On 1 November 2023, Disney+ UK shook up its tiers and pricing by splitting its ad-free plan into two and introducing a brand-new ad-supported plan that originally debuted in the US in 2022.
This now means that Disney+ UK has three subscription tiers on offer, with different prices, streaming qualities, simultaneous streams and more.
In the US, things are a bit more complicated due to Hulu – a separate steaming platform that can be bought as a bundle with Disney+. Across the pond, most Hulu content is included with Disney+ as standard via the Star label, so there’s no need to buy another subscription.
If you’re a bit overwhelmed by all the pricing options on offer, then never fear. We’ve broken down all the Disney+ plans in the UK and US to help you decide which tier/bundle is best for your budget. You can sign up now on the Disney+ website.
If you’re looking for similar articles about other streaming services, then check out our round-up on the Netflix subscription plans.
Disney+
What Disney+ plans are available in the UK?
UK viewers can choose between Disney+ Standard with Ads, Disney+ Standard and Disney+ Premium. Unlike Netflix, every tier includes the entire Disney+ library (so access to Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic productions and the Star library).
If you’re trying to decide which plan is for you, then you should take into account your budget, household size and how you’ll be streaming. For example, do you like to watch content on the go? If so, you’ll need a tier with downloads.
Here’s the lowdown on all the Disney+ UK plans:
Is Disney+ Standard with Ads for me?
Cost: £4.99 per month (no annual plan offered)
What you get:
- Ad-supported streaming
- Two concurrent streams
- Video quality up to 1080p Full HD
- Up to 5.1 audio
- No downloads
Best for: Those who wish to reduce streaming expenses and don’t mind the ad breaks. The limitation of two simultaneous streams may not suit larger families but would work well for couples or close friends. For some, the absence of an annual subscription may be a drawback, but on the other hand, it can be a good option for those who just want to give Disney+ a try.
It could also be a good option for those who use Disney+ for younger children, as kids mode doesn’t have ads. If you’re wondering how egregious the ads are, we have everything you need to know right here.
Is Disney+ Standard for me?
Cost: £7.99 per month / £79.90 per year
What you get:
- Ad-free streaming
- Two concurrent streams
- Video quality up to 1080p Full HD
- Up to 5.1 audio
- Downloads on up to 10 devices
Best for: Users who want to stream movies and series without interruptions, but don’t mind forgoing 4K content. The annual subscription is an excellent chance for those saving some money, too. If you watch content on your commute, then this tier (and the Premium tier) also offer downloads.
Disney+
Is Disney+ Premium for me?
Cost: £10.99 per month / £109.90 per year
What you get:
- Ad-free streaming
- Four concurrent streams
- Video quality up to 4K UHD & HDR
- Support for Dolby Atmos audio
- Downloads on up to 10 devices
Best for: Cinema enthusiasts who value high-quality visuals and sound. This tier is also suitable for families with children and groups of friends due to the possibility of streaming on up to four devices simultaneously, and the option for downloads on up to 10 devices.
Hulu
What Disney+ plans and bundles are available in the US?
When it comes to Disney+, American users have even more options. Subscribers can choose between two subscription tiers (Basic and Premium) and four bundles that include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.
In Disney+, you will find a selection of movies and series from franchises such as Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic.
With Hulu, you can access Hulu Originals (e.g., The Handmaid’s Tale or The Bear), primarily designed for older audiences. These are shows that also air on traditional broadcast TV.
ESPN+ is a sports streaming service that offers broadcasts of events such as football, combat sports, college leagues, golf, and hockey. Additionally, the platform provides access to archival sports events and documentaries.
With all that in mind, which Disney+ package or bundle is the right one for you? We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to.
Hulu
Is Disney+ Basic subscription for me?
Cost: $7.99/month (no annual plan offered)
What you get:
- Ad-supported streaming
- Video quality up to 4K UHD & HDR
- Up to 5.1 audio
- Four concurrent streams
- No downloads
Best for: Those seeking an affordable option that allows for simultaneous streaming on several devices. Disney+ Basic is a good choice for families with children as ads won’t air on a good majority of kids content. However, you must remember that ad breaks will occur on most other things.
Is Disney+ Premium subscription for me?
Cost: $13.99 per month / $139.99 per year
What you get:
- Ad-free streaming
- Video quality up to 4K UHD & HDR
- Dolby Atmos sound
- Four concurrent streams
- Downloads on up to 10 devices
Best for: Those who value an ad-free experience and want to download their favourite programs. The possibility to stream on four devices simultaneously makes Disney+ Premium a good option for families or roommates looking to share streaming costs.
Hulu
Is Disney Bundle Duo Basic for me?
Comes with Disney+ (With Ads) and Hulu (With Ads)
Cost: $9.99 per month
Purchasing a monthly package of Disney+ with ads costs $7.99/month – the same as Hulu. If you opt for separate subscriptions to Disney+ and Hulu, you will pay $15.98 in total.
Choosing this bundle can save you $5.99 per month.
Best for: Those who want access to Disney+ and Hulu’s libraries at an affordable price. The Duo Basic bundle is a good option for those who wish to follow the latest TV shows and don’t mind ad breaks.
Is Disney Bundle Duo Premium for me?
Comes with Disney+ (No Ads) and Hulu (No Ads)
Cost: $19.99 per month
Disney+ without ads costs $13.99 monthly, while Hulu is $17.99 monthly. If you paid for separate subscriptions to these services, this would come to a total of $31.98 per month.
By purchasing the Disney Bundle Duo Premium, you can save $11.99 per month.
Best for: Fans of movies and series who appreciate watching programs without ads, and value having the best audio and a large number of simultaneous streams available.
Disney+
Is Disney Bundle Trio Basic for me?
Disney+ (With Ads), Hulu (With Ads), and ESPN+ (With Ads)
Cost: $14.99 per month
A separately purchased ESPN+ subscription costs $11 per month. Acquiring individual access to the service along with Disney+ and Hulu will cost you $26.98 monthly.
By opting for the bundle of these three services, you can save $11.99 per month.
Best for: Those who enjoy watching their favourite sports in addition to movies and series. Disney Bundle Trio Basic is perfect for those who want access to a wide range of programs at the lowest possible cost, and don’t mind watching commercials.
Is Disney Bundle Trio Premium for me?
Disney+ (No Ads), Hulu (No Ads), and ESPN+ (With Ads)
Cost: $24.99 per month
If you want to separately purchase ad-free access to Disney+ and Hulu and subscribe to ESPN+, the monthly cost will amount to $42.98.
By opting for the Disney Bundle Trio Premium package, you can save $17.99 per month.
Best for: Fans of various movie and series franchises who are also avid sports enthusiasts and want to enjoy their favourite programs without ad breaks, with the best possible streaming quality available.
Related articles:
Author: Weronika de Oliveira, Entertainment Writer, Tech Advisor
Weronika is an Entertainment Writer at Tech Advisor, where she covers topics related to TV shows, streaming, and movies. With an MA degree in Film Studies, her areas of expertise range from classical and postmodern cinema to contemporary films, series, and pop culture.