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For US subscribers, Paramount+ is cheaper at its listed monthly tiers; HBO Max is the better fit if the shows, films, or sports you want are on HBO, Warner Bros., or DC. Paramount+ is the closer match for CBS, Nickelodeon, SHOWTIME, NFL on CBS, UFC, and UEFA Champions League. Neither service is the universal winner: choose by the titles and events you actually plan to watch, then compare the plan features you need.
The service called “Max” in the title is currently branded HBO Max on its official US plan page. Prices and plan details below were checked October 7, 2026, and may change.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Project Hail Mary (Blu-ray) | $19.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Spider-Man: Brand New Day - 4K + Blu-ray + Digital | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Apollo 13 [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51djPxAQWQL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Apollo 13 [Blu-ray] | $5.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Interstellar (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital) | $19.59 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu - Blu-ray + Digital | $21.77 | Buy on Amazon |
How the plans and monthly prices compare
These are the services’ listed US monthly prices as of October 7, 2026. The similarly named top tiers are not equivalent: they differ in price, streams, downloads, sports access, and picture or audio features.
| Service and plan | Monthly price | Key plan details |
|---|---|---|
| Paramount+ Essential | $8.99 | Ad-supported; up to three simultaneous devices; programming and selected live sports. |
| Paramount+ Premium | $13.99 | On-demand programming without ads, apart from possible trailers or sponsorship; live TV still has ads. Includes SHOWTIME programming, downloads, and select 4K/HDR formats. |
| HBO Max Basic with Ads | $10.99 | Ad-supported; two simultaneous devices; Full HD 1080p. |
| HBO Max Standard | $18.49 | Two simultaneous devices; Full HD 1080p; 30 downloads; select live sports. |
| HBO Max Premium | $22.99 | Four simultaneous devices, limited to two for sports; select 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos; 100 downloads; select live sports. |
At the listed monthly rates, Paramount+ costs less at both of its tiers than any HBO Max tier. HBO Max also lists annual billing at $109.99 for Basic with Ads, $184.99 for Standard, and $229.99 for Premium; applicable taxes are extra. These are current service-page prices, not guarantees of future pricing.
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#1 Best Overall
Which service has the shows and movies you want?
Choose Paramount+ for its brand mix
Paramount+ promotes programming from CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, and other brands. Premium adds SHOWTIME programming. The service also highlights original series and current movie releases. These brands indicate the catalog’s character, not a promise that any specific title will remain available.
Choose HBO Max for HBO, Warner Bros., and DC
HBO Max is associated with HBO, Warner Bros., DC, Cartoon Network, the Turner library, Looney Tunes, and Adult Swim. That makes it the more natural fit for viewers whose must-watch list centers on those catalogs.
Rank #2
- It's a BRAND NEW DAY for Peter Parker. Fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man in a world that doesn?t remember him?and the pressure of seeing his old friends move on without him?sparks a change in Peter he may not have the power to control. But that transformation might be the only thing that can stop a shocking new threat to the city and those he loves - a powerful villain no one can even see.
There is no established, comparable audited figure here for either service’s total catalog size or how much their libraries overlap. A headline claim that one has a “bigger library” would not tell you whether it carries your favorites. Search for the specific show or film in the service’s current app or listing before subscribing.
Which service is better for sports?
Paramount+: CBS-linked events and soccer
Paramount+ highlights NFL on CBS, UFC, and UEFA Champions League. Its page describes Premium as adding access to more sports and local CBS. Whether a particular game or event is available depends on the schedule, market, and plan; check the current listing for your location before choosing based on a local broadcast.
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Rank #3
HBO Max: a different selection of live sports
HBO Max highlights MLB, NHL, NCAA Men’s March Madness, U.S. Soccer, and premier cycling. Its official plan information says live sports are included with Standard and Premium. Premium allows four simultaneous streams generally, but sports are limited to two devices. Specific broadcasts are subject to the current schedule and terms.
Ads, streams, downloads, and picture quality
Ad treatment
Paramount+ Premium removes ads from on-demand programming, but live TV has ads and trailers or sponsorship may appear. Do not read “ad-free” as meaning every part of the service is free of advertising. HBO Max Basic with Ads is explicitly ad-supported; the plan details cited here do not establish a universal ad-free guarantee for every HBO Max experience.
Rank #4
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Number of Discs: 3
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 169
- Rating: PG13
Simultaneous viewing and downloads
Paramount+ says users can stream on up to three devices at once, and Premium includes downloads, subject to restrictions. HBO Max allows two simultaneous devices on Basic with Ads and Standard; Premium allows four streams overall, with a two-device limit for sports. Standard lists 30 downloads and Premium lists 100.
Video and audio formats
Paramount+ Premium supports select 4K UHD, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 titles, depending on the title, internet connection, and device capability. HBO Max Premium offers select 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos. These formats are not promised for every title, and a compatible device and setup are required.
Best Value
- The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords are scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they enlist the help of Mandalorian Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu. Some flashing lights sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers.
How to choose for your household
- Write down the specific shows, films, and events you care about. Check each one in the service’s current app or listing; brand associations and promotional highlights are not a title-by-title availability guarantee.
- Compare the monthly plan that includes those titles or events. For sports, verify the event, date, plan, and local-market availability rather than relying on a general league or sport label.
- Decide which features matter. Consider whether you need fewer ads, more simultaneous streams, offline downloads, or select premium video and audio formats.
- Check device compatibility. Both services support Roku, as well as other supported devices. A Roku streaming device is optional if you already have a compatible TV, console, or streaming player.
- Recheck price and terms when subscribing. The figures above are the US service-page listings checked October 7, 2026; prices, rights, catalogs, and plan terms can change.
Verdict: pick by your must-watch list, not the service name
Paramount+ is the practical choice when its CBS, Nickelodeon, SHOWTIME, or highlighted sports programming is what you want and its lower listed price fits your budget. HBO Max makes more sense when HBO, Warner Bros., DC, or its highlighted sports selection is the draw, or when Premium’s higher stream allowance and select Dolby Atmos support matter. The strongest comparison is the one between the exact plan and the exact programming your household will use.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
