The difference between paying $10 for a streaming service or $15 all comes down to whether or not you are opposed to watching advertisements.
While some streaming services, like Netflix and Disney+, have opted out of offering an ad-supported plan, others find it gives them the option to charge customers less.
The choice to save money by sacrificing convenience is popular with viewers, especially those who stream multiple services.
The revenue streaming services make from ads allows them to pass the savings to its subscribers, while some put the choice in the customer’s hands.
Does HBO Max Have Ads in 2024?
HBO Max has ads with its ad-supported plan, which is $9.99 per month, but also offers an ad-free plan at $14.99 per month that is entirely without ads. This separation of options gives its subscribers control over how much they want to pay and if they are willing to endure commercials.
Deciding to opt-in for the ad-supported version can save you $5 a month, or if you go for the annual subscription, it will save you around $50 for the year.
HBO Max promises that with the ad-supported plan you will only see around four minutes of commercials for every hour of streaming.
Which HBO Max Plan Has Ads?
While you can watch HBO Max without advertisements on the ad-free plan, you can also subscribe to the ad-supported plan which is cheaper.
There are a few other differences between these two plans that you should take note of. With the ad-supported plan, subscribers are unable to view new releases the same day as it comes out in theaters.
With the ad-supported plan, you also cannot watch 4K content and you will not have the ability to download titles to view later, as with the ad-free plan.
- HBO Max with Ads: $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year.
- HBO Max without Ads: $14.99 per month, or $149.99 per year.
How Do I Stop Ads On HBO Max?
To enjoy HBO Max without ads, you need to upgrade to the ad-free plan which is $14.99 per month or $149.99 per year.
If you do not already have HBO Max, simply sign up for the ad-free version by going to HBOmax.com/subscribe and choosing the ad-free plan.
You will fill out a few personal details and enter your payment information from there. Once the payment goes through, you can start watching.
If you have HBO Max with ads and want to upgrade to the ad-free plan, from the HBO Max app click on your profile icon at the top of the page.
From the profile, go to “settings” in the upper left and click “subscriptions”. Tap on “manage subscriptions” then “switch plans”.
Why Does HBO Max Have Ads But Not Netflix?
Netflix’s streaming service has different plan options than HBO Max. Its premium plan costs $17.99 and includes 4K streaming and the ability to stream on 4 devices at once.
It does not offer an ad-supported plan like HBO Max does, therefore not offering a reduced price for viewing its content with ads.
HBO Max with ads is only $9.99 per month, which is higher than Netflix’s lowest tier option, but some HBO Max content tends to be more current than shows offered on Netflix.
Netflix’s bottom tier plan also does not include streaming in HD or 4K, while the ad-supported plan on HBO Max allows you to play titles in HD.
Does HBO Max Have A Plan To Stop Ads?
HBO Max has no plans on eliminating its ad-supported plan. The plan with ads is popular with subscribers that want to save a little extra cash.
Some subscribers, specifically those who have been used to enduring commercials during television shows in the past, find the ad-supported option a better transition into streaming.
If you plan on paying annually instead of monthly, the ad-supported plan will save you a bit more money than the ad-free plan.
When paying annually the ad-supported plan will be around $50 cheaper than ad-free.
What Other Streaming Services Have No Ads?
Netflix and Disney+ have no ads to interrupt their streaming movies and shows, nor do they have any plans on including an ad-supported option anytime soon.
Along with HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, and others offer thrifty, ad-supported plans as well as ad-free plans that cost a bit extra.
HBO Max has the least invasive commercials out of the group, with an average of only four minutes of commercial time per hour of streaming content.
HBO Max’s ad-included option is $9.99 per month, while Hulu’s is $6.99 per month. Peacock’s basic ad-supported plan is free but limits what content you can watch.
| Streaming Service | Ad-free cost (monthly) | Ad-supported cost (monthly) |
| HBO Max | $14.99 | $9.99 |
| Hulu | $11.99 | $5.99 |
| Peacock | $9.99 | Free or $4.99 premium |
| Netflix Disney+ | $8.99 $7.99 | NONE NONE |
Is HBO Max Commercial-Free?
HBO Max is commercial-free if you purchase the ad-free subscription for $14.99 per month or $149.99 annually. It also has a plan that allows you to watch content for only $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually which is ad-supported.
Although HBO Max’s ad-supported plan does have commercials before and during movies and shows, they are limited to around four minutes every hour of streaming which is the least interruption out of the ad-supported streaming options.
HBO Max has an impressive library of movies and shows including a massive amount of WarnerMedia movies dating back decades.
They also have HBO Max shows and original series that cannot be seen anywhere else. It also has DC movies like Wonder Woman 1984 and Zack Snyder’s Justice League available.
You can get HBO Max with a Hulu plan, it will charge you an add-on of $14.99, the same price as an HBO Max subscription by itself.
The Ad-supported plan on HBO Max has a few downsides, including not being able to view new Warner Bros. movies the next day, but overall is worth four minutes of commercials per hour.
