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

Thinking of signing up to HBO Max? You'll want to do so sooner rather than later.

Indeed, with one of the world's best streaming services expected to get more expensive in the near future – Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav thinks HBO Max is "way underpriced" for the amount of content it offers – now is the time to strike.

So, if you want to grab an account before any planned price hike, you'll want to know how much each subscription tier costs. In this guide, I'll tell you everything you need to know about HBO Max's different price points, how they compare to its streaming competitors, and more. Here, then, is the lowdown on the cost of HBO Max.

HBO Max prices at a glance

As of September 2025, HBO Max prices are the same as they were last month. That won't be the case forever but, for now, here's how much each subscription plan will set you back:

• Basic with Ads plan – $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year
• Standard Ad-Free plan – $16.99 a month or $169.99 a year
• Premium Ad-Free plan – $20.99 a month or $209.99 a year

Regardless of which one you pick, you'll gain access to HBO Max's seemingly infinity amount of content, with thousands of movies and TV shows to enjoy. That includes new and classic films from Warner Bros. Pictures, a whole host of live-action and animated DC Comics offerings, and various TV Originals from HBO, Cartoon Networks, Discovery+, and more.

Following a deal that WBD struck with acclaimed indie studio A24 last December, the latter's latest films are exclusively available to stream on HBO Max, too. Lastly, a new in-app featured called 'Channels' allows subscribers to seamlessly watch a live feed of various HBO programs across numerous channels.

It's worth knowing about any extras you'll get if you sign up to one of HBO Max's more expensive plans, too.

Anyone who opens an account using the ad-supported tier can only watch the streamer on two concurrent devices at 1080p resolution and with 5.1 surround sound quality. You can't download content for offline viewing, either.

However, 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 Standard plan lets you download up to 30 things to stream without an internet connection, while the Ultimate package lets you do that 100 times.

HBO Max offers: are there any available?

Yes. First, new or existing Cricket Wireless customers can sign up for its 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 $16.99 a month. That represents a saving of almost $12 every 30 days compared to you signing up to each platform's ad-supported tier.

Anyone who secures an Amazon Prime subscription, which comes with Prime Video included, can also add HBO Max to their Prime Video plan. However, you'll need to pay an extra $15.99 per month to bolt on WBD's streaming platform to your Amazon prime package.

Perhaps the cheapest deal on offer, though, is one that's available to those who live in a different household to you.

The introduction of HBO Max's password crackdown last year, means people who don't live with you can no longer access your account. Well, unless you part with more cash. That's because a new 'extra member' HBO Max subscription option means you can add them to your plan for an additional $7.99 a month. Heck, if you watch HBO Max regularly, why not just go halves on the cost? That's an even bigger money saver for both parties!

As for whether a HBO Max free trial is available to take advantage of, I've got bad news. A seven-day offer was discontinued almost five years ago and it hasn't returned since, so it's incredibly unlikely we'll ever see it again.

Lastly, I'd expect Black Friday 2025 to bring us an HBO Max deal or two. That's still two months away at the time of this article's latest update, though, so be sure to check back with us in late October/early November to see if WBD will offer up some cheap HBO Max deals for the biggest sales event of the year.

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

Considering how competitive the streaming market is these days, you might be wondering if opening an HBO Max account is better than, say, signing up to Netflix or another rival.

For more on how each platform's ad-free tier compares to every other service, read on:

As the above table reveals, only two of HBO Max's rivals – Netflix and Hulu – are more expensive if you sign up for an ad-free account. That makes WBD's super streamer one of the most expensive options around if you don't want to sit through ads every so often.

Nonetheless, 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 $16.99 and $20.99 per month price brackets are slightly more appealing, too.

Is HBO Max worth the price?

Yes, especially if you opt for its ad-supported subscription. $9.99 a month is certainly affordable for most households and, as long as you can stomach the occasional ad break, HBO Max's seemingly infinite library of movies, TV shows, and documentaries – many of which are critically acclaimed and/or award-winning – is worth the investment.

Of course, if WBD raises the price of HBO Max's various tiers before the end of 2025, I'm more likely to advise against signing up to its primary streamer. Its cheapest tier should continue to be worth the cost if it goes up a dollar or two, but it's perfectly understandable if you decide to close your HBO Max account if you've opted for an ad-free experience.

If that ever happens, check out our best streaming deals guide for more details on how to make your money stretch further.

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