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Entertainment · head to head

HBO Max vs Pluto TV

HBO Max logo

HBO Max

Entertainment

Stream iconic series, movies, and Max Originals

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pluto TV logo

Pluto TV

Entertainment

Stream movies, TV shows and clips for free

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Pluto TV 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; Pluto TV pluto TV is entirely ad-supported free streaming with no paid tier, available in a stated list of regions including the US, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Germany/Switzerland/Austria, UK, Spain, France, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Denmark (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2024)
  • They diverge on capability: HBO Max covers Downloads, Pluto TV covers Live TV channels.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HBO Max and Pluto TV actually diverge.

Attributes where HBO Max and Pluto TV differ
AttributeHBO MaxPluto TV
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv
Founded20202013

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
  • Mobile devices
  • Profile locks
  • PIN protection

Only in Pluto TV

  • Live TV channels
  • Movies
  • TV shows
  • Recommendations
  • Streaming devices
  • Account management
  • Roku support
  • Fire-tv support

Both cover

  • Streaming
  • Smart TVs
  • Parental controls
  • 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 Pluto TV
  • HBO contentnot Pluto TV
  • Original seriesnot Pluto TV

Pluto TV

  • Free streamingnot HBO Max
  • Live TVnot HBO Max
  • On-demand contentnot 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

Pluto TV

  • Pluto TV is entirely ad-supported free streaming with no paid tier, available in a stated list of regions including the US, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Germany/Switzerland/Austria, UK, Spain, France, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Denmark (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2024)

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

Pluto TV

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full content
    • Live channels
    • Ad-supported

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 Pluto TV if

  • You need live tv channels.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want movies.
Pluto TV review

Questions people ask

Is HBO Max or Pluto TV better?
Neither clearly leads. HBO Max starts at $10.99/month and Pluto TV at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HBO Max or Pluto TV?
Pluto TV has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10.99/month for HBO Max and Free for Pluto TV.
Does HBO Max or Pluto TV run on more platforms?
HBO Max runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. Pluto TV runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
Can I use Pluto TV for free?
Yes. Pluto TV 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 Pluto TV is typically brought in for.
What can HBO Max do that Pluto TV cannot?
HBO Max covers Downloads, Profiles, HBO content, Max Originals. Pluto TV covers Live TV channels, Movies, TV shows, Recommendations. Both handle Streaming, Smart TVs, 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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