Streaming Subscriptions · Tool Face-Off

Paramount+ with Showtime vs Max with HBO

Quick answer

Max (with HBO) is the stronger streaming pick for most people — deeper prestige catalog, better originals, and more consistent quality. Paramount+ shines if you love live sports, CBS, or Star Trek.

Paramount+ with Showtime

CBS, sports, Star Trek, and a dash of Showtime glam

3.8★

Our pick

Max (HBO)

HBO prestige, DC films, and a Warner Bros. treasure chest

3.9★

Monthly Price (ad-free)

~$12.99/mo

~$15.99/mo

Ad-supported tier

~$7.99/mo

~$9.99/mo

Simultaneous Streams

3 streams

Download for Offline

Yes (ad-free tier)

Live Sports

NFL, UEFA, March Madness, NWSL

Minimal/none

Live CBS News/TV

Yes, 24/7 live CBS

4K HDR Content

Limited titles

Growing library

Flagship Originals

Tulsa King, Halo, Mayor of Kingstown

The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, Succession

Movie Studio Library

Paramount Pictures back catalog

Warner Bros. + New Line back catalog

Kids Content

Nickelodeon, SpongeBob, PAW Patrol

Cartoon Network, Looney Tunes, Harry Potter

Profiles per Account

Up to 6

Up to 5

Annual Plan Savings

~$30/yr off

~$40/yr off

Paramount+ with Showtime

Pricing Value★★★★☆

Device Support★★★★☆

Content Library★★★½☆

User Experience★★★½☆

Live TV & Sports★★★★½

Originals Quality★★★½☆

Kids & Family Content★★★½☆

Max (HBO)

Pricing Value★★★½☆

Device Support★★★★☆

Content Library★★★★½

User Experience★★★★☆

Live TV & Sports★★☆☆☆

Originals Quality★★★★★

Kids & Family Content★★★★☆

Worth knowing

Paramount+ streams NFL on CBS games live — a huge differentiator in the streaming wars.
Max launched in 2023, replacing the HBO Max branding in a move that confused literally everyone.
Paramount+ includes Showtime originals like Yellowjackets and Dexter: Original Sin at no extra cost.
Max houses the entire HBO back catalog — 50+ years of some of TV's greatest hits.
Both services have flirted with bundling: Paramount+ is part of Apple One in some regions; Max bundles with Discovery+.

Max was rebranded FROM 'HBO Max' TO 'Max' to feel more inclusive — then immediately leaned back into 'with HBO' branding because nobody trusted 'Max' alone. A full identity crisis in 18 months.

If you want

You want the most critically acclaimed TV and movies

HBO's legacy alone — Sopranos, The Wire, Game of Thrones — makes Max a prestige content goldmine.

→ Pick Max (HBO)

If you want

You want live sports and live news without a cable bill

Paramount+ is one of the few streamers with legit live NFL, UEFA Champions League, and 24/7 CBS News.

→ Pick Paramount+ with Showtime

If you want

You have kids who worship Nickelodeon characters

SpongeBob, PAW Patrol, and the full Nick vault make it a toddler paradise.

→ Pick Paramount+ with Showtime

If you want

You want the best bang for your buck on pure entertainment variety

Warner Bros. films + DC + HBO originals + Cartoon Network = more hours of quality content per dollar.

→ Pick Max (HBO)

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