HBO Max has two main subscription tiers with different prices and ad loads

HBO Max (now called Max) offers two subscription plans: Max with ads and Max ad-free. The ad-supported plan costs less per month but shows commercials during shows and movies. The ad-free plan costs more but lets you watch without interruption. Both plans give you access to the same content library — the difference is what plays between programs.

Pricing changes periodically and varies depending on how you pay. If you subscribe through the Max app or website directly, you pay one rate. If you subscribe through another service like Apple TV Channels or Amazon Prime Video Channels, you may pay a different rate because that platform takes a cut. The plan you choose also affects whether you can download content to watch offline and how many screens in your household can watch at the same time.

Key Takeaways

  • Max offers an ad-supported plan at a lower monthly price and an ad-free plan at a higher monthly price, with the same content available on both.
  • Monthly cost varies depending on whether you pay Max directly or through another platform like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV.
  • The ad-free plan typically allows more simultaneous streams and offline downloads than the ad-supported plan.
  • Max occasionally runs promotional rates for new subscribers, so the first few months may cost less than the regular monthly price.

What comes with the ad-supported plan

The ad-supported plan includes access to Max's full library of HBO shows, movies, and Max originals. You will see ads during content, though some shows and movies may have fewer commercial breaks than others. The plan typically allows two screens to stream at the same time, meaning two people in your household can watch different things simultaneously, but a third person cannot start a stream until one of the first two stops.

Offline downloads are usually limited or not available on the ad-supported plan, depending on the current terms. This means you cannot download episodes to watch later on a plane or without an internet connection. If offline viewing matters to you, the ad-free plan is the better choice.

What comes with the ad-free plan

The ad-free plan removes commercials from all content. You watch shows and movies uninterrupted, which matters most if you watch a lot of series or have young children who get distracted by ads. The plan typically allows four screens to stream at the same time instead of two, so more people in your household can watch simultaneously without conflicts.

The ad-free plan also usually includes the ability to download content to your phone or tablet for offline viewing. This is useful if you travel, commute, or want to watch without using your home internet. The download feature works on most phones and tablets but may have limits on how many titles you can download at once or how long you can keep them.

How to find the current price

Max's pricing is not fixed in this guide because it changes throughout the year and varies by region. The most accurate way to see current pricing is to visit the Max website or open the Max app and look at the subscription options on the sign-up screen. You will see both plans listed with their current monthly cost side by side.

If you subscribe through a third-party platform — such as Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, or Roku — the price may differ from what Max charges directly. Check the pricing screen within that platform to see what you would pay. Some platforms also bundle Max with other services, which can change the effective cost.

Promotional rates and discounts for new subscribers

Max sometimes offers lower prices for the first few months to new subscribers. These promotions vary — you might see the first month at a reduced rate, or the first three months at a discount. Promotional pricing is usually only available when you sign up for the first time, not if you have had Max before.

After the promotional period ends, your subscription automatically moves to the regular monthly price unless you cancel. Read the terms carefully when you sign up so you know when the regular price kicks in. Some promotions also require you to pay annually instead of monthly, which locks you in for a full year.

Paying monthly versus paying annually

Max offers both monthly and annual payment options. Paying annually costs more upfront but usually works out to a lower per-month cost than paying month to month. For example, if the monthly plan costs $X per month, the annual plan might cost less than 12 times that amount, giving you a small discount for committing for a year.

The trade-off is that you pay the full year's cost at once, so you need the money available immediately. If you cancel before the year is up, most services do not refund the unused portion. If you are unsure whether you will keep the subscription for a full year, the monthly plan gives you more flexibility to cancel without losing money.

Sharing your subscription across devices and households

Max allows you to use your subscription on multiple devices — phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV. You can download the app on as many devices as you want and log in with the same account. However, the number of screens that can stream at the same time is limited by your plan: typically two for ad-supported and four for ad-free.

Sharing your account with people outside your household is against Max's terms of service. Max has begun enforcing this rule by requiring account holders to verify that people using the account live in the same home. If you share your password with someone in a different location, you may be asked to add them as an authorized user or they may lose access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch between the ad-supported and ad-free plans?

Yes, you can switch plans at any time through your account settings. If you switch from ad-free to ad-supported mid-month, you typically get a credit toward your next bill. If you switch from ad-supported to ad-free, you pay the difference for the remainder of the month.

Do I need a credit card to sign up for Max?

Yes, Max requires a valid payment method to set up a subscription, even if you are using a promotional rate. You can use a credit card, debit card, or in some cases a digital payment method like PayPal or Apple Pay, depending on how you sign up.

What happens to my subscription if I do not use it for a while?

Your subscription continues and you are charged every month unless you cancel it. Max does not pause subscriptions or offer free breaks for inactive accounts. If you want to stop paying, you must cancel through your account settings.

Can I use Max on my smart TV?

Yes, Max is available on most major smart TV platforms including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung, LG, and others. Download the Max app from your TV's app store and log in with your account. The number of simultaneous streams still counts toward your plan's limit.

Is there a family plan that costs less than one subscription?

Max does not offer a separate family plan at a discount. Instead, both plans allow multiple people to watch at the same time (two screens for ad-supported, four for ad-free) and you pay one subscription price for the whole household. If you need more simultaneous streams, you would need a second subscription.