Streaming services like Hulu have become a staple in many households, but with rising subscription costs, it’s no surprise that people want to share accounts with family and friends.
But is sharing a Hulu account allowed? Let’s break it down.
Can You Share a Hulu Account?
Yes, Hulu does allow account sharing, but with significant restrictions. According to Hulu’s policy, accounts can only be shared among members of the same household.
Sharing your Hulu account outside your household violates its terms of service and could lead to consequences such as account suspension or termination.
Hulu’s approach aligns with recent trends in the streaming industry, where platforms like Netflix and Disney+ have implemented similar measures to curb password sharing.
These policies aim to prevent revenue loss caused by widespread account sharing beyond intended users.
Hulu has also introduced features like multiple profiles under one account, allowing household members to maintain personalized viewing experiences.
For Live TV subscribers, an Unlimited Screens Add-on is available for $9.99/month, enabling streaming on more devices within the household.
While sharing accounts outside your household may still be technically possible for some users, Hulu is actively working to enforce its updated subscriber agreement.
Hulu’s Account Sharing Policy
Hulu has recently tightened its account-sharing policy, limiting usage to members of the same household. According to the updated Subscriber Agreement, a household is defined as a “collection of devices associated with your primary personal residence that are used by the individuals who reside therein”.
This means subscribers can no longer share their accounts with friends, extended family, or anyone outside their immediate living environment.
The policy changes began rolling out in early 2024, with new subscribers subjected to the restrictions immediately after January 25th, 2024.
Existing customers were given until March 14th to comply with the new rules. Hulu explicitly states that sharing accounts outside of the household violates its terms and may result in account suspension or termination.
Additionally, Hulu reserves the right to analyze account activity to ensure compliance.
While some streaming platforms, like Netflix, have introduced paid sharing options for users who want to extend access beyond their households, Hulu has not yet implemented such features.
However, Disney CFO Hugh Johnston hinted at future plans to allow account sharing for an additional fee later this year.
For now, Hulu’s stance remains firm: accounts are strictly for household use, and violators risk losing access altogether.
Hulu Extra Member
Hulu offers a feature called “Extra Member” that allows you to add additional users to your account.
This feature is designed to provide a more flexible way to share your Hulu subscription within the same household or with others, while still adhering to Hulu’s terms of service.
However, it is important to note that each Extra Member is billed monthly to the Hulu account holder.
Additionally, an extra member cannot make changes to the bundle service tiers or any other account options including the Extra Member add-on and will not be able to purchase any add-ons or PPVs.
Benefits of Extra Members
- Unique Profile: Each Extra Member gets their own profile, allowing them to personalize their viewing experience without affecting the primary account holder’s settings.
- Independent Login: Extra Members have their own login credentials, ensuring that they can access Hulu independently.
- Access to Content: Extra Members can enjoy the same vast library of shows and movies available on Hulu, including award-winning Originals.
- Device Limitation: Extra Members can stream and download content on one device at a time, similar to the primary account holder’s limitations.
Hulu Plans and Prices Breakdown
Hulu (With Ads)
- Price: $7.99 per month
- Features: Access to Hulu’s streaming library with limited ads.
- Best For: Viewers looking for an affordable option to watch Hulu’s extensive content with minimal interruptions.
Hulu (No Ads)
- Price: $17.99 per month
- Features: Ad-free access to Hulu’s streaming library, allowing for uninterrupted viewing. Select content may still include brief ads.
- Best For: Viewers who prefer an ad-free experience and are willing to pay a premium for it.
Hulu + Live TV
- Price: $76.99 per month
- Features: Access to Hulu’s streaming library, live TV channels, and on-demand content.
- Best For: Viewers who want to combine the benefits of streaming and live television in one convenient package.
Hulu + Live TV (No Ads)
- Price: $89.99 per month
- Features: Ad-free access to Hulu’s streaming library, live TV channels, and on-demand content. Some live TV content may still include ads.
- Best For: Viewers who want a comprehensive streaming and live TV experience without the intrusion of ads.
Bundling Options
Hulu also offers bundling options with Disney+ and ESPN+, providing a comprehensive entertainment package at a discounted price:
- Disney Bundle Duo Basic (Hulu (With Ads) + Disney+ (With Ads)): $9.99 per month
- Disney Bundle Trio Basic (Hulu (With Ads) + Disney+ (With Ads) + ESPN+ (With Ads)): $14.99 per month
- Disney Bundle Trio Premium (Hulu (No Ads) + Disney+ (No Ads) + ESPN+ (With Ads)): $24.99 per month
Add-ons
Hulu provides various add-ons to customize your subscription, including:
- HBO Max: Additional monthly fee for access to HBO Max content.
- SHOWTIME: Additional monthly fee for access to SHOWTIME content.
- CINEMAX: Additional monthly fee for access to CINEMAX content.
- STARZ: Additional monthly fee for access to STARZ content.
- Unlimited Screens: $9.99 per month to stream on unlimited devices at home and up to three devices on the go.
- Entertainment Add-on: Additional monthly fee for access to channels like MTV, VH1, and more.
- Español Add-on: Additional monthly fee for access to Spanish-language channels.
Best Practices for Safe Sharing of Hulu Account
If you choose to share your Hulu account within your household, consider these best practices to maintain safety:
- Regularly Update Passwords: Ensure that your account password is strong and updated regularly to prevent unauthorized access.
- Use Individual Profiles: Create separate profiles for each household member to maintain personalized viewing experiences and reduce the risk of data exposure.
- Monitor Account Activity: Keep an eye on your account activity to detect any suspicious behavior early
Final Thoughts
For now, you can share your Hulu account, but within reason. Stick to trusted users, avoid exceeding stream limits, and be prepared for possible policy changes down the line.
