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Updated on 2025-09-17
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5min read
Struggling to choose between Philo vs Hulu + Live TV? If you want to save money but still enjoy live and on-demand content, this guide breaks down the key differences to help you decide quickly and easily.
Quick Comparison Table: Hulu + Live TV vs. Philo
Here’s a side-by-side comparison table for Philo vs Hulu + Live TV –
| Features | Philo | Hulu + Live TV |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $20–$28 (legacy pricing for some users) | $82–$96 (depends on add-ons) |
| Number of Channels | 70+ (lifestyle & entertainment, no sports/local) | 95–105+ (includes sports, news, local networks) |
| Sports Channels | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (ESPN, FS1, CBS Sports, regional channels, etc.) |
| Local Channels | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW, Telemundo in most markets) |
| Cloud DVR | Unlimited storage (up to 12 months) | 50 hours included; upgrade to 200 hours for ~$15/month |
| Simultaneous Streams | 3 devices | 2 devices; upgrade to unlimited for ~$10/month |
| On-Demand Content | No built-in on-demand | Hulu on-demand + Disney+ & ESPN+ (ad-supported) included |
| Premium Add-ons | STARZ, MGM+, AMC+ (extra cost) | Max, Paramount+, Starz, Cinemax, and more (extra cost) |
| Ad Experience | Ads during live TV only | Ads on live TV; ad-free on-demand available at higher tiers |
| Device Compatibility | Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, iOS/Android | All major platforms including gaming consoles and Smart TVs |
| Video/Audio Quality | Live up to 720p; on-demand up to 1080p; stereo audio | Live 720p; on-demand up to 4K UHD; 5.1 surround audio |
| Best For | Budget-conscious users without sports or local TV needs | Viewers wanting full cable experience: sports, local news, premium bundles |
Hulu vs Philo Pricing and Plans Comparison (2025)
In 2025, Hulu and Philo offer distinct pricing and package options tailored to different streaming preferences. This detailed comparison will help you decide which streaming service fits your needs best.
| Plan | Price (2025) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Hulu with Ads | $9.99 / month$99.99 / year (≈ 16 % off) | Full on-demand library with ads before, during, or after shows (some are promotional/infomercial style) |
| Student Plan | $1.99 / month | Same Hulu on-demand library with ads; no live TV or bundle add-ons |
| Hulu No Ads | $18.99 / month | Ad-free on-demand streaming (a few shows may have brief pre-/post-roll ads) • Offline downloads |
| Hulu + Live TV | $82.99 / month (with ads)$95.99 / month (ad-free) | Includes Hulu on-demand + Disney+ + ESPN+ • 90 + live channels (local, sports, news, entertainment) • Unlimited cloud DVR |
Note: Some legacy subscribers pay a middle-tier price ($87.99/month) not available to new users.
| Plan | Price (2025) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Philo (Single Plan) | $28 / month | 70+ entertainment & lifestyle channels (e.g., Hallmark, HGTV, AMC+, Comedy Central)No sports, news, or local channels |
| Cloud DVR | Included | Unlimited storage, recordings kept for up to 12 months |
| Streams & Profiles | Included | Up to 3 simultaneous streams, 10 user profiles |
| Offline Viewing | Not supported | No offline downloads available |
| Free Trial | 7 days | Try full features before subscribing |
On-Demand Library & Originals: Philo vs Hulu
Hulu Advantages
- Extensive award-winning original series like The Handmaid’s Tale, Only Murders in the Building, and Oscar-winning films such as Nomadland.
- Hulu + Live TV users get both live and on-demand content seamlessly.
- No Ads plan supports offline downloads, perfect for watching on the go.
Philo Limitations
- Only offers channel partners’ content for on-demand and DVR playback, no originals or exclusives.
- No offline download support; streaming requires an internet connection.
- DVR content generally must be watched within 30 days or will be deleted.
DVR and Offline Viewing Features
| Feature | Hulu | Philo |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud DVR | Unlimited storage, up to ~9 months | Unlimited storage, up to 12 months |
| Offline Downloads | Supported only on No Ads plan, up to 25 titles | Not supported |
| Simultaneous Streams | 2 on standard plan, live TV plan included | Up to 3 simultaneous streams |
| User Profiles | Up to 6 (including kids profiles) | Up to 10 profiles |
User Experience Differences
Philo
- Clean, simple interface focused on lifestyle and entertainment channels.
- DVR automatically skips ads for recorded shows.
- No sports or local news live streams.
- Live streams max at 720p, on-demand up to 1080p with stereo sound.
Hulu
- Wide device support: mobile, web, smart TVs, game consoles.
- Offline download management and adjustable video quality, with some content available in 4K.
- Live TV includes ads unless on ad-free plan.
Pros and Cons Summary
Hulu + Live TV
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide variety of live channels (sports, local news, entertainment) | High monthly cost ($83–96) |
| Combines Hulu on-demand, Disney+, and ESPN+ in one package | Live TV interface can be less user-friendly |
| Unlimited cloud DVR with long storage | Limited simultaneous streams on base plan; add-ons required |
| Multi-platform access and multiple user profiles | Some markets lack key sports channels |
Philo
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable flat rate at $28/month | No sports, local news, or major network channels |
| Unlimited cloud DVR with long retention | No offline downloads |
| Supports more simultaneous streams and user profiles than Hulu | Limited parental controls, mainly profile separation only |
| User-friendly interface with high customer satisfaction |
Expert Recommendation
Choose Hulu + Live TV if you want a full live TV experience with sports, news, local channels, and bundled streaming services—even if it costs more.
Choose Philo if you mainly watch entertainment and lifestyle channels and prefer a budget-friendly, straightforward streaming service with excellent DVR features.
Hulu vs Philo vs Sling: Which One Wins Overall?
When choosing between Hulu + Live TV, Philo, and Sling TV, your best pick depends on your viewing preferences, budget, and need for features like sports, local channels, and DVR.
Comparison Table: Hulu + Live TV vs Philo vs Sling TV
| Feature | Hulu + Live TV | Philo | Sling TV (Orange / Blue) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Price | ~$82.99/month (includes Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+) | $28/month, single tier only | $46/month per plan (Orange or Blue); both ≈ $60–62/month combined |
| Channels | 90+ major live channels, broad coverage | 70–80 channels focused on entertainment & lifestyle; no news or sports | Orange ~35 channels (sports/family); Blue ~42 channels (news/entertainment); combined ~46–49 |
| Local & News | Extensive local & national news networks | No local or live news networks | Limited local (varies by market); Blue has some ABC/NBC/FOX in select cities; no CBS |
| Sports Access | ESPN included; other sports channels in bundle | No live sports | Orange includes ESPN; Blue includes FS1, NFL Network, Fox Sports |
| DVR & Streams | Unlimited cloud DVR; 2 simultaneous streams | Unlimited DVR; 3 simultaneous streams | Base 50-hour DVR (unlimited upgrade +$5/month); Orange = 1 stream; Blue = up to 3 streams |
| Features & Extras | Bundled Disney+, ESPN+, robust on-demand library | Simple, easy entertainment service with few extras | Basic interface; customizable with add-ons; includes Freestream FAST channels |
| Best For | Families wanting a full cable-like experience with sports and local news | Budget viewers focused on entertainment and lifestyle | Sports fans or budget-conscious viewers who want flexible options |
Who should pick Sling over Hulu or Philo?
- Budget-conscious viewers who want live sports or news but can tolerate limited local channel coverage.
- Those seeking ESPN content without Hulu’s higher price.
- Viewers needing more simultaneous streams (via Sling Blue).
- People who want to customize channel packages by mixing Orange and Blue plans and adding bundles.
- Sling offers more flexibility and lower cost compared to Hulu, with more sports and news options than Philo.
Final Verdict
- Philo: Best for budget viewers who mainly want entertainment and lifestyle channels, without sports or local news.
- Hulu + Live TV: Ideal for users wanting a comprehensive service with live sports, local channels, and a large on-demand library.
- Sling TV: Great choice for viewers wanting customizable plans, live sports, and news on a budget with moderate local coverage.
Bonus Tip: Download Hulu Shows for Offline Viewing
Watching your favorite Hulu shows offline is a game-changer when you’re traveling or facing limited internet access. While Hulu’s own download feature is only available on certain plans, using a reliable third-party tool can greatly enhance your offline viewing experience.
One excellent option is Eassiy One-stop Streaming Video Downloader—StreamFox for Video, a trusted video downloader that supports popular streaming platforms like Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more. StreamFox lets you easily download high-quality videos in common formats, so you can enjoy your favorite shows anytime, anywhere, without buffering or needing an internet connection.
Eassiy One-stop Streaming Video Downloader
Download videos from Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and three other streaming services as local MP4, MKV, or MOV files in 4K at 10X speed.
Key Features
- Batch conversion enables the simultaneous downloading of several videos, which saves time.
- Select from different subtitle formats: soft subs, hardcoded, or separate files (SRT & VTT).
- Provides rapid processing speeds—up to 10X faster than numerous converters.
- Versatile codec options (H.264 or H.265) to enhance file size and quality.
- Allows playback on various devices—including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs.
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop and video link copying interface for fast downloads.
Follow these steps to download Hulu shows for offline viewing –
Step 1: Begin by downloading and installing the StreamFox application from its official site. After installation, open the app and choose Hulu from the list of streaming services.
Step 2: Utilize the integrated browser in StreamFox to access your Hulu account safely.
Step 3: Locate the film or series you wish to download for offline viewing. You can enter the name in the search field to find it quickly.
Step 4: To download several episodes or shows, utilize the batch download option to queue everything simultaneously.
Step 5: Set the video quality according to your preference. The standard resolution is 1080p, but you can also choose your desired audio and subtitle languages.
Step 6: From the dropdown menu, choose the video output format to guarantee it works with your device.
Step 7: To download multiple videos simultaneously, select the multi-download option, then click the “Convert All” button to start.
After downloads are complete, navigate to the “Finished” area in the app to access all your downloaded Hulu videos available for offline viewing.
Conclusion
In the evolving world of streaming, your perfect service relies on what is most important: cost, content diversity, or adaptability. Philo provides unmatched low prices, Hulu + Live TV presents a complete experience, and Sling offers customizable options. For continuous enjoyment while traveling, StreamFox for Video is strongly advised. It allows you to download Hulu content effortlessly and guarantees smooth offline watching.