HBO Max excels with premium HBO/Warner Bros. content and 4K streaming on all plans, while Hulu offers more diverse general entertainment with the cheapest ad-supported tier at $7.99/month and superior live TV integration.
HBO Max vs Hulu — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Warner Bros. Discovery's premium streaming service featuring HBO originals, blockbuster films, and DC content.
Streaming platform with 10,000+ on-demand titles and limited live TV options.
Starting Price (Ad-Supported). 4K Streaming Availability. Live TV Channels. Original Series (2024-2025). Movie Library Size. Simultaneous Streams. Ad-Free Monthly Cost
Choose HBO Max if you prioritize premium cinema-quality content, prestige dramas, and 4K streaming on your budget plan—it's ideal for cinephiles and HBO devotees. Choose Hulu if you want affordable entry-level streaming with live TV access, diverse general entertainment, and access to next-day network TV episodes from ABC, Fox, and NBC.
HBO Max: Allowed with flexibility | Hulu: N/A
HBO Max: Available on premium plans | Hulu: N/A
HBO Max: Yes (Warner Bros. films) | Hulu: N/A
HBO Max: Yes (via Max Sports add-on) | Hulu: N/A
HBO Max: Strong European focus | Hulu: N/A
HBO Max: 4K HDR + Dolby Atmos | Hulu: N/A
HBO Max: Discovery+ integration only | Hulu: Disney+, ESPN+, FX content
HBO Max: Hacks S5, Euphoria S3 | Hulu: Tell Me Lies (7.2 rating)
HBO Max: None | Hulu: ESPN+ with premium sports
HBO Max: All Warner Bros. theatrical | Hulu: Limited
HBO Max: 4K (2160p) with Dolby Vision | Hulu: N/A
HBO Max: Dolby Atmos (5.1.4 surround) | Hulu: N/A
HBO Max: Minimal (occasional boxing/WWE) | Hulu: N/A
HBO Max: 150+ devices including Fire, Roku, gaming consoles, smart TVs | Hulu: N/A
HBO Max: Limited to select titles only | Hulu: N/A
HBO Max: 7 days (with eligible payment method) | Hulu: N/A
HBO Max: All plans | Hulu: Premium plan only
HBO Max: ~4,500 titles | Hulu: ~2,500 titles
HBO Max: 40+ prestige originals | Hulu: 25+ diverse originals
HBO Max: Not available | Hulu: ABC, Fox, NBC shows included
Recommended Bundle Price (All Services, No Ads)
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: $44.99 (with ESPN Unlimited)
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: 8 participants (Watch Party)
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Available with bundles
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Limited (select events only)
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Top 3 among streamers
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Via ESPN+ partnership
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Standard mobile app
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Included (Hulu Watch Party)
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Easier to browse and find content
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: $19.99/month (included)
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Next-day episodes of current shows
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Standalone app ending, merging into Disney+
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Yes (ABC, NBC, Fox, FX)
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Same-day/next-day (typically 8-24 hours)
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: $119.99 (with ads, includes Disney+ & ESPN+)
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Yes (add-on: $14.99/mo)
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Yes ($14.99/month with Disney+/ESPN+)
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: 30 days (varies by plan)
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Next-day (24 hours)
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Available (select shows)
HBO Max: N/A | Hulu: Available ($76.99/month add-on)
HBO Max vs Hulu — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for HBO Max vs Hulu. Contains 155 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
HBO Max vs Hulu — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for HBO Max vs Hulu.
Can I watch in 4K on both services without paying premium prices?
No. HBO Max includes 4K on all plans starting at $9.99/month, making it better for 4K content. Hulu only offers 4K on its $24.99/month Premium plan, so standard and ad-supported tiers are limited to 1080p resolution.
Which service is better for live sports and news?
Hulu is the clear winner. It offers 90+ live TV channels (sports, news, entertainment) through its optional Live TV add-on ($90/month). HBO Max has zero live TV integration and focuses entirely on on-demand content.
HBO Max produces approximately 40+ prestige original series annually with critical acclaim (The Last of Us, True Detective Season 4), while Hulu produces 25+ originals with more emphasis on broad appeal and comedy (The Bear, Only Murders in the Building). HBO Max wins on prestige; Hulu offers more variety.
HBO Max's $19.99/month ad-free plan supports 4 simultaneous streams, making it ~$5 per person. Hulu's $24.99/month Premium plan also supports 4 streams (~$6.25 per person). However, if your family watches live TV, Hulu with Live TV ($90/month) replaces cable, becoming cost-effective compared to traditional TV.
Can I watch network shows like Grey's Anatomy or The Bachelor?
Yes, but only on Hulu. Hulu offers next-day episodes of ABC, Fox, and NBC shows through its base plan. HBO Max does not have this feature. HBO Max focuses on HBO originals and Warner Bros. content instead.
Starting Price (Ad-Supported): HBO Max has $9.99/month, while Hulu has $7.99/month.
4K Streaming Availability: HBO Max has All plans included, while Hulu has Premium plan only ($24.99/month).
Live TV Channels: HBO Max has 0 channels, while Hulu has 90+ channels (with Live TV add-on).
Original Series (2024-2025): HBO Max has 40+ prestige HBO originals annually, while Hulu has 25+ diverse originals annually.
Movie Library Size: HBO Max has ~4,500 titles (premium films), while Hulu has ~2,500 titles (broader variety).
Simultaneous Streams: HBO Max has 4 streams (ad-free plan), while Hulu has 2 streams (Standard), 4 (Premium).
Ad-Free Monthly Cost: HBO Max has $19.99/month, while Hulu has $24.99/month.