On May 14, HBO Max announced that it was returning to its old name, bringing an end to the two-year “Max” era. Many users had hoped the company would celebrate with a free trial or limited-time discount, but those expectations didn’t come true.
For viewers eager to watch popular shows like Patria and 30 Coins, the steep monthly subscription price is still a major headache.
Fortunately, there are several alternative ways to save money—and even watch for free. In this article, I’ll share a few methods I’ve personally tested that can help you enjoy HBO Max’s great shows and movies at the lowest possible cost.
Does HBO Max Offer a Free Trial?
Unfortunately, as of now, HBO Max does not provide any kind of free trial.
In the early days of its launch in Spain, HBO did offer 7-day, 14-day, and even 30-day trials. But since the official rollout of the HBO Max brand in 2021, those offers have been gradually phased out. In addition, free trials once available through partners like Hulu with Max or the Amazon Prime Bundle have also been discontinued.
That doesn’t mean you have no choice but to pay full price. Beyond official trials, I’ve found several more practical and affordable options—such as choosing annual subscription discounts, using reliable shared accounts, taking advantage of perks from mobile carriers, or keeping an eye out for limited-time promotions that aren’t widely advertised.
These strategies can effectively cut costs, or even let you watch for free, without sacrificing the viewing experience.
HBO Max: 2025 Pricing Plans
The most straightforward way is to take full advantage of HBO Max’s current pricing. By choosing the annual plan, you can enjoy premium content at a more affordable rate.
As of now in the U.S., HBO Max offers three standalone subscription options:
And two bundled subscription options:
All standalone plans come with annual payment options: the Ad-Supported plan is $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year; the Standard plan is $169.99 per year, saving $22.88 compared to paying monthly; and the Premium plan is $209.99 per year, saving $41.98 annually.
On GamsGo, however, a Premium account costs only about $60 per year, making it far more cost-effective.
The advantage of the annual plan is clear—you pay for 10 months and get 12 months of service, which is the equivalent of two free months.
For users who want to follow the latest hit shows or rewatch classics like Harry Potter and The Matrix, the annual plan is without a doubt a great deal.
Free HBO Max with Shared Platforms
Not every user needs a year-round HBO Max subscription—especially those who only watch certain shows when they’re released or those who split their time across multiple streaming services. For these users, you can do what I did and get an HBO Max account through a shared platform like GamsGo.
GamsGo is a subscription-sharing service that lets users split the cost, giving access to expensive streaming services at a significantly lower price. On GamsGo, I was able to buy HBO Max account for less than one-third of the official subscription price. After purchasing, I received the login credentials instantly, allowing me to sign in directly on the HBO Max website—no email connection required. The whole process was quick and easy.
Privacy isn’t an issue either—GamsGo provides accounts with separate profiles, so your viewing history and saved content remain private, just like your own personal account.
I mentioned this method when I talked about how to watch Disney+ for free, and many readers found it really helpful. Although it's not completely free, the high value for money and seamless experience make it a highly recommended choice.
Free HBO Max with Cricket Wireless Unlimited Plan
In 2025, Cricket Wireless still includes a free HBO Max subscription with its Supreme Unlimited premium plan.
This plan costs about $55 per month and not only offers unlimited high-speed data but also comes with 50GB of hotspot data and 150GB of cloud storage. Subscribers receive HBO Max Basic with Ads as an added benefit, worth nearly $120 a year.
If you’re considering a wireless plan and also want free access to HBO Max, this perk from Cricket is definitely a good deal.
Free HBO Max with Verizon Home Internet Plans
Not just Cricket—Verizon also includes HBO Max benefits in various internet packages, and in even more flexible ways:
Netflix + HBO Max Bundle
Customers with Verizon’s 5G Home, LTE Home, Fios Home Internet, or eligible myPlan wireless packages can pay $10 per month to get Netflix (Standard with ads) and Max (with ads) together.One Year Free for New Fios Home Internet Users
Starting in 2025, new subscribers to Verizon Fios 1 Gig or 2 Gig home internet can enjoy 12 months of free Netflix (with ads) and Max (with ads)—a savings of about $120.
Free HBO Max with Google Rewards
If you’re an Android user, you can try Google’s survey app Google Opinion Rewards. This is an official Google app where you can earn €0.08–€0.25 in Google Play credit by completing short surveys that take only a few minutes. The credits are added directly to your Google account and can be used to pay for in-app purchases, including HBO Max subscriptions.
From my own experience, it took me about two months to save up enough for one month of the HBO Max Basic plan (€6.99). I usually received a survey every two or three days, with questions mostly about stores, apps, or travel routes—very easy to answer.
Although the pace of earning is not very fast, it’s completely free and simple to use. If you’re not in a rush to subscribe, this is a handy tool to gradually cover your subscription cost. Just keep in mind this method only works for Android users subscribing to HBO Max through Google Play, as iOS users currently don’t have this option.
Get HBO Max Free with a DoorDash Subscription
Picture this: you’re lounging on the couch watching Max while dinner shows up at your door—that’s the perk of DoorDash DashPass. With an annual DashPass membership, you not only get free delivery on your food but also unlock a free Max subscription (with ads). Two wins in one.
DashPass on its own costs $9.99/month, but bundled with Max it comes out to just $8/month when billed annually ($96/year). In other words, you’re paying for DashPass and basically getting a year of Max thrown in—worth about $120.
Activating the offer is simple: sign up for the annual DashPass plan and link your Max subscription in your account settings. Prefer an ad-free viewing experience? You can upgrade to Max Ad-Free for an extra $10.99/month.
Social Media Giveaways for Free HBO Max
In addition to the methods above, you can also get free HBO Max subscriptions by joining promotions on social media. Official HBO Max accounts (such as X, Instagram, Facebook), along with partnered media, brands, and influencers, often run giveaway campaigns during show premieres, holidays, or special events.
Common formats include repost-to-enter, comment giveaways, or short quizzes for redeem codes. The prizes are usually 1–3 months of HBO Max free access, sometimes bundled with posters or limited-edition merchandise. For example, HBO Max Philippines (@StreamOnMaxPH) once partnered with an Instagram influencer to give away six one-month passes, while Warner Bros.
Discovery launched social media raffles during the “Friends Fan Week” campaign, where participants just had to follow the account and leave a comment.
These events usually have very low entry barriers—just follow the account and engage with the post. While winning isn’t guaranteed, if you already enjoy following new releases and fan communities, it’s worth keeping an eye on these accounts and trying your luck.
Watch Select HBO Max Episodes for Free
If you only want to revisit the opening of a popular series, HBO Max offers a very convenient option: https://www.hbo.com/watch-free-episodes. On this page, you don’t need to register or log in—just click the “Watch for Free” button to stream selected first episodes directly, with ads.
As of July 2025, free-to-watch first episodes include:
Succession
The Last of Us
Euphoria
House of the Dragon
True Detective: Night Country
The White Lotus
If the lineup doesn’t interest you right now, don’t worry—HBO Max updates this list regularly. It’s worth checking the page often to see which new titles are available to stream for free.
What HBO Max Alternatives Still Offer Free Trials in 2025?
If you’re looking for streaming alternatives that still offer free trial periods, here’s a solid list of viable options.
| Streaming Service | Free Trial Duration | Key Notes |
| Hulu (On-Demand) | Up to 30 days | Extensive original library |
| Amazon Prime Video | 30 days | Includes full Prime membership perks |
| Apple TV+ | 7 days | Sometimes extended with device promotions |
| Paramount+ | 7 days | Includes Showtime content tiers |
| Acorn TV | 7 days | Great for British/Cozy mystery content |
| Crunchyroll | 7 days | Best for anime fans |
| Philo | 7 days | Budget-friendly live TV + AMC+ access |
| fuboTV | 7 days | Ideal for sports fans |
| Hulu + Live TV | 3 days | Includes Disney+ & ESPN+, short starter trial |
| DirecTV Stream | 5 days | Cable-style lineup with DVR features |
👉 If your main goal is short-term free viewing, go for Hulu, Prime Video, or Paramount+. If you’re testing which platform is worth subscribing to, the week-long trials from Crunchyroll or fuboTV are a safe bet.
Conclusion: How to Watch HBO Max for Free in 2025
If you want to watch HBO Max for free in 2025, there are quite a few methods available: carrier bundles, Google Rewards credits, and free subscriptions offered through social media campaigns. Each option has its pros and cons, and different users may find certain methods more suitable than others.
That said, it’s important to be cautious—there are many so-called “code generators” and “cracked links” floating around online, which can lead to data leaks and security risks.
If you’re looking for a stable, risk-free way to enjoy HBO Max at a lower cost over the long term, the safest choice is still to use a legitimate shared subscription platform like GamsGo. It’s affordable, offers the full viewing experience, and is ideal for binge-watchers who want reliable access.
If you’re not yet familiar with how platforms like GamsGo work, check out our detailed review—complete with real user feedback and practical tips—to help you decide whether it’s right for you.
FAQs About Watching HBO Max for Free
Does HBO offer a free month?
Currently, HBO Max does not provide a free trial. However, you can still watch HBO Max for free through other means, including carrier bundle perks, Google Rewards credit redemption, the official free-episode previews, and occasional promotional offers.
Is HBO Max free with Amazon Prime?
HBO Max is not included with an Amazon Prime subscription. In the past, HBO Max could be added through Prime Video Channels for €9.99 per month, but that promotion ended on February 22, 2025. At present, you need to subscribe to Max separately.
Can you watch Max content for free?
Yes. Through https://www.hbo.com/watch-free-episodes you can stream select HBO Max episodes for free, including popular titles like Succession, The Last of Us, and Euphoria. To watch full seasons, however, you’ll need a paid HBO Max subscription. You can also get free access by using carrier bundle deals, redeeming Google Rewards credits, or joining limited-time promotions.
