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HBO Max alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll video streaming services

Top picks

  • Stremio logo

    Best overall

    Stremio

    Free plan + paid

  • Stremio logo

    Best free option

    Stremio

    Free plan + paid

  • Stremio logo

    Best open source

    Stremio

    Free plan + paid

Common reasons people leave HBO Max: no free tier, and the cheapest plan shows ads, and offline downloads are not included on the ad-supported plan. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces HBO Max, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Stremio currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Stremio logoStremioFree plan + paid—YesWindows, macOS, Linux +35 of 576.8
2Prime Video logoPrime VideoPaid$14.99/month or $139/yearNoWeb, Windows, macOS +28 of 874.3
3Netflix logoNetflixPaid$8.99 a month (Standard with ads)NoWeb, Windows, iOS +18 of 866.5
  1. Stremio logo

    1. StremioTop pick

    Best for: Viewers who want one library and synced watch progress across phone, TV and computer

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web

    76.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from HBO Max

    Free media hub that pulls streams from add-ons and services you already use, rather than another subscription.

    Pros

    • One library and watch progress synced across many devices
    • Add-on system makes it very flexible
    • Free, with open-source apps
    • Plays torrents and magnet links directly

    Cons

    • No content of its own; usefulness depends on third-party add-ons
    • Popular community add-ons often serve pirated streams
    • iOS app is limited compared with Android and desktop
    Visit Stremio Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Stremio a good HBO Max alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026stremio.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop apps
    Windows, Mac, Linux
    Checked Nov 8, 2026stremio.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Casting
    Chromecast
    Checked Nov 8, 2026stremio.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Own content
    None; comes from add-ons
    Checked Nov 8, 2026stremio.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Torrent playback
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026stremio.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Prime Video logo

    2. Prime Video

    Best for: Amazon Prime members who want films, series and sports bundled with their membership

    PaidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    74.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from HBO Max

    Included with Amazon Prime in many countries, so it can replace HBO Max at no extra cost for Prime members.

    Pros

    • Included with an Amazon Prime membership
    • Rent or buy titles that aren't in the subscription
    • Offline downloads on mobile and desktop apps

    Cons

    • Ads on included content in many countries unless you pay extra
    • Mix of included, add-on and paid titles makes browsing confusing
    • Downloaded titles can't be cast to Chromecast or AirPlay
    Visit Prime Video Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1563
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Prime Video a good HBO Max alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 8 verified
    Content
    Movies, TV shows, sports, live TV
    Checked Nov 8, 2026primevideo.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline downloads
    iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Fire tablets
    Checked Nov 8, 2026primevideo.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Casting downloads
    Not allowed
    Checked Nov 8, 2026primevideo.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Amazon
    Checked Nov 8, 2026primevideo.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Amazon Prime plan
    $14.99/month or $139/year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Amazon Prime plan (UK)
    £8.99/month or £95/year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.co.uk(opens source in a new tab)
    Amazon Prime plan (India)
    ₹299/month or ₹1,499/year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Prime Lite plan (India)
    ₹799/year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.in(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Netflix logo

    3. Netflix

    Best for: Households that want a big library of original series and films on nearly every screen

    PaidWeb, Windows, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from HBO Max

    The largest library of originals worldwide, with an ad plan and the same price tiers by video quality.

    Pros

    • Large catalogue of original series and films
    • Apps on almost every TV, console and phone
    • Offline downloads and mobile games included

    Cons

    • Account sharing restricted to one household
    • 4K and more simultaneous screens require the top plan
    • Library differs by country and titles rotate out
    Visit Netflix Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Netflix a good HBO Max alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 8 verified
    Billing
    Monthly only
    Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Top quality
    4K Ultra HD + HDR (Premium)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Account sharing
    One household
    Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Games
    Included
    Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $8.99 a month (Standard with ads)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Standard plan
    $19.99 a month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Premium plan
    $26.99 a month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Extra member
    $7.99 a month with ads, $9.99 without
    Checked Nov 8, 2026help.netflix.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best HBO Max alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Stremio logo

Best HBO Max alternative for most people

Stremio

Free media hub that pulls streams from add-ons and services you already use, rather than another subscription.

Stremio logo

Best HBO Max alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Stremio

Free media hub that pulls streams from add-ons and services you already use, rather than another subscription.

Stremio logo

Best HBO Max alternative for open source

Stremio

Free media hub that pulls streams from add-ons and services you already use, rather than another subscription.

Prime Video logo

Best HBO Max alternative for Mac

Prime Video

Included with Amazon Prime in many countries, so it can replace HBO Max at no extra cost for Prime members.

Netflix logo

Best HBO Max alternative for Windows

Netflix

The largest library of originals worldwide, with an ad plan and the same price tiers by video quality.

Stremio logo

Best HBO Max alternative for Linux

Stremio

Free media hub that pulls streams from add-ons and services you already use, rather than another subscription.

Stremio logo

Best HBO Max alternative for iPhone and Android

Stremio

Free media hub that pulls streams from add-ons and services you already use, rather than another subscription.

Stremio logo

Best HBO Max alternative for working in the browser

Stremio

Free media hub that pulls streams from add-ons and services you already use, rather than another subscription.

HBO Max alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to HBO Max?

Stremio ranks first right now. Free media hub that pulls streams from add-ons and services you already use, rather than another subscription. Prime Video and Netflix follow it in our ranking.

HBO Max vs Stremio: what's the difference?

HBO Max is a paid product; Stremio is free with paid plans. Stremio is open source and HBO Max is not. Only Stremio runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Is HBO Max free?

HBO Max is a paid product. Starting price: $10.99/month (US, with ads); 4K plan: Premium, with Dolby Atmos and 4 streams. Checked on HBO Max's own site, November 2026.

How much do HBO Max alternatives cost?

Verified prices for the top-ranked HBO Max alternatives: Prime Video, $14.99/month or $139/year; Netflix, $8.99 a month (Standard with ads). Each price was checked on the app's own site; see each card below for the date and source.

Is there a free alternative to HBO Max?

Yes. Stremio (free plan + paid) has a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to HBO Max?

Yes: Stremio.

Which HBO Max alternatives work on Linux?

Stremio runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from HBO Max?

The complaints we hear most: no free tier, and the cheapest plan shows ads; offline downloads are not included on the ad-supported plan; catalogue and plans differ a lot from country to country.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces HBO Max, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.