HBO Max vs Prime Video: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
HBO Max is a standalone subscription with three plans: no ads from Standard, 4K and Dolby Atmos on Premium, yearly billing on every plan and NHL and MLB games from Standard. Prime Video comes with Amazon Prime, has limited ads by default and needs Ultra for no ads and 4K — but it downloads on the base tier and streams four titles at once.
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 | Amazon Prime Video |
|---|---|---|
| Ads | Basic with Ads only | Limited; Ultra removes most |
| 4K | Premium | With Ultra |
| Downloads | None / 30 / 100 | 50 (Ultra 100) |
| Screens at once | 2 / 2 / 4 | 4 (Ultra 5) |
| Billing | Monthly or yearly | With Prime, or alone |
HBO Max carries HBO, Warner Bros. films and series and select live sports. Prime Video is Amazon’s service — included titles, Amazon Originals, live sports, rentals and add-on channels.
If you don’t want to read further
HBO originals, ad-free without an add-on, NHL or MLB — HBO Max. Already a Prime member, or want downloads on the base tier — Prime Video.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Ad-free?
HBO Max
Standard and Premium have no ads.
Amazon Prime Video
Limited ads by default; Prime Video Ultra removes most, not in live TV, sports or some channels.
Ad-free without an add-on — HBO Max Standard.
Where is 4K?
HBO Max
Premium, with Dolby Atmos as available.
Amazon Prime Video
With Ultra, with Dolby Atmos.
Both put 4K behind the higher tier.
Downloads?
HBO Max
None on Basic with Ads, 30 on Standard, 100 on Premium.
Amazon Prime Video
Up to 50 on the base tier, 100 with Ultra.
Prime Video downloads on its cheapest option.
Screens at once?
HBO Max
Two on Basic with Ads and Standard, four on Premium.
Amazon Prime Video
Four titles at once, five with Ultra.
Prime Video allows more streams before you upgrade.
How you pay?
HBO Max
A standalone plan, monthly or yearly (HBO Max puts the yearly saving at 16%).
Amazon Prime Video
With Amazon Prime, monthly or yearly, or a Prime Video membership on its own.
Prime members already have Prime Video.
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.
Live sports
HBO Max on Standard and Premium; Prime Video with ads on every tier.
Yearly options
HBO Max on every plan; Prime Video through a yearly Prime membership.
Extra purchases
HBO Max pay-per-view events and Prime Video rentals cost extra.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You already pay for Amazon Prime | Prime Video | Included; Ultra for no ads and 4K. |
| You want no ads without an add-on | HBO Max Standard | No ads, 30 downloads. |
| You follow NHL or MLB | HBO Max Standard or Premium | Select games included. |
| Four people stream at once | Prime Video | Four titles on the base tier. |
- HBO Max Basic with Ads has no downloads and no live sports.
- Prime Video Ultra isn’t shared through Amazon Family.
- Some Prime Video titles cost extra to rent or buy.
- HBO Max lists prices without applicable taxes.
Where the facts come from
Sources: the HBO Max Help Center for the US and Amazon’s US Prime Video help pages. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: HBO Max or Amazon Prime Video
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: Amazon Prime Video
HBO Max Standard: no (2,0/5) · Amazon Prime Video: yes (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — maximum resolution: Amazon Prime Video
HBO Max Standard: 1080p Full HD (3,0/5) · Amazon Prime Video: 4K UHD (HDR not for all content) (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — simultaneous streams: Amazon Prime Video
HBO Max Standard: 2 screens at the same time (3,0/5) · Amazon Prime Video: 3 screens at the same time (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — what else is included: HBO Max Standard
HBO Max Standard: 1 extra content type at no extra cost (3,0/5) · Amazon Prime Video: the catalog only (2,0/5)
If what matters most is — app rating: HBO Max Standard
HBO Max Standard: 4,9 out of 5 (4,9/5) · Amazon Prime Video: 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: