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

Are you thinking of subscribing to HBO Max? You'll want to know how much one the world's best streaming services costs before you do.

You don't need to go searching for answers about its price points, how expensive it is compared to its rivals, and/or whether you can take advantage of any deals in February 2026, either. That's because our HBO Max price guide is your one stop shop to all things money-related with Warner Bros. Discovery's (WBD) super streamer. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in for more details.

HBO Max US prices: how much does it cost?

After last year's price hike, HBO Max has become more expensive to sign up to in the US. Here's a quick rundown of how much its three tiers cost in February 2026:

• 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

No matter what plan you sign up to, you'll gain access to HBO Max's vast library of content. That 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 following their initial debut in theaters. Lastly, a new in-app feature called 'Channels' lets you watch live feeds of various HBO programs across different linear and curated channels.

Before you open or reactivate your account, you'll need to know about the key differences between each tier.

For instance, if you go for the Basic With Ads plan, you can only watch HBO Max on two concurrent devices at 1080p resolution and with 5.1 surround sound quality. Downloading content for offline viewing isn't supported with this subscription, either.

Meanwhile, the ad-free plans allow up to four people to watch it 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 eye-watering $82.7bn acquisition of Warner Bros. will impact the cost 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. Its buyout is subject to regulatory approval, too, so as long as Paramount doesn't usurp Netflix's offer, it'll be many more months before the full picture presents itself.

HBO Max UK price: how much will it cost?

With HBO Max finally set to arrive in the UK on March 26, British customers will want to know how much it'll cost to sign up to yet another streamer. Read the table below for more details on its price bands and what features you'll get with each tier.

HBO Max will become available directly via hbomax.com and via launch partners, including Sky and Prime Video, when it arrives.

Through the HBO Max app, Sky and Now TV customers will also be able to access it as part of their existing subscription. Bear in mind you'll have to deal with the odd ad break, though.

HBO Max offers: are there any available?

Yes. In the US, 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? A 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, US readers who subscribe 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, HBO Max's password crackdown means anyone who lives in a separate household can't access your account unless you add them to your plan via 'HBO Max's 'extra member' perk. 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. Unless it's reintroduced for the platform's UK launch, 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 (NB: Hulu and Peacock TV aren't available as individual streamers in the UK):

As the above table reveals, Hulu is the only streamer who's ad-free experience is more expensive than HBO Max in the US. Once HBO Max launches in the UK, it'll be the joint second-most expensive platform to subscribe to from a 'no ads' standpoint, with only Netflix costing more.

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 ad-free tiers' 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 (US), and £4.99 / £5.99 a month (UK) are cost-effective prices for most households. As long as 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.