Apple TV+ is a strong choice for users who value high-quality, original content and an ad-free experience at a lower price point, especially those already within the Apple ecosystem. Max, however, is better suited for those seeking a broader range of content and are willing to pay more for ad-free viewing and higher streaming quality, with content from HBO, Warner Bros., and Discovery.
Attribute | Apple TV+ | Max |
---|---|---|
Original Content Quality | High-quality original content, consistently ranked highly | Premium shows, including "The Penguin," "The Last of Us," "House of the Dragon," "The Sopranos," "The White Lotus," and "Curb Your Enthusiasm". Offers content from Warner Bros. Discovery. |
Content Variety (Movies, TV Shows, Documentaries) | Focuses primarily on original content, smaller library compared to competitors, offers TV shows, movies, and documentaries | Mix of original content and library material across film, music, entertainment, television, and sports. Includes content from HBO, Warner Bros., the DC Universe, Cartoon Network, and Discovery networks. |
Subscription Cost | $9.99 per month in the US, $99.99 per year (15% savings) | Basic 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. |
Ad-Free Option Availability | Completely ad-free | Ad-free streaming tiers available with "Ad-Free" or "Ultimate Ad-Free" plans. |
Offline Download Availability | Allows users to download content for offline viewing on Apple devices, downloads expire after 30 days | Ad-Free plan: Up to 30 hours of content; Ultimate Ad-Free plan: Up to 100 titles or hours of content. |
Streaming Quality (4K, HDR) | Streams everything in up to 4K HDR with Dolby Atmos, high streaming quality, some shows reach peak bitrates of 41Mbps | Standard plans stream in 1080p; Ultimate Ad-Free plan: 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and HDR10. |
Device Compatibility | Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K), some smart TVs (Samsung, LG, VIZIO, Sony), Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, PlayStation, Xbox, web | Compatible with iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets, Amazon Fire tablets, Apple TV, Android TV devices, Amazon Fire TV devices, Roku devices, PlayStation 4 and 5, Samsung TVs, VIZIO Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Xbox One, and Google Chromecast. Stream on phones, tablets, computers, TVs, streaming players, set-top boxes, and game consoles. |
User Interface and Experience | Built into the Apple TV app, uses machine learning and AI to recommend content | Enhanced browsing experience with dynamic video previews on the homepage. AI-assisted tool suggests "Drop-In Moments". Users can toggle video and audio previews on or off. |
Number of Simultaneous Streams | 6 simultaneous streams per subscription | Ad-Enabled and Ad-Free plans: 2 devices; Ultimate Ad-Free plan: Up to 4 devices. |
Family Sharing Options | Supports Family Sharing, allowing you to share your subscription with up to five other family members | No specific "family sharing" options, but multiple streams allow sharing within a household. An 'extra member' Max subscription option is available for $7.99 a month. |
Exclusive Content and Bundling | Focuses on exclusive, original content, included in Apple One bundles, offered as part of some mobile plans | Offers exclusive content, including Max Originals. Available in a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. |
Free Trial Availability | Typically offers a 7-day free trial, free trials of 3 months often available with the purchase of a new Apple device | Doesn't typically offer a free trial. A 7-day free trial may be available through Amazon Prime Video. May be available for free through an annual DoorDash subscription. |