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Entertainment · head to head

HBO Max vs MUBI

HBO Max logo

HBO Max

Entertainment

Stream iconic series, movies, and Max Originals

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MUBI logo

MUBI

Entertainment

Discover extraordinary cinema

From
$7.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: HBO Max limited-time offer pricing of $6.58/month valid only for first year on annual plans; MUBI curated, rotating catalogue - films leave the service on a schedule rather than staying permanently available
  • They diverge on capability: HBO Max covers Streaming, MUBI covers Curated films.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where HBO Max and MUBI differ
AttributeHBO MaxMUBI
Starting price$10.99/month$7.99/month
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20202007

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

  • Streaming
  • Downloads
  • Profiles
  • HBO content
  • Max Originals
  • Gaming consoles
  • Mobile devices
  • Profile locks

Only in MUBI

  • Curated films
  • World cinema
  • Documentaries
  • Classics
  • New releases
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security
  • Content access

Both cover

  • Smart TVs
  • 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 MUBI
  • HBO contentnot MUBI
  • Original seriesnot MUBI

MUBI

  • Watching curated arthouse, independent, and classic international cinemanot HBO Max
  • Discovering festival and awards-circuit films not on mainstream platformsnot HBO Max
  • Getting a free weekly theatrical ticket via MUBI GO in eligible citiesnot HBO Max
  • Reading editorial film notes and curation alongside streamingnot 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

MUBI

  • Curated, rotating catalogue - films leave the service on a schedule rather than staying permanently available
  • No live TV or broad back-catalogue - deliberately small, curated library rather than a comprehensive on-demand one
  • MUBI GO (free theater ticket plus streaming) is limited to select cities

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

MUBI

$7.99/month
  • Monthly$7.99/month
    • Unlimited streaming access to curated films
    • Download capability via iOS and Android apps
    • Ad-free viewing

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 MUBI if

  • You need curated films.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want world cinema.
MUBI review

Questions people ask

Is HBO Max or MUBI better?
Neither clearly leads. HBO Max starts at $10.99/month and MUBI at $7.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HBO Max or MUBI?
HBO Max starts at $10.99/month and MUBI at $7.99/month.
Does HBO Max or MUBI run on more platforms?
HBO Max runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. MUBI 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 MUBI is typically brought in for.
What can HBO Max do that MUBI cannot?
HBO Max covers Streaming, Downloads, Profiles, HBO content. MUBI covers Curated films, World cinema, Documentaries, Classics. Both handle Smart TVs, 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
MUBI: How much does MUBI cost?

MUBI costs $7.99 per month USD on a monthly plan. An annual plan is available that saves 38% compared to monthly billing, though the exact annual price is not shown on the pricing page.

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
MUBI: Is there a free trial for MUBI?

Yes, MUBI offers a 7-day free trial with no credit card required. After the trial ends, the membership converts to paid status.

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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