Even though HBO Max is set to become Max on May 23, 2023 (we know, we know), we can tell you everything you need to know about the streaming service’s pricing, plans, and deals that will save you money today. Whether you’re looking to catch hit series like The Last of Us and Barry, or remember your favorite Studio Ghibli movies, if you’re looking for the best HBO Max prices, look no further than this guide.
The streaming service currently offers two plans: an ad-free subscription that now costs $15.99 per month (as of January 12, 2023) and an ad-supported version that costs $9.99 per month. You can also save a little money by paying upfront for a full year of broadcasting. This HBO Max deal will set you back $149.99 (without ads) or $99.99 (with ads). Although the streaming service doesn’t offer many discounts per se, some cable or internet providers will hook you up for a free subscription if you give them your business. Either way, below you’ll find everything you need to know about subscribing to HBO Max.
The right HBO Max plan for you
When you sign up, the first thing you should decide is which HBO Max plan is right for you. If your current cable or mobile carrier doesn’t offer HBO Max as part of their service, you can change to a provider that does — or subscribe directly through HBO.
As mentioned above, there are currently two HBO Max prices worth checking out. How do they differ? Let’s break it down.
| plan name | Monthly price | 4k | Offline viewing |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBO Max with ads | $9.99 | ❌ | ❌ |
| HBO Max (no ads) | $15.99 | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Customers who choose to subscribe to HBO Max with ads will not be able to stream 4K content and will not be able to download movies and shows for offline enjoyment. Previously, subscribers to the ad-supported plan weren’t able to watch movies released on the same day in theaters, but HBO Max suspended this feature completely at the beginning of 2022. Now, customers who use HBO Max with ads will get access to all content Same for ad-free subscribers.
In addition to launching the new ad-supported plan, HBO Max recently launched in the Nordic countries, Spain, Central and Eastern Europe, and Portugal. This rollout marks the first time that the entire WarnerMedia slate – including HBO and Max originals, DC and Warner Bros. and Cartoon Network — plus third-party acquisitions, into one service in those regions. New deals associated with this launch are expected to be revealed at a later date.
Since HBO programming is currently distributed in France by OCS as part of its multi-year agreement with Orange SA, HBO Max is not expected to launch in that region until mid-2023 at the earliest.
April 2023 update: Unfortunately, things will change again when HBO Max switches to Max on May 23rd. Not only will the ad-free plan miss out on 4K streaming, but you’ll need to pay the new $19.99 per month for the Max plan to enjoy 4K again. On the bright side, the new version of the streaming service will feature titles from the Warner Bros. catalog. Discovery and a host of new original content.
How to get HBO Max with your digital media provider
Hulu and YouTube TV provide access to HBO Max by adding a $15 per month subscription to your existing streaming plan. This means that you don’t have to sign up for a separate subscription with HBO. Once the app is installed, just sign in and stream.
It works like this. Hulu subscribers pay $15 more per month for the platform’s HBO Max add-on, which grants access to original and exclusive HBO Max via the HBO Max app. It also gives you access to classic HBO content on the Hulu app. Although HBO Max no longer offers free trials, potential subscribers can test-fire the streaming platform by subscribing to Hulu with their seven-day HBO Max free trial. Use it to get one week of free HBO Max subscription, along with Hulu shows, then choose to cancel or continue paying the $15.99 per month plan.
If you subscribe to YouTube TV, you can either choose the HBO Max add-on for an additional $15.99 per month or get it as part of the platform’s Entertainment Plus add-on package. The Entertainment Plus collection is $29.99 and includes HBO Max, STARZ, and SHOWTIME.
How to get HBO Max through your mobile service provider
Once upon a time, AT&T offered a free subscription to HBO Max when you signed up for one of its eligible unlimited plans, but that offer has long since expired. Right now, the only wireless carrier (that we know of) that offers HBO Max is Cricket Wireless, a prepaid carrier that uses AT&T’s network to provide great coverage over a vast area.
Sign up for the carrier’s $60 per month unlimited plan and you’ll get HBO Max with ads for free. The premium plan also comes with a 15GB mobile hotspot, unlimited high-speed data, and unlimited texts to over 37 countries around the world.
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Cricket Wireless with HBO Max
HBO Max for Cricket Wireless subscribers
Cricket Wireless offers the ad-supported version of HBO Max as part of its $60 per month Cricket Unlimited plans for new and existing subscribers.
How to get HBO Max through your cable provider
If you already subscribe to HBO through your cable provider, you may already get access to HBO Max at no extra cost or for an additional fee. Rather than list every single provider that will offer HBO Max for free as part of your current HBO plan, you can find: The official listing is on the HBO Max website (Opens in a new tab).
If your cable provider is on this list, all you have to do is download the HBO Max app to a third-party smartphone, tablet, or streaming device. You will be required to sign in with your cable or digital media provider before you can start streaming. You can also sign in directly on the HBO Max website with your cable credentials.
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HBO Max for Verizon subscribers
Verizon Fios subscribers can choose to add HBO Max and a few other premium channels to their monthly plan for once or as part of a bundle.
WarnerMedia added a handful of agreements with additional cable TV providers, including Altice USA, in April 2021. As part of those deals, Altice USA cable users who already had HBO or HBO Now on their Optimum and Suddenlink plans were given access to HBO Max. for free. This also applies to HBO and HBO Now subscribers on Verizon TV and Fios Internet services.
Existing Verizon Fios customers who did not previously subscribe to some form of HBO, in addition to new subscribers, also have the option to add HBO as a one-time premium channel or as part of a package containing any or all of the following premium channels: CINEMAX, EPIX, STARZ, and SHOWTIME. Plus, Verizon customers can add HBO Max or any of the other options for an additional $15 a month, two premium channels for $25 a month, three premium channels for $30 a month, or all five premium channel add-ons for $40. dollars a month.