HBO Max
Ads $10.99 / Ad-free $18.49 / Premium $22.99 per mo
Hulu
Ads $9.99 / No ads $18.99 per mo
HBO Max leans on prestige HBO series, Max Originals, and recent Warner films. Hulu leans on next-day network TV, FX, and a broad general library. They cost about the same. HBO Max wins on per-title quality; Hulu wins on current TV and breadth.
Pick HBO Max if you prioritize prestige TV and recent Warner movies and want a dedicated 4K tier.
Pick Hulu if you want next-day current-season network TV, FX shows, and a broader general-audience library.
HBO Max and Hulu are both mid-priced streamers, but they specialize in different things. HBO Max is about prestige and recency: HBO's acclaimed dramas, Max Originals, and Warner Bros. films after their theatrical run. Hulu is about current television and breadth: next-day episodes of network shows, FX series, and a deep library of mature, general-audience content.
Pricing is close. HBO Max is $10.99 with ads, $18.49 ad-free, and $22.99 for 4K Premium. Hulu is $9.99 with ads or $18.99 ad-free. So Hulu is slightly cheaper at the entry tier, while HBO Max offers a dedicated 4K Premium plan.
We compare content focus, price, originals, library breadth, and which one to keep.
| Quick facts | HBO Max | Hulu |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest plan | Ads $10.99/mo | Ads $9.99/mo |
| Ad-free plan | Ad-free $18.49/mo | No ads $18.99/mo |
| 4K tier | Premium $22.99/mo | Limited |
| Content focus | Prestige + Warner films | Current TV + general |
| Best for | Quality over volume | Current TV + breadth |
Each row reflects the feature on each product's current public release.
| Feature | H HBO Max | H Hulu |
|---|---|---|
| Ad-supported tier | Yes | Yes |
| Ad-free tier | Yes | Yes |
| 4K HDR tier | Premium | Limited |
| Next-day network TV | No | Yes |
| Prestige originals | Best-in-class | Good (FX) |
| Recent theatrical films | Warner films | Limited |
| Library breadth | Curated | Broad |
| Offline downloads | Yes | Yes |
Pricing and features change often. Always verify the current details on each product's official site. Last reviewed June 2026.
Things neither product's marketing page leads with.
HBO Max wins on per-title quality and recent films; Hulu wins on current TV and sheer breadth.
Hulu is slightly cheaper at the entry tier, but HBO Max offers a true 4K Premium plan.
Both are owned within large media groups and frequently bundled, so check bundle deals before subscribing separately.
The average person juggles a dozen subscriptions and forgets at least one. Subkept is a privacy-first subscription tracker: add HBO Max, Hulu, and everything else, then get renewal reminders, price-hike alerts, and a clear monthly total, with no bank connection, ever. Free for up to 5 subscriptions, no time limit.
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