The online movie/show streaming demand has increased significantly and while Netflix was the only option available in the past, recently more and more streaming services/applications have emerged. HBO max is an app similar to Netflix which provides a wide variety of entertainment content to its subscribers. Let’s get a detailed analysis on Netflix vs HBO Max.
One of the most common points of confusion for anybody looking to buy an online subscription for a streaming service application is which app is the better choice. Netflix has been in the market for a long time and has solidified its position, however, HBO max also came in with a bang and offered excellent HBO original shows, just like Netflix offered its own Netflix originals. Today, an in-depth comparison between the two most popular streaming apps would be discussed to facilitate the confused individuals as to which subscription is best suited for them.
COST DIFFERENCE:
To watch shows or movies on Netflix or HBO Max, the customers have to buy a monthly subscription through a credit/debit card. The costs for both Netflix and HBO Max are almost equal.
Netflix Subscriptions:
Netflix offers 3 different kinds of monthly subscriptions:
- Basic Plan-$9.99/month
- Standard Plan-$15.49/month
- Premium Plan-$19.99/month.
On the other hand, HBO max offers the following kinds of subscriptions:
- Ad-free monthly subscription-$15
- Ad-free yearly subscription-$150
- Monthly subscription with Ads-$10
- Yearly subscription with Ads-$100
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Nobody likes to be interrupted by unwanted ads while binge-watching their favorite shows or having a movie marathon on a weekend. Therefore, for the people who want an ad-free experience, they have two options:
- Pay more for the HBO Max ad-free subscription
- Pay less for the basic Netflix plan.
Netflix has absolutely no ads and it seems to be the better choice in comparison.
VIDEO QUALITY:
The latest laptops and televisions now support 4K videos and some even support 8K videos. The better the video quality, the better the user experience. HBO has a very limited number of movies that are available in 4K, such as The Batman. On the other hand, Netflix has a vast variety of TV shows and movies that are available with 4K support, such as the latest TV shows ‘Squid Games’ and ‘Money Heist’. In light of this, it can be concluded that Netflix is the better option for people who want to enjoy a higher-quality viewing experience. It is imperative to note that to access 4K content on Netflix, one has to buy the Premium subscription plan which costs $19.99/month.
DEVICE SUPPORT:
Both Netflix and HBO Max are supported on almost all of the latest devices. The supported devices are listed below.
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast
- Smart TVs
- Android and IOS devices
- All major internet browsers
- Xbox
- PlayStation
VARIETY OF CONTENT:
Both Netflix and HBO Max have numerous movies and shows available to watch. However, the Netflix library is still considerably larger than HBO Max’s as HBO Max has about 10,000 hours of viewable content whereas Netflix has above 35,000 hours of on-demand content available to its subscribers.
ORIGINAL SHOWS:
Netflix has spent large sums of money to produce and stream original TV shows and in comparison, while HBO does have some original shows, Netflix still beats HBO Max in terms of the number of original shows/movies available.
Netflix Originals:
Some of the most popular Netflix originals are:
- Squid Games
- Stranger things
- The Crown
HBO Max Originals:
- Gossip Girl
- Peacemaker
- The flight attendant
SIMULTANEOUS STREAMING OPTIONS:
HBO offers its subscribers the option to view different shows on three different devices at the same time, regardless of what kind of subscription one has. However, Netflix takes a different approach and provides its subscribers the number of screens in accordance with their chosen subscription plan. For example, if one chooses the basic plan or the standard plan, they can stream movies/shows on either one device or two devices respectively. If one has subscribed to the most expensive premium plan, they can access 4 different screens simultaneously.
CONCLUSION:
To sum it up, both HBO Max and Netflix are great online movie/show streaming platforms and provide a vast variety of the latest entertainment content to their subscribers. While Netflix is slightly more expensive for the full premium plan, it does offer much more content than HBO Max does. It all boils down to personal preference at the end of the day. If one wants access to the latest Warner Brothers films, they can opt for HBO Max. If one wants to explore a wider variety of TV shows and movies available in 4K, one can choose to subscribe to the Netflix premium plan. One important factor which gives the edge to Netflix is the completely ad-free viewing experience regardless of the type of subscription plan.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
- HOW TO BUY A HBO MAX/NETFLIX SUBSCRIPTION?
Simply visit the official website of your preferred streaming platform, create a free account and add your card details in the account. You can select your desired subscription plan and the amount will be deducted from your debit/credit card.
- WHICH CARDS ARE ACCEPTABLE FOR SUBSCRIBING TO NETFLIX/HBO MAX?
Netflix and HBO Max accept the following cards:
- Master Card
- Visa card
- American Express
