2025 has been a whirlwind year for streaming. HBO Max rebranded, and then Netflix dropped a bombshell in early December: an $82.7 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros.' core entertainment assets, including the entire studio, HBO, and HBO Max.
Like many subscribers, I found myself wondering: "Should I cancel HBO Max and wait for the Netflix integration?" "Which plan should I stick with during the transition?" "What happens to my favorite shows?"
Here's the short answer: The acquisition won't close until late 2026. HBO Max operates independently until then. If you want to watch The Last of Us Season 2 or House of the Dragon now, you still need an HBO Max subscription.
Below, I'll break down your current options, pricing, and how to make the smartest (and cheapest) choice during this transition.
HBO Max Pricing and Plans in 2025
HBO Max offers three subscription tiers, each with different features and price points. To help you compare them at a glance, I've created a detailed breakdown based on Max's official subscription page.
Basic with Ads vs Standard vs Premium: What's the Difference?
| Basic with Ads ($9.99/mo) | Standard ($16.99/mo) | Premium ($20.99/mo) |
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HBO Max Price History: Why It Keeps Going Up
HBO Max has raised prices consistently. Premium jumped from $14.99 to $15.99 in 2023, then $19.99 in 2024, and hit $20.99 by July 2025. Standard rose to $16.99, while Basic with Ads stayed at $9.99.
According to Max, these increases fund original programming, live sports rights (like NBA and NHL), and rising production costs. They also want to stay competitive with Netflix and Disney+ without creating too large a price gap.
But for us subscribers, this means paying more each year for the same viewing experience. That's why finding ways to save—through annual billing or account sharing—makes more sense than ever.
Is HBO Max Premium Worth the Upgrade?
For me personally, upgrading to Premium has been absolutely worth it. Here's why I recommend considering the Premium tier, based on picture quality, pricing structure, and overall viewing experience.
Picture and Sound Quality
The decision to upgrade largely depends on whether you can actually notice the difference in quality—and trust me, with Premium, you absolutely can.
I maintain my HBO Max subscription primarily for shows like House of the Dragon and The Last of Us. The jump to 4K resolution with Dolby Vision makes a massive difference. The enhanced contrast, brighter highlights, and richer color depth transform the viewing experience.
Take House of the Dragon, for example. In one particularly tense scene from Season 2, the firelight reflecting off Daemon's face in the dark—the detail was almost cinematic. I'm convinced Dolby Atmos played a huge role in making it feel so immersive.
Visual Quality Comparison
Premium's 4K Ultra HD creates a theater-like experience—especially on a large TV. Standard's 1080p is fine for casual viewing, but if you own a 4K TV, you're not getting your money's worth from your hardware. The gap becomes very noticeable when watching visually ambitious content like Dune or The Batman.
Device Support and Pricing Strategy
Here's where the numbers get interesting. Premium allows you to stream on up to 4 devices simultaneously—perfect for larger households.
But the real value comes from account sharing. Premium lets you add up to 2 extra members living outside your household at $6.99 each. When you split the costs:
- Standard: $16.99 + $6.99 = $23.98/month ÷ 3 people = $7.99 per person
- Premium: $20.99 + $13.98 = $34.97/month ÷ 6 people = $5.83 per person
Premium gives you 4K quality, Dolby Atmos, more devices, and actually costs less per person when shared. That's the real value proposition.
My Recommendation: Which Plan Should You Choose?
- Choose Basic with Ads if: You're budget-conscious and primarily use mobile devices.
- Choose Standard if: You want ad-free viewing but don't have a 4K TV.
- Choose Premium if: You have a 4K TV, watch frequently, or plan to share with family to split costs. This is the best value per person.
Does HBO Max Offer Free Trials or Promotions?
Unfortunately, HBO Max discontinued its free trial in most regions back in 2020. As of 2025, new subscribers won't find any trial period when signing up.
In the past, Max occasionally ran limited-time promotions—typically during major releases (think House of the Dragon premieres) or holiday seasons.
Best HBO Max Deals and Discounts in 2025
HBO Max has a solid library, but the Premium plan runs $20.99 a month, and that adds up. Luckily, there are ways to get the same experience for less.
Subscribe to HBO Max Premium for Less via GamsGo
If you want the 4K, ad-free experience of Premium but don’t want to pay the full official price, GamsGo’s shared account option is worth considering.
It offers HBO Max Premium shared account services, with an annual fee of only about $55—that is more than 70% cheaper than the official subscription.
More importantly, the features are fully intact: supporting 4K, Dolby Audio, and allowing up to 100 movie downloads, exactly the same as the official Premium version.
Using it is simple. GamsGo provides verified shared HBO Max accounts. After placing an order, you’ll get new login details and can start watching right away.
The service is also reliable. GamsGo offers 24/7 customer support. Several people I know kept renewing after trying it once, saying it’s affordable and stable.
For anyone who loves TV series, blockbuster movies, or live sports, GamsGo is easily one of the best-value options out there.
Student Discount
If you're a student in the US and at least 18 years old, there's an even better deal.
After verifying through UNiDAYS, you can get the Basic with Ads plan for just $4.99/mo instead of the regular $9.99. That’s a full 50% off, but it’s only available to students in the US.
Holiday Promotion & Bundles
HBO Max sometimes runs promotions during Black Friday or bundles with providers like AT&T or Cricket Wireless. However, these offers are rare and usually time-limited.
In contrast, GamsGo can be used at any time, has a fixed price, and has no difference in functionality, so I still most recommend it.
HBO Max vs Netflix, Disney+, and Paramount+
I’ve tried most major streaming platforms in recent years, but I still use HBO Max the most. To show how its pricing compares, I made a quick chart against the other big ones:
| Platform | With Ads (Monthly) | Premium/4K (Monthly) | Main Content |
| Paramount+ | $7.99 | $12.99 | CBS, Showtime, Sports |
| Disney+ | $9.99 | $15.99 | Marvel, Star Wars |
| HBO Max | $9.99 | $20.99 | Warner Bros, HBO |
| Netflix | $7.99 | $24.99 | Originals |
HBO Max Premium costs a bit more than Netflix or Disney+, but with Warner Bros. films and classic HBO shows, it still stands out for quality.
If you want to watch high-quality content without the high price tag, using GamsGo allows you to enjoy the full HBO Max Premium experience at a fraction of the cost.
Conclusion: The Best Way to subscribe to HBO Max in 2025
The HBO Max library quality is undeniable, but the Premium price ($20.99/mo) is steep.
If you only use it occasionally, you can wait for promotions. But if you’re planning to stick with it and want full Premium access, GamsGo is probably the best deal.
Its annual fee is less than $55—about a quarter of the official price—yet you get the same 4K, ad-free, and multi-device support.
FAQ
1. How to get HBO Max the cheapest?
The cheapest way to watch HBO Max is through GamsGo. A Premium account costs just $55 per year, offering the full set of features at a fraction of the official price.
2. Can I share my HBO Max subscription?
Yes, HBO Max allows multiple streams. The Premium plan supports up to 4 simultaneous streams, making it ideal for sharing with family or friends.
3. Can you cancel Max anytime?
Yes, you can cancel your Max subscription at any time. Whether you're on a monthly or annual plan, there are no long-term commitments.
4. Since Netflix bought HBO, is HBO Max free on Netflix now?
No. The deal was announced in December 2025, but it faces regulatory approval. The apps will likely remain separate until at least late 2026. You cannot watch HBO content on Netflix yet.
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