Looking to Switch? 12 HBO Max Alternatives After Price Hike

HBO Max will raise prices across all subscription tiers starting November 20, 2025 for existing subscribers. New subscribers already face the higher rates as of October 21. The ad-supported plan jumps from $9.99 to $10.99 per month, while the ad-free Standard tier climbs from $16.99 to $18.49 monthly, according to USA Today.

This marks the second price increase in less than 18 months. And it’s pushing some subscribers to reconsider their streaming lineup.

What’s Changing with HBO Max Pricing

Warner Bros. Discovery announced increases of $1 to $2 for monthly plans and $10 to $20 for annual subscriptions, The Hill reports. The Ultimate Ad-Free plan, which includes 4K streaming, now costs $21.99 per month—up from $20.99.

Current subscribers will see the new pricing reflected on their billing date on or after November 20. You’ll get 30 days’ notice before the charges hit your account.

The fact that this is quality, and that’s true across our company, motion picture, TV production and streaming quality, we all think that gives us a chance to raise prices.

David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery

The company’s justification centers on content quality. But whether subscribers agree that the library justifies another increase is another question entirely.

Why Subscribers Are Looking Elsewhere

HBO Max isn’t alone in raising prices. Disney+, Apple TV+, and Netflix have all implemented increases recently. The pattern reflects broader industry trends as streaming services push toward profitability after years of subscriber acquisition at any cost.

But the cumulative effect matters. If you’re subscribed to three or four services, these $1 and $2 increases add up quickly. Some households now spend $80 to $100 monthly on streaming—approaching what cable packages used to cost.

Warner Bros. Discovery is also exploring a potential sale, according to USA Today, which adds uncertainty about the platform’s future direction.

What to Consider When Switching Services

Before you cancel HBO Max and jump to another platform, think about what actually matters for your viewing habits. Content library depth means nothing if the shows don’t interest you.

Pricing structures vary widely. Some services offer ad-supported tiers that cut costs significantly. Others bundle multiple platforms together. And a few provide annual discounts that soften monthly sticker shock.

Content quality matters too, though it’s subjective. HBO built its reputation on prestige dramas and premium films. If that’s your preference, alternatives need to match that standard—not just offer more content.

12 Streaming Services Worth Considering

Netflix remains the market leader with over 247 million subscribers globally. The ad-supported tier starts at $6.99 monthly, though the Standard plan costs $15.49. Original content production continues at scale, with dozens of new releases monthly.

Disney+ combines Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and National Geographic content. The basic plan runs $7.99 per month. Family-friendly content dominates, but recent additions like “The Bear” show broader ambitions.

Hulu offers current-season TV episodes from major networks alongside originals. At $7.99 monthly with ads, it fills a different niche than HBO Max. The Disney Bundle packages Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ for $14.99.

Amazon Prime Video comes included with Prime membership at $14.99 monthly. The library mixes licensed content with originals like “The Boys” and “Fallout.” You’re also getting free shipping and other Prime benefits.

Apple TV+ costs just $9.99 monthly but maintains a smaller, curated library. Quality over quantity defines the approach—shows like “Severance” and “Ted Lasso” earned critical acclaim and awards.

Paramount+ provides CBS shows, Paramount films, and sports including NFL games. The Essential plan starts at $5.99 with ads. Live TV integration sets it apart from pure on-demand services.

Peacock from NBCUniversal offers a free tier with limited content, while Premium costs $5.99 monthly. You’ll find NBC shows, Universal films, and live sports including Premier League soccer.

Discovery+ specializes in reality TV, documentaries, and lifestyle content. At $4.99 monthly, it’s one of the cheaper options. If you watch HGTV, Food Network, or TLC regularly, it concentrates that content.

Showtime competes directly with HBO on prestige dramas and boxing. The standalone service costs $10.99 monthly. Series like “Yellowjackets” and “The Chi” anchor the lineup.

Starz runs $9.99 per month and focuses on original series plus a rotating film library. “Outlander” and “Power” franchises draw dedicated audiences.

Tubi offers completely free streaming supported by ads. The library includes over 50,000 titles, though you won’t find current blockbusters. For budget-conscious viewers, it’s hard to beat free.

Pluto TV also streams free with ads, but structures content like traditional cable with live channels. You’ll find news, sports, movies, and TV shows organized by genre rather than pure on-demand.

HBO Max’s second price hike in less than 18 months

What Happens Next for HBO Max Users

Existing subscribers will see charges adjust automatically on their next billing cycle after November 20. Warner Bros. Discovery will send notifications 30 days before the increase takes effect on your account.

You can cancel anytime before that billing date to avoid the higher rate. Or you might consider downgrading from ad-free to ad-supported if you don’t mind commercials—though that tier also increased to $10.99 monthly.

The company hasn’t announced plans for additional features or content to justify the price bump. For help with account changes, visit HBO Max’s support site.

Streaming costs continue climbing across the industry. The days of cheap Netflix as a cable replacement are gone. Now it’s about choosing which services align with what you actually watch—and being willing to rotate subscriptions rather than maintaining them all year-round.