Streaming · pricing dossier
HBO Max
Every price change since May 2020 — dated, sourced, archived.
The pricing story
HBO Max launched in 2020 as the most expensive major streamer at $14.99 — then spent five years proving it could go higher. Through two rebrands (HBO Max → Max → HBO Max again), the ad-free Standard plan climbed to $18.49 by October 2025, and Premium hit $22.99. Warner Bros. Discovery's cadence has been dependable: a roughly annual hike each of 2023, 2024, and 2025, usually $1–$2 per tier, with the ads tier now at $10.99. Add the 2024 crackdown on password sharing and the effective cost for many households has risen even faster than the sticker price.
Every change on record
5 entries- Oct 21, 2025 Standard (ad-free) $16.99 $18.49 ▲ +9%
+$1.50; ads tier to $10.99, Premium to $22.99
source: Variety ↗ - Jan 12, 2023 Standard (ad-free) $14.99 $15.99 ▲ +7%
First-ever price increase, +$1
source: TechCrunch ↗ - Jun 2, 2021 Basic with Ads $9.99 New plan
Ad-supported tier launches
source: HBO Max page (archived) ↗ - May 27, 2020 Standard (ad-free) $14.99 Launch
HBO Max launches at $14.99 — priciest big streamer of its day
source: HBO Max page (archived) ↗
Current plans (2026)
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic with Ads | $10.99/mo | With ads |
| Standard | $18.49/mo | Ad-free, 2 streams |
| Premium | $22.99/mo | 4K, 4 streams |
US list prices. Check the official pricing page for regional pricing and promos.
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Frequently asked questions
Has HBO Max ever raised its prices?
Yes — HBO Max has raised prices 3 times. The most recent increase was on Oct 21, 2025, when Standard (ad-free) went from $16.99 to $18.49.
How much does HBO Max cost in 2026?
Basic with Ads costs $10.99/mo; Standard costs $18.49/mo; Premium costs $22.99/mo.
What did HBO Max cost when it launched?
The Standard (ad-free) plan launched at $14.99/mo in May 2020. Today it costs $18.49 — a 23% increase.
When was the last HBO Max price increase?
Oct 21, 2025. +$1.50; ads tier to $10.99, Premium to $22.99