How do I watch HBO Max for free?
Whether you want to try out a new show or catch a March Madness game, free trials can always come through in a pinch. HBO Max hasn’t been the new kid on the block for a while, so it’s no longer directly offering free trials to entice new customers to sign up.
But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get a free trial for HBO Max. Although HBO Max is stingier than it used to be when it comes to free trials, I dug into HBO Max’s fine print and best deals to discover how to save on HBO Max’s pricey plans. Keep on reading to find out our favorite ways to try out HBO Max without shelling out a few bucks.
Bundle HBO Max with your TV or internet subscription
TV and internet providers regularly throw in streaming subscription freebies for new customers, and HBO Max is no exception. For instance, DIRECTV and Stream with DIRECTV(as of this writing) are offering three free months of HBO Max and other streamers when you sign up for a qualifying TV plan.
As CableTV.com’s Internet Editor, I love digging for these types of free subscription deals. Internet and TV providers frequently roll out the red carpet to draw new subscribers, and I’m always a fan of people getting deals like free $300 gift cards and HBO Max subscriptions, like this one from Spectrum.
Providers are constantly rotating their internet deals, but you might be able to knock two birds out with one stone if you’re shopping for cheaper internet or TV alongside a HBO Max deal. Check out our full HBO Max deals page (my teammate Logan updates it monthly) for the latest HBO Max freebies.
Get a free HBO Max trial through Amazon Prime or Hulu (when available)
Streamers like Prime Video and Hulu also double as hubs for competing streaming services like HBO Max. You can add a HBO Max subscription to your primary subscription (Prime Video and Hulu also have free trials in case you’re interested) straight through the Prime Video or Hulu apps. (I’m generally on board with this app consolidation, which makes it easier to watch shows without switching between 14 different services.)
Both apps regularly offer a HBO Max free trial, but the streamer has dialed them back in recent months. HBO Max tends to only wheel out this deal to coincide with major premieres like a new season of The Last of Us or The White Lotus.
Here’s what you’ll need to do in both apps to get a free HBO Max trial when it’s available.
Prime Video free HBO Max trial
1. Go to Subscriptions in Prime Video.
2. Click HBO Max in the Subscriptions – Sponsored section.
3. Click More Details. If HBO Max is currently running a free trial promotion through HBO Max, you’ll be able to sign up through this page.
Hulu free HBO Max trial
1. Search for HBO Max in the Hulu app’s search tool. Click HBO Max to open up Hulu’s HBO Max channel page.
2. Scroll down to Premium Add-Ons. If Hulu is running an HBO Max free trial promotion, click the plus symbol and Review Changes to activate your free week of HBO Max.
Why you should trust us
Our streaming experts have spent hundreds of hours testing and researching HBO Max as part of our regular streaming service, internet, and TV coverage. For this service guide, we drew from our existing HBO Max review, research, and deals coverage to walk you through the best ways to find a HBO Max free trial deal.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
