Source-cited · Updated Jul 2026
HBO Max vs Netflix: $18.49/mo vs $26.99/mo
Max has raised prices more gently than Netflix and remains cheaper for ad-free 4K-capable streaming. Every HBO Max and Netflix tier tracked, 2021–2026, with every price change sourced.
HBO Max
Better value3 plans · default: Standard (Ad-Free)
Netflix
3 plans + 1 retired · default: Premium (4K)
Verdict
Better value: HBO Max
Max has raised prices more gently than Netflix and remains cheaper for ad-free 4K-capable streaming.
Scorecard
The numbers behind the verdict
Standard (Ad-Free) vs Premium (4K) — the default tier of each service, 2021–2026. A green tick marks the better number in each row.
| Metric | HBO Max Standard (Ad-Free) | Netflix Premium (4K) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Price (2026) | $18.49 (better) | $26.99 |
| Total Change | +23% (better) | +50% |
| Number of Hikes | 3 (better) | 4 |
| Hike Frequency | Every 1.7 yrs (better) | Every 1.3 yrs |
| Avg Annual Change | $0.70/yr (better) | $1.80/yr |
Every tier
Which tier costs what today
Every HBO Max and Netflix plan in one list, cheapest first. First Tracked is each plan’s price when our tracking began — 2021, or its debut year if it arrived later. Retired tiers sit at the bottom with their final price.
| Service | Plan | Price Now | First Tracked | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NNetflix | Standard with AdsAds | $8.99 | $6.99 (2022) | +29% |
| MHBO Max | Basic with AdsAds | $10.99 | $9.99 (2021) | +10% |
| MHBO Max | Standard (Ad-Free)Default | $18.49 | $14.99 (2021) | +23% |
| NNetflix | Standard | $19.99 | $13.99 (2021) | +43% |
| MHBO Max | Premium (Ultimate 4K) | $22.99 | $19.99 (2023) | +15% |
| NNetflix | Premium (4K)Default | $26.99 | $17.99 (2021) | +50% |
| NNetflix | Basic (ad-free)Retired | $11.99 final (2024) | $8.99 (2021) | +33% |