Netflix vs. Amazon Prime vs. Hulu Plus Head to Head

The age of cord cutting is here. It has been here. If you’re sick of your current TV cable company raising their rates and nickel and diming you to death, then you’ll want to start looking at other options like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and/or Hulu Plus where you can stream movies and TV shows. Each of these three video streaming services is unique and brings its own content to the table. All have their pros and cons and beat network TV and cable TV, but which service should cord-cutters choose?

Netflix

Netflix is still the king when it comes to streaming videos online. Users are able to stream Netflix through a plethora of devices, including Xbox, PS5, PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Roku, Chromecast, Android devices, iOS devices, Windows devices, and way more (I don’t want to take the time to list here because, well, we’d be here for a while). *Just make sure you don’t have an “ad supported” account, otherwise some options will be limited, such as the Chromecast.

Netflix is the largest on-demand internet streaming provider, with more than 270+ million subscribers globally. There are many solid reasons that Netflix is one of the best streaming services, include this list of the top 25 Netflix movies streaming for December 2024.

Content Library

As far as content is concerned, Netflix has an unbelievable number of seasons of the most popular and most watched tv and movie offerings, as well as their own Emmy Award-winning original content.

TV Shows

• A Man in Full: A drama series exploring the complexities of race and power.
• Ozark: A crime drama about a financial planner who relocates his family to the Ozarks.
• Stranger Things: A sci-fi thriller centered around a group of kids encountering supernatural events.
• The Tourist: A mysterious thriller about a man who loses his memory and finds himself in danger.
• Queen’s Gambit: A coming-of-age story of a chess prodigy.
• Orange is the New Black: A series set in a women’s prison, exploring the lives of the inmates.
• The Crown: A historical drama about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
• House of Cards: A political drama following the ruthless ascent of a power-hungry couple.
• Arrested Development: A comedy about a dysfunctional family.
• Hemlock Grove: A horror thriller series.
• Master of None: A comedy about a struggling actor.
• BoJack Horseman: An animated series about a washed-up actor.
• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: A comedy about a woman adjusting to life after being rescued from a cult.
• Making a Murderer: A true crime series following a controversial legal case.
• Friends: A classic sitcom about a group of friends in New York.
• The Blacklist: A crime thriller with James Spader.
• The Walking Dead: A post-apocalyptic zombie series.
• Criminal Minds: A procedural drama about FBI profilers.

Movies

• Harry Potter series: The magical adventures of a young wizard.
• Horns: A dark fantasy starring Daniel Radcliffe.
• The Interview: A controversial comedy.
• Chef: A feel-good movie about a chef starting a food truck.
• Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: An educational animated series for children.
• VeggieTales: Animated stories with moral lessons for kids.
• Curious George: Adventures of a curious monkey.

Each one of these shows — especially Orange is the New Black and House of Cards — has a large fan base due to the quality of Netflix’s original tv shows.  And then let’s not forget Master of None, BoJack Horseman, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and the unreal documentary Making a Murder which has made headlines worldwide. Many of these are available in ultra HD video quality. Better still, Netflix gives you a clear release date for all of their new shows.

Of course, Netflix has popular shows and movies as well, as the company works out “pay TV window” deals with major movie studios, which gives Netflix exclusive streaming rights to a great deal of the content the company has on its service, which helps acquire new users and retain the long-time customers that they already have.

Netflix adds and removes content regularly every month, keeping the landscape of content feeling fresh at the beginning of every month. Best of all, Netflix announces what new content will be coming and what content will no longer be available so that users can binge-watch the content before the end of the month when they can’t stream it anymore.

Looking at the streaming media that’s currently available on Netflix today, there is an overwhelming number of TV shows and movies available. Viewers can laugh with Ross, Chandler and Joey in the entire library of Friends episodes, follow James Spader on The Blacklist, laugh at Andrew Lincoln’s overacting in The Walking Dead, or binge watch the first nine seasons of Criminal Minds. 

Viewers also have the option to watch some of the latest movie releases, including Harry Potter Daniel Radcliffe in Horns, the controversial The Interview, or Sofia Vergara in Chef. On top of new releases geared towards adults, Netflix also maintains an impressive library of movies and television shows aimed at children, such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Veggietales, and Curious George.

Netflix has a great streaming app for all iOS and Android compatible devices, so whether you’re on an iPhone, a Galaxy S device, a Galaxy Note, or other mobile devices, you can enjoy yourself. It is also available on gaming consoles and home theater devices. The company also has a very active social media presence to interact with users. If you pit Netflix against others, the company is hard to beat.

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video isn’t just about having a vast library—it’s about quality original content. Hits like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Boys, Jack Ryan, and Invincible showcase Amazon’s knack for creating compelling series. What sets Amazon apart is its user-driven approach to content creation. Viewers rate pilot episodes, influencing which shows get greenlit for full seasons. While this can be a bit confusing for newcomers, it ensures that only the best-rated content makes it to your screen. This method might sometimes mean a longer wait for new series, but the payoff is high-quality programming that resonates with audiences.

Content Library

Amazon Prime Video offers a rich library of movies and TV shows, catering to a wide range of tastes. It’s worth noting that Amazon, in addition to their Prime Video library, also offers movies and TV shows for sale and for rent. Additionally, there is also Freevee and Vix, which will likely show more ads. Yes, Amazon Prime now shows ads, unless you pay your way out of it.

Movies

• The Big Sick: A heartfelt romantic comedy based on a true story.
• Chinatown: A classic neo-noir film that has stood the test of time.
• Schindler’s List: A powerful historical drama that is a must-watch.
• Top Gun: Maverick: The exhilarating sequel to the iconic 1986 original.
• Airplane!: A comedy classic that continues to entertain new generations.

TV Shows

• Fleabag: A critically acclaimed series known for its sharp wit and emotional depth.
• Invincible: An adult animated superhero show that has captivated audiences.
• Bosch: A gritty crime drama based on Michael Connelly’s novels.
• Gen V: A fresh and thrilling addition to Amazon’s original content.
• The Expanse: A fan-favorite sci-fi series praised for its storytelling and visual effects.

When it comes to streaming quality, Amazon Prime Video supports full 1080p streaming with 5.1 Dolby Digital audio and offers 4K UHD streaming for a truly immersive viewing experience. Prime Video is available on a broad range of devices, including PS4, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation Vue, smart TVs, Blu-ray players, and iOS/Android devices. Notably, it’s also compatible with the PS5, allowing gamers to switch seamlessly between playing the latest titles and watching their favorite shows.

Amazon Prime Video is a robust streaming service that offers a lot of value, especially when considering the additional perks of an Amazon Prime membership. Whether you’re a movie buff, a series binge-watcher, or a gamer looking to switch from PS5 gameplay to streaming, Prime Video has something to offer.

Hulu Plus (free trial)

Hulu Plus used to feel like the annoying little brother that wanted to do everything his older brother did but simply couldn’t compete. Some might say that Hulu and Amazon are both in this position when compared to Netflix. However, Netflix and Amazon would be the elder siblings.

Now, however, Hulu Plus is much more formidable than it originally was. Though it’s important to bear in mind that Hulu is best for those that value TV shows. Where as Netflix and Amazon seem to afford more options in the movie department. Something to consider.

Content Library

Hulu Plus is particularly known for its TV content, providing the latest episodes from currently running TV series and a library of past episodes.

TV Shows

• Only Murders in the Building: A mystery-comedy about three strangers who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one.
• The Handmaid’s Tale: A dystopian drama series based on Margaret Atwood’s novel.
• Reservation Dogs: A comedy-drama about four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma.
• Nine Perfect Strangers: A drama series based on the novel by Liane Moriarty.
• American Horror Stories: An anthology horror series.

Hulu Plus also offers original series, which have started to gain popularity and critical acclaim.

Movies

• Palm Springs: A romantic comedy with a time-loop twist.
• Nomadland: An award-winning drama about a woman who lives as a modern-day nomad.
• Run: A thriller about a homeschooled teenager who begins to suspect her mother is keeping a dark secret.
• The United States vs. Billie Holiday: A biographical drama about the life of singer Billie Holiday.
• Boss Level: An action film about a retired special forces officer who is trapped in a time loop.

While Hulu’s movie selection isn’t as extensive as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, its strength lies in its TV content.

One of Hulu Plus’ standout features is the “Recently Added” section, which shows all new content added by date, ensuring users never miss the latest episodes of their favorite shows.

Hulu Plus is available on a wide range of devices, making it accessible to most users. It supports gaming consoles like Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PS3, and Xbox 360. For streaming, it works with devices such as Roku and Chromecast. Mobile users can access Hulu Plus on Android and iOS devices, while additional compatibility includes Windows devices, Smart TVs, and Blu-ray players.

The platform provides a user-friendly interface with a focus on the latest TV episodes. It offers offline viewing of movies and TV shows on supported devices.

And let’s not forget their live TV option. Hulu Plus is an excellent choice for those who prioritize staying up-to-date with the latest TV episodes. You’ll get access to live sports, and original series make it a strong contender in the streaming market.

Final Thoughts

So which do you pick in the Netflix vs Hulu vs Amazon scenario? This largely comes down to your needs.  Netflix is a streaming platform. They’ve continued to pursue original programming and it’s paid off. However, with that, subscribers can miss out on big new movie releases since their production budgets are tied up producing original content.

Amazon Prime Video is likely a good middle ground and a value add for many. In fact, it might be the best option and the one that offers the most value considering it affords one not only streaming of TV and movies, but 2-day shipping with free returns.

And then there is Hulu Plus. It’s affordable but the library isn’t as robust as Amazon or Netflix. The movies tend to feel second rate so it’s ideal for a TV buff. Especially one that wants Live TV. Just bear in mind that will come at an added cost.