HBO Max
Warner Bros. Discovery's subscription streaming service for HBO series, films and live sports.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web, iOS, Android
Is HBO Max free?
No, it's a paid product
- Starting price:
- $10.99/month (US, with ads)
Checked on HBO Max's site Nov 8, 2026
1 alternative with a free option Full HBO Max pricing and plansSwitch from HBO Max to
All 3
StremioFree plan + paid
Prime VideoAmazon Prime plan: $14.99/month or $139/year
NetflixStarting price: $8.99 a month (Standard with ads)
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 3
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About HBO Max
HBO Max is the streaming service from Warner Bros. Discovery. Its library centres on HBO's own drama and comedy series, plus Warner Bros. films, DC titles, Discovery reality and documentary shows, and some live sports in the US. It is aimed at people who want prestige TV and big studio films rather than a huge volume of licensed back catalogue. There is no free tier: you pick a monthly or yearly plan, from a cheaper plan with ads up to a premium plan that adds 4K, Dolby Atmos, more simultaneous streams and more offline downloads. In the US it is also sold in a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu, and through other providers. It runs in web browsers and on phones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming sticks and game consoles. Availability, plan names and the catalogue vary by country, and some regions still sell HBO content through local partners instead.
Best for: Viewers who want HBO's original series and Warner Bros. films in one subscription.
HBO Max pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Each line is quoted from HBO Max's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10.99/month (US, with ads) | Nov 8, 2026 | hbomax.com |
| 4K plan | Premium, with Dolby Atmos and 4 streams | Nov 8, 2026 | hbomax.com |
Pros and cons
What works
- Home of HBO's original series alongside Warner Bros. and DC films
- Yearly plans cost less than paying monthly
- Premium plan adds 4K, Dolby Atmos and four streams
- US bundle with Disney+ and Hulu
Why people leave
- 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
HBO Max vs Stremio, Prime Video and Netflix
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | HBO Max | Stremio | Prime Video | Netflix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Free plan + paid | Paid | Paid |
| Verified price | $10.99/month (US, with ads) | — | $14.99/month or $139/year | $8.99 a month (Standard with ads) |
| Free plan | No | Yes | No | No |
| Open source | No | Yes | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Web, Windows, iOS, Android |
Top HBO Max alternatives
See all 3- 1Stremio76.8
Free media hub that pulls streams from add-ons and services you already use, rather than another subscription.
- 2Prime Video74.3
Included with Amazon Prime in many countries, so it can replace HBO Max at no extra cost for Prime members.
- 3Netflix66.5
The largest library of originals worldwide, with an ad plan and the same price tiers by video quality.
Why people left HBO Max
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from HBO Max, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
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Write a review of HBO Max
HBO Max: common questions
What is HBO Max?
HBO Max: Warner Bros. Discovery's subscription streaming service for HBO series, films and live sports. Best for viewers who want HBO's original series and Warner Bros. films in one subscription. Available for Web, iOS and Android.
Is HBO Max free?
No, HBO Max is a paid product. Starting price: $10.99/month (US, with ads) (checked on HBO Max's own site).
How much does HBO Max cost?
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.
Is HBO Max open source?
No, HBO Max is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Stremio.
What platforms does HBO Max run on?
HBO Max is available for Web, iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to HBO Max?
The highest-ranked HBO Max alternatives right now are Stremio, Prime Video and Netflix. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
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.