HBO Max vs Paramount+: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Both prepay every plan. HBO Max has three plans, with NHL and MLB games from Standard up, 4K and Dolby Atmos on Premium and up to 100 downloads. Paramount+ has two, and even Essential includes NFL on CBS, UFC and Champions League; Premium adds your local live CBS station, all of SHOWTIME and downloads to phones and tablets.
Option A
Option B
$13.99/moParamount+ Premium
Official price before tax: $13.99
Price checked
Paramount+ price and plansWe 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 | Paramount+ |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | Basic with Ads, Standard, Premium | Essential, Premium |
| Live sports | NHL, MLB (Standard, Premium) | NFL on CBS, UFC, Champions League |
| Screens at once | 2 / 2 / 4 | 3 |
| Downloads | None / 30 / 100 | Premium, up to 25 |
| 4K | Premium | Select titles, Premium |
| Yearly billing | Every plan | Both plans |
HBO Max carries HBO, Warner Bros. films and series and some live sports; Paramount+ is CBS, SHOWTIME, Paramount networks and a lot of live sport.
If you don’t want to read further
HBO originals, 4K with Atmos, NHL or MLB — HBO Max. NFL on CBS, UFC and Champions League on a budget, CBS and SHOWTIME — Paramount+.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Sports on the cheapest plan?
HBO Max
No — Basic with Ads has no live sports.
Paramount+
Yes — Essential includes NFL on CBS, UFC, Zuffa Boxing and Champions League.
Sports on a budget — Paramount+ Essential.
Which sports?
HBO Max
Select NHL and MLB games on Standard and Premium.
Paramount+
NFL on CBS, UFC, Champions League; Premium adds all CBS Sports.
Hockey and baseball — HBO Max; football, UFC and soccer — Paramount+.
Screens at once?
HBO Max
Two on Basic with Ads and Standard, four on Premium (two for sports).
Paramount+
Three on both plans.
Three viewers on a cheaper plan — Paramount+.
Downloads?
HBO Max
None on Basic with Ads, 30 on Standard, 100 on Premium.
Paramount+
Premium only, up to 25 at a time, on phones and tablets.
Heavy offline viewing — HBO Max Premium.
Picture and sound?
HBO Max
1080p on Basic with Ads and Standard; 4K and Dolby Atmos (as available) on Premium.
Paramount+
Select titles in 4K UHD, Dolby Vision or HDR10 on Premium.
Both reserve 4K for the top plan.
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.
Yearly billing
Every plan on both services has an annual option.
A plan with ads
HBO Max Basic with Ads and Paramount+ Essential are the entry points.
Prices plus tax
Both list prices before applicable taxes.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You follow NHL or MLB | HBO Max Standard or Premium | Select games, two devices at once. |
| You follow the NFL on CBS or UFC | Paramount+ Essential | Included without Premium. |
| You watch offline a lot | HBO Max Premium | Up to 100 downloads. |
| You want SHOWTIME | Paramount+ Premium | All of SHOWTIME. |
- HBO Max Basic with Ads has no downloads and no live sports.
- HBO Max sports stream on two devices, even on Premium.
- Paramount+ Essential doesn’t include your local live CBS station beyond NFL games.
- Paramount+ has no DVR.
Where the facts come from
Sources: the HBO Max Help Center for the US and the Paramount+ website and Help Center. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: HBO Max or Paramount+
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: Paramount+ Premium
HBO Max Standard: no (2,0/5) · Paramount+ Premium: yes (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — maximum resolution: Paramount+ Premium
HBO Max Standard: 1080p Full HD (3,0/5) · Paramount+ Premium: 4K UHD (HDR not for all content) (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — simultaneous streams: Paramount+ Premium
HBO Max Standard: 2 screens at the same time (3,0/5) · Paramount+ Premium: 3 screens at the same time (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — what else is included: Paramount+ Premium
HBO Max Standard: 1 extra content type at no extra cost (3,0/5) · Paramount+ Premium: 2 extra content types at no extra cost (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — app rating: HBO Max Standard
HBO Max Standard: 4,9 out of 5 (4,9/5) · Paramount+ Premium: 4,6 out of 5 (4,6/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: