HBO Max vs Netflix: which is better? Comparison 2026
By our public methodology HBO Max scores 63 out of 100 and Netflix scores 60. Below: the factors and facts where they differ, each fact with its source.
Score breakdown
| HBO Max | Netflix | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 49 | 44 |
| Viewing | 67 | 67 |
| Flexibility | 50 | 50 |
| Reputation | 94 | 88 |
Pros and cons
HBO Max
- Highly rated on the App Store
- 4K is available
- Has a cheaper plan with ads
- Titles can be downloaded to watch offline
Netflix
- Highly rated on the App Store
- 4K is available
- Has a cheaper plan with ads
- Titles can be downloaded to watch offline
- No free trial
Facts side by side
| Fact | HBO Max | Netflix |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest plan without ads, per month (US) | $18.49 hbomax.com | $19.99 help.netflix.com |
| Cheaper plan with ads | Yes hbomax.com | Yes help.netflix.com |
| Plan with ads, per month (US) | $10.99 hbomax.com | $8.99 help.netflix.com |
| 4K on at least one plan | Yes hbomax.com | Yes help.netflix.com |
| Streams at once (cheapest plan without ads) | 2 hbomax.com | 2 help.netflix.com |
| Offline downloads | Yes hbomax.com | Yes help.netflix.com |
| Free trial, days | Not verified | 0 days help.netflix.com |
| Countries available (company's figure) | Not verified | 190 about.netflix.com |
| App Store rating | 4.9★ itunes.apple.com | 4.8★ itunes.apple.com |
| App Store ratings | 5,838,565 itunes.apple.com | 7,538,717 itunes.apple.com |
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