HBO Max vs Apple TV: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Both are prestige-series services, built very differently. HBO Max has three plans, yearly billing on every plan, up to 100 downloads and NHL and MLB games from Standard. Apple TV is one ad-free plan of Apple Originals, with Formula 1, MLS and Friday Night Baseball, Family Sharing for six and a 7-day trial.
Option A
Option B
We compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | HBO Max | Apple TV |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | Three (one with ads) | One monthly plan |
| Live sports | NHL, MLB (Standard, Premium) | F1, MLS, Friday Night Baseball |
| Yearly billing | Every plan | No (Apple One) |
| Downloads | None / 30 / 100 | Apple Originals, Apple devices |
| Sharing | Extra Member add-on | Family Sharing, 6 people |
HBO Max carries HBO and Warner Bros. series and films plus a large back catalog; Apple TV is mostly Apple’s own originals.
If you don’t want to read further
A big catalog, yearly billing, NHL and MLB — HBO Max. One ad-free plan, F1 and MLS, sharing with the whole family — Apple TV.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Plans?
HBO Max
Basic with Ads, Standard and Premium.
Apple TV
One monthly plan, no ads on Apple Originals.
Apple TV is ad-free without choosing a tier.
Catalog?
HBO Max
HBO and Warner Bros. shows and movies; licensed titles come and go.
Apple TV
Mostly Apple Originals — not a broad library of other studios’ titles.
More to watch — HBO Max.
Live sports?
HBO Max
Select NHL and MLB games on Standard and Premium.
Apple TV
Formula 1, MLS and Friday Night Baseball included.
Pick by league.
Sharing?
HBO Max
Extra Member add-on for someone outside your household.
Apple TV
Family Sharing for up to six people.
Apple TV is easier to share with family.
Yearly billing?
HBO Max
Every plan; HBO Max puts the saving at 16%.
Apple TV
Monthly; also included in Apple One.
To prepay a year, HBO Max.
Downloads?
HBO Max
None on Basic with Ads, 30 on Standard, 100 on Premium.
Apple TV
Apple Originals on Apple devices.
Offline on Android or Windows — HBO Max.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
Ad-free option
HBO Max Standard and Premium; Apple TV on Apple Originals.
Sports come with the plan
HBO Max on Standard and Premium; Apple TV at no extra cost.
Bundles
HBO Max with Disney+ and Hulu; Apple TV in Apple One and with Peacock.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You want the biggest choice | HBO Max | HBO plus Warner Bros. films and series. |
| You follow F1 or MLS | Apple TV | Included in the US. |
| A family of up to six | Apple TV | Family Sharing. |
| You follow NHL or MLB | HBO Max Standard or Premium | Select games included. |
- HBO Max Basic with Ads has no downloads and no live sports.
- Cancel Apple TV at least 24 hours before the trial ends to avoid a charge.
- Apple TV downloads are for Apple Originals on Apple devices.
- HBO Max lists prices without applicable taxes.
Where the facts come from
Sources: the HBO Max Help Center for the US and Apple’s US Apple TV pages and Apple Support. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: HBO Max or Apple TV
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “Streaming services” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — spatial audio and HDR: Apple TV
HBO Max Standard: no (2,0/5) · Apple TV: yes (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — maximum resolution: Apple TV
HBO Max Standard: 1080p Full HD (3,0/5) · Apple TV: 4K UHD with HDR (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — simultaneous streams: Apple TV
HBO Max Standard: 2 screens at the same time (3,0/5) · Apple TV: 6 screens at the same time (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — offline viewing: Apple TV
HBO Max Standard: phone or tablet only (4,0/5) · Apple TV: can be downloaded (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — app rating: HBO Max Standard
HBO Max Standard: 4,9 out of 5 (4,9/5) · Apple TV: 4,8 out of 5 (4,8/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: