Max (formerly HBO Max) is one of the more expensive streaming services in TV land—of course you’re looking for a deal. So are we, and we’ve found some offers that can save you a few bucks (or even all the bucks) on your Max subscription.
Get Max for free
Max doesn’t offer a free trial directly, but some providers include an ongoing Max subscription when you sign up for select services:
- DIRECTV: 3 mos. free with select plans and included with PREMIER plan
- DIRECTV STREAM: 3 mos. free with select plans and included with PREMIER plan
After the promotional period, Max reverts to its regular price of $9.99–$19.99/mo. or $99.99–$199.99/yr.
Max with DIRECTV
New DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM customers can get three months of free Max included with select TV packages.
Max with Cricket Wireless
Cricket’s Unlimited + 15 GB Mobile Hotspot mobile plan, which starts at $60 a month for one line (or $32 per line with five lines), includes free Max. Unfortunately, it’s the ad-supported version, but you’d still save nearly $120 a year on Max service.
Max with ads
Wait, there’s an ad-supported version of Max? Yes, and it goes for $9.99 a month, which is $6 less than its regular plan. As you’d expect, this discounted plan includes commercial spots. It also doesn’t support 4K HD, and it excludes same-day access to Warner Bros. theatrical movie premieres (one of Max’s coolest perks).
On the upside, the ads don’t intrude upon Max Originals, and you’d save $50 a year with this plan. We don’t like the idea of ads in our HBO, but this deal isn’t bad.
Max with annual payment
Like Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming services, Max offers a discount if you pay upfront for a year of service. You can get the regular Max ($9.99–$19.99/mo. or $99.99–$199.99/yr.) for $149.99 a year (a savings of $41.89 annually), or the ad-supported Max ($9.99 per month) for $99.99 a year (a savings of $19.89 annually).
If you know you’ll be watching Max all year—and why wouldn’t you be?—this is one of the simplest deals to get in on.
Max deals FAQ
How much does Max cost?
Max costs up to $19.99 per month or $199.00 if you pay for a year upfront. The ad-supported Max plan—which comes with commercial spots and no 4K capability—costs $9.99 a month, or $99.99 if you pay for a year upfront.
Is there a free trial for Max?
While Max doesn’t offer free trials on its website, you can try out this premium streaming service through other TV and internet providers: Cox, Optimum, DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.
What shows and movies are on Max?
Max includes all programming from HBO, as well as full seasons of shows and exclusive movies not available on HBO. Max also offers Max Originals, which are shows and movies produced exclusively for the service.
Movies on Max (partial list):
- The Suicide Squad
- Zack Snyder’s Justice League
- Wonder Woman 1984
- Shazam!
- Tenet
- Godzilla vs. Kong
- Reminiscence
TV shows on Max (partial list):
- The White Lotus
- Game of Thrones
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
- Succession
- The Wire
- The Sopranos
- Rick and Morty
- Friends
Max Originals (partial list):
- The Flight Attendant
- Hacks
- Doom Patrol
- Search Party
- Gossip Girl
Is Max free with Amazon Prime?
Amazon Prime Video used to offer a 7-day free trial of Max, but no longer. The Max add-on will cost Prime members $9.99 a month.
How do I get Max for free?
Max offers a few episodes from some of its series for free. You can also get free subscriptions to Max with select plans from providers like DIRECTV.