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Amazon Prime Video vs HBO Max

Amazon Prime Video logo

Amazon Prime Video

Entertainment

Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.

From
$8.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HBO Max logo

HBO Max

Entertainment

Stream iconic series, movies, and Max Originals

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Amazon Prime Video pricing varies by region; USD pricing not directly published on main site; HBO Max limited-time offer pricing of $6.58/month valid only for first year on annual plans
  • They diverge on capability: Amazon Prime Video covers Video streaming, HBO Max covers Streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max actually diverge.

Attributes where Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max differ
AttributeAmazon Prime VideoHBO Max
Starting price$8.99/month$10.99/month
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Fire-tvWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles
Founded20062020

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Amazon Prime Video

  • Video streaming
  • Original content
  • Offline downloads
  • Multiple profiles
  • X-Ray features
  • 4K Ultra HD
  • HDR content
  • Dolby Atmos

Only in HBO Max

  • Streaming
  • Downloads
  • Profiles
  • HBO content
  • Max Originals
  • Mobile devices
  • Profile locks
  • PIN protection

Both cover

  • Smart TVs
  • Gaming consoles
  • Parental controls
  • Web support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Amazon Prime Video

  • Entertainment streamingnot HBO Max
  • Original series viewingnot HBO Max
  • Movie streamingnot HBO Max
  • Family entertainmentnot HBO Max
  • Offline viewingnot HBO Max

HBO Max

  • Premium streamingnot Amazon Prime Video
  • HBO contentnot Amazon Prime Video
  • Original seriesnot Amazon Prime Video

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Amazon Prime Video

  • Pricing varies by region; USD pricing not directly published on main site

HBO Max

  • Limited-time offer pricing of $6.58/month valid only for first year on annual plans
  • Student discount available but terms not specified

Pricing, plan by plan

Amazon Prime Video

$8.99/month
  • Prime Video$8.99/month
    • Thousands of movies and TV shows
    • Amazon Original series
    • Ad-free viewing
  • Amazon Prime$14.98/month
    • All Prime Video content
    • Free shipping on Amazon
    • Amazon Music Prime

HBO Max

$10.99/month
  • HBO Max Basic With Ads$10.99/month
    • Stream on 2 devices
    • Full HD video
    • Live Sports
  • HBO Max Standard$18.49/month
    • Stream on 2 devices
    • Full HD video
    • 30 downloads
  • HBO Max Premium$22.99/month
    • Stream on 4 devices (2 for Sports)
    • 4K Ultra HD
    • Dolby Atmos

Which should you pick?

Choose Amazon Prime Video if

  • You need video streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Fire-tv.
  • You also want original content.
Amazon Prime Video review

Choose HBO Max if

  • You need streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
  • You also want downloads.
HBO Max review

Questions people ask

Is Amazon Prime Video or HBO Max better?
Neither clearly leads. Amazon Prime Video starts at $8.99/month and HBO Max at $10.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Amazon Prime Video or HBO Max?
Amazon Prime Video starts at $8.99/month and HBO Max at $10.99/month.
Does Amazon Prime Video or HBO Max run on more platforms?
Amazon Prime Video runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Fire-tv. HBO Max runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
What is Amazon Prime Video best used for?
Amazon Prime Video is most often used for entertainment streaming, original series viewing, movie streaming, family entertainment. Of those, entertainment streaming and original series viewing are not what HBO Max is typically brought in for.
What can Amazon Prime Video do that HBO Max cannot?
Amazon Prime Video covers Video streaming, Original content, Offline downloads, Multiple profiles. HBO Max covers Streaming, Downloads, Profiles, HBO content. Both handle Smart TVs, Gaming consoles, Parental controls, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Amazon Prime Video: How much does Amazon Prime Video cost?

Amazon Prime Video subscription pricing varies by region. In the UAE, Prime Video is AED 16/month ($4.36 USD). Standalone Prime Video subscriptions in the US typically start at $14.99/month, though regional pricing should be verified on Amazon's site.

Source
HBO Max: How much does HBO Max cost?

HBO Max starts at $10.99/month for Basic With Ads, $18.49/month for Standard, and $22.99/month for Premium.

Source
HBO Max: What is the difference between HBO Max plans?

Basic With Ads costs $10.99/month with 2-device streaming and Full HD. Standard at $18.49/month adds 30 downloads. Premium at $22.99/month offers 4-device streaming, 4K Ultra HD, and 100 downloads.

Source
HBO Max: Does HBO Max offer annual billing discounts?

Yes, annual options start at $109.99/year (Basic), $184.99/year (Standard), and $229.99/year (Premium), providing savings of $21-$45 annually.

Source
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