Is Hulu better than Netflix? Or is Netflix better than Hulu? Customer reviews and statistics tell us that both services are popular for a good reason. According to PissedConsumer research, both Netflix and Hulu have customer satisfaction over 60%. However, subscribers have complained about significant consumer issues, including price increases, limitations of the service, deceptive advertising, and difficulties with customer service. So, which streaming service is better? We looked at our streaming services reviews to find out. Number of Hulu reviews – 16.3K Number of Netflix reviews – 20.4K Hulu rating* – 2.6⭐⭐⭐ Netflix rating* – 2.5 ⭐⭐ Claimed losses – $1B Claimed losses – $3M Successful calls – 16%/290K Successful calls – 18%/380K Resolved issues – 241 Resolved issues – 193 Key Insights Netflix subscriptions start at $7.99 with ads and go up to $24.99 for 4K HD services without ads, while Hulu offers bundled subscriptions starting at $10.99 with ads and going up to $19.99 for a premium bundle with no or limited ads. According to the recent data, Netflix is the most popular streaming service in the world with more than 301 million subscribers, while Hulu is the 8th most popular streaming platform according to the same research. Netflix has a wide range of content including comedy, documentaries, and original programming. Hulu is now bunded with Disney+ offering a wide range of content including extensive children’s material, Marvel, Star Wars, and some original programs What Are the Hulu and Netflix Pros and Cons? In the Hulu vs Netflix debate, customers claim they enjoy the wide range of content and ease of use of Netflix and the customizable features and live television options from Netflix. Consumer issues with Netflix include issues with pricing, login issues, and frustrations with customer service. Customers don’t care for the buffering issues with Hulu and find it hard to contact Hulu customer service. According to customer reviews, Hulu, not Netflix, is praised for a wider variety of programming, the opportunity to get local channels, the ability to record programming, and the lower cost of plan options. These factors likely influenced the Hulu rating, which is 2.6 stars out of a possible 5. The Netflix rating is 2.5 stars. Regarding recommendations to friends or colleagues, more Hulu reviewers advise it than Netflix viewers, 48% and 46%, respectively. Complaints are different in Netflix vs. Hulu comparisons. Hulu reviews focus on trouble with Hulu customer service. Netflix reviews also mention issues with customer service. The top questions about Netflix also show frustration with higher pricing and refund issues. One Netflix customer who was a “paying member of Netflix for over 12 years” was emailed that the company was discontinuing their plan and that they would save 40% with a new plan, only to discover that the new plan includes ads. To avoid ads and maintain their previous level of service, they would need to pay more, leading to disappointment of the reviewer: It's disappointing to receive an email stating I am going to save 40%, but in reality, I have to spend more each month to get at least the same level of service as with my old plan. Consumer issues with Hulu include challenges with the service cutting out, features like records not working correctly, the volume of ads, and higher prices for some bundles. Customers also report issues when they contact Hulu support. A Hulu customer recently complained that, besides having to “watch the same commercials during every break,” their app began freezing after each one. This issue requires them to restart their Vizio TV, reopen Hulu, and re-watch the commercials before resuming the show. The customer finally stated: I have to turn off the TV, turn it back on, restart Hulu, restart the show, and re-watch the commercials. I'm almost ready to go back to cable. And that's saying something. The initial post has 336 comments on the PissedConsumer platform, with many customers expressing the same concerns. What to Watch on Hulu vs Netflix? There are some significant differences when it comes to Hulu vs Netflix content. Many consider the best Hulu shows to be original Hulu productions like The Handmaid’s Tale or Disney content available through a Hulu bundle. There are movies and shows for both adults and children with a specialized Kids section. Source: hulu.com/hub/kids Hulu reviews respect and praise the diversity of the shows offered on the platform. A reviewer on Reddit recently claimed that Hulu had more network shows and that the quality was higher than that of Netflix. Another poster agreed that “Hulu has more variety” and stated that Netflix titles feel like they are “more for adults.” Source: reddit.com For those wondering what to watch on Netflix, the platform promises subscribers “Unlimited movies, TV shows, and more” that customers can “watch anywhere” and “cancel anytime.” Source: netflix.com Like Hulu, there is a dedicated Kids platform for younger viewers, which includes movies and shows. However, consumer insights also tell us that Netflix offers international shows, many popular original shows and movies, documentaries, and stand-up comedy specials. What Are Ranges Hulu vs Netflix: What are the pricing differences? Netflix pricing starts at $7.99, and Hulu pricing starts at $9.99, and there are different levels of programming and ads available within the pricing structure of both. Netflix Hulu Lowest Tier $7.99 per month 2 devices Includes ads $10.99 per month Disney+ and Hulu programming Unlimited devices Includes ads Mid Tier $17.99 per month 2 devices No ads — Top Tier $24.99 per month 4K resolution 4 devices No ads $19.99 per month Disney+ and Hulu Premium No or limited ads Consumer insights tell us that pricing matters. Among the Netflix reviews on PissedConsumer, one customer complains that they are frustrated about the pricing for a bundled service. When they signed up, “it was 11 dollars a month for at least a year,” but they “were getting charged more.” After calling Netflix customer service, the representative “just kept interrupting [the customer] saying the increased the price.” A Hulu customer left a review #6413894 and shared that they had a “lousy connection” and the prices at Hulu “kept going up and the service kept getting worse.” The customer claimed, “Live TV was constantly buffering or pixelating.” Ultimately, the customer cancelled service. Customer Service Experience According to the worst and best streaming services report, 60-62% of customers are satisfied with the Netflix and Hulu customer service experience. Both Netflix and Hulu resolve issues roughly 75% of the time despite moderate rankings on the platform. Netflix Hulu Issue Resolution 74.53% 75.20% Communication Satisfaction 60.68% 62.42% Recommendation 47.20% 48.79% Many customers contact Hulu support about their accounts, payments or charges, and issues with activation or the product or service. In review #6786540, a customer called Hulu and claimed, “Customer service was very nice and wanted to help me resolve my issue,” but they are still “hoping someone calls me back” after the initial call was dropped. Another customer praised the service they received after they decided to contact Netflix about a different plan. In their reveiw (#6807907) customer claims they had, “Extremely friendly and excellent service” and they “Enjoy Netflix and the great movies.” If you need to contact Netflix customer service, dial 888-579-7172. To get in touch with Hulu customer service, call 888-265-6650. Share your experience Hulu vs. Netflix: Cancellation and Refund Policy According to Hulu Q&A and Netflix Q&A. We compiled the answers in our Hulu vs Netflix comparison below. Netflix Hulu How do I cancel service? Log in to your account Go to Manage your membership Click Cancel, then Finish Cancellation Log in to your account Go to the Account page Click Cancel and choose Pause or fully Cancel Can I get a refund? No published refund policy Contact Netflix customer service for details Refunds possible in “certain circumstances” Processing time: 7–10 days Both streaming services allow for simple cancellation through your account page on the platform. Refunds are a bit more complicated. According to the Hulu Help Center, the company may issue refunds in its sole discretion. Customers are encouraged to contact the company at 888-265-6650. Source: Hulu Help Center In review #5862479, a frustrated customer claims that they were charged twice for five months but were only refunded for two when they called Hulu customer service. She posted that she is still very upset about the situation. According to the company's Terms of Use, there is no Netflix return or refund policy. Payments are nonrefundable, and partial subscription periods are not eligible for refunds or credits. However, while refunds are generally not given, there's a possibility of receiving credits or discounts. These credits are at the company's sole discretion and can be offered for any reason. Source: Netflix Terms of Use If you have questions about payments, you can contact the company for assistance. Customers have the option to contact the company by phone at 1-844-505-2993, or they may attempt to resolve the issue via chat. One customer who was promised a Netflix refund claims that the company is quick to charge you, but when it comes to refunds, they'll give you all the runarounds and BS. Choosing the Best Streaming Video Service Customers are satisfied with both Hulu and Netflix. Netflix customers enjoy the various content on Netflix, but struggle with customer service. Hulu customers enjoy a wide range of services from bundled platforms, including live TV, but are frustrated by buffering issues and some customer service issues. While Netflix is more popular worldwide, Hulu squeaked ahead in our streaming services ranking. Ultimately, the best streaming service may be up to the individual user. Do you have experience with Hulu or Netflix? Write a review and help others decide which service is best for them. Share your experience *Disclaimer: Ranking and statistics are based on our users’ review texts and Pissed Consumer posters’ reviews. Also, a company’s rating is calculated using a mathematical algorithm that evaluates the information in the profile, including users’ rating, the number of resolved issues, the number of company’s responses, etc. The algorithm is subject to change in the future.