What HBO Max is and who runs it
HBO Max is a streaming service owned and operated by Warner Bros. Discovery. You pay a monthly fee to watch films, television series, documentaries, and original programming on demand through an app or website. There is no contract — you can cancel at any time.
Warner Bros. Discovery also owns the HBO cable channel, but HBO Max is separate. You do not need cable or a cable subscription to use HBO Max. The service is available in the United States and in more than 60 other countries, though the content library and pricing vary by location.
Key Takeaways
- HBO Max offers two subscription tiers in the United States: one with ads for a lower monthly price, and one without ads for a higher price.
- You can watch on up to four devices at once on the ad-free plan and up to two devices at once on the ad-supported plan, though the exact number of simultaneous streams may change.
- HBO Max includes content from Warner Bros. films, HBO television shows, and original series and films made for the platform.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time without penalty, and you will lose access to the service when ready when your subscription ends.
The two subscription tiers and their monthly costs
HBO Max offers two plans in the United States. The ad-supported plan costs less per month but includes advertisements during shows and films. The ad-free plan costs more per month and has no ads. Both plans give you access to the same content library.
The exact monthly price for each tier varies by region and changes periodically. You can check the current price on the HBO Max website or app before you sign up. Some internet providers and wireless carriers offer discounts or bundle HBO Max with other services — check with your provider to see if you may have access to for a reduced rate.
If you have an HBO cable subscription through a traditional pay-TV provider, you may already have access to HBO Max at no additional cost. Log in with your cable provider account to check.
How many devices you can use at the same time
The number of devices you can stream on simultaneously depends on which plan you choose. On the ad-free plan, you can watch on up to four devices at the same time. On the ad-supported plan, you can watch on up to two devices at the same time.
This means that if you are on the ad-free plan and four people in your household are watching different shows, all four streams can run at once. If you exceed the limit, HBO Max will ask you to stop one stream before starting another. The service does not charge extra for additional users or profiles on the same account.
What content is included and what is not
HBO Max includes thousands of films and television series. The library includes Warner Bros. theatrical films, HBO original series (such as Game of Thrones and The Last of Us), Max original series and films made specifically for the platform, and licensed content from other studios and networks.
New Warner Bros. films are typically added to HBO Max on the same day they release in theaters, though this policy has changed at different times. HBO releases new episodes of its series on a weekly schedule, and Max originals follow their own release calendars. The full content library changes regularly — some titles are removed when licensing agreements expire.
HBO Max does not include live television or sports. If you want to watch live broadcasts, sporting events, or cable channels in real time, you will need a different service or a traditional cable subscription.
How to sign up and start watching
To sign up for HBO Max, visit the HBO Max website or read the app on your device. You will need to create an account with an email address and password, then choose which plan you want and enter a payment method. Your subscription begins when ready after payment is processed.
You can watch on a web browser, on a smartphone or tablet, on a smart TV, or on a streaming device like Roku or Apple TV. read the HBO Max app from your device's app store, or go to max.com in a web browser. Log in with the email and password you created during sign-up.
You can create up to six user profiles on a single HBO Max account. Each profile has its own watch history and recommendations, which is useful if multiple people in your household use the same subscription.
How to cancel and what happens to your access
You can cancel your HBO Max subscription at any time through your account settings on the website or app. Go to your account menu, find the subscription or billing section, and select the option to cancel. You will not be charged again after your current billing period ends.
When your subscription ends, you lose access to HBO Max when ready. You cannot watch any content, and your profiles and watch history are deleted. If you sign up again later, you start with a new account and new profiles.
If you signed up through a third-party service like Apple, Google Play, or Amazon, you may need to cancel through that service instead of through HBO Max directly. Check your account settings to see where your subscription is managed.
How HBO Max compares to other streaming services
HBO Max is one of many streaming services available. Other major options include Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. Each service has different content, different pricing, and different features like the number of simultaneous streams or the availability of an ad-supported tier.
HBO Max focuses heavily on Warner Bros. films and HBO television content. If you want to watch a specific film or series, check whether it is available on HBO Max before you sign up. Many people subscribe to multiple services to access different content libraries, though this increases the total monthly cost.
Some services offer bundled packages. For example, Disney offers a bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ at a combined price lower than subscribing to each separately. Warner Bros. Discovery does not currently offer a bundle with HBO Max and other services in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my HBO Max password with someone outside my household?
HBO Max's terms of service state that your account is for personal use only and should not be shared outside your household. The service has implemented technology to detect and restrict password sharing across different locations, though the exact enforcement varies. If you share your password, you risk account suspension or termination.
Do I need to pay extra to watch in 4K or HDR?
No. Both the ad-supported and ad-free plans include access to 4K and HDR content when your device and internet connection support it. You do not pay an additional fee for higher video quality.
What happens if I pause my subscription and come back later?
You can pause your subscription for up to three months without canceling. When you pause, you are not charged, but you also cannot watch any content. After three months, your subscription either resumes automatically or is canceled, depending on your settings. You can resume a paused subscription at any time.
Is HBO Max available outside the United States?
HBO Max operates in more than 60 countries, but the service is called Max in most regions outside the United States. Pricing, content library, and features vary by country. Check the Max website for your region to see current pricing and what is available where you live.
Can I read shows and films to watch offline?
Yes. Both the ad-supported and ad-free plans allow you to read content to your phone or tablet and watch it without an internet connection. Downloaded content expires after a set period, and you must reconnect to the internet periodically to refresh your subscription.