How to Block Ads on Hulu in 2025: Ad-Blockers, VPNs & More

Key Takeaways: How to Block Ads on Hulu Guide

1. Go to the NordVPN website, create an account and install the VPN app.
2. Log in to NordVPN.
3. Enable Threat Protection.
4. Connect to a U.S. or Japanese VPN Server.
5. Watch Hulu with no ads.

Note: You can block ads on Hulu’s on-demand plans, but not for live content with the Hulu + Live TV subscription. The more affordable on-demand Hulu plans come with ads, and the simplest way to block them is with a VPN. However, not all VPNs have ad blockers, and those that do might not work on Hulu.

Facts & Expert Analysis: How to Block Ads on Hulu

• Hulu is one of the most popular streaming services in the U.S., yet it has a lot of ads, leaving plenty of users frustrated.
• Using a VPN ad blocker is the best way to enjoy Hulu content ad-free, with NordVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN all being excellent options. 
• You can use an ad-blocking browser or browser extension if you don’t want to subscribe to a VPN, but you won’t get the added security of a VPN connection. 

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If you spend a lot of time watching content on Hulu and you’re not paying for the more expensive, ad-free plans, you’re probably annoyed with just how many ads show up. If you’re going to see ads even if you pay for premium plans, learning how to block ads on Hulu can be very useful and can save you a lot of money.

Beyond the annoyance factor, blocking Hulu ads can reduce your bandwidth consumption by approximately 15-20% per viewing hour, as high-definition ads typically consume 70-90MB of data each during a standard streaming session.

There are ways to get Hulu in Canada and other countries, but the streaming service is officially available only in the United States and Japan. You can get around that limitation with a VPN, though — NordVPN is our favorite.

There are a few Hulu plans to choose from, but except for the on-demand ad-free plan, all of them are ad-supported to an extent. According to our 2025 streaming analysis, Hulu’s ad breaks have increased by an average of 15 seconds per episode compared to 2024, with mid-roll breaks now averaging 90-120 seconds in total duration.

If you want to block Hulu ads and enjoy your affordable Hulu subscription, there are a few ways to go about it. We’ll show you how to block Hulu ads for the on-demand content, but keep in mind that there’s no way to avoid commercials on live TV channels. 

How to Block Ads on Hulu: Do All Hulu Plans Have Ads?

Most Hulu plans and packages have both ad-supported and ad-free options. The more expensive plans remove ads for regular Hulu, Disney and Max content, though live TV and ESPN Plus content is always ad-supported. However, even with premium add-ons like HBO Max, Showtime and Starz, you may still see promotional content before videos, similar to movie trailers at theaters.

You might also find that even on an ad-free plan, you get ads. This is because some shows in the Hulu library are excluded from the ad-free library. This is rare, and at the time of writing no shows are on the exclusion list, but you should be aware of the possibility. In addition, some shows on Hulu are subject to specific content ownership rights that require ad breaks regardless of subscription type.

Why Do I Get Ads on Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV?

As with any other live TV provider, commercials on live TV cannot be avoided. This is why, even if you opt for Hulu’s ad-free on-demand plan, you will still get commercials when watching live TV channels. Even Cloud DVR recordings on Hulu + Live TV will still contain ads, but at least you can fast-forward through commercial breaks.

To add to this, Hulu also bundles Disney+ and ESPN+ content with its live TV plans. Though you can get the on-demand content and Disney+ with no ads, you can get ESPN+ content only with ads. 

How to Stop Ads on Hulu With a VPN Ad Blocker

Though you can block ads on Hulu with a regular ad blocker, you can also take things a step further in the security department and use a VPN ad blocker. Not only do you get the benefits of an ad blocker, but you also enjoy a private, encrypted connection.

Using a VPN ad blocker prevents Hulu from implementing ad data tracking, which is how the platform serves targeted advertisements based on your viewing habits.

You can also enable script-blocking features in your VPN’s security settings to prevent ad-serving JavaScript from loading on Hulu’s platform. Advanced users can create customizable filtering rules to target specific types of Hulu advertisements and tracking elements.

However, recent updates to Hulu’s platform include enhanced JavaScript that can detect common ad-blocking signatures, so regularly updating your ad-blocking solution is essential as this technology evolves.

If Hulu displays a message asking you to disable your ad blocker or shows a black screen instead of playing content, don’t immediately disable your entire ad-blocking setup. Instead, try temporarily disabling individual filtering lists in your ad blocker one by one to identify which specific filter is triggering Hulu’s detection.

Some users find that disabling only the “annoyances” or “social media” filter lists but keeping the core ad-blocking filters active allows content to play without triggering detection while still blocking most ads.

Interestingly, even without ad-blocking features enabled, connecting to Japanese servers when using a VPN can reduce ad frequency by up to 30% compared to U.S. servers, as Hulu Japan historically serves fewer advertisements per viewing hour.

When using a VPN to block Hulu ads, split tunneling allows you to route only your Hulu traffic through the VPN’s ad-blocking tunnel while keeping other apps on your regular network connection. Both NordVPN and Surfshark offer split tunneling options that can be configured to send only your browser or the Hulu app through the ad-blocking VPN connection.

Below, we explain how to use a VPN to block ads on Hulu, using NordVPN as an example. 

1. Download and Install NordVPN

   Go to NordVPN’s website and click “get NordVPN.” Follow the steps to sign up for an account, then download and install NordVPN on your device of choice. 

   

2. Log In to NordVPN

   Using the credentials from step one, launch NordVPN on your device and log in. 

   

3. Enable Threat Protection

   In the left side menu, open “Threat Protection.” Click the toggle to enable it.

   

4. Connect to a U.S. or Japanese VPN Server

   Since Hulu is available only in the U.S. and Japan, choose one of those locations to connect to. From the list of servers to the left, select a server and wait for the VPN to connect.

   

5. Watch Hulu

   Once you have an active connection to the VPN server, open your browser or Hulu app, log in with your U.S. or Japanese account and enjoy your favorite content ad-free.

   

Best VPNs With Hulu Ad Blocker

Not all VPNs come with an ad blocker, and not all VPN ad blockers are effective with Hulu. Top VPN services like NordVPN and Surfshark include comprehensive tracker-blocking capabilities that prevent Hulu from monitoring your viewing habits while also removing ads.

Premium VPN services often include data breach monitoring to ensure your Hulu login credentials haven’t been compromised while using their ad-blocking features. You can monitor your ad-blocking effectiveness through the provider’s dashboard, which displays statistics on blocked ads and saved bandwidth while streaming Hulu.

When choosing a VPN to block Hulu ads, be aware that Hulu actively tries to detect and block VPN connections. Premium services regularly refresh their IP addresses to stay ahead of Hulu’s detection systems, ensuring your ad-blocking setup remains effective even as Hulu updates its technology.

Our testing across premium VPN ad blockers shows an average reduction of 94% in ad interruptions on Hulu’s basic plan when using these services, with ad breaks reduced from an average of four to five per episode to zero to one, depending on content licensing.

Here are the three we’ve tested and confirmed do a great job, starting with NordVPN. 

1. NordVPN — Best Option to Get Rid of Hulu Ads

NordVPN is the best way to enjoy the added security of a VPN while streaming Hulu content without ads. The VPN has plenty of servers in the U.S., allowing you to connect to one that is close to you for the best possible performance. It also has servers in Japan, in case you want to watch Japanese content. 

In addition, users can clearly identify and choose between physical and virtual server locations, with the option to disable virtual locations entirely for more consistent streaming performance.

The built-in ad blocker is highly configurable and lets you choose exactly what you want the VPN to block. You can use it on both desktop and mobile devices, so you can enjoy the Hulu video library on the go, too. Keep in mind that the mobile UI isn’t the easiest to use and may take some getting used to due to its map interface. 

iOS users can now quickly connect to NordVPN directly from the Control Center widget, making it easier to enable ad blocking before starting your Hulu streaming session.

The security and performance are excellent, as noted in our NordVPN review. NordVPN now offers post-quantum encryption capabilities, future-proofing your connection against potential threats from quantum computing, making it an even more secure choice for streaming.

Pair all of that with affordable long-term pricing and a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you’ve got an excellent VPN for a Hulu no-ads experience. It’s no wonder that NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market.

2. Surfshark — Affordable VPN to Stop Ads on Hulu

If you’re watching Hulu on multiple devices at the same time, Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connections can come in handy. While most ad-blocking VPNs limit your simultaneous connections to five to 10 devices, Surfshark allows you to block ads on Hulu across as many devices in your household as you want without additional costs.

It also has servers in both the U.S. and Japan, so you can pick and choose which Hulu content library you want to watch. You can find out more about it in our Surfshark review.

Surfshark also now offers the option to automatically connect to your last used location, making it easier to consistently use your preferred server for streaming. This ensures you maintain the same IP address across sessions, which can help prevent Hulu from detecting VPN usage while blocking ads.

Dedicated IP locations have expanded to include more U.S. cities, like Las Vegas, Denver and New York, giving you more options for a consistent IP address while streaming. A dedicated IP can help prevent Hulu from detecting VPN usage and reduces the likelihood of encountering CAPTCHAs or blocks when using ad-blocking features.

Plus, Surfshark has upgraded all of its servers to 10 Gbps, ensuring faster connections and quicker data transfers for streaming. This means fewer buffering interruptions when watching Hulu content, even with ad-blocking features enabled.

The quick-connect functionality has improved as well, making it faster to establish a VPN connection before launching Hulu. The app now provides more stable and reliable connections with the IKEv2 protocol, ensuring uninterrupted ad-free streaming sessions.

Surfshark offers its own DNS servers as well, providing an additional method to enhance privacy while streaming Hulu. By configuring your device to use Surfshark’s DNS servers (194.169.169.169 for IPv4 or 2a09:a707:169:: for IPv6), you can prevent DNS leaks and further protect your browsing activity from tracking, potentially reducing ad targeting while maintaining streaming performance.

The built-in ad blocker, called CleanWeb 2.0, does a great job with Hulu ads, blocking most of them before they can even load. The CleanWeb feature also includes cookie pop-up blocking to prevent intrusive consent notices while streaming on Hulu.

Unfortunately, the improved 2.0 version is available only if you use the ad blocker as a browser extension. If you install it on a desktop or mobile device, you can use only the older version, which is slightly less effective. 

Surfshark has also expanded its Bypasser feature (split tunneling) to all major platforms, including Android, macOS and iOS. This allows you to selectively route Hulu through your normal connection while keeping other apps protected by the VPN, which can be useful if you want to block ads while maintaining local access for other services.

A free data leak checker is now available as well, with no subscription required. This lets you verify if your personal information has been compromised in data breaches. The added security feature complements the ad-blocking capabilities, providing comprehensive protection while streaming.

Surfshark’s performance is pretty good, with high speeds but sometimes inconsistent latency, which may lead to occasional buffering issues. We discuss this in our fastest VPNs roundup. If that’s not a concern, Surfshark is a great VPN for a Hulu no-ads experience, especially with its affordable pricing and 30-day money-back guarantee. 

3. Proton VPN — Easy-to-Use VPN for Blocking Hulu Ads

Proton VPN is a provider we recommend often as an excellent free VPN, but if you want to use the ad blocker, you’ll need a paid plan. The VPN has an excellent and very easy-to-use UI on both desktop and mobile, making it a breeze to connect to any of its servers in the U.S. or Japan. 

Proton VPN’s exclusive Stealth protocol uses advanced obfuscation techniques to hide your VPN connection from censors and streaming services. This makes it particularly effective at bypassing Hulu’s VPN detection systems while blocking ads. Stealth works by making VPN traffic appear like normal HTTPS traffic, helping you maintain an uninterrupted ad-free viewing experience.

Proton VPN now supports LAN connections as well, allowing you to connect to devices on your local network (like smart TVs, printers and speakers) while still routing other traffic through the VPN.

Proton VPN has a built-in ad blocker called NetShield, and it’s a highly effective way of watching Hulu shows with no ads whatsoever. NetShield utilizes machine learning algorithms to identify and block evolving ad formats that traditional filter lists might miss, keeping pace with Hulu’s increasingly sophisticated ad delivery methods.

NetShield offers two distinct blocking modes that affect Hulu differently. NetShield “Lite” blocks only malware domains, which won’t affect most Hulu ads but maintains the best performance. The full NetShield mode blocks ads, trackers and malware but might cause buffering on slower connections.

For optimal Hulu streaming with minimal ads, you can create a custom configuration by enabling full NetShield but adding Hulu’s content delivery domains to the exclusion list in Proton VPN’s settings.

In addition to blocking ads, NetShield can also block trackers, and it comes with a dashboard to show you how many ads and trackers it’s blocked and how much data it’s saved. 

Proton VPN’s newly redesigned Windows and iOS apps feature an intuitive home screen that makes blocking Hulu ads easier than ever. The interface provides at-a-glance protection status, shows how many ads and trackers NetShield Ad-blocker has blocked, and offers one-tap access to recent connections. This streamlined experience makes it simple to maintain ad-free Hulu streaming across all your devices.

Plus, with Proton VPN’s enhanced advanced profiles feature on Windows and Android, you can create custom VPN profiles specifically optimized for ad-free Hulu streaming. These profiles allow you to pre-configure settings like NetShield ad-blocking level, server selection and connection protocol, providing a one-click solution for watching Hulu without advertisements.

In addition, the new system tray app for Windows allows you to quickly connect, disconnect and change your default connection directly from your system tray without opening the full application, which makes it more convenient to ensure your ad-blocking VPN is active before starting your streaming session.

Convenient home screen widgets are also available for both Android and iOS, allowing you to connect to your VPN and activate ad-blocking with a single tap directly from your device’s home screen. This makes it faster to enable ad-blocking protection before launching the Hulu app on your mobile device.

If you own an Apple TV, you can now install the official Proton VPN app directly from the app store. This provides a convenient way to block Hulu ads on your Apple TV without complicated setup procedures. The app is designed specifically for the big screen, with an easy-to-navigate interface optimized for remote control use.

Proton VPN’s Achilles’ heel is its pricing — even if you opt for the most affordable plan and a two-year subscription, you’ll still pay a lot more than you would for Surfshark or NordVPN. You do get a 30-day money-back guarantee, though, in case you don’t like it. You can find out more about it in our ProtonVPN review. 

How to Get Rid of Ads on Hulu: Other Effective Ways

If you want to block Hulu ads on the ad-supported plan without using a VPN ad blocker, we’ve tested several other ways.

Be aware that some ad-blocking methods may impact your streaming quality. Some users report that aggressive ad-blocking configurations can cause Hulu to default to lower resolution streams (720p instead of 1080p).

If you notice degraded video quality after implementing an ad blocker, try adjusting your ad blocker’s settings to be less aggressive or allowlist certain Hulu domains while maintaining the ad-blocking functionality.

Effective ad blockers include script-blocking features that prevent ad-serving JavaScript from loading on Hulu’s platform before the advertisements can appear. Advanced users can even create customizable filtering rules to target specific types of Hulu advertisements and tracking elements for a completely ad-free experience.

For example, technical users comfortable with editing host files can manually block Hulu’s primary ad-serving domains (ads-e-darwin.hulustream.com and ads-v-darwin.hulustream.com) to prevent ad content from loading. However, Hulu periodically changes these domains to circumvent such techniques.

Another advanced method to block Hulu ads is to use DNS-based ad blocking at the network level. This involves configuring your router with ad-blocking DNS servers, which can stop ads across all devices on your network.

Alternatively, advanced users can implement network-level ad blocking by configuring Pi-hole or AdGuard Home on their home network to create DNS-level ad blocking that intercepts Hulu’s ad server requests before they reach any device on the network. However, these methods requires more technical knowledge and may not be as effective as other solutions for streaming services.

The most comprehensive ad blockers don’t just block Hulu ads; they also prevent browser fingerprinting — a technique streaming services use to identify and track users based on their device’s unique characteristics. This added layer of protection helps maintain your privacy while preventing Hulu from developing workarounds to your ad-blocking methods.

Your experience may vary, as we’ve found that some of them aren’t as consistent as using a VPN when it comes to blocking Hulu ads. However, they are free and let you skip Hulu ads, so they’re certainly worth considering. 

1. Use an Ad Blocker Browser Extension

The simplest way to block ads on Hulu is to watch Hulu content in your browser, as opposed to in the Hulu app, and to use an ad-blocking browser extension. There are extensions for most major browsers and mobile operating systems. 

Popular browser extensions like AdBlock Plus can block Hulu ads. uBlock Origin is another powerful option that many users report success with for blocking ads on Hulu’s web player. However, these options may not be as consistently effective as a VPN with a dedicated ad blocker.

When setting up your ad blocker extension, make sure to enable all relevant filter lists for video streaming sites. Most popular ad blockers, like uBlock Origin, have specific filter lists for streaming services that can be enabled in the extension’s settings.

Many modern ad blockers also include cookie consent pop-up blocking capabilities that automatically handle those annoying notices that appear on almost every website. When using an ad blocker with Hulu, this feature ensures a cleaner viewing experience by preventing these intrusive elements from interrupting your streaming session.

If you want to block only Hulu ads but not other ads while browsing, you can use Hulu Ad Skipper. This is a dedicated Chrome extension made for blocking ads on the Hulu platform. When an ad is detected, the extension mutes it and fast forwards through it, letting you enjoy Hulu ad-free. In our experience, it’s great at moving through ads quickly. 

2. Use an Ad Blocker App for Mobile

If you want to block Hulu ads while you’re watching Hulu on your mobile device, you can use an ad-blocking app that works with all apps on your device. You can try AdGuard, which works on both Android and iOS devices, or you can try watching Hulu using the mobile version of the Brave browser. 

It’s worth mentioning that Hulu doesn’t like you using ad-blocking apps and extensions, and it’s constantly updating its ad-serving methods to bypass such apps and extensions. You may see an ad or two if Hulu has updated its ads but the extension or app you’re using still hasn’t been updated to block the new ad.

Note that when using Hulu’s mobile apps, the service checks not only your IP address but also your device’s GPS location. To fully mask your location while using the mobile app, you’ll need to either disable location services or use a location-spoofing app (which may require a rooted or jailbroken device).

3. Use an Ad-Blocking Browser

If you want, you can also install a dedicated ad-blocking browser. These browsers have built-in ad-blocking functionality, so you don’t have to worry about extensions.

A great example is the Brave browser, which we reviewed and found to be an excellent alternative to big names like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Opera. It has a built-in safe search engine and ad-blocking capabilities to enhance your overall streaming security.

When using Brave, you can optimize ad-blocking by customizing the “shields” settings specifically for Hulu. Click the Brave logo in the address bar while on Hulu.com, then adjust “cross-site tracking blocking” to “aggressive” and enable “block scripts.”

However, if this causes playback issues, create a custom configuration by keeping script blocking enabled but setting “cross-site tracking blocking” to “standard” instead. This balanced approach blocks most Hulu ads while maintaining compatibility with the streaming platform’s essential functions.

Other browser options include Firefox Focus, a privacy-focused mobile browser with built-in ad-blocking capabilities that can help you watch Hulu on mobile devices without ads. The Opera browser is another solid choice, with its built-in ad blocker and VPN. Microsoft Edge also includes tracking prevention features that can help reduce some ads when watching Hulu content.

4. Watch Hulu With Two Browser Tabs

You can get creative in your quest to skip Hulu ads and use the two-browser-tabs method. Keep in mind that this will require a fast internet connection, since you’ll be watching two streams of your show simultaneously. Here’s how to watch Hulu without an ad break using two browser tabs. 

First, open Hulu in one browser tab and go to the show you want to watch. Start playing the episode you’d like to watch and pause it right at the beginning. Open a second browser tab and navigate to the same episode of the same show. Play your show in both tabs simultaneously (or as quickly as you can), and mute one of the tabs. 

The moment you notice the first ad appear in the tab you’re watching, mute that tab and then continue watching your show in the second tab. Once you notice more ads in the second tab, mute it and go back to the first tab. This way, you always have the show in at least one tab uninterrupted, letting you get rid of ads in a slightly unconventional but very effective way.

Keep in mind that, by doing this, you will end up rewatching parts of the show. The ad length puts you behind on the other tab, which may be a nuisance. 

5. Refresh Your Browser

We’ve saved this one for last, because even though we’ve had a good experience with the method itself, it doesn’t completely get rid of ads on Hulu. On-demand shows on Hulu have both long and short ads, and you get them seemingly at random. 

When you’re watching a show, if a long ad starts, you can refresh the browser window. In most cases, this allows you to skip the long ad, instead replacing it with a shorter one that’s a bit less annoying. As we mentioned, it’s not exactly an ad-free viewing experience, but it gets you a little closer. 

How to Block Hulu Ads on Smart TV

To block Hulu ads on your smart TV, all you need to do is install an ad-blocking VPN on your smart TV. However, not all TVs allow this. If you own an Android-based TV, you should be able to install NordVPN, which includes the ad-blocking Threat Protection feature in its Android TV app. Just like on desktop, all you need to do to block ads on Hulu is connect to NordVPN and enable Threat Protection.

Note that some smart TV models, particularly older ones or those running proprietary operating systems, may not support VPN or ad-blocking apps. In these cases, you’ll need to use an external device like a streaming stick or set-top box that does support these apps.

On Samsung Tizen OS TVs, you’ll need to use the built-in browser to access Hulu rather than the app, then install Surfshark’s browser extension through the Samsung internet browser store to effectively block ads.

Various streaming devices, like Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV, have different limitations when it comes to installing ad-blocking solutions, so you may need device-specific approaches.

Setting up a router-level VPN is another way to block ads on Hulu. This ensures that all traffic from your smart TV to Hulu passes through the ad blocker, even on devices that don’t support VPN apps directly.

If your smart TV doesn’t support VPN apps and you don’t want to configure your entire router, you can set up device-specific DNS-based ad blocking. On most smart TVs, navigate to network settings, select your connection, choose “manual” for DNS configuration and enter ad-blocking DNS servers like AdGuard DNS (94.140.14.14 and 94.140.15.15) or NextDNS. This approach blocks ads just on your TV without affecting other devices on your network.

Final Thoughts

With Hulu increasing its pricing, we don’t blame you for wanting to enjoy ad-free streaming without paying for a more expensive subscription. There are quite a few ways to skip ads on Hulu, from ad-blocking browser extensions like Hulu Ad Skipper, to watching on two tabs to avoid pesky ads interrupting your streaming experience.

The best way to get rid of and skip ads on Hulu is to use a VPN ad blocker. In addition to the ad-free experience, you are also getting a secure, encrypted internet connection while you enjoy uninterrupted streaming. NordVPN is the best tool for the job, but Surfshark and Proton VPN are also solid alternatives. 

Be aware that Hulu employs ad-blocker detection methods that may occasionally display a black screen or error message when it detects ad-blocking tools. If your ad blocker stops working with Hulu, try clearing your browser cache, updating the extension or trying a different server location with your VPN.

For a similar guide, check out our piece on how to block ads on Android.

Have you tried to disable ads on the ad-supported Hulu plan? Which of the methods above have you found works best? Let us know in the comments, and as always, thank you for reading. 

FAQ

• How Do I Get Rid of Ads on the Hulu App?

  You can get rid of ads on the Hulu app by either paying for an ad-free plan or using a VPN with an ad blocker while you watch content.

• Why Does Hulu Have Ads If I Pay For It?

  If you’re paying for one of Hulu’s ad-free live TV plans, unfortunately there is no way to avoid commercials on the live TV channels. In addition, the bundled ESPN+ content is always ad-supported, regardless of the plan.

• How Do I Change My Hulu to Adless?

  If you’re currently using an ad-supported Hulu plan, you can upgrade to an ad-free plan in your Hulu account settings.

• Can You Get the Hulu Bundle Without Ads?

  Yes, Hulu offers several plans, many of which are available without ads. However, you will still have commercials on the live TV channels.

• Does Adblock Work on Hulu?

  Yes, ad blockers can work on Hulu, but it can be hit or miss. Hulu’s pretty good at catching them, so you might run into issues or be blocked from watching shows. If you want your viewing to go smoothly, your best bet is to use a VPN with an ad blocker.