Online streaming platforms are mushrooming and with a plethora of options available, deciding on which streaming platform is worth spending money on is an uphill task.
We all are well aware of the big guns of the streaming business like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and many other popular platforms. These platforms have been dominating the market but this hasn’t stopped the newcomers from challenging the veterans.
Understandably, it’s not possible to subscribe to all streaming platforms. Hence, we have boiled down the list to two wonderful, relatively newer streaming platforms; Hulu and Peacock. Undoubtedly though, Hulu’s content quality is unrivaled, especially when it comes to original programming but doesn’t make Peacock an ordinary service.
The biggest difference between the two is availability. Peacock is available in several countries outside the US, including the United Kingdom, but you’ll need a VPN to get Hulu in UK as it’s geo-restricted outside the US.
Having said that, if you are planning to sign up for an online streaming service, Hulu and Peacock are worth considering, although Hulu takes our nod. Let’s go through a detailed comparison between Hulu and Peacock and which service is the best.
The Major Difference
Hulu is a much more complete service with an extensive on-demand library and a live TV streaming platform Hulu + Live TV offering you 75+ TV channels without cable TV. Not just that, it also provides a Disney+ and ESPN+ bundle that literally doubles your entertainment options.
Peacock, on the other hand, is mainly an on-demand streaming service offering a content library of TV shows and films. In addition, it occasionally offers live sporting events like WWE and English Premier League. Peacock lacks a live TV streaming platform with very little to offer, but it does provide access to the next-day episodes of TV shows from NBC and Bravo without an additional cost.
1. Content Library and Live TV Channels
Hulu’s huge on-demand content library consists of content from Disney and its sister channels. From hit movies, popular TV shows, and eye-opening documentaries to Hulu Originals, you can choose from a wide range of collections. On top of that, you can access 75+ live US cable TV channels, including Disney+, FX, and ESPN+
Some of the latest titles on Hulu include The Old Man, The Great, Candy, Marvel’s Hit-Monkey, Nine Perfect Strangers, Only Murders in the Building, Parasite, Rosaline, Palm Springs, and The Princess.
Peacock primarily offers TV shows, films, and other content from Comcast-owned properties like NBCUniversal and other third-party media production companies. It also features news and live sporting events.
Some of the best titles, including Peacock originals, are Brave New World, The Amber Ruffin Show, Below Deck Down Under, MacGruber, Angelyne, Dr. Death, and several other titles. Good news for The Office fans; you can watch it for free on Peacock.
Winner
Hulu and Peacock both offer diverse content libraries with several smash-hit tiles. Both platforms provide you with the next-day episodes of currently running TV shows. However, Hulu is a winner in terms of content quality and the number of popular TV shows. Titles coming from Disney, Marvel, FX, and Hulu’s original predictions give it the upper hand.
2. Hulu vs. Peacock: Price and Subscription Plans
Hulu Price and Subscription Plans
Hulu offers two subscription plans; Hulu Basic and Hulu + Live TV. The basic plan costs US$7.99 per month and offers you unlimited access to its on-demand content library with commercials. If you want an ad-free experience, it will cost you $14.99 per month.
If you want to double the entertainment, you can subscribe to Hulu + Live TV plan for US$69.99 per month and get ad-supported access to its on-demand library and 75+ US cable TV channels. The ad-free version of Hulu+Live TV costs US$70.99 per month.
Peacock Price and Subscription Plans
Peacock offers three different subscription plans; Peacock Free, Peacock Premium, and Peacock Premium Plus. The free plan costs you nothing and offers ad-supported access to a limited content library with only select TV shows and films.
The other two paid packages are Peacock Premium (Ad-supported) which costs US$4.99 per month and Peacock Premium Plus (Ad-free) which costs US$9.99 per month. With premium plans, you get access to 80,000+ hours of non-stop entertainment, including tons of smash hit shows, latest and old blockbuster films, and live sporting events.
Winner
Peacock is a clear winner if we talk about affordability but you have to compromise on a great amount of entertainment stuff. With Peacock’s Free plan available, you can watch popular shows and films without spending a dime. Even its premium plan is cheaper than Hulu.
For Hulu, you need to shell out a subscription fee but it’s worth spending money on. Hulu + Live TV is a wonderful service and demands a heavy subscription fee. Nevertheless, Hulu offers much more than Peacock.
3. Compatibility and Apps
Compatible Apps and Devices for Hulu
Hulu offers cross-platform compatibility and you can watch it on several devices, including Android smartphones and tablets, iPhones, iPad, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Android TV, Xbox, PlayStation, Mac, and Windows PC.
Moreover, you can also access Hulu through Disney+ and ESPN+ apps.
Compatible Apps and Devices for Peacock
Peacock offers smart apps for different streaming devices and operating systems. You can use Peacock on iOS devices, Android devices, Android TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Smart TVs, and Web Browsers.
Winner
Both Hulu and Peacock are compatible with several streaming devices and operating systems but Hulu’s apps are more intuitive and convenient and offer a great user experience.
Wrap Up
Deciding between Hulu and Peacock is a bit tricky as both platforms offer great content. There are a number of deciding factors to choose between the two. For instance, if you want affordability and free content, Peacock wins the contest, but if you are after a one-stop destination for most of your entertainment needs, Hulu is clearly a better and more sane choice. But you need to get a VPN to unblock both of the services outside the USA.
