Streaming used to be simpler than this. You’d go to one app or website, there was one subscription plan, or you’d buy or rent content, and no ads. That simplicity is what drove people to platforms like Hulu. You get full seasons, on-demand, and none of those interruptions you get with cable.
But simplicity isn’t scalable. And these days, Hulu’s plans are more complicated than ever. However, their names are very self-explanatory. You get Hulu (With Ads) and Hulu (No Ads). However, they come in various variations, as bundles or with add-ons. So it’s still a bit messy.
Let’s see how much these plans cost and what you get with them.
How much is Hulu without ads?
The Hulu (No Ads) plan is $18.99/month in 2025.
This gives you access to Hulu’s entire on-demand library, including originals, network shows, and movies, all commercial-free. It’s one step up from the Hulu (With Ads) plan, which costs $9.99/month and is designed for users who prefer a cleaner experience.
There’s no annual option for the No Ads plan, so you’re locked into a monthly billing cycle. It’s also only available in the United States, and pricing remains consistent across all regions and devices.
If you’re thinking about bundles, Hulu does offer Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads), and ESPN+ (With Ads) for $95.99/month, but that’s more about getting more content than just no ads.
For most users who just want to watch Hulu’s on-demand library without interruptions, the standalone Hulu (No Ads) plan is the way to go. Please note that, while most content is ad-free, a few shows may still include ads due to licensing restrictions. We’ll get into that in the next section.
What do you get with Hulu (No Ads)?
With Hulu (No Ads), you get the entire Hulu on-demand library, ad-free.
That means current-season episodes from ABC and FOX, Hulu Originals like The Bear and Only Murders in the Building, full seasons of classic shows, documentaries, and films. Everything you get on the ad-supported plan is here – the same content, same quality, just without ads.
You can stream on up to 2 devices at once, watch in HD, and download select titles for offline viewing on mobile (a feature not available with the ad-supported plan). It’s a better experience all around for binge-watchers, families, or anyone who just doesn’t want to be interrupted every 10 minutes.
What’s the difference between Hulu (With Ads) and Hulu (No Ads)?
Both versions have the same on-demand content – every episode, movie, and original series is available on both. Then what’s the difference?
With the standard Hulu (With Ads) plan, you’ll see ads before and during playback. You can’t download to watch offline. It’s the cheaper option, but you’re trading convenience for cost.
Hulu (No Ads) removes most of the interruptions. Shows and movies play straight through and you get offline downloads on mobile. Which is a big plus for commuters, travelers or anyone watching on the go.
Here’s a quick comparison table:
| Feature | Hulu (With Ads) | Hulu (No Ads) |
| Price (monthly) | $9.99 | $18.99 |
| Ads during playback | Yes | No |
| Offline downloads | No | Yes |
| Content library | Same | Same |
| Streaming quality | HD | HD |
| Streams at once | 2 | 2 |
Why am I still seeing ads on Hulu (No Ads)?
If you’re on the Hulu (No Ads) plan and still seeing ads, you’re not crazy, and you’re not alone.
Most content on this plan is commercial-free, but some exceptions apply. Certain network shows, like Grey’s Anatomy, Black-ish, and other ABC titles, have ads at the beginning or end. This isn’t a bug. It’s a licensing issue. Hulu’s deals with some content providers require those ads to stay in, even on the premium tier.
These ads are usually short (15–30 seconds) and don’t appear mid-episode, but they cannot be skipped or turned off.
And if you’re in a Hulu bundle that includes ESPN+, note this: ESPN+ always has ads. That’s true even if you’re on Hulu (No Ads) or Disney+ (No Ads). Live sports, replays, and even on-demand ESPN+ content will have commercial breaks; it’s built into the service.
Hulu Plans and Pricing Summary (2025)
It would’ve been easy if it were just “with ads” and “no ads”. However, Hulu has student discounts, Live TV bundles, and more. Here’s a full breakdown of every current Hulu plan.
| Plan Name | Price | Downloads? | Includes | Notes |
| Hulu (With Ads) | $9.99/month | No | Full Huluon-demand library | Most affordablebase plan |
| Hulu (No Ads) | $18.99/month | Yes | Full Huluon-demand library | Some shows may stillinclude brief sponsor ads |
| Hulu (With Ads)For Students | $1.99/month | No | Full Huluon-demand library | US students only, mustverify through SheerID |
| Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV,Disney+ (With Ads),ESPN+ (With Ads) | $82.99/month | No | Live TV, Hulu,Disney+, ESPN+ | Disney+ and ESPN+both include ads |
| Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV,Disney+ (No Ads),ESPN+ (With Ads) | $95.99/month | Hulu Only | Live TV, Hulu,Disney+, ESPN+ | ESPN+ alwaysincludes ads |
| Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV,Disney+ (No Ads),ESPN+ (With Ads) | $87.99/month | No | Live TV, Hulu,Disney+, ESPN+ | Legacy plan,not available tonew subscribers |
| Live TV Only | $81.99/month | No | Live TV channels | No access to Hulu,Disney+, or ESPN+ |
Note:
- Hulu (No Ads) plans don’t offer an annual billing option.
- ESPN+ will always include ads, even in premium bundles.
- Payment options may vary by platform (credit/debit card, PayPal, Apple, Amazon, etc.).
Is Hulu (No Ads) Worth It?
If you hate ads and plan to watch a lot of Hulu, then yes, the No Ads plan is worth it.
$18.99/month isn’t cheap. However, you’re paying for a better experience. No commercials. Offline downloads. A smoother binge. It’s the kind of upgrade that makes sense if you’re watching frequently, sharing the account with others, or simply tired of having your shows interrupted by ads every few minutes.
That said, it’s not for everyone. If you only open Hulu once in a while or don’t mind the occasional break, you’re better off sticking with the $9.99 ad-supported version, especially since the content is the same. You’ll still get the full library, just with a few interruptions.
Also worth noting: Hulu (No Ads) isn’t 100% ad-free. Some licensed shows still include brief sponsor spots, and ESPN+ will display ads regardless, even if you’re bundled.
Can you block Hulu ads instead of upgrading?
Technically, yes. You can block Hulu ads, unlike Netflix. But it’s a hit or miss.
If you’re on the Hulu (With Ads) plan and watching on a browser, ad blockers like uBlock Origin or AdGuard for Chrome can sometimes block or skip ads. These work best on desktop browsers, especially Chrome. Firefox users have reported issues where ad blockers interfere with playback. Sometimes, blocking both the ad and the actual video is necessary. If you’re going this route, consider sticking to Chrome for a smoother experience.
Some advanced users have also set up AdGuard Home on their home network to filter ads across all devices, including Smart TVs. It’s not a guaranteed fix, but a few users have had success blocking Hulu ads this way. Please note that it requires some technical expertise, and Hulu actively updates its ad delivery methods to prevent these blocks.
And if your bundle includes ESPN+, forget about it. Those ads are baked into live sports streams and can’t be blocked at all.
So yes, you can try to block Hulu ads, but it’s not a perfect solution. If you want a guaranteed ad-free experience, upgrading is still the best option.
Are there any Hulu bundles without ads?
Yes, but not all the bundles are ad-free. And there are still some ads.
The only ad-free bundle available is Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads), and ESPN+ (With Ads) for $95.99/month. This is the top tier that removes ads from Hulu and Disney+, but ESPN+ will still show ads, regardless of the price.
Other bundles, such as the standard Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV or the Disney Bundle (Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+), have ads on every platform unless you manually upgrade each service. And there’s no bundle that includes all three, Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+, ad-free.
Moreover, even on some ad-free Hulu plans, shows from some networks play ads at the beginning due to licensing restrictions.
So while ad-free bundles exist, they’re not ad-free across the board. And there’s no custom bundle builder either. You can’t just pick “no ads” for everything à la carte.
If you’re going for a bundle and want to minimize interruptions, the $95.99/month plan is as close as it gets.
Final Thoughts
Hulu’s pricing has gotten more complicated over the years, but the core choice is still simple: pay less for ads or pay more to skip them. The Hulu (No Ads) plan is almost double the price of the regular one, but for anyone who watches regularly, especially binge-watchers or families, the upgrade is worth it.
That said, if you’re on a budget or stream only occasionally, the ad-supported tier is still suitable. And if you want to soften the blow without upgrading, you can try blocking some of those interruptions with a browser-based tool like AdGuard. It doesn’t work everywhere, but it’s one of the more reliable options, and you can get 30% off all plans with the code ADBLOCKTESTER30.