Best Streaming Video · head-to-head
HBO Max vs Netflix
A sourced, side-by-side comparison for streaming video. Netflix has the lower entry price. Every figure links to the vendor's own page and the date we captured it.
At a glance
- Price: HBO Max $10.99/mo vs Netflix $8.99/mo — Netflix is cheaper to start.
- Free tier: HBO Max No; Netflix No.
- HIPAA: HBO Max —; Netflix —.
Side by side
| HBO Max | Netflix | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $10.99/mo (Basic with Ads) | $8.99/mo (Standard with Ads) |
| Free tier | No | No |
| HIPAA (BAA) | — | — |
| SOC 2 | — | — |
| GDPR | — | — |
| Best for | Premium prestige TV viewers (HBO originals, The Wire, Succession, etc.) | Largest original content library |
Sources — HBO Max: dealnews.com (verified 2026-06-13). Netflix: dealnews.com (verified 2026-06-13).
Key features
HBO Max: 4K Ultra HD + Dolby Atmos (Premium only); 35,000+ hours of content including HBO originals, Warner Bros. films, DC Universe, Discovery content; 300+ live sports games — NHL, MLB, NBA, U.S. Soccer, March Madness (Standard and Premium); Offline downloads (30 titles on Standard; 100 titles on Premium); Parental controls; Content from HBO, Max Originals, Warner Bros., DC, Discovery, CNN, TNT, TBS
Netflix: 4K Ultra HD + HDR + Dolby Vision (Premium only); Spatial audio on 700+ titles (Premium only); Netflix Games — 100+ ad-free mobile games included at no extra cost; Smart Downloads — auto-deletes watched episodes, queues next; Offline downloads on Standard and Premium tiers; Parental controls with PIN protection and content maturity ratings; Up to 5 user profiles per account