Hulu
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.
HBO
HBO Max
$10.99/month with ads
Compare the factors that matter for this category.
| Parameter | Hulu | HBO Max | Decision note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad-supported entry | $11.99/month or $119.99/year | $10.99/month or $109.99/year | HBO Max is lower on both current ad-supported billing options. |
| Ad-free tier | $18.99/month | $18.49/month or $184.99/year | HBO Max Standard is slightly lower and offers annual billing. |
| Offline viewing | Downloads are tied to eligible ad-free viewing plans | Standard: up to 30; Premium: up to 100 | Max publishes clearer tier-specific download limits. |
| Simultaneous viewing | Plan and add-on rules vary across Hulu offerings | Basic and Standard: 2 devices; Premium: 4 | Max Premium is the explicit four-stream option. |
| Advertising | Hulu's entry plan includes ads | Basic averages about six minutes of ads per hour | Ad load and live programming rules can differ by title. |
| Bundle path | Broad Disney bundle and live-TV options | Available standalone and in Disney+/Hulu/HBO Max bundles | Hulu offers more plan combinations; Max is simpler standalone. |
Headline cost comparison
Hulu
$119.99
HBO Max
$109.99
Annualized for comparison only. Promotions, taxes, and plan eligibility are excluded.
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
Best fit when...
Choose Hulu for its current-season TV orientation, Disney bundle choices, student pricing, or a future path to live TV.
Choose HBO Max
Best fit when...
Choose HBO Max for the lower ad-supported annual price, Warner/HBO catalog, clearer download tiers, and a four-stream Premium option.
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.