HBO Max is a more expensive streaming service that only offers past and current HBO content and Warner Brothers movies, including the DC movies, and programming from TCM, Cartoon Network, and a few others.

When you consider the price to get no ads in your programming, it becomes a costly streaming service with a limited content library.

How Much is HBO Max A Month?

HBO Max with ads is $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. With the $9.99 plan, there is no access to 4k content and you cannot view offline or watch internationally. To watch HBO Max with no ads, have full access to HBO Max 4k content, able to view offline and internally, the monthly cost is $14.99 or $149.99 per year.

HBO Max Pricing Plans 

	HBO Max with Ads	HBO Max Ad-free
Cost	$9.99 / Month or $99.99 / Year	$14.99 / Month or $149.99 / Year
Ads	✓
Warner Bros Theatrical Releases		✓
Offline Viewing		✓
Video Quality	HD	4K UHD
Stream Internationally		✓

HBO Max comes with two plan options, with Ads or Ad-Free; the content is exactly the same except for the ads that are included in the cheaper plan. You also get a few added benefits with the more expensive plan.

Some of the benefits are higher quality video, access to Warner Brothers theatrical releases on the same day as theatres, and the ability to watch content when you travel internationally.

Before you decide on any plans, make sure you don’t already have access to HBO Max by being an HBO subscriber or having HBO Max bundled with your TV package or cell phone package.

Does HBO Max Have Ads?

HBO Max offers two plans; the cheapest plan ($9.99 / Month) includes ads before, during, and after your content, while the other plan ($14.99 / Month) removes all ads from your content.

The HBO Max With Ads plan is as expensive as other streaming services that offer ad-free content, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Disney Plus.

Does HBO Max Have Free Trials?

HBO Max does not offer free trials. Alternatively, Hulu provides HBO Max for a 7-day free trial, so you can get seven days for free if you’re already a Hulu subscriber; just go to your Hulu account and select HBO Max.

You’ll need to cancel HBO Max within seven days, or you will be charged for the service. Just login to your Hulu account and go to your profile, where you will see a Cancel Subscription option.

Is HBO Max Free with Amazon Prime?

HBO Max is not free with Amazon Prime and was recently removed as a channel you can purchase as an add-on through Amazon Prime Video, so it’s not available at all.

Get AT&T

Many cell phone providers offer streaming services as part of their more expensive plans, and AT&T is one that gives HBO Max for free with specific plans.

Check Your Current TV Bundles

HBO Max may be available through your current bundle, which can be with other streaming services or TV packages. You can find all the options to see if you already have HBO Max here.

The downside to getting HBO Max for free through other tv packages is that they’re often expensive, so while HBO Max is free, the overall package could be over $150 / Month.

What is the Cheapest Way to Get HBO Max?

HBO Max’s cheapest option is $9.99 / Month or $99.99 / Year; there is no student discount available, though you may be able to find deals online, but those are not guaranteed.

Bundle WIth YouTube TV, SHOWTIME, and STARZ

YouTube TV currently has a $29.99 / month bundle, which gets you HBO Max, STARZ, and SHOWTIME for discounted rates on all three. So if they all appeal to you, then it’s a good deal.

Share HBO Max

HBO Max does offer three devices that can stream simultaneously, so you may be able to share an HBO Max subscription with others in your house to drop the price.

Is HBO Max Worth It?

HBO Max offers a range of great programming options, their original content is amazing, and you get access to all the past shows and movies. However, the price is high for Ad-Free, and a lot of the content is available on other streaming platforms, so I personally wouldn’t get HBO Max.

Including ads in streaming services takes away one of the core components that people love about them, and it’s mostly the cable companies trying to reintroduce them and make them normal again.

When you look at Hulu and HBO Max, they’re both owned by large cable companies that have to shift to online streaming. So you’re getting high prices, ads, and less content.

HBO Max is best for

HBO Max is best for people that love HBO original programming and want it all in one location before other streaming services get it. It’s also great for getting Warner Brothers theatrical releases on the same day as movie theatres.

Anybody wanting a good range of mature content from HBO, with a mix of children’s programming from cartoon network and even access to sesame street, will find HBO has a good range for all age groups.

HBO Max is not for

HBO Max is not for anybody that wants a wide range of programming from different places, as you’re going to be getting very HBO-specific programming with HBO Max.

If you’re very interested in reality shows or documentaries, HBO Max will not be a good fit for you as it doesn’t provide these. You may be better with live TV options like Hulu or YouTube TV.

Anybody that needs to pick one streaming service due to a budget will not want HBO Max due to the higher price, though it may be an option to cycle through so you can see some of the content available for a month or two but ads would be needed.