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There is no universal winner. Choose Max (the service many readers still call HBO Max) for HBO series and Warner Bros. films; Hulu for current-season television or a cable replacement; Netflix for broad, frequently refreshed entertainment; and Prime Video when shipping and other Prime benefits matter as much as video. Prices and features below are U.S. offers checked August 18, 2026.
What is being compared?
The official U.S. documentation now uses Max for Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming service, although “HBO Max” remains common in search and conversation. This comparison uses Max for the current service and does not assume its branding, catalog, or app experience is identical to earlier HBO Max versions.
Amazon Prime is different from the other three choices. Prime membership includes Prime Video, but Prime Video also contains rentals, purchases, channel subscriptions, and live events. Prime Video can also be purchased separately in some circumstances, so its price is not a pure video-only comparison.
U.S. price and feature comparison
Prices and plan details checked August 18, 2026. Promotions, taxes, billing partners, and eligibility can change the amount you pay.
#1 Best Overall
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
| Service or plan | Monthly price | What is included | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Basic with Ads | $9.99 | 2 streams; Full HD 1080p | Ads; no 4K |
| Max Standard | $16.99 ($169.99 annual) | 2 streams; 1080p; 30 downloads | No 4K |
| Max Premium | $20.99 ($209.99 annual) | 4 streams; 4K where available; Dolby Atmos where available; 100 downloads | Not available in the Disney+/Hulu/Max bundle |
| Hulu with ads | Standalone checkout price should be confirmed at signup | On-demand Hulu library and originals | Ads and rights-related exceptions |
| Disney+/Hulu bundle with ads | $12.99 | Disney+ Basic and Hulu With Ads | Does not include Max |
| Disney+/Hulu bundle without ads | $19.99 | Disney+ Premium and Hulu No Ads | Does not include Max |
| Hulu + Live TV | $89.99 after applicable promotion | More than 100 advertised live channels, DVR, Hulu library | Regional lineups, blackouts, and advertising apply |
| Netflix Standard with ads | $8.99 | Ad-supported Netflix | Not equivalent to ad-free or 4K tiers |
| Netflix Standard | $19.99 | Ad-free; 2 devices; 1080p; downloads on 2 supported devices | No 4K |
| Netflix Premium | $26.99 | 4 devices; 4K/HDR; downloads on 6 devices; spatial audio | Highest standard monthly price here |
| Prime membership | $14.99 or $139 annually | Prime Video benefit, shipping and other Prime benefits; HD/HDR10/HDR10+; Dolby Vision; 4 streams; 50 downloads | Included, rental, purchase, channel, and event content are mixed |
| Prime Video Ultra | $4.99; $45.99 annually for eligible annual Prime members | Ad-free eligible content; 4K/UHD; Dolby Atmos; 5 streams; 100 downloads | Live, sports, events, and some other content may still show ads |
Sources: Max plans, Hulu offers, Hulu + Live TV, Netflix plans, and Amazon’s Prime Video Ultra announcement.
Max: best for HBO, Warner Bros., and a focused premium catalog
Max is the clearest choice when your must-watch list is built around HBO series and specials, Warner Bros. movies, Max Originals, DC programming, and a curated premium-TV identity. It is often better for a household with several specific priorities than for someone who simply wants the largest possible general catalog.
Plan trade-offs
Basic with Ads is 1080p with two streams. Standard adds 30 downloads but remains 1080p. Premium adds four streams, 4K, Dolby Atmos, and 100 downloads where titles and devices support them. Annual plans have a stated 16% saving but require a longer commitment.
Rank #2
- Ultra-speedy streaming: Roku Ultra is 30% faster than any other Roku player, delivering a lightning-fast interface and apps that launch in a snap.
- Cinematic streaming: This TV streaming device brings the movie theater to your living room with spectacular 4K, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision picture alongside immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- The ultimate Roku remote: The rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro offers backlit buttons, hands-free voice controls, and a lost remote finder.
- No more fumbling in the dark: See what you’re pressing with backlit buttons.
- Say goodbye to batteries: Keep your remote powered for months on a single charge.
Sports and access options
Standard and Premium include selected live sports, including MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA men’s March Madness, U.S. Soccer, and premier cycling; Max is not a complete live-sports replacement. You can subscribe directly, through Prime Video Channels, or add Max to an eligible Hulu bill. Provider billing can change plan names, prices, app access, and cancellation steps.
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Hulu: best for current television and cable replacement
Hulu bridges traditional television and streaming. Its library includes Hulu Originals, movies, kids programming, and many current-season ABC- and FX-related shows. Hulu says most new episodes are available the day after broadcast, subject to show, network, rights, location, and plan exceptions.
On-demand versus live TV
Hulu + Live TV is a separate category from ordinary on-demand subscriptions. It advertises more than 100 channels, local and national programming, news, sports, and DVR storage for up to nine months. Channel lineups, local stations, regional sports, blackouts, and availability depend on your location. Live and video-on-demand programming continues to include advertising, even when the on-demand Hulu library is otherwise ad-free.
Rank #3
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
Sources: Hulu TV page and Hulu policies.
Hulu with Max
Hulu’s Max add-on page lists Max Basic with Ads at $10.99 per month and Max Standard at $18.49 per month, in addition to a Hulu base plan. Some Max programming is available in Hulu, while selected content requires the Max app. This can simplify billing without creating identical access to every direct Max plan. See Hulu’s Max add-on page.
Netflix: best broad default for one general entertainment service
Netflix combines frequent original releases, mainstream movies and series, international programming, documentaries, children’s titles, and games. Raw catalog-size claims are unreliable because titles change by country and date; the practical advantage is breadth and release frequency.
Choosing a Netflix tier
Standard with ads is the lowest listed entry price at $8.99, but it is not equivalent to ad-free viewing. Standard provides 1080p, two devices, and downloads on two supported devices. Premium provides 4K/HDR, four devices, six download devices, and spatial audio for $26.99.
Rank #4
- Advanced 4K streaming - Elevate your entertainment with the next generation of our best-selling 4K stick, with improved streaming performance optimized for 4K TVs.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Cloud gaming, no console required – Stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and hundreds of games on your Fire TV Stick 4K Select with Xbox Game Pass and Luna via cloud gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscription and compatible controller required. Each sold separately.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Wi-Fi 6 support - Enjoy smooth 4K streaming, even when other devices are connected to your router.
Netflix’s extra-member system is separate from informal password sharing: Standard permits one extra member and Premium permits up to two, with the listed charges of $7.99 with ads or $9.99 without ads. Confirm eligibility and U.S. checkout details because the cited help page is hosted on Netflix’s Portuguese subdomain while displaying dollar prices. Source: Netflix help.
Prime Video: best when Prime’s wider membership pays for itself
Prime Video is strongest for households that use Amazon delivery and other Prime benefits as well as video. Its included catalog includes Amazon MGM originals such as Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and The Summer I Turned Pretty, alongside selected live sports and events.
Included content versus paid content
The Prime Video interface can place included titles beside rentals, purchases, channel subscriptions, and live events. Check the “included with Prime” label before assuming a title is covered. If you mainly want video and will not use shipping, music, reading, gaming, or other benefits, Prime’s value is less direct than Netflix’s or Max’s.
Best Value
- Essential 4K streaming – Get everything you need to stream in brilliant 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range 10+ (HDR10+).
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Make your TV even smarter – Fire TV gives you instant access to a world of content, tailor-made recommendations, and Alexa, all backed by fast performance.
- All your favorite apps in one place – Experience endless entertainment with access to Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, and thousands more. Easily discover what to watch from hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes (subscription fees may apply), including free, ad-supported content.
- Getting set up is easy – Plug in and connect to Wi-Fi for smooth streaming.
Ultra and advertising
Ultra adds 4K/UHD, Dolby Atmos, five simultaneous streams, and 100 downloads, with ad-free viewing for eligible included content. Amazon says live TV, sports, events, and certain other programming may still contain ads, and 4K, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos depend on the title, device, and bandwidth. Source: Amazon.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The bundle that can change the answer
Disney+/Hulu/Max bundle
Max lists a bundle at $16.99 per month with ads (Max Basic with Ads, Disney+ Basic, Hulu With Ads) or $29.99 without ads (Max Standard, Disney+ Premium, Hulu No Ads). Max Premium is unavailable, and the services use separate apps. Compare this bundle before buying Disney+, Hulu, and Max separately. Source: Max bundle details.
Quick Recap
Other combinations
- Hulu plus Max add-on: Convenient Hulu billing, but some viewing moves to the Max app and direct-Max plan choices may differ.
- Prime Video Channels: A convenient single Prime bill, with provider-specific cancellation and plan rules.
- Direct subscriptions: Usually the clearest route to each service’s full plan ladder and native app.
Which service fits your viewing habits?
| Your priority | First choice | Why | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBO, prestige drama, Warner Bros. movies | Max | Concentrated premium catalog | Weak value without must-watch titles |
| Current-season network TV | Hulu | Many next-day episodes and TV integration | Rights exceptions and ads |
| Cable replacement | Hulu + Live TV | Channels, local availability, sports, DVR | $89.99 price, blackouts, regional limits |
| Broad entertainment and international shows | Netflix | Frequent originals and varied genres | 4K requires Premium |
| Prime shopper | Prime Video | Video plus delivery and other benefits | Paid and included titles are mixed |
| 4K household | Max Premium, Netflix Premium, or Prime Ultra | 4K is tied to these higher tiers | Compatible title, device, display, and bandwidth required |
| Several simultaneous viewers | Prime Ultra or Netflix Premium | Five or four streams respectively | Higher recurring cost |
| Frequent travelers | Max Standard/Premium, Netflix, or Prime | Explicit download allowances | Download limits and title restrictions vary |
How to lower the total bill
- Rotate monthly: Subscribe to the service with the current must-watch show, cancel after finishing it, and switch rather than paying for four idle libraries.
- Use annual billing selectively: Max’s annual plans save 16% according to its listed prices, but only make sense if you will watch year-round.
- Compare exact bundles: The $16.99 or $29.99 Disney+/Hulu/Max offer can beat three separate bills, but it cannot provide Max Premium.
- Skip unnecessary 4K: A 4K tier adds little without a compatible display, device, title, bandwidth, and audio setup.
- Audit Prime benefits: Count shipping, music, reading, gaming, and other benefits before judging Prime as a video-only expense.
- Cancel through the original seller: Apple, Google, Roku, Amazon, cable, and telecom billing generally require cancellation through that same provider.
Bottom-line recommendations
- Pick Max for HBO, Warner Bros., DC, and a focused premium catalog.
- Pick Hulu for current-season television; choose Hulu + Live TV when you need channels, local programming, news, sports, and DVR.
- Pick Netflix as the broadest one-service default for varied household viewing and international originals.
- Pick Prime Video when the wider Prime membership already earns its cost.
- Check the Disney+/Hulu/Max bundle first if you want all three and can live without Max Premium.
- For maximum savings, rotate one or two services instead of maintaining all four continuously.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
