HBO Max has four subscription tiers, ranging from $5.99 to $19.99 per month
HBO Max (now called Max) offers four different subscription plans, each with different features and price points. The cheapest plan costs $5.99 per month and includes ads; the most expensive costs $19.99 per month and has no ads. The two middle plans — $9.99 with ads and $15.99 without ads — fall between those extremes. Your choice depends on whether you want to watch ads, how many people in your household will use the account, and whether you want to read shows to watch offline.
Prices can change, and the company sometimes offers promotional rates for new subscribers. The plans listed here reflect current pricing, but you should check the Max website directly before subscribing to confirm the current cost in your region.
Key Takeaways
- Max offers four plans: $5.99/month with ads, $9.99/month with ads and extra features, $15.99/month without ads, and $19.99/month without ads and extra features.
- The $5.99 and $9.99 plans include advertisements during shows and movies; the $15.99 and $19.99 plans do not.
- Only the $9.99, $15.99, and $19.99 plans allow you to read content to watch offline.
- The $19.99 plan is the only one that lets you create multiple user profiles and watch on four screens at the same time.
What you get with the $5.99 plan
The $5.99 per month plan is Max's entry-level option. It includes access to all HBO Max content — movies, shows, and Max Originals — but you will see ads during playback. You can stream on one device at a time, meaning only one person can watch at once, even if multiple people share the account.
You cannot read shows or movies to watch later without an internet connection. This plan does not include the ability to create separate user profiles, so everyone using the account will see the same watch history and recommendations.
What you get with the $9.99 plan
The $9.99 per month plan includes ads but adds features the cheapest plan does not have. You can read up to 30 titles to your phone or tablet and watch them offline. You can also create up to five user profiles on one account, so different household members can have their own watch history and recommendations.
Like the $5.99 plan, you can only stream on one device at a time, and ads will play during content. If you live alone or with one other person and want the ability to read shows, this plan bridges the gap between the cheapest option and the ad-free plans.
What you get with the $15.99 plan
The $15.99 per month plan removes ads entirely. You can stream on two devices at the same time, so two people can watch different things simultaneously. You can read up to 30 titles for offline viewing and create up to five user profiles.
This plan is often the middle ground for households with two or three people who want to avoid ads but do not need to watch on four screens at once. It costs $10 more per month than the ad-supported $9.99 plan but $4 less than the top tier.
What you get with the $19.99 plan
The $19.99 per month plan is Max's most expensive option and includes everything: no ads, the ability to stream on four devices at the same time, downloads of up to 30 titles, and up to five user profiles. This plan is designed for larger households or families where multiple people want to watch at the same time without seeing advertisements.
The four-screen limit means that in a household of five or more people, not everyone can watch simultaneously, but the multiple profiles mean each person still gets their own recommendations and watch history.
How Max compares to other streaming services on price
Max's pricing sits in the middle range of major streaming services. Netflix's basic plan with ads costs $6.99 per month; its ad-free plans start at $15.49. Disney+ costs $7.99 with ads or $13.99 without. Hulu's ad-supported plan is $7.99 and its ad-free plan is $14.99. Amazon Prime Video costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
The comparison matters only if you are deciding between services. Max includes HBO's full catalog plus original series and movies, while Netflix and Disney+ have different content libraries. If you want HBO content specifically, the price comparison to other services may not change your decision.
Promotional offers and annual billing
Max occasionally offers discounted rates for new subscribers, such as the first month at a reduced price or a discount if you pay for a year upfront instead of month to month. These offers change frequently and vary by region. Some internet or phone providers also bundle Max subscriptions at a discount as part of their service packages.
If you are considering subscribing, check the Max website to see whether any current promotions explore to you. Annual billing, when available, sometimes costs less than paying monthly for twelve months, but you should calculate the total cost before committing to a year-long subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my plan after I subscribe?
Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time through your account settings on the Max website or app. Changes typically take effect at the start of your next billing cycle, not when ready.
Do I have to pay the full price if I cancel mid-month?
No. Most subscriptions are charged on a monthly basis, so you only pay for the month you use. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until the end of that billing period but are not charged for the next month.
What happens to my downloads if I downgrade to a plan that does not include downloads?
Downloaded content becomes unavailable once your plan no longer supports downloads. If you downgrade from the $9.99 plan to the $5.99 plan, your downloads will be removed from your device, but you can still stream any content online.
Can multiple people use the same Max account at the same time?
It depends on your plan. The $5.99 and $9.99 plans allow one stream at a time. The $15.99 plan allows two simultaneous streams, and the $19.99 plan allows four. If you try to stream on more devices than your plan allows, one of the streams will stop.
Is there a free trial for Max?
Max does not currently offer a free trial period. However, the company sometimes runs promotional offers for new subscribers, such as discounted first months. Check the Max website to see what offers are currently available in your region.