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Entertainment · head to head

HBO Max vs iHeartRadio

HBO Max logo

HBO Max

Entertainment

Stream iconic series, movies, and Max Originals

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
iHeartRadio logo

iHeartRadio

Music

All your favorite music, podcasts, and radio

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only iHeartRadio has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: HBO Max limited-time offer pricing of $6.58/month valid only for first year on annual plans; iHeartRadio ad-free listening requires an iHeartRadio Plus or All Access subscription
  • They diverge on capability: HBO Max covers Streaming, iHeartRadio covers Live radio.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where HBO Max and iHeartRadio differ
AttributeHBO MaxiHeartRadio
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers
CategoryEntertainmentMusic
Founded20202008

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 HBO Max

  • Streaming
  • Downloads
  • Profiles
  • HBO content
  • Max Originals
  • Smart TVs
  • Gaming consoles
  • Mobile devices

Only in iHeartRadio

  • Live radio
  • Custom stations
  • Podcasts
  • Events
  • Smart speakers
  • Car systems
  • Account security
  • Smart-speakers support

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

HBO Max

  • Premium streamingnot iHeartRadio
  • HBO contentnot iHeartRadio
  • Original seriesnot iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio

  • Streaming live AM and FM radio stations over the internetnot HBO Max
  • Listening to podcasts and live sports commentarynot HBO Max
  • Building music playlists on a paid tiernot HBO Max

Where each one falls short

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

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

iHeartRadio

  • Ad-free listening requires an iHeartRadio Plus or All Access subscription
  • Unlimited skips and unlimited playlist creation require a paid subscription
  • Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends
  • Any unused part of a free trial is forfeited when a subscription is purchased
  • The iOS app requires iOS 15.0 or later

Pricing, plan by plan

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

iHeartRadio

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Live radio
    • Podcasts
    • Ads
  • Plus$5.99/month
    • Unlimited skips
    • Offline playlists

Which should you pick?

Choose HBO Max if

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

Choose iHeartRadio if

  • You need live radio.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want custom stations.
iHeartRadio review

Questions people ask

Is HBO Max or iHeartRadio better?
Neither clearly leads. HBO Max starts at $10.99/month and iHeartRadio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HBO Max or iHeartRadio?
iHeartRadio has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10.99/month for HBO Max and Free for iHeartRadio.
Does HBO Max or iHeartRadio run on more platforms?
HBO Max runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. iHeartRadio runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
Can I use iHeartRadio for free?
Yes. iHeartRadio has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. HBO Max starts at $10.99/month.
What is HBO Max best used for?
HBO Max is most often used for premium streaming, hbo content, original series. Of those, premium streaming and hbo content are not what iHeartRadio is typically brought in for.
What can HBO Max do that iHeartRadio cannot?
HBO Max covers Streaming, Downloads, Profiles, HBO content. iHeartRadio covers Live radio, Custom stations, Podcasts, Events. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android 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
iHeartRadio: How much does iHeartRadio cost?

iHeartRadio does not publish pricing on their website. The service offers free podcast streaming with optional premium content for certain shows. A reference to 'Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content' is mentioned, but no pricing is provided. Customers must visit linked premium content pages for pricing information.

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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