less for a focused channel lineup. Each plan includes the same DVR, profiles, and Multiview features as the Base plan. Prices shown for new subscribers; existing subscribers may see different rates.
| Plan | Price (New) | Price (Existing) | Key Channels | What You Lose vs Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sports | $54.99/mo | $64.99/mo | ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, NFL Network, TNT, TBS | Entertainment, lifestyle, most news channels |
| Entertainment | $44.99/mo | $54.99/mo | AMC, Bravo, HGTV, TLC, MTV, Comedy Central, Discovery | Sports networks, most news channels |
| News + Ent + Family | $59.99/mo | $69.99/mo | CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Disney Ch, Nickelodeon, HGTV | Sports networks (ESPN, Fox Sports, etc.) |
| Sports + News | $56.99/mo | $71.99/mo | ESPN, Fox Sports, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NFL Network | Entertainment, lifestyle channels |
| Base (All Channels) | $82.99/mo | $82.99/mo | Everything: 100+ channels | Nothing - full lineup |
See our dedicated YouTube TV Plans 2026 breakdown for complete channel lists per plan.
Add-On Costs Comparison
Hulu + Live TV Add-Ons
- Unlimited Screens$9.99/mo
- Max (HBO)$10.99-$18.49/mo
- Showtime$10.99/mo
- Starz$9.99/mo
- Cinemax$9.99/mo
YouTube TV Add-Ons
- Sports Plus$10.99/mo
- 4K Plus$9.99/mo
- NFL Sunday Ticket$349-$449/season
- Spanish Plan$14.99/mo
- Max (HBO)$10.99-$18.49/mo
For detailed add-on analysis, see our add-ons comparison page.
True Cost Scenarios
Sports Fan
Sports-focused viewer
Hulu
Hulu + Live TV: $82.99
$82.99/mo
YouTube TV
YT TV Sports Plan: $54.99
Sports Plus: $10.99
NFL Sunday Ticket: ~$29/mo (seasonal)
$95.98/mo
Hulu saves $12.99/mo (without Sunday Ticket)
Family with Kids
Family of 4
Hulu
Hulu + Live TV: $82.99
Unlimited Screens: $9.99
Disney+ already included
$92.98/mo
YouTube TV
YT TV Base: $82.99
Disney+: $9.99
ESPN+: $11.99
$104.97/mo
Hulu saves $11.99/mo
Budget Cord-Cutter
Minimum spend priority
Hulu
Hulu + Live TV: $82.99
(no cheaper option)
$82.99/mo
YouTube TV
YT TV Entertainment: $44.99
$44.99/mo
YouTube TV saves $38.00/mo
Everything Viewer
Wants it all
Hulu
Hulu + Live TV No Ads: $95.99
Max (HBO): $18.49
$114.48/mo
YouTube TV
YT TV Base: $82.99
4K Plus: $9.99
Max (HBO): $18.49
Disney+: $9.99
ESPN+: $11.99
$133.45/mo
Hulu saves $18.97/mo
Build your own scenario with our interactive cost calculator.
Price History Timeline
| Year | Hulu + Live TV | YouTube TV |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $39.99/mo | $35.00/mo |
| 2018 | $44.99/mo | $40.00/mo |
| 2019 | $54.99/mo | $49.99/mo |
| 2020 | $64.99/mo | $64.99/mo |
| 2021 | $69.99/mo | $64.99/mo |
| 2023 | $76.99/mo | $72.99/mo |
| 2024 | $82.99/mo | $82.99/mo |
| 2026 | $82.99/mo | $82.99 (or $44.99+) |
Both services have more than doubled in price since launch. YouTube TV's 2026 genre plans are the first time either service has offered a lower-priced alternative instead of just raising the base rate.
Pricing FAQ
What is the cheapest way to get live TV streaming in 2026?
Why did YouTube TV launch cheaper plans?
Can I switch between YouTube TV plans?
Does Hulu + Live TV ever go on sale?
Updated 9 April 2026. Prices sourced from official Hulu and YouTube TV websites.