HBO Max focuses on premium HBO content and blockbuster films with a $16/month ad-free tier, while Hulu offers broader general entertainment with next-day TV access and costs $8/month with ads. HBO Max wins for cinephiles; Hulu wins for TV binge-watchers.
HBO Max vs Hulu — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose HBO Max if you prioritize cinematic quality, premium HBO content, and Warner Bros theatrical releases—it's ideal for movie enthusiasts and prestige drama fans. Choose Hulu if you want comprehensive television coverage, next-day network TV episodes, live TV options, and broader entertainment variety at a lower cost.
Premium streaming service featuring HBO originals, Warner Bros films, and DC content.
Broad-based streaming service with next-day TV episodes, live TV, and extensive entertainment variety.
Structured comparison data for HBO Max vs Hulu with 217 attributes.
Original Series Critical Quality (Avg Rotten Tomatoes)
Recommended Bundle Price (All Services, No Ads)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Tier)
HBO Max vs Hulu — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for HBO Max vs Hulu.
Can I watch current TV shows the day after they air?
Hulu offers next-day access to 500+ shows from ABC, NBC, FOX, and cable networks. HBO Max only provides same/next-day access to HBO-owned shows (like Game of Thrones spinoffs), not broadcast network TV.
Which service has better movie selection?
HBO Max has significantly better movie content with 40-50 Warner Bros theatrical releases annually, 800+ 4K titles, and premium film libraries. Hulu focuses on TV content and has minimal theatrical film releases.
Only Hulu includes live TV across its $8+ subscription tiers, offering 50+ channels including ESPN, Disney Channel, and FX. HBO Max does not offer any live TV access.
What's the best deal if I want multiple Disney/Warner services?
Hulu's bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ costs $14.99/month for all three. HBO Max has no comparable bundle advantage—you'd pay $16.99+ for HBO Max alone, making Hulu's ecosystem a better value if you want multiple services.
How many people can watch at the same time?
HBO Max Premium allows 4 simultaneous streams on different devices. Hulu's standard plan allows only 2 screens at once, though Hulu+ with ads supports 2 screens and Hulu (No Ads) supports 2 screens—HBO Max provides more flexibility for families.