HBO Max is a streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery that costs between $6 and $20 per month depending on the plan you choose
HBO Max (now called Max) offers movies, TV shows, and original series. The service has three tiers: the ad-supported plan at the lowest price, a standard plan without ads, and a premium plan that includes 4K resolution and the ability to watch on multiple devices at once. Your choice depends on how many people in your household will watch, whether you mind advertisements, and whether picture quality matters to you.
The service is available on most devices — phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming boxes like Roku and Apple TV. You can download shows to watch offline on mobile devices. If you have a cable or satellite TV subscription that includes HBO, you may already have access to Max at no extra cost; check your provider's app or website to confirm.
Key Takeaways
- Max offers three subscription tiers with different prices, ad loads, and video quality, so the right choice depends on your household size and viewing habits.
- The ad-supported plan is the cheapest option but includes commercials; the standard plan removes ads; the premium plan adds 4K resolution and simultaneous streams on different devices.
- You can share your account with people outside your household on the standard and premium plans, but there are restrictions on how many people can watch at the same time.
- Many cable and satellite TV packages include Max access at no additional cost, so check your provider before paying separately.
- Max works on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices, and you can download episodes to watch without an internet connection.
The Three Subscription Plans and What Each Costs
The ad-supported plan is the least expensive option. It includes the full library of movies and shows but displays advertisements during playback. You can stream on one device at a time and watch in standard definition (1080p). This plan works well if you are price-conscious and do not mind ads interrupting your viewing.
The standard plan removes advertisements entirely. You still stream on one device at a time and watch in standard definition, but you get an uninterrupted experience. This is the middle option for people who want no ads without paying for features they will not use.
The premium plan includes everything in the standard plan plus 4K resolution on compatible devices and the ability to stream on four devices simultaneously. This means multiple people in your household can watch different shows at the same time without one person's viewing interrupting another's. The premium plan is the most expensive but offers the most flexibility for larger households.
Prices change periodically and vary by region. Check Max's website directly for current pricing in your area, as the amounts listed here may not reflect what you see when you sign up.
How Account Sharing Works on Each Plan
Max allows you to share your account with people outside your household, but the rules differ by plan. On the ad-supported plan, you can only stream on one device at a time, which makes sharing impractical — whoever logs in second will interrupt whoever is already watching.
On the standard plan, you can stream on one device at a time, but you can share your login with others. The catch is that only one person can watch at any given moment. If someone outside your household is watching and you try to start a show, their stream will stop. This works for people who live separately but do not watch at overlapping times.
The premium plan is designed for sharing. You can stream on four devices at the same time, so multiple household members or people you share with can watch different content simultaneously. Max does monitor for account sharing across distant locations and may ask you to verify your identity or restrict simultaneous streams if the pattern looks unusual.
What Content Is Available and What Costs Extra
Your subscription includes access to HBO's original series, Warner Bros. films, and licensed content from other studios. This includes shows like The Last of Us, True Detective, and Succession, plus movies from the theatrical library. The catalog changes monthly as titles are added and removed.
Some newer theatrical releases are available on Max the same day they premiere in cinemas, but only during their first month of release. After that window, they move to standard availability. This varies by title and release date.
Max does not charge extra for most content, but some premium live events — sports, concerts, or special broadcasts — may require an additional pay-per-view fee on top of your subscription. These are rare and clearly marked before purchase.
How to Sign Up and Cancel
To start a subscription, visit Max's website or download the app on your device. You will need an email address and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal). You can usually start with a free trial period, though the length and availability of trials change. Read the terms before confirming, as the trial period will convert to a paid subscription automatically.
You can change your plan at any time by logging into your account settings. If you upgrade mid-month, you will be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of that billing cycle. If you downgrade, the change takes effect at the start of your next billing period.
To cancel, go to your account settings and select the option to end your subscription. You will lose access at the end of your current billing period. Max does not charge a cancellation fee, and you can restart your subscription later if you change your mind.
Bundling Max with Other Services
Warner Bros. Discovery offers bundle packages that combine Max with other streaming services at a discount compared to paying for each separately. The most common bundle pairs Max with Discovery+ (home improvement, nature, and documentary content) and sometimes includes a sports streaming service. Bundles are usually available only through Max's website, not through third-party retailers.
If you subscribe through a cable or satellite provider, you may have access to Max included in your TV package at no extra cost. Contact your provider to confirm whether this is available on your account and how to activate it. Some providers include only the ad-supported tier, while others include higher tiers depending on your package level.
Devices and Offline Viewing
Max works on phones and tablets (iOS and Android), computers (Windows and Mac), smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, and others), and streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, and Chromecast). You can also watch through a web browser on any computer.
The mobile app lets you download episodes and movies to watch without an internet connection. This is useful for travel or when your connection is unreliable. Downloaded content expires after a set period (usually 30 days) and requires you to reconnect to the internet periodically to verify your subscription is still active.
Video quality depends on your device and internet speed. Standard definition (1080p) is available on all plans. 4K resolution is available only on the premium plan and only on compatible devices with a fast internet connection (at least 25 Mbps recommended).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Max on multiple devices at the same time?
It depends on your plan. The ad-supported and standard plans allow one simultaneous stream. The premium plan allows four simultaneous streams on different devices, so multiple people can watch different content at the same time.
What happens if I share my password with someone who lives far away?
Max monitors for account sharing across distant locations. If the service detects unusual activity, it may ask you to verify your identity or restrict simultaneous streams. Sharing with people outside your household is technically allowed on the standard and premium plans, but Max reserves the right to limit it.
Does Max have a free trial?
Max occasionally offers free trial periods, but availability and length vary. Check the website when you sign up to see if a trial is currently available. Any trial will automatically convert to a paid subscription unless you cancel before the trial ends.
Can I use Max if I already have HBO through my cable provider?
Many cable and satellite providers include Max access with their TV packages. Log into the Max app with your provider credentials to check. If your package includes it, you will not need a separate Max subscription.
What is the difference between Max and HBO?
HBO is the premium cable channel. Max is the streaming service that includes HBO's content plus movies, shows from other studios, and Max originals. If you have a cable subscription that includes HBO, you can usually access Max through your provider at no extra cost.