REVIEWS / COMPARE
Apple TV+ vs HBO Max
HBO Max edges ahead at 7.8 vs 5.2 — but read the trade-offs below; Apple TV+ may still be the better fit for you.
| Apple TV+ | HBO Max | |
|---|---|---|
| RATING | 5.2 / 10 | 7.8 / 10 |
| CONFIDENCE | high | high |
| USER VOICES | 277 | 751 |
| POSITIVE | 35% | 60% |
| PRICE | $12.99 | — |
| RECOMMENDED | ✗ We don't recommend | ✓ Yes |
Apple TV+
★ STRENGTHS
- Severance, Ted Lasso, and For All Mankind are genuinely acclaimed original content
- iPhone remote integration via Control Center works well without unlocking
- Family sharing included at base price adds significant value
✗ WATCH OUT
- Naming confusion across Apple TV hardware, app, and streaming service is genuinely disorienting
- Included content mixed with third-party paid content with no clear visual separation
- Too limited original content library to justify year-round subscription for most users
Not recommended Full review →
HBO Max
★ STRENGTHS
- Consistent, high-quality original shows
- Extensive library of classic movies
- Content catalog is generally sufficient for most users
✗ WATCH OUT
- Overlapping content categories make navigation difficult
- Menus are complicated and need simplification
- Controversial corporate rebranding (HBO Max to Max)
Not recommended Full review →
HOW THIS COMPARISON WAS BUILT
Both verdicts are synthesised from real user voices on Reddit, YouTube, Hacker News, ProductHunt, Trustpilot and editorial sources — 277 for Apple TV+, 751 for HBO Max. No paid placement; ratings come from raw sentiment, not our opinion. Read the methodology.