HBO Max (Max) provides more plan options, including an ad-supported tier and a higher potential for offline downloads, while Netflix Premium offers a straightforward ad-free experience with 4K streaming and spatial audio included. The best choice depends on individual viewing preferences and budget.
| Attribute | HBO Max (Rebranded as Max) | Netflix Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Content library size and variety | Vast streaming library with over 35,000 hours of content; includes content from Warner Bros., Discovery, HBO, CNN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, TBS, TNT, Eurosport, and related brands; Warner Bros. Discovery promised to add 40 new titles and TV show seasons on average each month. | Vast library of movies and TV shows with a significant amount of original content. |
| Original content quality and quantity | Offers HBO Originals, Max Originals, and content from the DC Universe; Standout original series include The Last of Us and the Harry Potter series. | Large catalog of original TV shows and movies, including popular titles like *Stranger Things*, *Bridgerton*, and *The Crown*. |
| Streaming resolution (4K, HD) | Offers streaming in HD (1080p) on some plans; 4K Ultra HD streaming is available on the "Ultimate Ad-Free" plan; At launch, Max offered over 1,000 films and episodes in 4K, with more added monthly; All Warner Bros. movies released in 2023 onward are available in 4K UHD on Max after their theatrical release. | Up to 4K Ultra HD with HDR. |
| Number of simultaneous streams | The "With Ads" and "Ad-Free" plans allow streaming on two devices simultaneously; The "Ultimate Ad-Free" plan allows streaming on up to four devices at once; When streaming sports, the number of concurrent streams is limited to 2, regardless of the plan. | 4 devices. |
| Offline viewing availability | The "Ad-Lite" plan does not offer offline downloads; The "Ad-Free" plan allows for up to 30 offline downloads; The "Ultimate Ad-Free" plan allows for up to 100 offline downloads; Downloads are available on mobile devices and tablets. | Downloads for offline viewing on up to six devices. |
| Ad-supported vs. ad-free options | Offers an ad-supported plan ("With Ads"); Ad-free plans are also available ("Ad-Free" and "Ultimate Ad-Free"). | Ad-free. |
| Parental control features | Offers parental control features to create a safe viewing environment for children; These controls allow restricting content based on MPA ratings and TV parental guidelines; You can create customized profiles for kids and curate a library of approved content. | Profile locks using PINs, maturity ratings, and the ability to block specific titles. |
| User interface and navigation | Launched with a redesigned user interface; HBO Max subscribers retained their profiles, settings, watch history, "Continue Watching," and "My List" items after the update to Max. | Intuitive navigation, personalized content recommendations, and easy browsing. |
| Device compatibility | Compatible with a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, mobile devices, gaming consoles, and more; Specific supported devices include Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Google TV, Roku, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, iPhones, and Android devices. | Smart TVs, streaming media players, mobile devices, game consoles, and computers. |
| Content download limits | "Ad-Free" plan: 30 downloads; "Ultimate Ad-Free" plan: 100 downloads; Downloads are only available on certain devices like mobile phones and tablets; Unwatched downloads expire 30 days after being downloaded; Once you begin watching a download, you have 48 hours to finish it before it expires. | Up to 100 downloads per device at a time. Some titles may have yearly download limits. |
| Spatial audio support (Dolby Atmos, etc.) | The "Ultimate Ad-Free" plan supports Dolby Atmos; Dolby Vision is available for select content and devices. | Netflix spatial audio. |
| Price | With Ads: $9.99/month or $99.99/year; Ad-Free: $16.99/month or $169.99/year; Ultimate Ad-Free: $20.99/month or $209.99/year (As of July 2025) | $24.99/month |