If you’re a fan of HBO’s critically acclaimed series like Game of Thrones, Westworld, and Succession, you may be wondering which HBO streaming service to sign up for: HBO GO or HBO NOW. While both services offer access to HBO’s catalog of shows and movies, there are some key differences to consider.

First off, HBO NOW is a standalone streaming service that you can sign up for without a cable or satellite subscription. It costs $14.99 a month and gives you access to all of HBO’s content, including new episodes and seasons as they premiere, as well as a rotating selection of movies. You can watch HBO NOW on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming players like Roku and Apple TV.

On the other hand, HBO GO is a streaming service that is included for free with your HBO cable or satellite subscription. This means that if you already have HBO through your cable provider, you can download the HBO GO app and sign in with your cable credentials to start streaming. HBO GO offers the same content as HBO NOW, but you don’t have to pay extra for it if you’re already an HBO subscriber.

One of the advantages of HBO NOW is that you don’t need a cable subscription to access it. This makes it a great option for cord-cutters who have ditched cable in favor of streaming services. HBO NOW is also available in more countries than HBO GO, so if you’re traveling abroad, you can still access HBO content.

However, HBO GO does have some advantages over HBO NOW. For one, it allows you to download episodes and movies for offline viewing, which is a feature that is not currently available on HBO NOW. Additionally, HBO GO offers live streaming of HBO’s channels, so you can watch new episodes and live events as they air. HBO NOW only offers on-demand streaming, so you have to wait until episodes and movies are released before you can watch them.

Another thing to consider is device compatibility. While both HBO GO and HBO NOW are available on a variety of devices, there are some differences. For example, HBO NOW is available on PlayStation and Xbox consoles, while HBO GO is not. On the other hand, HBO GO is available on more smart TV platforms than HBO NOW.

In summary, both HBO GO and HBO NOW offer access to HBO’s catalog of shows and movies, but there are some key differences to consider. If you already have a cable or satellite subscription that includes HBO, HBO GO is a great option since it’s included for free. However, if you’re a cord-cutter or don’t have a cable subscription, HBO NOW is a standalone service that offers all the same content for $14.99 a month. Consider which features are most important to you, such as live streaming or offline viewing, and choose the service that best fits your needs.