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Entertainment · head to head

HBO Max vs Jellyfin

HBO Max logo

HBO Max

Entertainment

Stream iconic series, movies, and Max Originals

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Jellyfin logo

Jellyfin

Entertainment

The free software media system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Jellyfin 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; Jellyfin no commercial support or SLA available; project is volunteer-maintained
  • They diverge on capability: HBO Max covers Downloads, Jellyfin covers Media server.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where HBO Max and Jellyfin differ
AttributeHBO MaxJellyfin
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker
Founded20202018

Identical on both: 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 HBO Max

  • Downloads
  • Profiles
  • HBO content
  • Max Originals
  • Gaming consoles
  • Profile locks
  • Parental controls
  • PIN protection

Only in Jellyfin

  • Media server
  • Library management
  • Open source
  • Self-hosted
  • Streaming devices
  • Open source audit
  • Self-hosted security
  • User management

Both cover

  • Streaming
  • Smart TVs
  • Mobile devices
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Smart-tv support

What people use each for

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

HBO Max

  • Premium streamingnot Jellyfin
  • HBO contentnot Jellyfin
  • Original seriesnot Jellyfin

Jellyfin

  • Open-source media streamingnot HBO Max
  • Self-hosted librarynot 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

Jellyfin

  • No commercial support or SLA available; project is volunteer-maintained
  • Self-hosted deployment required; no cloud hosting provided by project

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

Jellyfin

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited streaming
    • Open source
    • No ads

Which should you pick?

Choose HBO Max if

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

Choose Jellyfin if

  • You need media server.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker.
  • You also want library management.
Jellyfin review

Questions people ask

Is HBO Max or Jellyfin better?
Neither clearly leads. HBO Max starts at $10.99/month and Jellyfin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HBO Max or Jellyfin?
Jellyfin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10.99/month for HBO Max and Free for Jellyfin.
Does HBO Max or Jellyfin run on more platforms?
HBO Max runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. Jellyfin runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker.
Can I use Jellyfin for free?
Yes. Jellyfin 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 Jellyfin is typically brought in for.
What can HBO Max do that Jellyfin cannot?
HBO Max covers Downloads, Profiles, HBO content, Max Originals. Jellyfin covers Media server, Library management, Open source, Self-hosted. Both handle Streaming, Smart TVs, Mobile devices, 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
Jellyfin: How much does Jellyfin cost?

Jellyfin is completely free with no costs, hidden fees, or subscriptions. The Jellyfin server and official clients are free to download and use for personal, commercial, or any other purpose. There are no paid tiers or premium features.

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
Jellyfin: Is Jellyfin open source?

Yes, Jellyfin is free and open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). Users can download, use, study, modify, and distribute it at no cost. The project is maintained by volunteers and supported through user donations.

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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