What HBO costs right now

HBO Max (now called just "Max") costs $5.99 per month with ads, or $15.99 per month without ads, as of 2024. These are the standard prices for new subscribers signing up directly through Max's website or app. If you bundle Max with other services — like through Hulu or Disney+, or through a cable or internet provider — the price may be different.

The price you pay depends on how you sign up. Someone who subscribed years ago through a cable provider might pay less than someone signing up today through the Max app. Price increases happen periodically; Max raised prices in late 2022 and again in 2023. Your bill will not automatically jump to the new price unless your subscription ends and you renew, or unless you are on a month-to-month plan that the company updates.

If you have an older HBO or HBO Max subscription through a cable or internet provider, contact that provider directly to learn what you are paying and what your options are. They may still offer their own pricing that differs from Max's direct prices.

Key Takeaways

  • Max with ads costs $5.99 per month; Max without ads costs $15.99 per month as of 2024.
  • Bundling Max with Disney+ and Hulu together costs less than paying for each separately, with prices starting around $14.99 per month depending on ad options.
  • The price you pay depends on when and how you signed up; older subscriptions may have locked-in rates that are lower than current prices.
  • Cable and internet providers sometimes offer Max at different prices or as part of a package deal.

The difference between the ad and ad-free plans

The $5.99 ad-supported plan shows commercials before and during shows and movies. The $15.99 ad-free plan does not. Both plans give you access to the same content library — the difference is only whether you see ads.

The ad-free plan is worth considering if you watch for more than a few hours per week or if you find ads disruptive. The ad-supported plan works well for casual viewers or people who do not mind brief interruptions. Neither plan includes offline downloads or simultaneous streams on multiple devices at higher quality; those features may come in future plan tiers, but Max has not announced them yet.

Bundling Max with Disney+ and Hulu

Disney offers a bundle that combines Max, Disney+, and Hulu. Pricing starts at $14.99 per month if all three services show ads, $19.99 per month if Hulu and Disney+ have no ads but Max does, and $24.99 per month if all three have no ads. These bundle prices are lower than paying for each service separately.

The bundle is available through Disney's website or through the Disney+ app. You can also add Max to an existing Disney+ or Hulu subscription if you already have one. If you only want Max and not the other two services, buying Max directly is usually cheaper than the bundle.

Getting Max through a cable or internet provider

Some cable and internet providers include Max as part of a package or offer it as an add-on. Comcast Xfinity, AT&T, Charter Spectrum, and others have offered Max at various prices or sometimes at no extra cost to certain customers. The price and availability depend on your provider and your plan level.

If you have cable or internet service, contact your provider to ask whether Max is included or what it would cost to add. This route can sometimes be cheaper than subscribing directly, especially if you already pay for internet or cable. However, you will manage your Max subscription through your provider's billing system rather than through Max's app, which can make canceling or changing plans more complicated.

How price increases work and when they happen

Max does not raise prices on existing subscribers immediately when it announces a price increase. If you are on a month-to-month subscription, the new price takes effect on your next billing date after the increase goes into effect. If you are on an annual plan, you keep your current price until your annual subscription renews.

Max has raised prices roughly every 12 to 18 months in recent years. There is no set schedule, and the company does not announce increases far in advance. The best way to stay informed is to check your billing statement each month or log into your Max account to see your current plan and price.

Canceling or pausing your subscription

You can cancel Max anytime through your account settings on the Max app or website. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, so you keep access until that date. There is no penalty for canceling, and you can resubscribe later without losing your watchlist or viewing history.

Max does not offer a pause or freeze option like some other services do. If you want to stop paying temporarily, you have to cancel and then resubscribe when you are ready to return. Some providers that bundle Max may have different cancellation rules, so check with them if you subscribed through a cable or internet company.

Student and promotional discounts

Max occasionally runs promotional offers for new subscribers — such as a discounted first month or a free trial period. These offers change frequently and are not always available. Check the Max website or app to see what current offers exist in your region.

Max does not currently offer a dedicated student discount plan. However, some bundled plans through providers like Hulu may have student pricing if you have a valid student email address. Check with the provider or service offering the bundle to learn whether student pricing is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Max password with family members?

Max allows password sharing within a household. If family members live outside your home, Max's terms of service do not permit sharing, though enforcement is inconsistent. Max has tested paid add-ons for out-of-home sharing in some regions, but this is not yet widely available.

What happens to my price if I take a break and come back?

When you resubscribe after canceling, you get whatever the current price is at that time. You do not return to an old promotional rate. If prices have increased since you canceled, you will pay the new rate.

Is the ad-supported plan worth it if I only watch occasionally?

If you watch fewer than five hours per month, the $5.99 ad-supported plan saves you $120 per year compared to the ad-free plan. The ads are typically 30 to 60 seconds per break. If you watch more frequently or find ads frustrating, the ad-free plan may feel worth the extra cost.

Can I get Max cheaper through a cable provider than directly?

Sometimes. Some providers bundle Max at no extra cost or at a lower price than the direct subscription. However, you lose the flexibility of managing your subscription independently, and canceling may require a phone call. Compare your provider's offer against the direct price before deciding.

Do I need to pay for Max if I already have HBO through cable?

It depends on your cable plan. Some cable packages include Max access at no extra charge. Log into your cable provider's website or app to check whether Max is included, or call customer service to ask.