Hulu is an on-demand streaming service available to watch on computers and mobile devices, as well as streaming devices like Roku. There are plenty of options for Hulu subscribers to watch the service on Roku’s various devices, which range from set-top boxes to streaming sticks and media hubs.
Hulu is owned by The Walt Disney Company and offers a wealth of entertainment with 1,142 movies and 1,253 TV shows available in its on-demand library. This includes Hulu’s own original programming with shows like Castle Rock, Marvel’s Runaways, The Handmaid’s Tale, and The Looming Tower. It’s also home to classic shows like Cheers, Frasier, Grey’s Anatomy, and The X-Files. Hulu subscribers also have plenty of great movies to choose from, including recent releases like Creed II, Palm Springs, Parasite, Rocketman, Terminator: Dark Fate, and The Lodge. Find out more about the service in our Hulu review, and find the plan that’s right for you by reading our Hulu packages, pricing, and channels guide.
This content is available to watch through the Hulu app on all Roku devices. This includes the entry-level set-top boxes Roku Express ($29.99), Roku Express+ ($39.99), as well as the 4K ready set-top box Roku Premiere ($39.99) and Roku Premiere+ ($49.99). Users who want a device that plugs directly into their TV can look to the Roku Streaming Stick ($49.99) and 4K capable Roku Streaming Stick+ ($59.99). The premium Roku streaming device is the 4K designed Roku Ultra media hub ($99.99), along with the Roku Smart Soundbar ($179.99.) Roku smart TVs (from $129.99) are also available through manufacturers like Element, Hisense, Hitachi, RCA, Sharp, and TCL. For more information on Roku, read our guide to Roku devices, differences prices, and more.
This article will explore how to watch Hulu on Roku and how the Hulu Roku setup works.
How to get Hulu on Roku
To watch Hulu on a Roku device, you need to sign up for the streaming service. Get more information in our Hulu free trial, deals, and bundles guide. Then, you’ll need to connect your Roku device to your TV and Wi-FI, download the Hulu app on your Roku device, and sign in to your Hulu account.
Follow this five-step process to watch Hulu on Roku.
- Visit the Hulu website on a mobile or web browser, create an account, and select a preferred Hulu package. Hulu is available with content supported by ads for $7.99/mo.(or $79.99 per year) and with ads removed for $14.99/mo.
- Plug the Roku device into an available HDMI port on the TV, power it on using the AC adapter, and insert batteries into the Roku remote.
- Use the remote to follow on-screen setup instructions to get the Roku device connected to a Wi-Fi network, install updates, set the display settings, activate the device, and assign it a name.
- The Roku homepage will load and display a selection of apps, so use the remote to scroll through the apps and find Hulu. The device will automatically begin its setup process and download the Hulu app. Or, use the remote to scroll to the Roku Channel Store and use the search function to find Hulu and select Add Channel.
- Open the Hulu app, sign in with the credentials created in Step 1, and start streaming Hulu on Roku. The Hulu app will now be available on the Roku home screen and channel list.
Can you watch Hulu on older Roku models?
Hulu is available on some older Roku models, but there are some restrictions, and they may need firmware updates. The Roku Streaming Player (models 2400 to 3100) and Roku Streaming Stick (model 3420 or older) use the classic Hulu app, which doesn’t provide access to Hulu premium add-ons and the Hulu + Live TV streaming service. Find out more about the live service in our Hulu + Live TV review.
Newer Roku models support the latest Hulu app but need to be updated to the 8.1 firmware version to gain access to it. These device models include the Roku 2 (model 4210), Roku 3, and Roku 4, Roku Express and Express+, Roku Premiere and Premiere+, Roku Streaming Stick (model 3500 or later), Roku TV and Roku TV 4K, and Roku Ultra.
Hulu Supported Devices
Hulu is available to watch on web browsers and any device that supports the Hulu app, including all Roku streaming devices. Devices that are compatible with Hulu include:
- Android phones and tablets.
- Android TV.
- Apple iPhones and iPads.
- Apple TV (3rd generation or later).
- Chromecast.
- Echo Show.
- Amazon Fire Tablets.
- Amazon Fire TV streaming devices.
- LG, Samsung, and Sony Blu-ray players.
- LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio SmartCast smart TVs.
- Nintendo Switch.
- Mac and PC web browsers.
- PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.
- Roku streaming devices.
- TiVo.
- Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
- Xfinity Flex Streaming TV Box and Xfinity X1 TV boxes.
How to download Hulu content on Roku
Hulu movies and TV shows can be downloaded to watch offline but only on mobile devices, not on Roku devices. To download Hulu content, users need to be subscribed to the ad-free version of Hulu ($14.99/mo.). They also need to use a compatible mobile device, which are Android mobiles and tablets, Amazon Fire tablets, and Apple iPads and iPhones.
Content that’s downloadable is designated by a Download icon next to the name of the movie or TV show. Users can also browse all content that’s available to download by tapping the search icon in the Hulu app and selecting the Downloadable option from the Browse menu.
With a downloadable movie or show discovered, go to its details page and tap the Download icon. You can download using cellular data or when connected to a Wi-Fi network. All downloaded content on the device can be viewed by tapping the Downloads icon at the bottom of the app and can be deleted by selecting the Trash icon.
To find out more, read our guide to downloading and watching Hulu content.
The final cut
Hulu’s on-demand library gives viewers a choice of more than 2,400 movies and TV shows, including recent Hollywood hits, classic shows, and popular new TV series. The service is available to watch on Hulu apps on all Roku streaming devices, which are simple to set up and start streaming Hulu content.