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Media & Entertainment · head to head

HBO Max vs Libsyn

HBO Max logo

HBO Max

Media & Entertainment

Stream iconic series, movies, and Max Originals

From
$9.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Libsyn logo

Libsyn

Podcast & Audio Publishing

The original podcast hosting platform since 2004

From
$5/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; Libsyn basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
  • They diverge on capability: HBO Max covers Streaming, Libsyn covers Reliable hosting.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where HBO Max and Libsyn differ
AttributeHBO MaxLibsyn
Starting price$9.99/month$5/month
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryMedia & EntertainmentPodcast & Audio Publishing
Founded20202004

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Libsyn

  • Reliable hosting
  • Advanced analytics
  • Monetization platform
  • Distribution network
  • Custom website
  • Ad insertion
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

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 Libsyn
  • HBO contentnot Libsyn
  • Original seriesnot Libsyn

Libsyn

  • Hosting podcast audio and distributing it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTubenot HBO Max
  • Measuring audience with IAB certified download statisticsnot HBO Max
  • Monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plansnot HBO Max

Where each one falls short

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

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

Libsyn

  • Basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
  • Advanced IAB verified stats require the $25 per month Advanced plan; Basic gets basic stats only
  • Spotify video distribution requires the Advanced or Max plan
  • Dynamic ad insertion sits on Professional and Enterprise plans that are quoted by sales with no published rate
  • The top published tier, Max at $150 per month, still caps audio uploads at 55 hours per month

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Libsyn

$5/month
  • Classic 50$5/month
    • 50 MB monthly storage
    • Basic statistics
    • Podcast page
  • Classic 150$15/month
    • 150 MB monthly storage
    • Advanced statistics
    • Custom website
  • Advanced 400$20/month
    • 400 MB monthly storage
    • Premium analytics
    • Multiple shows
  • Advanced 800$40/month
    • 800 MB monthly storage
    • Full analytics suite
    • Priority support

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 Libsyn if

  • You need reliable hosting.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want advanced analytics.
Libsyn review

Questions people ask

Is HBO Max or Libsyn better?
Neither clearly leads. HBO Max starts at $9.99/month and Libsyn at $5/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HBO Max or Libsyn?
HBO Max starts at $9.99/month and Libsyn at $5/month.
Does HBO Max or Libsyn run on more platforms?
HBO Max runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. Libsyn runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 Libsyn is typically brought in for.
What can HBO Max do that Libsyn cannot?
HBO Max covers Streaming, Downloads, Profiles, HBO content. Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Advanced analytics, Monetization platform, Distribution network. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.
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