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Entertainment · head to head

HBO Max vs Stitcher

HBO Max logo

HBO Max

Entertainment

Stream iconic series, movies, and Max Originals

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Stitcher

Entertainment

Premium podcast subscription service

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Stitcher 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; Stitcher service discontinued August 29, 2023
  • They diverge on capability: HBO Max covers Streaming, Stitcher covers Podcast streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where HBO Max and Stitcher differ
AttributeHBO MaxStitcher
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers
Founded20202007

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

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

Only in Stitcher

  • Podcast streaming
  • Original content
  • Ad-free
  • Offline listening
  • Recommendations
  • Smart speakers
  • Car systems
  • Account security

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 Stitcher
  • HBO contentnot Stitcher
  • Original seriesnot Stitcher

Stitcher

  • Podcast listeningnot HBO Max
  • Audio entertainmentnot 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

Stitcher

  • Service discontinued August 29, 2023
  • No longer available for download or use

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

Stitcher

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Free podcasts
    • Ad-supported
  • Stitcher Premium$4.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Exclusives

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 Stitcher if

  • You need podcast streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want original content.
Stitcher review

Questions people ask

Is HBO Max or Stitcher better?
Neither clearly leads. HBO Max starts at $10.99/month and Stitcher at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HBO Max or Stitcher?
Stitcher has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10.99/month for HBO Max and Free for Stitcher.
Does HBO Max or Stitcher run on more platforms?
HBO Max runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. Stitcher runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
Can I use Stitcher for free?
Yes. Stitcher 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 Stitcher is typically brought in for.
What can HBO Max do that Stitcher cannot?
HBO Max covers Streaming, Downloads, Profiles, HBO content. Stitcher covers Podcast streaming, Original content, Ad-free, Offline listening. 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
Stitcher: Is Stitcher still available?

No. Stitcher shut down on August 29, 2023. SiriusXM, which acquired Stitcher in 2020, discontinued the app to consolidate podcasts into its flagship SiriusXM subscription. Users can listen to podcasts via the SiriusXM app instead.

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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