How to Get Rid of Ads on Hulu: Simple & Effective Ways

When I first started watching Hulu, the constant ads made it hard to enjoy a show. Even during a 20-minute sitcom, the interruptions felt longer than the episodes. I eventually searched for how to get rid of ads on Hulu, tried a mix of ad blockers and browser tweaks, and later upgraded to Hulu (No Ads). The result was a smoother experience where I could focus on the content, not the commercials.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• Why Hulu has so many ads and why they’re tricky to block
• How to use ad blockers on web browsers
• Device and app solutions for reducing interruptions
• When upgrading to Hulu (No Ads) makes sense
• Risks and limitations you should know

Let’s start with the basics: why Hulu ads exist and why they can be tough to block.

1. TL;DR – How to get rid of ads on Hulu

For readers looking for the quick version, here are the main strategies to reduce or remove Hulu ads:

• Use browser extensions such as AdBlock, uBlock Origin, or Ghostery.
• Switch to browsers with built-in ad blocking like Brave.
• Try system-wide solutions like AdGuard or Pi-hole for network-level blocking.
• Upgrade to Hulu (No Ads) for the official option, though some licensed shows may still include ads.
• Know the risks: Hulu may detect ad blockers, and blocking ads can sometimes cause playback errors.

From my experience, browser-based ad blockers worked well for casual viewing on a laptop, but for consistent, ad-free streaming across devices, upgrading to Hulu (No Ads) provided the most reliable fix.

2. Why does Hulu have so many ads (and why are they so hard to block)?

Hulu relies heavily on advertising revenue, which is why its ad-supported plan is cheaper than other streaming services. Unlike platforms such as Netflix, Hulu has partnerships with advertisers that allow targeted ad placement during shows and movies. This means more frequent interruptions compared to subscription-only services.

One challenge is that Hulu uses server-side ad insertion (SSAI). Instead of simply loading an ad from a webpage, which is easier to block, Hulu stitches ads directly into the video stream. According to the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), SSAI is designed to make ads appear more like native content, which makes them harder for traditional ad blockers to filter out.

In short, Hulu ads are frequent because of its business model. They are difficult to remove because of the technology behind them. This is also why many guides on how to get rid of ads on Hulu focus on using a mix of blocking tools or upgrading to Hulu (No Ads) for more consistent results.

3. Using ad blockers on your web browser (PC/Laptop)

If you mostly stream Hulu on a laptop or desktop, browser-based ad blockers are usually the most straightforward way to reduce ads. These tools filter scripts that trigger commercials, although success may vary since Hulu frequently updates its ad delivery system.

3.1 Chrome/Firefox extensions (AdBlock, uBlock Origin)

Two of the most widely used ad blockers are AdBlock and uBlock Origin. They are free, open-source, and effective for many users.

To install and use them:

1. Open your browser (Chrome or Firefox).
2. Visit the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons marketplace.
3. Search for AdBlock or uBlock Origin.
4. Click Add to Chrome/Firefox and confirm installation.
5. After installation, ensure the extension is enabled in your browser settings.
6. Refresh Hulu and test playback to see if ads are reduced or replaced by blank screens.

These extensions often shorten ad breaks or block them entirely. However, they may sometimes cause playback errors or display empty ad slots instead of skipping them completely.

I first tried AdBlock on Firefox while watching “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The ads were not fully gone, but many breaks loaded as short black screens instead of full commercials. It made the experience less distracting and easier to sit through.

3.2 Brave browser with built-in ad block

The Brave browser includes a native ad-blocking feature called Brave Shields. Unlike extensions, it is enabled by default and requires little configuration.

Steps to use Brave for Hulu:

1. Download and install Brave from the official website.
2. Open Hulu directly in Brave.
3. Confirm that Brave Shields (the lion icon in the address bar) is active.
4. Adjust Shields settings if Hulu playback does not load properly.

In practice, Brave often reduces Hulu ads to short pauses, making the viewing experience smoother without extra setup.

3.3 Ghostery and similar tools

Ghostery is another option, designed primarily to block trackers and third-party scripts. While it may not eliminate all Hulu ads, it can reduce targeted advertising and improve page performance.

Setup is simple:

1. Download Ghostery from the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons.
2. Add it to your browser and enable it.
3. Open Hulu, then monitor which trackers are being blocked through the Ghostery dashboard.

Ghostery is especially useful for users who want both privacy and lighter ad loads, though it may need to be combined with other blockers for best results.

4. How to get rid of ads on Hulu: Device and app solutions

Browser extensions are useful for laptops and PCs, but many people watch Hulu on mobile devices or smart TVs. In these cases, system-wide or network-level solutions work better since they filter ads before they reach the streaming app.

4.1 AdGuard or system-wide ad blocking apps

AdGuard is a paid app available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Unlike browser extensions, it blocks ads across your entire device.

Steps to use AdGuard:

1. Download AdGuard from the official website or app store.
2. Install and run the setup wizard.
3. Select the Ad Blocking module and enable it.
4. Turn on HTTPS filtering to ensure streaming ads are also filtered.
5. Launch Hulu through your app or browser and check if ads are reduced.

I tested AdGuard on my Android tablet, and it consistently shortened ad breaks without affecting video quality. This made it more reliable than browser-only solutions.

4.2 Router-level filtering (DNS filtering, Pi-hole)

For whole-home protection, router-level filtering is one of the strongest options. Tools like Pi-hole work as a local DNS sinkhole, blocking ad-serving domains for every device connected to your network.

Setup overview:

1. Install Pi-hole on a Raspberry Pi or a small Linux server.
2. Connect your router to use Pi-hole as its DNS server.
3. Add Hulu’s ad domains to the blocklist.
4. Restart your devices to apply the changes.

This method is technical and requires more setup time, but it is powerful because it works on smart TVs, Roku, Firestick, and any device connected to your Wi-Fi.

5. The official solution: Upgrading to Hulu (No Ads)

While ad blockers and workarounds can help, the most reliable way to remove ads is by subscribing to Hulu (No Ads). This option is offered directly by Hulu and eliminates commercials on most shows and movies. 

For anyone wondering how to get rid of ads on Hulu permanently, this is the simplest and most consistent option.

5.1 Cost and differences from the basic plan

There are two main subscription types that affect how many ads you see:

• Hulu (With Ads): lower monthly fee, but frequent ad interruptions.
• Hulu (No Ads): higher monthly fee, ad-free for almost all content.

As of 2025, Hulu (No Ads) costs about $14.99 per month, compared to the standard $7.99 plan.

5.2 Why some content still has ads

Even if you subscribe to Hulu (No Ads), you may still encounter short ads on certain titles. This happens because of licensing agreements with content providers. According to Hulu’s official support page, these ads are limited to a small number of shows and are usually short sponsor messages before or after the video.

5.3 Tips if you still see ads on Hulu (No Ads)

If you are subscribed to the No Ads plan but continue to see commercials, try the following steps:

• Make sure you are logged in with the correct Hulu account.
• Confirm your subscription type under Account > Manage Plan.
• Clear your browser or app cache, then restart Hulu.
• Contact Hulu Support if ads persist, since it may be a billing or account issue.

I upgraded to Hulu (No Ads) after trying extensions for a few months. The improvement was immediate. Shows played seamlessly, and I only saw short sponsor notices on rare occasions. For me, the convenience was worth the cost.

6. Risks and limitations

Ad blockers and system-wide solutions are not flawless. While they can reduce interruptions, users should be aware of the trade-offs before relying on them.

6.1 Risks when using ad blockers

Several issues may arise when blocking ads on Hulu:

• Playback errors: Some episodes may freeze or show black screens if ads fail to load.
• Detection by Hulu: Hulu occasionally updates its system to detect ad blockers, which can cause the service to prompt you to disable them.
• Performance issues: Certain blockers may slow down your browser or cause conflicts with other extensions.

6.2 Legal and ethical considerations

Apart from technical problems, there are also legal and ethical points to think about:

• Terms of service conflict: Blocking ads may go against Hulu’s terms of service, even if it is not illegal.
• Impact on creators: Hulu uses advertising revenue to support lower subscription costs and fund content. Blocking ads may indirectly reduce support for content creators and the platform.

In short, free methods can be effective but unreliable. The official Hulu (No Ads) plan remains the most consistent solution.

7. FAQs

Even after trying different methods, many Hulu users still have common questions about ads. Here are clear answers to the most frequently asked ones.

8. Conclusion

Finding the best way for how to get rid of ads on Hulu depends on your needs, devices, and budget. Free solutions can reduce interruptions, but they are rarely perfect. The official Hulu (No Ads) plan remains the only consistent fix.

Key takeaways:

• Browser extensions like AdBlock or uBlock Origin can shorten or replace ads on desktop streaming.
• System-wide tools such as AdGuard or Pi-hole extend ad blocking to smart TVs and mobile devices.
• Hulu (No Ads) is the most reliable solution, though a few titles may still include short sponsor messages.
• Ad blockers sometimes cause playback issues or may be detected by Hulu.

When I finally switched to Hulu (No Ads), I realized the time saved was worth the subscription cost. I no longer had to restart my browser when ads caused errors, and watching an entire season felt seamless.

If you want more straightforward guides like this, check out the Tech How-To Simplified section at Safelyo for practical tutorials on privacy, streaming, and device security.