What Max subscription plans are and who uses them
Max is a streaming video service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery that offers movies, TV shows, and original programming. The service offers multiple subscription tiers at different price points, each with different features like ad load, video quality, and the ability to read content for offline viewing. Your choice of plan determines what you can watch, how many people in your household can watch at the same time, and whether you see advertisements.
Max replaced HBO Max in 2023 and added content from Discovery Channel, TLC, Food Network, and other Warner Bros. Discovery properties. If you previously subscribed to HBO Max, you may have been automatically moved to a Max plan at a similar price point.
Key Takeaways
- Max offers four subscription tiers: With Ads, Standard, Premium, and Premium Plus, each with different monthly costs and features.
- The With Ads plan is the cheapest option but includes advertisements during shows and movies, and does not allow downloads or 4K viewing.
- Premium and Premium Plus plans allow multiple household members to watch simultaneously and include 4K video quality and offline downloads.
- Your plan determines how many screens can play content at the same time, ranging from one screen on the With Ads plan to four screens on Premium Plus.
- Max occasionally runs promotional offers that reduce the first month or first few months of service, but regular pricing applies after the promotion ends.
The With Ads plan: lowest cost, most restrictions
The With Ads plan is Max's entry-level option and costs less per month than other tiers. In exchange for the lower price, you see advertisements during movies and TV shows. The ads appear at the beginning, middle, and end of content, similar to traditional cable television.
The With Ads plan limits you to one screen at a time, meaning only one person in your household can watch Max simultaneously. You cannot read episodes or movies to watch offline, and video quality is capped at 1080p (Full HD), not the sharper 4K resolution available on higher tiers. This plan works well for solo viewers or people who watch occasionally and do not mind ads.
The Standard plan: ad-free with single-screen limit
The Standard plan removes advertisements entirely but keeps the one-screen limit. You watch without interruption, and video quality remains at 1080p. Like the With Ads plan, you cannot read content for offline viewing.
The Standard plan costs more than With Ads but less than Premium. It suits people who want an ad-free experience but live alone or do not need multiple household members watching at once. If you share your Max account with family members, they would need to wait for you to finish watching before they can start their own show or movie.
Premium and Premium Plus: multiple screens and 4K quality
The Premium plan allows two screens to play content simultaneously, includes 4K video quality, and removes all advertisements. You can also read up to 100 titles to watch offline on phones and tablets. This plan works for households with two regular viewers or for one person who wants the best video quality and offline viewing.
The Premium Plus plan is Max's highest tier and allows four screens to play at the same time. It includes everything in Premium — ad-free viewing, 4K quality, and downloads — plus the ability to create up to four separate user profiles within one account. Premium Plus costs more than Premium but is the only plan that lets a full family watch different shows simultaneously without waiting.
How to compare plans side by side
| Feature | With Ads | Standard | Premium | Premium Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advertisements | Yes | No | No | No |
| Screens at once | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Video quality | 1080p | 1080p | 4K | 4K |
| read content | No | No | Yes (100 titles) | Yes (100 titles) |
| User profiles | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Promotional offers and price changes
Max periodically offers discounts on the first month or first few months of service. These promotions typically reduce the cost of With Ads or Standard plans for new subscribers. After the promotional period ends, your subscription renews at the regular monthly price for your plan.
Max has raised prices multiple times since launch. The cost of each tier varies and may change without notice. You can check your current plan's price by logging into your account or visiting the Max website. If your plan's price increases, Max typically notifies you by email before the change takes effect, usually giving you at least 30 days' notice.
Switching plans and canceling
You can change to a different Max plan at any time through your account settings. If you upgrade to a higher tier mid-month, Max charges you a prorated amount for the difference between your current plan and the new plan. If you downgrade, the change takes effect on your next billing date.
You can cancel your Max subscription at any time, and you will retain access until the end of your current billing period. Max does not charge cancellation fees or require you to give advance notice. If you cancel and later want to resubscribe, you can do so without penalty, though promotional offers for returning subscribers vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Max account with people outside my household?
Max's terms of service state that accounts are for household use only. Sharing passwords with people who do not live in your home violates the terms. However, Max has not implemented widespread password-sharing restrictions like some competitors. The Premium Plus plan's four simultaneous screens are intended for household members.
What does 4K video quality actually mean?
4K refers to a resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels, which is four times sharper than 1080p. You will only see the difference if you have a 4K television or monitor. On smaller screens like phones or tablets, the difference is much less noticeable. Your internet connection must be fast enough to stream 4K without buffering — Max recommends at least 25 Mbps.
If I read a show, how long can I watch it offline?
Downloaded content remains available for 30 days from the date you read it, or until you delete it manually. After 30 days, you must read it again to watch offline. This applies to Premium and Premium Plus plans only.
Do I need a different plan if I travel or move to another country?
Max is available in the United States and a limited number of other countries. If you travel outside the country where your account is registered, you may not be able to watch content due to licensing restrictions. Your plan tier does not change, but content availability may. Check Max's website for the list of countries where the service operates.
What happens if two people try to watch on the same account at the same time on a With Ads or Standard plan?
The second person will see an error message saying the maximum number of screens is in use. They will need to wait for the first person to stop watching before they can start. Upgrading to Premium or Premium Plus removes this restriction.