Choosing the perfect streaming service can be a difficult task, especially with so many options available. When it comes to Hulu and HBO Max, both platforms offer a rich library, but they cater to different tastes and needs. Hulu has a strong focus on current network television shows, while HBO Max is renowned for its high-quality, critically acclaimed original series from HBO. If you’re wondering which one to choose, let’s compare them side-by-side to help you decide.
HBO Max is available in the US, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. It seems that Max has plans for further global expansion.
Hulu, on the other hand, is primarily limited to the US and Japan, with availability in select US territories and military bases. However, you can not use your Hulu US account directly in Japan, and vice versa.
HBO Max offers significantly wider global availability than Hulu, making it a more accessible choice for international viewers.
Both platforms offer ad-supported plans for $9.99/month ($99.99/year ), allowing streaming on two devices at once. However, neither plan supports offline downloads.
Hulu offers a single No Ads plan for $18.99/month. This plan allows streaming on 2 devices and supports offline downloads.
HBO Max offers two ad-free plans:
Hulu:
HBO Max:
Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+ Bundles:
Bundled plans offer access to all three services at a discounted rate.
Hulu offers a 30-day free trial to its With Ads plan. During this period, you’ll get the full Hulu experience of the plan.
HBO Max currently doesn’t provide any free trial for its plans.
While both platforms offer similar pricing for their basic ad-supported plans, HBO Max provides more flexibility with its tiered ad-free plans, especially for those who want 4K streaming and multiple device support.
However, Hulu’s student plan offers a more affordable option. Its live TV service can be attractive to certain users. Additionally, Hulu’s 30-day free trial of its ad-supported plan provides a risk-free way to explore its content library.
| Hulu | HBO Max | |
| With Ads | $9.99/month $99.99/year | $9.99/month $99.99/year |
| No Ads / Ad-Free | $18.99/month | $16.99/month $169.99/year |
| Premium | / | $20.99/month $209.99/year |
| Student | $1.99/Month | $4.99/month |
| Live TV | Starting from $82.99/month | / |
| Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+ Bundle | $16.99/month (With Ads) $29.99/month (No Ads) | $16.99/month (With Ads) $29.99/month (No Ads) |
The quality and variety of content is a major deciding factor when selecting a streaming service. Hulu and HBO Max offer distinct content libraries, catering to different preferences.
HBO Max’s on-demand streaming library boasts over 2,000 movies and 1,300 TV shows (JustWatch), including acclaimed HBO original series like “Succession,” “Game of Thrones,” and “The Last of Us,” classic HBO series and films, and a growing collection of Max Original content. It also offers access to Warner Bros. movies and DC Universe content. The merger with Discovery has expanded Max’s content library to include a variety of reality TV, documentaries, and lifestyle programming.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Hulu’s library includes over 1,200 movies and 1,300 TV shows (JustWatch), offering a mix of original content like “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Only Murders in the Building”, network TV shows, and a large library of older TV series. The platform provides access to the latest episodes of shows from Disney-owned networks like ABC, FOX, FX, Searchlight, and Freeform, often the day after they air. Hulu also offers a live TV option (with additional cost) for access to over 95 cable channels.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
While both platforms offer a diverse selection of content, HBO Max tends to focus on high-quality original programming and blockbuster movies, while Hulu offers a wider range of network TV shows and classic films. Additionally, Hulu offers a live TV service, making it a more comprehensive streaming service
Both HBO Max and Hulu offer offline downloads for ad-free subscribers. However, HBO Max’s Premium plan provides more generous download limits.
The expiration policy is the same for the two platforms: Unwatched downloads expire after 30 days. Once started watching, downloads must be finished within 48 hours. Downloads become inaccessible upon subscription cancellation.
HBO Max boasts a strong 4K library, offering a significant amount of 4K content of over 1,000 films and episodes, including many of its original series and popular movies. You can enjoy classic titles like “Harry Potter,” “Lord of the Rings,” and “Dune”, as well as acclaimed HBO series such as “House of the Dragon,” “Barry,” and “Succession,” all in stunning 4K resolution.
HBO Max generally provides a good 4K streaming experience, with support for a wide range of devices, including most smart TVs, streaming devices, game consoles, and even iPhones and iPads.
However, to access 4K content, you’ll need an HBO Max Premium subscription.
While Hulu offers some 4K content, the selection is more limited, primarily focusing on specific shows and original programming. While 4K content is available at no extra cost with a standard Hulu subscription, it’s important to note that compatibility is limited to certain smart TVs and Xbox consoles. Hulu’s 4K streaming quality can be inconsistent, often falling short of the level of detail and clarity offered by HBO Max.
For a superior 4K streaming experience, especially for high-quality original programming and blockbuster movies, HBO Max is the clear winner. However, if you prioritize a more affordable option and are willing to compromise on 4K content selection and quality, Hulu can still be a good choice.
To fully enjoy 4K content, ensure you have a compatible device and a reliable high-speed internet connection.
Both HBO Max and Hulu allow you to create multiple user profiles within a single account, enabling personalized viewing experiences. These profiles let you track favorite shows and movies, as well as receive tailored recommendations based on your viewing history.
Hulu offers Premium add-on channels to enhance its content library and provide more flexibility to its users. These add-ons allow subscribers to access content from other streaming services like HBO Max, ESPN+, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz. This enables Hulu to offer a wider range of content without licensing everything directly.
Currently, HBO Max doesn’t offer additional add-ons to its core subscription plans. With its extensive library of HBO, Warner Bros., and Discovery content, HBO Max aims to provide a comprehensive streaming experience.
The best streaming service between HBO Max and Hulu depends on your specific preferences and needs. Both offer a variety of content, but they have distinct focuses.
If you’re a fan of high-quality original programming, HBO Max is the way to go. It’s home to a vast library of critically acclaimed HBO series, blockbuster movies, and captivating DC Universe content. Plus, HBO Max offers a significant amount of 4K content, exclusive to its Premium plan, making it a great choice for those who prioritize stunning visual and auditory experiences.
Hulu is a great option for those who want to stay up-to-date with the latest TV shows, often available the day after they air on network television. With its live TV service (for an extra fee), you can access a variety of live channels, including news, sports, and entertainment. Plus, Hulu offers a 30-day free trial for its ad-supported plan, allowing you to explore its content library risk-free.
Ultimately, the best streaming service for you depends on your personal preferences and viewing habits. You might also want to consider factors like your preferred genres, your need for live TV, your budget, and the specific shows or movies that you can’t miss.
Like Hulu and HBO Max, you can only download movies and TV shows on mobile devices using ad-free plans. However, downloaded content is restricted to the downloaded device and cannot be transferred or played by other apps. To watch Hulu/HBO Max content offline on your computer, TV, or other devices, you’ll need to use a specialized video downloader.
Pazu HBO Max Video Downloader enables you to save movies and shows in MP4 or MKV formats, even with the ad-supported plan. It offers HD-quality downloads and supports searching by title or URL. Additionally, this smart tool captures subtitles and audio tracks in multiple languages, offering three subtitle download options: soft, hard, and external.
Pazu Hulu Video Downloader simplifies downloading Hulu movies and TV shows on Windows and Mac, regardless of whether you have the ad-supported or ad-free plan. Downloaded videos are saved in MP4 or MKV format, ensuring continued enjoyment even after canceling your subscription.
Download Pazu Hulu Video Downloader on your Mac or Windows.
With Pazu HBO Max Video Downloader and Pazu Hulu Video Downloader, you can not only save your favorite titles on your computer for offline viewing but also watch them on any compatible device. There’s no limit to how many titles you can download, and you can watch them whenever you want.
If you subscribe to the HBO Max, Hulu, and Disney+ bundles, consider StreamGet All-In-One Video Downloader. This versatile tool enables you to download videos from a wide range of popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Apple TV+, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.
Download HBO Max Video movies and TV shows to MP4/MKV on your PC/Mac