Key Difference: Hulu is an on-demand and internet based television viewing service with greater number of television shows and lesser number of movies. Netflix is an on-demand and internet based television viewing service with old television shows and more number of movies.

The latest trend in the television broadcasting industry is to watch television by using the internet medium on various devices such as Internet-connected television, Blu-ray players, Set-top boxes, Gaming console, Mobile phones and Tablets. The information about device compatibility is updated from time to time, hence, firstly it is important to check with the available devices in terms of your convenience and affordability. Secondly, you can compare your choice of devices with the devices made available to the user by Hulu/Netflix.

More and more television viewers are changing their preference from the regular Cable operated television viewing to on-demand television viewing. This type of television viewing experience enables the user to watch television shows and movies that are already broadcasted but the user missed them for any reason.  Hence it is also called as on-demand television viewing.

Hulu and Netflix are two such service providers that allow the user to view television ‘on-demand’, anywhere, and everywhere with the aid of the above mentioned devices. Another advantage is that the consumer pays less subscription money to watch selective television channels rather than paying more money to the cable company and viewing a whole package of television channels.

The detailed comparison between both service providers – ‘Hulu & Netflix’ is mentioned below.

In addition to the distinctions mentioned in the table there is one more critical difference that Hulu offers its users. This is Hulu’s business promotion advantage unlike Netflix. Netflix does not have these added features that give the users a business advertisement advantage and hence Netflix is more suitable for personal use with the intention of just getting the daily entertainment. Contrary to this, Hulu can be used by both business and personal category of users.

Let us take a look at the business promotion advantages offered by Hulu:

• AdSwap: This is a unique feature offered to all Hulu users and it allows the user to change their ad-viewing experience by watching alternate ads and cancel the one that is playing. All they have to do is click on their preference and they get to watch an advertisement that is more suitable to their requirement.
• Sponsorships: With higher customization in program viewing experience, there is a greater chance to categorize the audience into different segments. For instance, there is a Halloween video archive known as Huluween. You can place your product advertisement on ‘Hulu.com Home page’ which will be displayed on the Halloween day. This allows the user to strike an instant rapport with the users who are using Hulu and celebrating Halloween.
• Ad Specifications: Hulu allows the broadcasting of shorter duration commercials with the intended message, audio-visual and music. Building these types of ads is extremely convenient.

Image Courtesy: Netflix.com, Hulu.com