HBO Max price: how much does it cost, is it cheaper than Netflix and Hulu, and more big questions answered

Thinking of signing up for an HBO Max account? You'll want to know how much you'll have to pay for one the world's best streaming services' various tiers, then.

Luckily for you, our entertainment experts have rounded up the latest information on HBO Max's various price points, how they compare to its streaming rivals, and whether there are any savings to be had. So, consider this article to be your definitive guide to all things HBO Max price related and read on for more details.

HBO Max prices at a glance

HBO Max has become more expensive with each passing year. Indeed, with annual price hikes now commonplace across the industry, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) jacked up the cost of the super streamer's three tiers last October.

Here's a quick rundown of how much money you'll need to part with, regardless of whether you're a new or returning customer:

• Basic (with ads) plan – $10.99 a month or $109.99 a year
• Standard (ad-free) plan – $18.49 a month or $184.99 a year
• Premium (ad-free) plan – $22.99 a month or $229.99 a year

Irrespective of the plan you go for, you'll gain access to HBO Max's seemingly infinite amount of content. Its vast library includes new and classic films from Warner Bros. Pictures, numerous live-action and animated DC Comics offerings, and various TV Originals from HBO, Cartoon Network, and Discovery+ to name just three.

Additionally, movies developed by acclaimed indie studio A24 are released exclusively on HBO Max a few months following their initial debut in theaers. Lastly, a new in-app feature called 'Channels' lets you watch live feeds of various HBO programs across different linear and curated channels.

There are differences between HBO Max's subscription tiers you need to be aware of before you sign up, though.

Indeed, opt for Basic With Ads, and you can only watch it on two concurrent devices at 1080p resolution and with 5.1 surround sound quality. You can't download content for offline viewing, either.

Meanwhile, the ad-free plans allow up to four people to watch some of the best HBO Max movies and best HBO Max shows at the same time, and offers 4K resolution and Dolby Atmos sound quality. The major difference between the Standard and Premium tiers is that you can only download up to 30 things to stream without an internet connection on the former, while the latter allows up to 100 downloads before your limit is reached.

Right now, it's unclear how Netflix's potentially huge $82.7bn acquisition of Warner Bros. will impact the price of HBO Max. Much will depend on whether Netflix keeps its word and allows HBO Max to exist as a separate platform or decides to fold it into its own popular service. With a lengthy investigation set to take place before said deal is approved to declined, it'll be a while before we hear anything more concrete, too.

HBO Max offers: are there any available?

Yes. For one, new and existing Cricket Wireless customers can take advantage of a 'Supreme Unlimited' package and bag themselves an ad-supported HBO Max subscription at no extra cost. Essentially, you'll save yourself $120 for the year, so it's well worth investing in.

Want more streaming bang for your buck? An HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu mega bundle is available for the surprisingly cost-effective price of $19.99 a month for the ad-supported version, and $32.99 every 30 days for the ad-free experience. That represents a saving of $13 and $23.48 respectively every month.

Elsewhere, readers in the US who lock in a subscription to Verizon can take advantage of a $10 Netflix and HBO Max (With Ads) bundle deal that'll save you almost $9 per month. You don't need us to tell you that this represents a saving of almost 50% every 30 days.

As well as the aforementioned deals, anyone who secures an Amazon Prime subscription, which comes with Prime Video included, can also add HBO Max to their Prime Video plan. You'll need to pay an extra $10.99 per month to add it to your current package, though.

Lastly, the introduction of HBO Max's password crackdown means anyone who doesn't live with you can't access your account unless you add a new 'extra member' HBO Max subscription option to your existing plan. It'll set you back an extra $7.99 a month but, hey, if you split the full cost of an HBO Max membership between you, everyone will save money in the long run.

"But what about an HBO Max free trial?", I hear you cry. A seven-day offer was discontinued almost five years ago and hasn't been seen since. I wouldn't bank on it making an unexpected comeback, either.

How does HBO Max's price compare to other streaming services?

With the world's leading streamers all raising their prices late last year, you'll want to see how they compare before you pull the trigger on activating your HBO Max account.

Here's how much each platform's cheapest ad-free tier will set you back:

As the above table reveals, Hulu is the only streamer who's ad-free experience is more expensive than HBO Max.

Still, HBO Max's library is one of the biggest around – indeed, only Netflix and Prime Video, who license content from other TV networks and streamers, can boast bigger back catalogs. Throw in the additional benefits of HBO Max's ad-free tiers, such as 4K and Dolby Atmos 5.1 support, and its $18.49 and $22.99 per month price brackets are slightly more appealing, too.

Is HBO Max worth the price?

Yes, especially if you decide to spend your money on the its ad-supported plan. $10.99 a month is a cost-effective price for most households and, providing you can stomach the occasional ad break, HBO Max's seemingly unlimited number of movies, TV shows, and documentaries – many of which are critically acclaimed and/or award-winning – is worth the investment.

Okay, you can't take advantage of HBO Max's best features if you opt for the Basic tier. However, with the Standard and Premium offerings being some of the most expensive options throughout the streaming realm, HBO Max's ad-supported plan is not to be sniffed at.

For more HBO Max-based coverage, read our guides on House of the Dragon season 3, The Last of Us season 3, Creature Commandos season 2, and Euphoria season 3.