What’s the Cheapest Way to Go for HBO?
See if the new HBO Max or your TV plan is the cheapest way to get HBO.
HBO Max
Price: $10.99–$22.99/mo.
Simultaneous streams: 3
Video: 1080p, 4K
Free trial: None
HBO Max
Price: $10.99–$22.99/mo.
Simultaneous streams: 3
Video: 1080p, 4K
Free trial: None
DIRECTV
HBO add-on price: $18.49/mo.
TV plans: $89.99–$169.99/mo.
Channels: 165–340+
DVR storage: 200 hrs.
DIRECTV
HBO add-on price: $18.49/mo.
TV plans: $89.99–$169.99/mo.
Channels: 165–340+
DVR storage: 200 hrs.
Spectrum
HBO add-on price: $19.00/mo.
TV plans: $45.00–$160.00/mo.
Channels:150–160+
DVR storage: Varies
Spectrum
HBO add-on price: $19.00/mo.
TV plans: $45.00–$160.00/mo.
Channels:150–160+
DVR storage: Varies
Optimum
HBO add-on price: $18.49/mo.
TV plans: $15.00–$140.00/mo.
Channels: 50–250+
DVR storage: 25–150 hrs.
Optimum
HBO add-on price: $18.49/mo.
TV plans: $15.00–$140.00/mo.
Channels: 50–250+
DVR storage: 25–150 hrs.
Xfinity
HBO add-on price: $18.49/mo.
TV plans:$55.00–$125.00/mo.
Channels: 10–185+
DVR storage: 150 hrs.
Xfinity
HBO add-on price: $18.49/mo.
TV plans:$55.00–$125.00/mo.
Channels: 10–185+
DVR storage: 150 hrs.
Is there a cheaper way to get HBO?
The cheapest way to get HBO is through HBO Max. Its ad-supported plan starts at just $10.99 per month, or you could save by paying $109.99 for the whole year.
Cheapest HBO
- HBO Max ($10.99–$22.99/mo.)—cheapest HBO on demand
- Xfinity ($22.00/mo.)—cheapest HBO add-on bundle with Peacock, Netflix, HBO Max
For most folks, we recommend HBO’s streaming service HBO Max because it’s relatively cheap, has a month-to-month contract, and features more than just HBO Originals. The cheapest option is reliant on ads, which is disappointing if you’re used to the normally ad-free HBO experience, but is maybe worth it if your streaming TV bills are getting too high.
If you prefer to keep things simple with a single cable plan and live TV channels, you’d be okay bundling with Optimum, Spectrum, DIRECTV, DISH, or Xfinity. Luckily, you’ll still be able to log into HBO Max with your cable credentials.
But we get it: the devil is in the details. Keep reading for the best ways to get HBO without breaking the bank.
To see if any of these offers are available in your area, enter your zip code below.
Price with ads: $10.99/mo. or $109.99/yr.
Price without ads: $18.49/mo. or $184.99/yr.
Price with 4k quality: $22.99/mo. or $229.99/yr.
Ad-supported HBO Max for cheap HBO on demand
If you’re a cord-cutter or looking for the cheapest HBO option, HBO Max is hypothetically a good, cheap option for getting all of HBO’s awesome content and more.
For the time being, HBO Max also includes movies and shows from Warner Brothers, Turner, CNN, Cartoon Network, adult swim, DC, and TNT. However, HBO Max has a history of removing titles to save a dime, so we can’t promise these brands will stick around forever.
That all adds up to around 10,000 hours of TV, with favorites like The Big Bang Theory, Wonder Woman, and Friends joining the already rich HBO landscape alongside Watchman and Succession. The cheapest way to get HBO Max is to pay $10.99 per month for the ad-supported plan, but you’ll have to pay an extra $7.50 to go ad-free, and an extra $12.00 to get extra streams and 4k quality.
The only drawback of this option is you don’t get any of the live HBO TV channels, but you’ll still get access to all of HBO’s content on demand at the moment it premieres, so does it really matter?
Cheap HBO with cable
Nearly every cable TV provider allows customers to add on HBO to existing packages. However, the only advantage of doing so is dealing with fewer monthly bills—most add-ons cost $18.49 or more, which makes an annual (ad-supported or ad-free) HBO Max subscription the cheaper option.
Some providers offer short-term promotional pricing or a free trial to sweeten the deal. Others will include the price of HBO with upper-tier packages.
For a lot of folks, adding on HBO to your existing package is the easiest way to get it. It’s simple to add it on to a package, you don’t have to worry about a separate bill, and you’ll have access to live HBO channels.
- HBO promo price: Free HBO Max for 2 mos., 3 mos. for new customers
- HBO regular price: $18.49/mo.
Free HBO Max with DIRECTV
DIRECTV isn’t a bad way to go for HBO. The biggest TV package, Premier ($169.99/mo.) includes HBO Max, Paramount+ Premium, STARZ®, and Cinemax® in the price. That’s along with 150+ cable channels. Also, new customers ordering most packages get three months of each of those services for free.
When adding just HBO Max to an existing plan, you get two months of HBO Max free. Although, if you’re keeping score, that’s the same discount you’d get if you subscribed to HBO Max through annual billing.
Just watch out for when the billing kicks in after the second month. DIRECTV loves doing that. DIRECTV’s website currently lists the “prevailing rate” at $18.49/mo..
- HBO bundle price: $184.00/mo.
HBO with Cox Contour TV Ultimate
Cox’s premium bundle Contour TV Ultimate combines cable TV service with HBO Max, Cinemax, STARZ, Paramount+ Premium, and MGM+. Cox doesn’t appear to offer HBO as a standalone service anymore, although Contour TV Ultimate does provide access to the live HBO channels you’d expect from a cable subscription.
In general, we’re fans of Cox internet plans, which are pretty good for the price. If you have Cox or want to switch, we suggest bundling internet and TV.
- HBO promo price: None
- HBO regular price: $18.49/mo.
HBO with DISH
DISH’s HBO add-on is $18.49 per month, which is the same price as regular HBO Max.
If you’re looking to combine some of your monthly bills together, you could do worse than adding HBO to your DISH plan.
- HBO promo price: None
- HBO regular price: $18.95/mo.
HBO with Mediacom
Unfortunately, Mediacom doesn’t offer any HBO promos, and its HBO add-on is a bit pricier than other cable providers.
That’s why we recommend just getting HBO Max as a standalone service if you’re a Mediacom customer.
- HBO promo price: None
- HBO regular price: $18.49/mo.
HBO with Optimum
Optimum sometimes offers special HBO deals, including free months of the service for its internet customers. For everyone else, Optimum’s HBO add-on costs $18.49 per month. Or you could get HBO bundled into the Premier TV plan, which includes STARZ and Paramount+ Premium, for $140.00 per month.
If you want live HBO through Optimum, it’s not a bad deal. But you could always just subscribe to HBO Max for an annual discount if you’re cool with streaming on demand.
- HBO promo price: None
- HBO regular price: $15.99/mo.
HBO with Astound
Internet and TV from Astound are already affordable, and its HBO Max add-on is $2.50 cheaper than standalone HBO Max. If you’re an Astound customer, you’ll probably want to bundle HBO Max with your TV and internet plan.
- HBO promo price: HBO Max included with Spectrum cable TV plans
- HBO regular price: $19.00/mo.
Free HBO Max with Spectrum
Spectrum’s cable TV packages all come with HBO Max included (plus a bounty of other services—learn more on our Spectrum deals guide).
If you want to add HBO to a Spectrum TV plan that doesn’t come with HBO Max included (like TV Stream), you’ll pay $19.00—that’s $0.50 more than the streaming service alone. I’d recommend getting HBO Max as a standalone service if you have a Spectrum streaming plan.
- HBO promo price: Discounted bundles with Peacock, Netflix, Apple TV, and the Disney+ bundle
- HBO regular price: $18.49/mo.
Included HBO with Xfinity
Xfinity offers HBO with some TV packages, or you can purchase HBO Max as an add-on for the same price as a standalone subscription.
If you’re looking to bundle services, though, Xfinity could be the provider for you. They offer discounted streaming service bundles that all include HBO Max for up to $13 less than their retail value:
- Peacock, Netflix, HBO Max — $22.00/mo. (reg. $29.97/mo.)
- Peacock, Netflix, Apple TV, HBO Max — $30.00/mo. (reg. $42.96/mo.)
- Peacock, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max — $30.00/mo. (reg. $42.96/mo.)
Get cheap HBO that’s right for you
Getting HBO in your life doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think it’ll be. Overall, we recommend signing up for an annual HBO Max subscription, although you can bundle HBO with cable if you don’t mind paying a little more.
You don’t have to keep missing out on the hottest shows on TV. Enter your zip code below to find TV providers available in your area that offer the cheapest HBO packages.
Cheap HBO FAQ
Does HBO offer a student discount?
HBO doesn’t currently offer any student discounts.
How much is HBO on Amazon Prime?
HBO Max costs $18.49/mo. through Amazon Prime Video.
How much is HBO on Hulu?
You can add HBO Max, HBO’s streaming-only service, to your Hulu account for $18.49 a month. This give you access to all HBO content, as well as additional shows and movies available only through HBO Max.
Is HBO Max cheaper with Hulu?
HBO Max costs the same through Hulu as it does as a standalone subscription: $18.49 a month.
What is the cheapest way to get HBO?
At $109.99 per year, subscribing annually to HBO Max with ads is the cheapest way to watch HBO content. The next-cheapest option is to pay $10.99 monthly for the ad-supported plan, or $184.99 yearly for the ad-free plan.
What’s the difference between HBO Max and HBO NOW?
HBO NOW no longer exists. It was HBO’s first standalone streaming service and cost $14.99 a month. The main difference is that HBO NOW had only HBO content—none of the sweet extra network content that HBO Max carries.
How much internet speed do you need to stream HBO Max?
You’ll need about 15–25 Mbps internet speed to stream HBO Max content in HD. The New America Foundation indicates the average price for 15–20 Mbps internet speed is about $41.95 per month. If your internet connection is on the slower end (think DSL), you might find that HBO Max will end up costing you more than $18.49 per month because you’ll need to upgrade your internet service to get a good streaming experience.
Why you should trust us
Our money-saving experts have scoured the web to bring you the best deals to save you money on TV and streaming services. For more on our research process, head over to How We Rank.
