HBO Max vs. HBO Now vs. HBO Go: Your new HBO subscription options, explained

Here is everything you need to know about the three excellent HBO streaming options HBO Now, HBO Go, and newcomer HBO Max.

The streaming wars are about to heat up as WarnerMedia’s fledgling streaming service looks to make a significant impact early when it launches. HBO Max will become the third streaming option under the Home Box Office banner, leading many to wonder which one is the right choice for them. Below is a complete breakdown of each service that should answer any questions you may have about this dilemma.

What is HBO Max?

HBO Max is a brand new service arriving May 2020 that will offer both HBO shows and WarnerMedia partner content. Besides offering hits like Game of Thrones, Westworld, and The Sopranos, subscribers will also be privy to such hits as Friends, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and many more. They will also offer a slate of original programming not available on HBO Now, or HBO Go, with some of them becoming available at launch. The cost of the new service is $14.99 per month.

HBO Max will be available for pre-existing subscriptions with companies like DirecTV, AT&T, U-verse, YouTube TV, Charter’s Spectrum, Apple TV, Google, and Hulu. The companies that do not have deals in place with WarnerMedia that offer the service include Amazon, Dish, Xfinity, and Comcast. This could change as HBO Max is still attempting to come to terms with these entities, but for right now, they are not on the list yet.

What is HBO Now?

HBO Now is a streaming option for fans that want to enjoy HBO’s critically acclaimed content without a cable subscription. The service is priced at $14.99 per month, giving subscribers exclusive access to the network’s impressive library of shows, docs, and movies.

For those that already have an HBO Now subscription will be glad to hear that the new WarnerMedia streaming service HBO Max will be available through the HBO Now app at launch. This will grant viewers access to all the old and new content the premium cable provider has in store for home audiences.

What is HBO Go?

HBO Go is explicitly made for cable subscribers. It allows them to stream the premium cable powerhouse’s next-level content on their favorite devices such as laptops, gaming consoles, phones, tablets, etc. This service only works if the customer gets HBO through a TV provider. There is no additional cost for HBO Go as it is included with their subscription.

Will HBO be eliminating HBO Go and HBO Now?

WarnerMedia will be making HBO Max its priority moving forward, but there are no immediate plans to eliminate any of their pre-existing services. Nothing will happen anytime soon to HBO Go or HBO Now, but the company is banking on everyone eventually migrating over to HBO Max when they see what it has to offer.

Which one should you choose?

HBO Max will have the same content that’s offered up on HBO Now, and HBO Go. But it will also feature so much more, including originals exclusive to the streaming service and 10,000 hours of content on its first day. It’s hard not to see the benefits of pledging allegiance to HBO Max over its predecessors. If you are looking for the best HBO has to offer, you will probably have to take your streaming game to the max.

HBO Max launches on May 27.