H
Hulu
$11.99/month with ads
Hulu vs HBO Max
Streaming subscriptions compared by entry price, ad-free cost, annual billing, downloads, simultaneous streams, and bundle paths.
HM
HBO Max
$10.99/month with ads
Compare the factors that matter for this category.
Ad-supported entry
- Hulu
- $11.99/month or $119.99/year
- HBO Max
- $10.99/month or $109.99/year
- Decision note
- HBO Max is lower on both current ad-supported billing options.
- Advantage
Ad-free tier
- Hulu
- $18.99/month
- HBO Max
- $18.49/month or $184.99/year
- Decision note
- HBO Max Standard is slightly lower and offers annual billing.
- Advantage
Offline viewing
- Hulu
- Downloads are tied to eligible ad-free viewing plans
- HBO Max
- Standard: up to 30; Premium: up to 100
- Decision note
- Max publishes clearer tier-specific download limits.
- Advantage
Simultaneous viewing
- Hulu
- Plan and add-on rules vary across Hulu offerings
- HBO Max
- Basic and Standard: 2 devices; Premium: 4
- Decision note
- Max Premium is the explicit four-stream option.
- Advantage
Advertising
- Hulu
- Hulu's entry plan includes ads
- HBO Max
- Basic averages about six minutes of ads per hour
- Decision note
- Ad load and live programming rules can differ by title.
- Advantage
- —
Bundle path
- Hulu
- Broad Disney bundle and live-TV options
- HBO Max
- Available standalone and in Disney+/Hulu/HBO Max bundles
- Decision note
- Hulu offers more plan combinations; Max is simpler standalone.
- Advantage
Final Verdict
Headline cost comparison
Hulu
$119.99
HBO Max
$109.99
Annualized for comparison only. Promotions, taxes, and plan eligibility are excluded.
9%
Annual cost difference
HBO Max
Price is only one parameter
The lower headline cost can be the wrong choice when migration effort, workflow fit, ecosystem lock-in, or missing features create more friction than the saving.
Choose Hulu If...
- Choose Hulu for its current-season TV orientation, Disney bundle choices, student pricing, or a future path to live TV.
- $11.99/month or $119.99/year
- $18.99/month
- Downloads are tied to eligible ad-free viewing plans
Choose HBO Max If...
- Choose HBO Max for the lower ad-supported annual price, Warner/HBO catalog, clearer download tiers, and a four-stream Premium option.
- $10.99/month or $109.99/year
- $18.49/month or $184.99/year
- Standard: up to 30; Premium: up to 100
Official sources checked July 13, 2026: Hulu plans and prices, HBO Max plans and prices, and About HBO Max plans. Plan terms, catalog availability, and features can change.