HBO Go and HBO Now aren’t that different, but now HBO Max is putting them both to shame. We break down the differences between HBO’s three streaming services.
HBO fans have it great these days. Subscribers can watch their favorite shows and movies whether seated in front of their TVs or on a device while riding the bus to work. This freedom comes from the company’s streaming services, HBO Go and HBO Now, which allow subscribers to experience the wonders of Westworld and Westeros using their PlayStation 4, iPhone, or another HBO-compatible device. Plus, the premium network now offers another expanded streaming service: HBO Max.
With multiple ways to stream HBO’s coveted library of original content, there are probably some people who are wondering what sets these services apart from each other. While HBO Go and HBO Now have many similarities, HBO Max goes above and beyond the other two by offering the entirety of HBO’s library, plus a lot more.
Let’s compare the three services so you can determine which is the best option for you.
So, what do the three services cost? Well, this is where things get a little tricky.
HBO Now costs a flat rate of $15 per month. It’s a stand-alone package, which means it doesn’t require a cable subscription to use. HBO Go, on the other hand, is free with an HBO subscription — but that’s the only way to access it. So, to use HBO Go, one must first have HBO; and to have HBO, one must be paying for cable or satellite.
The vast majority of users access HBO Go via a cable or satellite subscription. The monthly rate for HBO varies between providers and plans, and sometimes special offers will further reduce the price. Some providers have even dropped HBO subscriptions to as little as $5 a month, but you could be paying anywhere from nothing (via an introductory offer) to $20 on top of what you already pay for cable.
Some providers offer HBO access to internet-only customers, who can then access the content online. An HBO subscription can also be added to services such as Amazon Prime Video, PlayStation Vue, and Hulu (HBO is not currently offered on Sling TV due to a contract dispute). If you have one of AT&T TV Now’s most recent plans, you won’t even need to pay extra. HBO (and HBO Go access) is included as part of your AT&T TV Now subscription at no extra charge.
If you’re a college student, you might be able to get HBO Go for free through your university. HBO’s website has detailed instructions on how to see if your school offers no-cost HBO, but basically, if you see your place of study listed under HBO Go’s list of TV providers, you’re good to go.
HBO Max costs the same as an HBO Now subscription — $15 a month — but does not require a cable subscription. Given that it offers considerably more content than HBO Go or HBO Now, it’s easily the best bang for your buck unless you’re getting a special offer through your university or cable provider.
