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Crunchyroll vs HBO Max

Crunchyroll logo

Crunchyroll

Entertainment

The world's largest anime streaming platform

From
Free
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

  • Only Crunchyroll has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Crunchyroll the App Store listing states Crunchyroll allows streaming on up to six devices simultaneously, and separately notes the annual plan is cheaper than paying monthly.; HBO Max limited-time offer pricing of $6.58/month valid only for first year on annual plans
  • They diverge on capability: Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, HBO Max covers Streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Crunchyroll and HBO Max actually diverge.

Attributes where Crunchyroll and HBO Max differ
AttributeCrunchyrollHBO Max
Starting priceFree$10.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded20062020

Identical on both: platforms (Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles), 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 Crunchyroll

  • Anime streaming
  • Simulcasts
  • Manga
  • Games
  • Profile management

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
  • Android support
  • Smart-tv support
  • Gaming-consoles support

What people use each for

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

Crunchyroll

  • Anime watchingnot HBO Max
  • Manga readingnot HBO Max

HBO Max

  • Premium streamingnot Crunchyroll
  • HBO contentnot Crunchyroll
  • Original seriesnot Crunchyroll

Where each one falls short

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

Crunchyroll

  • The App Store listing states Crunchyroll allows streaming on up to six devices simultaneously, and separately notes the annual plan is cheaper than paying monthly.

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

Crunchyroll

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited anime
    • Ads
  • Fan$7.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Simulcasts
  • Mega Fan$9.99/month
    • Offline viewing
    • 4 streams

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 Crunchyroll if

  • You need anime streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
  • You also want simulcasts.
Crunchyroll 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 Crunchyroll or HBO Max better?
Neither clearly leads. Crunchyroll starts at Free 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, Crunchyroll or HBO Max?
Crunchyroll has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Crunchyroll and $10.99/month for HBO Max.
Does Crunchyroll or HBO Max run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Crunchyroll for free?
Yes. Crunchyroll has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. HBO Max starts at $10.99/month.
What is Crunchyroll best used for?
Crunchyroll is most often used for anime watching, manga reading. Of those, anime watching and manga reading are not what HBO Max is typically brought in for.
What can Crunchyroll do that HBO Max cannot?
Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, Simulcasts, Manga, Games. HBO Max covers Streaming, Downloads, Profiles, HBO content. Both handle Smart TVs, Gaming consoles, Parental controls, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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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