Frndly TV vs Hallmark+: Which One Actually Gets You Hallmark
By The Spool Editors · Published September 17, 2026 · Updated October 8, 2026
These two get compared every autumn, and the comparison is usually wrong, because they do different jobs. Frndly TV is a live TV service that carries all three Hallmark channels. Hallmark+ is an on-demand app with no live channel at all. If you want the Countdown to Christmas as it airs, only one of these does that. Here is the full picture before the season starts.
At a Glance
| Frndly TV | Hallmark+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8.99 to $12.99/mo | $8.99/mo |
| Live Hallmark Channel | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hallmark Family and Mystery live | ✓ | ✗ |
| Next-day premieres | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ad-free viewing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Other channels included | 50+ | ✗ |
| DVR | On Classic and Premium | ✗ |
| Retail perks and gifts | ✗ | ✓ |
| Annual plan | ✗ | $79.99/yr |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
Which One Is Right for You
The Plans That Actually Compete
Frndly sells three tiers that differ only by streams, quality and DVR. Hallmark+ sells one library two ways, monthly or annual. Here is every option.
Frndly TV
Hallmark+
Price Breakdown & Hike History
Both start at $8.99 a month, which is why they get compared. Hallmark+ moved from $7.99 to $8.99 on 16 September 2026, so any article quoting $7.99 is out of date. Frndly has held $8.99 for the entry tier, and the annual Hallmark+ plan at $79.99 is the only way either side drops below that.
Frndly TV: Frndly sits at $8.99 to $12.99 and carries all three Hallmark channels on every tier.
Hallmark+: Hallmark+ launched at $7.99 a month in 2024 and moved to $8.99 in September 2026. The annual plan held at $79.99.
What You Actually Get
Frndly carries Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Family and Hallmark Mystery live on every tier, alongside roughly 50 other channels including Game Show Network, INSP, the Weather Channel and Curiosity. Hallmark+ has no live feed at all. What it has is the on-demand library, ad-free, with new Hallmark Channel premieres appearing the next day.
You Can Have Both, For Less Than You Think
Hallmark+ is available as an add-on inside Frndly TV, billed through your Frndly account. That means the real question for most Hallmark viewers is not which one, it is whether the ad-free library is worth adding on top of the live channels you are already paying for. Start with Frndly, add Hallmark+ in-app if you find yourself hunting for older titles.
The Features That Decide It
| Feature | Frndly TV | Hallmark+ |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $8.99/mo | $8.99/mo |
| Free trial | 7 days | 7 days |
| Cloud DVR | Unlimited on Classic and Premium | None, on-demand only |
| Simultaneous streams | 1 to 4 by plan | Not published |
| Accounts / profiles | Single login | Single membership |
| 4K | No | No |
Add-Ons & Hidden Costs
Frndly TV add-ons: Hallmark+ as an in-app add-on. The one that matters is Hallmark+, which Frndly sells inside the app.
Hallmark+ add-ons: Available as an in-app add-on inside Frndly TV. Hallmark+ has no add-ons. The perks are bundled into the membership.
How to Try Each One Free
Both offer a 7-day free trial, and the Hallmark season gives you an obvious way to use them: start the trial the week the Countdown to Christmas begins and you will know within a few nights which of the two you actually reach for.
The Cheapest Way to Get What You Want
Frndly Basic at $8.99 is the cheapest way to get the three live Hallmark channels, full stop. If you never record and only watch on one screen, do not pay for Classic or Premium. If you want the library instead, the Hallmark+ annual plan at $79.99 works out near $6.67 a month, which undercuts everything else here.
What Changed Recently
- September 16, 2026: Hallmark+ raised its monthly membership from $7.99 to $8.99. The annual plan stayed at $79.99.
- 2026: Hallmark+ became available as an in-app add-on for Frndly subscribers.
Frndly TV vs Hallmark+ FAQ
- Does Hallmark+ include the live Hallmark Channel?
- No. Hallmark+ is on-demand only. New Hallmark Channel premieres arrive the next day, ad-free, but there is no live feed. For the live channels you need a service like Frndly TV.
- What is the cheapest way to watch Hallmark live?
- Frndly TV at $8.99 a month, which carries Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Family and Hallmark Mystery on every tier, including the entry plan.
- Can I get Hallmark+ through Frndly TV?
- Yes. Hallmark+ is sold as an in-app add-on that requires an active Frndly TV subscription, so you can run both from one account.
- Did Hallmark+ raise its price?
- Yes. The monthly membership moved from $7.99 to $8.99 on 16 September 2026. The annual plan stayed at $79.99, which is the better deal if you watch year round.
Frndly TV vs Hallmark+: The Verdict
If you want to watch Hallmark movies live, as they premiere, Frndly TV is the only one of these two that does it, and at $8.99 it is the cheapest legitimate way to get all three Hallmark channels. If you would rather binge the back catalogue without ads and you do not care about live TV, Hallmark+ at $8.99 is the better library, with next-day access to new premieres and a pile of retail perks attached. The thing almost nobody mentions: you do not have to choose. Hallmark+ is sold as an in-app add-on inside Frndly TV, so one login can cover both.
Last updated: October 8, 2026