HBO Max vs. HBO Now vs. HBO Go: What Are the Differences?
HBO, one of the most popular premium cable channels, has evolved over the years with its streaming services. HBO Now, HBO Go, and now HBO Max have been the talk of the town since their inception. But what are the differences? Which one is right for you?
HBO Go is the oldest of the three. It was launched in 2010 and is a streaming service available to subscribers of HBO’s cable channel. It allows users to watch HBO shows and movies on demand on their computers, mobile devices, or streaming devices such as Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV. HBO Go is a free service with an HBO subscription, but you have to be an HBO cable subscriber to access it.
HBO Now was launched in 2015 and is almost identical to HBO Go. The key difference is that it doesn’t require a cable subscription, so anyone can sign up and start streaming on-demand HBO shows, movies, and events for a fee of $14.99 per month. It is available on a wide range of devices similar to HBO Go.
HBO Max, which was launched in May 2020, is HBO’s newest streaming service. It’s a hybrid of the HBO Go and HBO Now services, plus other TV shows, movies, and original content. In addition to all the content available on HBO Go and HBO Now, HBO Max includes content from Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, DC Comics, and max originals that includes new, exclusive programming like Looney Tunes Cartoons and Love Life. HBO Max costs $14,99 per month and is available on Roku, Apple, and Android devices, among others.
Overall, the primary differences between the three services lie in their cost, availability, and the type of content offered. HBO Go requires a subscription to the HBO cable channel. HBO Now doesn’t need a cable subscription, but it does come at a cost of $14.99 per month. HBO Max has the largest content library and costs the same as HBO Now.
So, which one is right for you? If you already have an HBO cable subscription, HBO Go is your best bet as it’s free, while HBO Now is perfect for those who don’t have a cable subscription but are still interested in HBO content. Meanwhile, HBO Max is for those who are looking for a comprehensive streaming platform that also includes entertainment from other channels and max originals.