Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Hulu vs Netflix

Hulu 4.6★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Netflix
Netflix 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70

Netflix has a slight edge over Hulu due to fewer reported technical issues and a more stable user experience, despite both facing criticism regarding content libraries and pricing.

Full reviews: Hulu · Netflix

Hulu struggles with numerous technical bugs, excessive ads even for paying users, and frustrating account access issues. Netflix, while criticized for content removal and rising prices, generally offers a more reliable streaming experience with fewer technical glitches and a better ad situation for its paid tiers.

Head to head

Features tieR2R8R11R14
Hulu Hulu offers a variety of shows and movies, including cartoons and anime, and has Disney+ account linking for bundle subscribers R2R11. However, users report issues with missing episodes, lack of download options for some media, and poor recording ability for live sports R14. The 'Up Next' feature sometimes shows incorrect shows R8, and the app sometimes deletes downloads immediately .
Netflix Netflix is praised for its wide array of movies and shows, including anime . Users appreciate the absence of ads on some tiers R87. However, a significant complaint is the frequent removal of popular content and a perceived decline in new, exciting shows R67R70R72R87. Some users also report issues with regional content availability and missing seasons for certain shows .
Ease of Use edge: NetflixR1R2R12R13
Hulu Hulu's user interface is frequently criticized as messy, not user-friendly, and in need of updates R2R12. Users report issues with shows randomly skipping scenes, needing manual restarts for rewatching, and the 'continue watching' list not functioning correctly R12. Recent updates have caused significant problems with age verification and account access, particularly on iPads R1R13R30.
Netflix Netflix generally offers a straightforward user experience, with some users praising its ease of use . However, some users find it difficult to discover new content due to poor recommendations or the removal of the 'Coming Soon' section . There are also reports of login issues and the app asking users to sign up again . The 'continue watching' section can also be problematic .
Reliability edge: NetflixR3R9R16R27
Hulu Hulu suffers from frequent and severe reliability issues. Users report the app crashing, freezing, not loading, and shutting off mid-show R3R9R16R27. Many users resort to deleting and reinstalling the app to fix issues R16. The app also struggles with connectivity, especially when traveling or with certain internet providers .
Netflix Netflix is generally considered reliable, with users stating it consistently works . However, some users report issues with the app not working outside of their home network due to new 'household' rules . There are also occasional reports of login problems and the app kicking users out .
Price/Value tieR3R4R6R7
Hulu Hulu's pricing is a major point of contention, especially regarding ads. Users on ad-supported plans, even bundles, report an excessive number of long ads, sometimes every minute or two, making the experience frustrating R4R6R7R10. Many feel the price is too high for the ad experience, with some comparing it unfavorably to other services R3. There are also complaints about being charged for unwanted months .
Netflix Netflix is frequently criticized for being too expensive, with prices increasing over time R78R79R85R95. Users on ad-supported plans also complain about ads, despite paying R78. The value is questioned due to content removal and a perceived lack of new, desirable content R79R85.
Support tieR1R7R61
Hulu Hulu's support is implied to be unresponsive or unhelpful regarding critical issues like age verification problems R1. Users also report difficulty canceling subscriptions through the app R7.
Netflix There is limited direct feedback on Netflix's customer support. Some users mention issues with account verification and data mining R61.
Pick Hulu if

Pick Hulu if you are primarily interested in its specific content library, including certain cartoons and anime, and if you are already subscribed to a Disney+ bundle R2R11.

Pick Netflix if

Pick Netflix if you prioritize a generally more stable and reliable streaming experience with fewer technical bugs, and if you are willing to pay for an ad-free tier R87.

Evidence note: Reviews for both apps are heavily skewed towards negative experiences, which is common for free/IAP apps where users are more likely to review when encountering problems. Hulu's recent reviews show a significant increase in severe technical issues and ad complaints. Netflix's negative reviews often focus on content changes and pricing rather than app stability.

Frequently asked

Does Hulu have too many ads?
Yes, many Hulu users, even those on paid plans or bundles, report an excessive number of long ads, sometimes occurring every minute or two, which significantly detracts from the viewing experience R4R6R10R15.
Why is Hulu not working on my iPad?
Recent Hulu updates have caused widespread issues on iPads, leading to age restriction messages and login problems, even for adult users with correct age information in their Apple accounts R1R13R30R34.
Is Netflix removing good shows?
Yes, many Netflix users complain that the service frequently removes popular and beloved shows and movies, leading to a perceived decline in the quality and quantity of available content R67R70R72R87.
Why is Netflix so expensive?
Netflix users frequently state that the service is too expensive, with prices increasing over time, especially considering the perceived reduction in desirable content and the presence of ads on some paid tiers R78R79R85R95.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Hulu 4/5 · US I love the shows and movies on Hulu!: Hulu is almost perfect. I like the shows on Hulu like Dragon Striker and The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball (I’m a huge cartoon fan). But it would be nice if they updated the Hulu interface. I also like how Disney+ has Hulu account linking so you can continue watching Hulu shows on Disney+ (with a bundle subscription.)! But sadly, the app is shutting down,
  2. [R8] Hulu 5/5 · US Up next showing a different show: I was watching modern family and after an episode it took me to a different show and I looked up how to take that off and I did it and it wouldn’t get off of it
  3. [R11] Hulu 4/5 · US Jujitsu Kaisen: Please put out the 3rd season
  4. [R14] Hulu 4/5 · US Runtimes and downloads: No runtimes for documentaries and no options to download Media.
  5. [R1] Hulu 1/5 · US Update He’ll on iPad: I’d give 0 stars if I could… This app has never been good, but the most recent update seems to have severed the secure link between Hulu and iOS vital to verifying age. Now none of the 5 family members ranging from 25 to 64 can access Hulu on iPad, for the past week and Hulu is still billing for full monthly fees while not acknowledging this situation that is apparently being
  6. [R12] Hulu 3/5 · US Honest review: A lot of decent shows and movies with good rewatch value but the UI is messy and has been for years untouched, scenes will randomly skip on shows, you have to manually restart any show or movie you wanna rewatch not the biggest issues just very inconvenient through out the years
  7. [R13] Hulu 1/5 · US Hulu has to be the most useless app: First you were deleting downloads, now you’re age restricting the app. I don’t have now nor have I EVER had restrictions on my iPad. Al ll of a sudden,I can’t use Hulu. It's freaking ridiculous. It’s not a big deal for me to stop this $21 a month payment. There are plenty of other sites.
  8. [R3] Hulu 3/5 · US Too many bugs for the price: It's a nice concept and so many options are better. I hate that while you are watching a show or a sports game Hulu decides you watched enough and just shuts off on you. Or in the middle of watching a show I get an error message and can't continue watching. Get it together Hulu!
  9. [R9] Hulu 3/5 · US Bro: At first it worked then the next day I log in it says something went wrong then wouldn’t let me log back in to my account
  10. [R16] Hulu 2/5 · US Fix ur bugs and lock in: I like the shows but if this app makes me delete and redownload because it crashes and just doesn’t load one more time I’m crashing out
  11. [R27] Hulu 3/5 · US iPad app suddenly closes multiple times during a movie: This app sudd we not closes multiple times during a movie. Very frustrating.
  12. [R4] Hulu 1/5 · US YOUR ADS: YOU GIVE WAY TOO MANY ADS. i can’t even enjoy my show without getting put on a ad.i got ads so frequently when i was just getting off a ad,i got right back on one.i timed how often i get ads i get one every 1 minute or 1 minute and twenty seconds.yall are just money hungry.and the ads are like two minutes long.
  13. [R6] Hulu 3/5 · US I Love Hulu BUT: I Love Hulu don’t get me wrong. I’ve been subscribed for years but I started noticing today 7/6/26 that there has been a crazy increase of ads now. I get you can purchase a ad free one but I think for the amount I pay every month for the bundle, Hulu is doing a little too much with the Ads, it’s like I watch a few minutes of one of my shows and then boom another ad. So sad cause I
  14. [R7] Hulu 1/5 · US so slow so many ads can’t cancel subscription on app: slow
  15. [R61] Netflix 1/5 · US Data mining: Netflix has now gone from providing entertainment to malware that demands email addresses for each profile in the account.
  16. [R10] Hulu 1/5 · US SO MANY ADS: STOP MAKING ME WATCH 10 MINS OF ADS FOR A 20 MIN EPISODE
  17. [R15] Hulu 3/5 · US Too many ads: The amount of ads is insane 10 ads for 1 episode of a show it makes me want to go to a different streaming platform
  18. [R30] Hulu 1/5 · US Age Restricted??: We have subscribed to Hulu+ for several years. Today when I tried to watch something on my iPad, I was told that my account was age restricted, and I needed to ask my parents to verify my age by updating it in the Apple account. I verified in the Apple account that it shows my correct date of birth, which puts me at 56. My parents are both dead, so I’m not sure how they can help
  19. [R34] Hulu 1/5 · US Locked Out: I am locked out on my iPad. It keeps saying my age is restricted through the Apple account. There are no restrictions and never have been. I own the account and it says I need a parent/guardian to fix it… It works anywhere else and it only started this a few days ago.
  20. [R67] Netflix 1/5 · US Terrible: Removing all the good shows they have.
  21. [R70] Netflix 1/5 · US Mad: Why you remove bunkd
  22. [R72] Netflix 3/5 · US Why it should be better: I understand that Netflix is quite a nice streaming service, but it tends to remove things from time to time it doesn’t allow things to stay. It’s a streaming service so it should have tons of things and all the movies that they moved should be back on their app. I mean it isn’t fair. It should be more money and become more popular if they added movies the movies that they
  23. [R87] Netflix 3/5 · US Great App: It’s sooo good! Like, there’s no ads, but, why I rated it three stars: 1. Fav TV shows get off NETFLIX! Why Netflix? And, you can’t find the fav movies anymore! Why!? It’s really annoying but great.
  24. [R78] Netflix 3/5 · US Netflix is just awesome but a bit overpriced.: Your already paying $8 per month just for Netflix, AND THEY STILL REQUIRE ADS AND YOU ARE RESTRICTED FROM SOME SHOWS!!! And if you want no ads and all of the shows, ITS $20 PER MONTH, the shows are good but they should really make it more affordible.
  25. [R79] Netflix 1/5 · US Netflix sucks now: Way too expensive. Realized I haven’t used it like 6 months because there isn’t anything I want to watch! So 30 dollars a month down the drain. Netflix is a money hungry company that doesn’t offer anything good.
  26. [R85] Netflix 2/5 · US Too expensive: Too expensive and not even good or modern movies and shows. And after being a long term customer still the prices go up for us, not even a special deal for long term customers.
  27. [R95] Netflix 5/5 · US It keeps call me back: Everytime I try to cancel to Netflix its calling me back with batter shows or movies, that lock you. The price makes mad every month. But it is worth every penny!

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store