What Is Disney Plus?
Disney Plus is Disney’s flagship streaming service, launched in November 2019. It offers:
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Extensive Catalog: Over 7,000 episodes and 500 films—from classics like Snow White to new originals like Loki and The Mandalorian.
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Premium Features: 4K UHD and HDR streaming for select titles, unlimited downloads on up to 10 devices, and up to four simultaneous streams.
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Family-Friendly & Beyond: Content spans children’s programming, action-packed Marvel blockbusters, Star Wars epics, and thought-provoking National Geographic documentaries.
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Global Reach: Available in 60+ countries across North America, Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia-Pacific.
Disney Plus has surpassed 150 million subscribers worldwide, making it one of the fastest-growing streaming services ever.
What Is Disney Plus Hotstar?
Disney Plus Hotstar is the Indian and Southeast Asian counterpart to Disney Plus, created when Disney acquired Hotstar in 2020. Key highlights:
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Localized Library: Combines Disney’s global catalog with Indian blockbusters, Hindi TV serials, regional-language films (Tamil, Telugu, Bengali), and exclusive Hotstar Specials.
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Live Sports Hub: Exclusive home of the Indian Premier League (IPL), ICC tournaments, Premier League football, and other major sporting events—drawing over 300 million monthly viewers during cricket season.
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Flexible Plans:
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Free Tier: Limited access to news, Hotstar Originals early episodes, and sports highlights.
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VIP Plan (~₹899/yr): All Hotstar Originals, Disney+ India library, live local sports.
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Premium Plan (~₹1,499/yr): Full Disney+ catalog in English, additional international content, and ad-free streaming.
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Disney Plus Hotstar boasts over 80 million subscribers in India alone, making it the country’s largest streaming platform.
Disney Plus vs Disney Plus Hotstar: Key Differences
While both platforms fall under the Disney umbrella, Disney Plus and Disney Plus Hotstar offer unique experiences based on content, pricing, and regional availability. Here are the key differences:
1. Content Library
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Disney Plus: Offers a vast range of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content. Expect a strong focus on family-friendly and blockbuster content, including Frozen 2, Avengers: Endgame, The Mandalorian, and more.
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Disney Plus Hotstar: In addition to Disney, Pixar, and Marvel content, Disney Plus Hotstar focuses heavily on Indian movies, TV shows, and live sports, particularly cricket. This makes it more appealing to users in India and Southeast Asia who enjoy Bollywood films and sporting events.
2. Pricing and Plans
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Disney Plus: Offers a single subscription plan, with an option to bundle it with Hulu and ESPN+ for a discounted rate. The cost is higher than Disney Plus Hotstar in most regions, with additional perks like 4K streaming and multiple device access.
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Disney Plus Hotstar: Offers both free and premium plans. The free plan allows access to limited content, while the premium plan unlocks all Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and sports content, including live IPL matches and Bollywood films. The pricing is more affordable, especially for users in India.
3. Geographical Availability
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Disney Plus is available in North America, Europe, and select countries across the globe. However, it is still expanding into new markets.
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Disney Plus Hotstar is primarily available in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries. It is a localized version of Disney Plus and tailored to the tastes and preferences of these regions.
4. Sports and Regional Content
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Disney Plus does not focus on sports content, though it offers National Geographic documentaries and the occasional sports feature.
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Disney Plus Hotstar is a major hub for sports content in India, offering live cricket, football, and other regional sports. It is the go-to platform for IPL fans and those interested in Indian sports programming.
| Feature | Disney Plus | Disney Plus Hotstar |
| Core Content | Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, NatGeo | Disney+ content + Indian films/shows + live sports |
| Original Shows | The Mandalorian, WandaVision, Loki | Hotstar Specials (e.g., Aarya, Criminal Justice) |
| Live Sports | ❌ No | ✅ IPL, ICC, Premier League, Pro Kabaddi |
| Pricing | $7.99/month (US) Bundles with Hulu/ESPN+ |
Free tier VIP: ₹899/year Premium: ₹1,499/year |
| Streams | Up to 4 devices | VIP: 2 devices Premium: 4 devices |
| Download Devices | Up to 10 devices | VIP: 2 devices Premium: 10 devices |
| 4K/HDR | ✅ Yes (select titles) | ✅ Premium only (select titles) |
| Ads | ❌ Ad-free | Free/VIP: Ads Premium: Ad-free |
Where Is Disney Hotstar Available?
Disney Plus Hotstar launched in 2015 as Hotstar and expanded rapidly post-acquisition. As of 2025, it’s officially available in:
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India (all regions; multiple local languages)
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Indonesia (English, Bahasa Indonesia)
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Malaysia (English, Malay)
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Thailand (English, Thai)
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Sri Lanka (English, Tamil, Sinhala)
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Bangladesh (English, Bengali)
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Nepal (online via Indian hotspots)
Tip: Content differs by country. For example, IPL is exclusive to India and Sri Lanka, while Indonesian Premier League matches air only on the Indonesia service.
How Best free VPN Can Help with Streaming
While Disney Plus and Disney Plus Hotstar offer excellent content libraries, you might run into geo-restrictions based on your location. This is where UFO VPN comes in. With UFO VPN, you can access content from both platforms, even if you’re in a country where it’s unavailable.
Here’s how UFO VPN can help:
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Access Any Region's Content: Whether you’re in the US and want to watch Disney Plus Hotstar content or you’re in India and want to access Disney Plus, UFO VPN lets you connect to servers in different countries, unlocking content from both platforms.
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Secure and Private Streaming: UFO VPN provides secure encryption to protect your data and privacy while streaming. You can enjoy content without worrying about hackers or unauthorized access.
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Fast Speeds for Buffer-Free Streaming: With optimized servers for streaming, UFO VPN ensures smooth, high-quality playback, even for 4K content.
By using UFO VPN, you can enjoy Disney Plus and Disney Plus Hotstar seamlessly, regardless of where you are in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is Disney Plus the same as Disney Plus Hotstar?
No, Disney Plus is the global platform available in most countries, while Disney Plus Hotstar is a regional version for India and Southeast Asia, with additional local content like Bollywood films and live sports.
Q2: How do I watch Disney Plus Hotstar from outside India?
You can use UFO VPN to connect to a server in India or Southeast Asia, allowing you to access Disney Plus Hotstar content from anywhere in the world.
Q3: Can I stream live sports on Disney Plus?
No, Disney Plus does not offer live sports. However, Disney Plus Hotstar is the go-to platform for live sports like cricket, football, and more, particularly in India.
Q4: Can I watch Disney Plus Hotstar without a subscription?
Yes, Disney Plus Hotstar offers a free plan with limited content. The premium plan provides full access to Disney+ content, sports, and Bollywood films.
Q5: How do I set up UFO VPN for streaming?
Simply download the UFO VPN app on your device, select a server in the country where the content is available, and start streaming on Disney Plus or Disney Plus Hotstar.
Conclusion
In the Disney Plus vs Disney Plus Hotstar debate, the right choice depends on your region and content preferences. Disney Plus is ideal for those seeking global Disney content, while Disney Plus Hotstar offers a unique mix of local content, especially for sports fans in India and Southeast Asia. Regardless of your location, UFO VPN can help you access both services and enjoy unlimited streaming. Start streaming today with UFO VPN and experience the best of Disney Plus and Disney Plus Hotstar!
