Max review 2024: Everything to know before subscribing

Max doesn’t offer live TV viewing — it’s all on-demand. However, new episodes may drop at a specific time, which could make you feel like you’re watching TV live. You may remember when HBO Max crashed during the premiere of “House of the Dragon” or season two finale of “Euphoria.” While technically not a live channel, those shows debuted on the app at a specific time, and with millions tuning in, the streamer couldn’t handle it. Though crashes like this are rare, they have happened (and been frustrating) for customers. 

In terms of video quality, typically, there are no issues with Max, though this can greatly depend on your Wi-Fi or internet connection. If you have a higher-powered internet connection (like fiber), chances are your video quality may be better. Also, if you’ve subscribed to the ultimate ad-free plan for 4K viewing, your video quality will likely be better.   

Max user profiles

You can have up to five different user profiles on Max, and they can be either adult or child profiles. You can create them right in the Max app on your TV when you launch. You have the option to name the profile and even set a profile picture. If the profile is set for a child, you can set a PIN for it, which makes it so that whoever is viewing the content on the profile can’t change the parental controls you’ve set. You can set the content ratings that the profile can access, which means your child won’t be able to watch any shows or movies with a rating higher than what you allow. They also can’t switch to a different user profile without your PIN. 

Max for sports fans

Unfortunately for sports fans, Max doesn’t have a whole lot to offer. There are some sports-themed films and TV shows, but they’re largely for entertainment. You can’t catch the games and events on this streamer. There are documentaries available about some sports and athletes — primarily about the Olympics — but otherwise, there’s not much here. Sports fans should look elsewhere for a streaming app to suit their needs.

How does Max compare?

So, how much is Max? Max’s monthly price is higher than all of its competitors, though the service is roughly the same across the board. Everyone is offering a large on-demand library for customers with original content, as well as award-winning shows and blockbuster movies. Though you’re getting shows on Max that you won’t find elsewhere, that can be said for other streamers as well.

Max has over 3,000 titles to choose from across movies and TV shows, including plenty of award-winning original content. The ad-supported plan is $9.99, and while more expensive than the competitors, it’s not so much more expensive that it feels too expensive for the content you’re getting. Max is the only place you can watch a lot of really popular titles, like “Euphoria,” “The White Lotus,” “Succession, and Game of Thrones.” If you want to keep up with the zeitgeist when it comes to popular TV, Max is worth the spend.

How to subscribe to Max

It’s incredibly easy to sign up for Max service. Here’s what you have to do.

1. Go to max.com.
2. Click on Sign Up Now on the top right (or any of the other buttons on the page.)
3. Choose the plan you want and decide if you want to pay monthly or yearly.
4. Click Continue.
5. Create your account with your email address.
6. Input your payment method.
   

Some customers may also subscribe to Max through an app store (whether it’s Apple, Roku, Google Play or others), in which case you can follow the instructions through your device to sign up. Furthermore, you can sometimes get Max through your cable, internet or mobile provider. It is sometimes offered as a bonus feature on a subscription plan, and you’ll be provided with instructions on how to start your service.

Just remember that once you put in your credit card information to pay for your subscription, it’ll automatically renew either monthly or yearly (depending on what you’ve selected). Keep that in mind for if/when you want to cancel — you’ll have to do it ahead of when you’re charged for a new billing cycle.

How to cancel a Max subscription

Canceling your Max subscription — just like subscribing to Max — will vary. To cancel directly through Max, do the following:

1. Go to max.com/subscription.
2. Log into your account.
3. Click on Cancel Your Subscription.
4. Select Confirm.

If your subscription is through an app store (like Apple or Google Play), you’ll have to cancel through the app store instead. If your subscription is through your TV, internet or mobile provider, you’ll have to go through them instead. Learn more about how to cancel your subscription here.

Final thoughts

Is Max worth it? If you aren’t interested in sports, definitely. Max is a great streaming service for TV and movie fans who want a large on-demand library of popular titles. If you want to be part of the conversation during award season and stay on top of all of the shows that everyone at work is talking about, trust us that plenty of them are on Max. It’s not the place for sports fans, but it is the place for TV aficionados. Max — formerly known as HBO Max — is worth it.

FAQ

Can I watch Max for free?

You can get a Max seven-day free trial through Amazon Prime or Hulu if you are currently a subscriber. This will allow you to watch Max for free for seven days before paying monthly to subscribe. 

Is Max better than HBO Max?

Max has a larger library than HBO Max did. That means you have more shows and movies available to stream than you did with HBO Max.

Is Max free with a Prime membership?

There is a seven-day free trial available to Amazon Prime members to watch Max. This lets you watch all of Max’s library free for seven days before deciding if you want to subscribe. After that week, you will start paying monthly.