Software · head to head
Apple TV+ vs HBO Max
Apple TV+
Software
Original stories from the most creative minds
- From
- $9.99/month
- Rated
- -
HBO Max
Software
Stream iconic series, movies, and Max Originals
- From
- $9.99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Apple TV+ standalone subscription costs 12.99 USD per month after a 7 day free trial, with no lower priced tier; HBO Max three subscription tiers: Basic With Ads at 10.99 USD/month, Standard at 18.49 USD/month, Premium at 22.99 USD/month
- They diverge on capability: Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals, HBO Max covers Streaming.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apple TV+ and HBO Max actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price ($9.99/month), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Apple TV+
- Apple Originals
- 4K HDR
- Dolby Atmos
- Family sharing
- Apple devices
- Family sharing controls
- Parental restrictions
- Apple ID security
Only in HBO Max
- Streaming
- Profiles
- HBO content
- Max Originals
- Mobile devices
- Profile locks
- Parental controls
- PIN protection
Both cover
- Downloads
- Smart TVs
- Gaming consoles
- Ios support
- Smart-tv support
- Gaming-consoles support
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Apple TV+
- Original content streamingnot HBO Max
- Family entertainmentnot HBO Max
HBO Max
- Premium streamingnot Apple TV+
- HBO contentnot Apple TV+
- Original seriesnot Apple TV+
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Apple TV+
- Standalone subscription costs 12.99 USD per month after a 7 day free trial, with no lower priced tier
HBO Max
- Three subscription tiers: Basic With Ads at 10.99 USD/month, Standard at 18.49 USD/month, Premium at 22.99 USD/month
- The cheapest tier is ad supported; ad-free viewing requires the Standard tier or above
Pricing, plan by plan
Apple TV+
$9.99/month- Apple TV+$9.99/month
- All originals
- 4K HDR
- 6 family members
HBO Max
$9.99/month- With Ads$9.99/month
- Full HD
- Ad-supported
- 2 devices
- Ad-Free$15.99/month
- Full HD
- Ad-free
- 2 devices
- Ultimate Ad-Free$19.99/month
- 4K UHD
- Dolby Atmos
- 4 devices
Which should you pick?
Choose Apple TV+ if
- You need apple originals.
- You work on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web.
- You also want 4k hdr.
Choose HBO Max if
- You need streaming.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
- You also want profiles.
Questions people ask
- Is Apple TV+ or HBO Max better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apple TV+ starts at $9.99/month and HBO Max at $9.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Apple TV+ or HBO Max?
- Apple TV+ starts at $9.99/month and HBO Max at $9.99/month.
- Does Apple TV+ or HBO Max run on more platforms?
- Apple TV+ runs on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web. HBO Max runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
- What is Apple TV+ best used for?
- Apple TV+ is most often used for original content streaming, family entertainment. Of those, original content streaming and family entertainment are not what HBO Max is typically brought in for.
- What can Apple TV+ do that HBO Max cannot?
- Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals, 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos, Family sharing. HBO Max covers Streaming, Profiles, HBO content, Max Originals. Both handle Downloads, Smart TVs, Gaming consoles, Ios support.