If you're trying to decide between Netflix, Hulu, and Max — or whether you actually need all three — the monthly sticker price is only the starting point. Here's what each one costs right now, verified against current provider pricing, plus the bundle math that changes the answer for a lot of households.
Standalone pricing (cheapest generally-available tier)
| Service | Monthly (ad-supported) | Annual equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | $7.99/mo | No annual plan |
| Hulu | $11.99/mo | $119.99/yr ($10.00/mo) |
| Max | $10.99/mo | $109.99/yr ($9.17/mo) |
All three prices above are each service's cheapest ad-supported plan — the tier most subscribers actually buy. Ad-free and 4K/premium tiers cost more on all three; check each provider's own pricing page for those if picture quality or an ad-free experience matters to you, since those tiers move independently of the ad-supported price and aren't reflected in the table above.
What actually changes the math: bundles
Disney owns both Disney+ and Hulu, and offers an official joint plan that beats subscribing to each separately:
| Bundle | Bundle price | vs. standalone | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disney+ & Hulu (Duo Basic) | $12.99/mo | $23.98/mo | $10.99/mo (46%) |
| Disney+, Hulu & Max (Trio) | $19.99/mo | $34.97/mo | $14.98/mo (43%) |
That second row is the one worth noticing if you're weighing Max against Hulu: if you'd subscribe to Disney+ anyway, adding Max through the trio bundle costs you far less than subscribing to Max on its own — $19.99/mo total for all three versus $10.99/mo for Max alone plus whatever you're already paying for Disney+ and Hulu separately.
Who should pick what
Netflix
Best if you want the broadest general-audience library and don't mind rotating in and out for specific releases. At $7.99/mo it's also the cheapest of the three standalone, which makes it the easiest one to keep running year-round without much guilt.
Hulu
Strongest pick for current-season network TV — next-day episodes of shows still airing on broadcast networks are Hulu's core strength. Worth checking the Disney+ bundle before subscribing standalone if you'd want Disney+ too.
Max
Best if HBO's original series lineup is your priority. If Disney+ and Hulu are already must-haves for your household, the trio bundle usually makes more sense than adding Max on its own.
Quick gut-check: if your watchlist spans all three catalogs, the trio bundle at $19.99/mo beats subscribing to each individually by nearly $15/mo — almost $180/year. If you only need one or two of the three, standalone or the duo bundle is usually cheaper than paying for a service you won't use.
Rather not do this math for every combination?
StreamStretch runs this exact comparison automatically for your specific watchlist — it checks standalone pricing, official bundles, and annual plans, and tells you which combination is actually cheapest for the shows you want, not a generic "best value" ranking.
FAQ
Is the ad-supported tier missing content compared to ad-free?
Generally no — on all three services, the ad-supported plan carries the same catalog as the pricier tiers. You're trading a smoother viewing experience for a lower price, not losing shows.
Does the Disney+/Hulu/Max trio bundle include ads?
Yes, the $19.99/mo trio price reflects the ad-supported tier of all three services. Ad-free versions of the bundle cost more — check Disney's bundle page for current ad-free pricing.
Are annual plans worth it?
If you're confident you'll keep the service running for a full year, yes — Hulu's annual plan works out to about $10.00/mo instead of $11.99/mo, and Max's to about $9.17/mo instead of $10.99/mo. If you're planning to rotate the service in and out seasonally, monthly billing is more flexible even though the per-month rate is slightly higher.
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