Max vs. Hulu: Which Streaming Service is the Best Purchase Option for 2025?
We compare two major competitors in the home entertainment world.
Max, formerly known as HBO Max, and Hulu stand out as two of the leading streaming services in the United States. However, if subscribing to all platforms is not viable, it is essential to determine which one offers the best value in terms of entertainment. To facilitate this comparison, prices, plans, features, app experiences, and available content on each service have been analyzed.
Both services are available in the United States, although Max has begun to expand into some additional countries. However, neither is currently present in Australia or the UK, although Max offers some options for British viewers.
Max was launched in 2020 as HBO Max, replacing the HBO Now and HBO Go platforms. This service is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and features content from various producers, including Warner, Discovery, HBO, CNN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, as well as sports channels.
On the other hand, Hulu, which is part of the Disney conglomerate, started in 2007 as a joint venture between News Corp and NBC Universal, launching its streaming service in 2010 and becoming fully owned by Disney in 2023. Though it produces its own series, much of its catalog comes from Hollywood studios and television networks.
Price and Plan Comparison
As of December 2024, Max offers three plans:
- Ad-Lite Plan: $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
- Ad Free Plan: $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year.
- Ultimate Ad Free Plan: $20.99 per month or $209.99 per year.
The Ad-Lite plan allows streaming on two devices at 1080p, while the Ultimate Ad Free plan allows four simultaneous streams and 4K, in addition to Dolby Atmos.
Hulu, on the other hand, has a more complex structure offering two services: the standard service and Hulu + Live TV. The prices are as follows:
- Hulu with ads: $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
- Hulu without ads: $18.99 per month.
- Hulu + Live TV with ads: $82.99 per month.
- Hulu + Live TV without ads: $95.99 per month.
Available Content
Hulu boasts a vast array of popular series and movies, such as "Sons of Anarchy," "Rick and Morty," "Schitt's Creek," and classic productions like "Frasier." Its catalog is strong in comedies, while also offering intense dramas. In addition to its library, the Hulu + Live TV package provides access to over 95 live television channels.
Max also holds its ground, offering hits like "The Last of Us," "Friends," and classic HBO series such as "The Sopranos" and "True Detective." Its film collection ranges from current blockbusters to timeless classics like "The Wizard of Oz" and "Mad Max: Fury Road."
Both platforms are continuously enhancing their content, although Max tends to add new titles at the beginning of the month, while Hulu does so throughout the month.
Features of Each Service
Max and Hulu share similarities in design but present key differences. Max allows for up to 100 downloads for offline viewing, whereas Hulu has a quality-based access approach, offering 4K streaming in some cases. As of December 2024, Hulu restricts account sharing, while Max has not yet imposed this limit, although a change is expected in 2025.
Conclusion
For users in the United States looking for a wide selection of content, both Max and Hulu offer valuable options. However, Max stands out for its impressive library of high-quality movies and dramas, making it the preferred choice for many. Hulu is not a bad option, especially for those looking for a service that complements traditional television, but it may not be the most exciting destination on its own.
