YouTube TV is the cheaper live TV service on list price: $82.99 a month for its main plan versus $99.99 a month for Hulu + Live TV, as of October 2026. Hulu's price includes the Disney+ and Hulu streaming libraries plus ESPN Select, so it's the better value if you'd pay for Disney+ and Hulu anyway.
Both are US live TV services with 100-ish channels, local networks and sport. The real difference is what comes bundled around the live channels. YouTube TV gives you a lean live TV service with strong sharing and DVR. Hulu + Live TV wraps live channels inside the Disney streaming bundle.
YouTube TV vs Hulu + Live TV at a glance
| YouTube TV | Hulu + Live TV | |
|---|---|---|
| Main plan price (Oct 2026) | $82.99 a month | $99.99 a month (Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ and ESPN Select) |
| Higher tier | Add-ons on top, such as 4K Plus at $9.99 a month | $109.99 a month for Hulu Premium + Live TV, Disney+ Premium and ESPN Select |
| Cheaper live option | Sports Plan at $64.99 a month | None listed below the main live plan |
| Channels stated | 100+ on the main plan | 95+ in Hulu's FAQ, 100+ in its plan table |
| Streaming libraries included | Trending YouTube videos | Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Select libraries |
| DVR | Unlimited, each recording kept 9 months | Not stated on Hulu's plan page |
| Household accounts | Up to 6 | Not stated on Hulu's plan page |
| Streams at once | 3, or unlimited at home with 4K Plus | Not stated on Hulu's plan page |
Where a row says 'not stated', Hulu's own plans page, read in October 2026, didn't give the figure. I haven't filled those gaps from other sites, so check Hulu's help pages before you choose if DVR or screen limits matter to you.
Price: which costs less?
On list price YouTube TV's main plan costs less each month than Hulu + Live TV. YouTube TV also has cheaper entry points: the Sports Plan at $64.99 a month and the Sports + News Plan at $71.99 a month, which Hulu doesn't match with a smaller live plan on its page.
YouTube TV is also running new-user offers as of October 2026: $59.99 a month for 2 months on the main plan, or $49.99 a month for 5 months on Sports + News, both ending November 16, 2026, with no refunds. If you've already signed up and want out, there's a rundown of when a YouTube TV refund is possible. Hulu's page showed a one-month intro offer for its ad-supported live plan with a very short end date, so I'd check the current deal on Hulu directly on the day you sign up.
Local channels often decide the choice, and my page on local channels on YouTube TV covers them.
What you get for the price
- Choose YouTube TV for the live TV itself. Unlimited DVR, 6 household accounts each with their own library, multiview for up to 4 games at once, and plan choice from the main plan down to genre plans.
- Choose Hulu + Live TV for the bundle. Hulu says its live plans include access to the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Select streaming libraries, plus additional ESPN Unlimited content in the ESPN app.
If you already pay for Disney+ and Hulu separately, Hulu + Live TV folds them into one bill. If you don't, you're paying for libraries you may not open.
If you're leaning towards YouTube TV, my take on whether YouTube TV is worth it tests that choice.
Sport
Both cover live sport. YouTube TV sells sport in layers: the Sports Plan with your local NBC, CBS, Fox and ABC stations, an NFL RedZone with Sports Plus add-on at $10.99 a month, and NFL Sunday Ticket as a separate purchase. Hulu's live plans come with ESPN Select, and Hulu's page sells ESPN Unlimited as a bigger ESPN package. If ESPN is the channel you care about most, compare with the ESPN Unlimited price guide before you decide.
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Rules that might decide it for you
- Travel. YouTube TV doesn't play any programmes outside the US, and you need to use it in your home area at least once every 3 months.
- Ads. On YouTube TV you can't fast-forward ads on live TV, can skip them on recordings, and typically can't on on-demand shows.
- Ads on Hulu. Hulu's page notes that ads will be served in select live and linear content, even on its no-ads tiers.
- Cancelling. Both say you can cancel anytime. YouTube TV says it doesn't refund partial billing periods, and Hulu's offer terms say there are no refunds or credits for partial months.
My verdict
Pick YouTube TV if you want the best live TV service for the lowest monthly price and you'll use its DVR and family accounts. Pick Hulu + Live TV if your household already watches Disney+ and Hulu, because then the extra cost buys services you'd pay for anyway. For the full YouTube TV price list, see YouTube TV cost, and if sport drives the decision, YouTube TV's multiview is worth seeing first.
Frequently asked questions
Is YouTube TV cheaper than Hulu + Live TV?
Yes, on list price. As of October 2026, YouTube TV's main plan is $82.99 a month and Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ and ESPN Select is $99.99 a month.
A good companion to this section is Hulu + Live TV.
Does Hulu + Live TV include Disney+?
Yes. Hulu's plans page says its live TV plans include access to the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Select streaming libraries.
If that interests you, YouTube TV sports Plan is worth your time.
Which has more channels, YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV?
YouTube TV says 100+ channels on its main plan. Hulu's page says 95+ live channels in its FAQ and 100+ in its plan table, so they're close.
Can I watch YouTube TV outside the US?
No. YouTube TV says you can't access any programmes while travelling internationally.
