HBO Max vs Peacock: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Both have three plans, both prepay every plan, and on both the cheapest plan has no live sports. HBO Max is the prestige-series service with 4K and Atmos on Premium and downloads from Standard; Peacock is NBC, Bravo, live sports and some 4K titles from Premium, streams on three screens on every plan, and downloads only on Premium Plus.
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 | Peacock |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | Basic with Ads, Standard, Premium | Select, Premium, Premium Plus |
| Downloads | None / 30 / 100 | Premium Plus |
| Screens at once | 2 / 2 / 4 | 3 |
| Live sports | NHL, MLB (Standard, Premium) | Premium, Premium Plus |
| Yearly saving | 16% | 2 months free |
HBO Max carries HBO, Warner Bros. films and series and select live sports; Peacock is NBCUniversal — NBC and Bravo shows, movies, originals and live sports.
If you don’t want to read further
HBO originals and downloads without the top plan — HBO Max. NBC and Bravo shows, live sports on the middle plan, three screens — Peacock.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Downloads without the top plan?
HBO Max
Yes — 30 on Standard (100 on Premium).
Peacock
No — Premium Plus only.
Offline viewing for less — HBO Max Standard.
Screens at once?
HBO Max
Two on Basic with Ads and Standard, four on Premium.
Peacock
Three on every plan, up to 6 profiles.
Three viewers on a cheaper plan — Peacock.
Live sports?
HBO Max
Select NHL and MLB games on Standard and Premium.
Peacock
Live sports and events on Premium and Premium Plus.
Check which leagues you follow — the schedules don’t overlap.
Ads on the top plan?
HBO Max
Premium is ad-free.
Peacock
Premium Plus keeps ads in channels, live sports and events and a few shows and movies.
For the cleanest top plan, HBO Max Premium.
Yearly saving?
HBO Max
HBO Max puts it at 16%.
Peacock
12 months for the price of 10.
Both reward a full year; Peacock’s saving is slightly larger.
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.
Three plans
A plan with ads, a middle plan and a top plan on both.
No sports on the cheapest plan
HBO Max Basic with Ads and Peacock Select exclude live sports.
Yearly billing on every plan
Both offer an annual option across the ladder.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You watch offline | HBO Max Standard | 30 downloads. |
| You watch NBC and Bravo shows | Peacock | On every plan. |
| You follow NHL or MLB | HBO Max Standard or Premium | Two devices at once for sports. |
| Three people watch at once on a budget | Peacock Premium | Three streams on every plan. |
- HBO Max Basic with Ads has no downloads and no live sports.
- Peacock Select has no live sports, movies or originals.
- Peacock gives no refunds on cancellation unless required by law.
- HBO Max lists prices without applicable taxes.
Where the facts come from
Sources: the HBO Max Help Center for the US and Peacock’s plans page and Help Center. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: HBO Max or Peacock
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 — maximum resolution: Peacock Premium Plus
HBO Max Standard: 1080p Full HD (3,0/5) · Peacock Premium Plus: 4K UHD (HDR not for all content) (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — simultaneous streams: Peacock Premium Plus
HBO Max Standard: 2 screens at the same time (3,0/5) · Peacock Premium Plus: 3 screens at the same time (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — app rating: HBO Max Standard
HBO Max Standard: 4,9 out of 5 (4,9/5) · Peacock Premium Plus: 4,7 out of 5 (4,7/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: