Software · head to head
Stitcher vs HBO Max
HBO Max
Software
Stream iconic series, movies, and Max Originals
- From
- $9.99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Stitcher has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Stitcher service discontinued August 29, 2023; 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
- They diverge on capability: Stitcher covers Podcast streaming, HBO Max covers Streaming.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Stitcher and HBO Max actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Stitcher
- Podcast streaming
- Original content
- Ad-free
- Offline listening
- Recommendations
- Smart speakers
- Car systems
- Account security
Only in HBO Max
- Streaming
- Downloads
- Profiles
- HBO content
- Max Originals
- Smart TVs
- Gaming consoles
- Mobile devices
Both cover
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Stitcher
- Podcast listeningnot HBO Max
- Audio entertainmentnot HBO Max
HBO Max
- Premium streamingnot Stitcher
- HBO contentnot Stitcher
- Original seriesnot Stitcher
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Stitcher
- Service discontinued August 29, 2023
- No longer available for download or 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
Pricing, plan by plan
Stitcher
Free- FreeFree
- Free podcasts
- Ad-supported
- Stitcher Premium$4.99/month
- Ad-free
- Exclusives
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
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose HBO Max if
- You need streaming.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
- You also want downloads.
Questions people ask
- Is Stitcher or HBO Max better?
- Neither clearly leads. Stitcher starts at Free and HBO Max at $9.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Stitcher or HBO Max?
- Stitcher has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Stitcher and $9.99/month for HBO Max.
- Does Stitcher or HBO Max run on more platforms?
- Stitcher runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers. HBO Max runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
- Can I use Stitcher for free?
- Yes. Stitcher has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. HBO Max starts at $9.99/month.
- What is Stitcher best used for?
- Stitcher is most often used for podcast listening, audio entertainment. Of those, podcast listening and audio entertainment are not what HBO Max is typically brought in for.
- What can Stitcher do that HBO Max cannot?
- Stitcher covers Podcast streaming, Original content, Ad-free, Offline listening. HBO Max covers Streaming, Downloads, Profiles, HBO content. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
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